MODULE 1: The Preceptor
Traits of an Effective Preceptor
The attitude that you display as you are orienting an orientee/student is critical in helping him/her to adjust to the unit and his/her new role. The best learning environment is one that will allow the orientee/student to grow without feeling intimidated or frightened. To insure you are providing this type of environment, your interaction should include the following qualities:
POSITIVE ATTITUDE
CALM MANNER
FLEXIBILITY
PATIENCE
SENSE OF HUMOR
RESPECT
CARING
HONESTY
Preceptor Criteria
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Provides patient care according to established practice standards
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Fulfills duties according to established hospital and unit policies and procedures
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Demonstrates safe operation of equipment
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Maintains mature and effective working relationships with members of the health care team
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Uses resources effectively and appropriately
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Demonstrates effective verbal and written communication skills
Roles of the Preceptor
Educator
Through the use of the educational process the preceptor will assist the orientee/student to acquire the experiences and skills necessary to successfully fill his/her role as a member of the health care team. As a resource person and expert, the preceptor will continue to be available for the new employee/student to answer questions and support the orientee/student even after the orientation period.
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Mentor
A mentor is a trusted colleague who supports the orientee/student through the orientation process and beyond. He or she anticipates the orientee’s/student’s needs and concerns and makes himself/herself available to respond to those needs. The preceptor’s professional attitude, performance, and supportive manner separate a mentor from a co-worker.
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Socializer
The preceptor socializes the orientee/student into the unit team. This is accomplished through introducing the orientee/student to co-workers, physicians, and other employees whom they may come in contact with. The orientee/student should be included in breaks, lunches, and staff meetings.
Team Member vs. Preceptor
The job requirements and responsibilities differ between a team member and a preceptor. All members of the team must be aware of the difference and be willing to accept them. Conflicts between co-workers may develop if the team is unable to accept the different value systems that need to be in place.
Activity - Pinterest Resources - Collaboration and Resource Collection
Collecting and sharing resources is an important factor in improving our community's preceptor program. To be an exceptional CST or CSFA, is to continue educating yourself on the areas of surgery, anatomy, and new technologies.
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For this activity, add resources to the group Pinterest Board. It can be anything that you find valuable for you fellow CST/CSFA's and students just starting out. There is no limit to how much you add, as long as it pertains to furthering our professional knowledge (or if it makes us giggle). Share your Pinterest post in the Facebook group.
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Indicate that you have completed this activity in the Assignment Tracker by providing a link to your Facebook post.
Assignment - Blog Post - Reflective Post
Reflecting on your personal attributes as a preceptor, is important to your growth as a CST/CSFA. Create your first blog post by reflecting on your specific philosophy on precepting new orientee's and students. Include your experience precepting students or orientee's, why you precept orientee/students, if you think it is valuable for your own improvement and why it's important for the profession of Surgical Technology.
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Once you have completed your blog post, include a link to it in the Facebook group - NIC - Surgical Technology Preceptors. Then add a link to your FB group post to the Assignment Tracker.
Group Discussion - Google Meet - Synchronous
This will be a group discussion on "Precepting Surgical Tech's: Trials and Tribulations". We will discuss precepting thought and techniques, surgical tech program's, types of surgical specialties, and surgeon attitudes toward students and new orientee's.
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The event will be on September 19th, 2018, via Google Meet. Enter the Google Meet code: meet.google.com/mpf-ayya-pyf
See details here:
