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Industry Partnerships

Preceptors contribute to the future of health care by mentoring and coaching the next generation of professionals and play a critical role in the training SAIT's School of Health and Safety provides. 

For more information on becoming a clinical partner, please contact Jennifer Brown, Allied Health Practicum Coordinator.

Why preceptorship is valuable

"Learners value preceptors who possess broad knowledge of their field of expertise, but even more so, learners value preceptors who can explain complex material in a manner that is simple and concise. A preceptor demonstrates their knowledge as they discuss current developments, reveal broad readings, discuss divergent points of view, relates topics to other disciplines and can direct students to useful literature in the field."

(Stritter & Baker, 1982)

Our students receive many benefits while on their practicum, training and working alongside a preceptor:

  • Participate in a variety of settings with patients and equipment
  • Experience the "real world" of practice
  • Socialization into the profession
  • Gain competence and confidence
  • Investigate employment opportunities
  • Begin the transition from the role of student to graduate to new employee

Learners weigh-in:

"My preceptor was very approachable. If you had a question, she would have an answer for you and not make it feel like it was something you should know. Also, if there was something she couldn't answer, she had no problem admitting that and then helping you find out."

"My practicum, thus far, has been a really good experience and I have been treated very kindly; I was even made to feel like part of the team rather than 'the student'. I was also encouraged to express whether or not a situation or schedule was working for me. They were very flexible and accommodating, which was much appreciated!"

Faculty also benefit from liaising with preceptors and practicum students:

  • Network with a variety of preceptors and health care agencies
  • Keep up to date on the changes of the profession through the preceptors
  • Opportunity to facilitate and encourage preceptor and student growth
  • Gain an understanding of health care delivery systems in the community
  • Build ongoing relationships with health care agencies in the community

Faculty weigh in:

"The value of preceptorship is to take you back to the time that you were a student. It re-focuses our attention to that of the learner, not the seasoned veteran health care professional. Through our preceptor courses, we learn how to transfer our vast amount of knowledge and experience to those students who will someday take our places in the health care field. I feel that I would not have been confident to teach today's students at SAIT without my preceptor courses behind me." (Former preceptor, current SAIT Instructor)

"As a SAIT faculty member, I have the opportunity to liaise with the preceptors, which allows me to keep up on current changes in my own profession and to build relationships through preceptor meetings and training sessions. By working closely with the practicum sites, I have the chance to see how the preceptor is encouraging and developing the learner to become the next generation of health care professionals and this is exciting."

Preceptors benefit too

There are many personal and professional satisfactions that come with being a preceptor:

  • Professional involvement in the teaching/learning process
  • Validates and reinforces professional value and practice
  • Stimulates innovative and improved practice
  • Opportunity to step back and appreciate own contribution to the profession
  • Contributions to future health care through influencing a student's practice
  • Opportunity to network with other preceptors

Preceptors weigh-in:

"I think, as a preceptor, I am passing on something of value to my students. I am passing on knowledge that not all people have. Some days I take my knowledge for granted and teaching new professionals reminds me of the value of the things I have learned from my years of experience. Being a preceptor reminds me to look at things from a different perspective and with fresh eyes."

"The position of the preceptor has offered me a daily challenge in dealing with both the students and the work; rarely is the work boring. It has also forced me to learn the work thoroughly and to continue learning all aspects of the department; the student inadvertently pushes me to do better.

Preceptor training

SAIT's School of Health and Public Safety is offering a 20-hour course designed to meet the needs of novice and intermediate preceptors, as well as to provide a refresher for more experienced preceptors. You will be enrolled in the course for a three year term which allows for flexibility to attain any mandatory continuing competency requirements and the time to apply the content, or to discuss situations with other preceptors in the field.

Course topics include:

  • Roles of the preceptor
  • Planning and organizing learning experiences
  • Precepting strategies and methods
  • Assessment techniques
  • Communication strategies
  • Conflict management

Professional development credits

Each professional association determines the number of credits granted for professional development. Contact the SAIT Instructor of your profession for details.

Practicum instructor contacts:

Registration

Registration is ongoing throughout the year. There are two ways to register:

  • If you are precepting for a program in the School of Health and Public Safety, please contact the SAIT Practicum Instructor for your discipline. They will assist you with course information and registration details.
  • If you are interested in taking the PDEV 190 course and do not assist in precepting Health and Public Safety students, please call 403.284.SAIT to register for a fee of $50.

Clinical partners

While on practicum, students in SAIT's health and wellness studies programs work with experienced professionals in various disciplines. These partners currently include:

  • Alberta Health Services
  • BC Interior Health Authority
  • Blair, Stubbs & Associates
  • Calgary Lab Services
  • Canada Diagnostic Centres
  • Central Alberta Medical Imaging Services
  • Central Health Authority Newfoundland
  • Eastern Regional Integrated Health Authority Newfoundland
  • EFW Radiology
  • Health PEI
  • Horizon Health, New Brunswick
  • Mayfair
  • Radiology Associates
  • Saskatchewan Health Authority
  • Vancouver Island Health Authority
  • Western Health Authority Newfoundland
  • Winnipeg Regional Health Authority

Also:

  • Diagnostic centres and medical laboratories throughout Canada
  • Fire, ambulance and emergency medical services in rural and urban Alberta communities
  • Fitness and community recreation facilities
  • Community pharmacies
  • Private dentists and physicians throughout Alberta 

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