Adjunct Appointment and Promotion Processes

Who needs an adjunct appointment?

An adjunct appointment is required for physicians and other licensed healthcare professionals who teach and evaluate medical students at the various teaching sites across the state.  These individuals are commonly referred to as ‘preceptors’.

People who already hold a regular appointment from a UNC clinical department do not need adjunct appointments.  This applies to most physicians and many other health care professionals who work at the hospitals and clinics in Chapel Hill, though the occasional exception may occur, in which case an adjunct appointment would be necessary.

Who recruits preceptors for clinical teaching?

Regional campuses and site directors (Charlotte, Asheville, Wilmington, Raleigh, and Greensboro) and central campus course directors and staff recruit preceptors and submit requests for appointment to the appropriate clinical department.

Requests for appointments that come directly from preceptors will not be accepted.

Who grants adjunct appointments?  Is there assistance in requesting appointments?

The appropriate UNC clinical department grants the adjunct appointment.  The UNC Office of Medical Education has a designated staff person to assist campuses and regional sites with their adjunct appointment requests and submissions.  This staff person facilitates the collection of required documents, manages the background check, and acts as a liaison to UNC clinical departments.

Staff Person: Doug Hudson

What documentation is required for consideration of an adjunct appointment?

The designated staff person in the UNC Office of Medical Student Education works with staff at campuses and sites to collect the following:

1. Preceptor’s CV (must be up to date and show employment at the site where the preceptor will be instructing students).
2. UNC Human Resources forms, if any.
3. Adjunct Appointment Application Form

All candidates for adjunct appointments must complete and clear a state-mandated background check facilitated and paid for by UNC Office of Medical Student Education. Candidates must also complete a background check questionnaire. Preceptors with foreign degrees must submit a translated copy of their degree. The background check office may require additional documentation. For assistance, contact Karlie Briggs.