Health Professionals /
Student Placements

Preceptor and Site Resources

R/UOP Preceptors & Sites
Project Hope Resources
HOPE Mentors & Sites
Articles of Interest

R/UOP Preceptors & Sites

Preceptors are practicing physicians in rural sites or urban clinics serving the underserved. Most, but not all, are family physicians. A preceptor must be willing to take responsibility for a student’s experience at the site. This includes working with the student to establish a schedule of experiences, supervising patient-student contacts, and helping the student evaluate her or his progress.

All preceptors are appointed as consultants or clinical faculty at the University of Washington School of Medicine. R/UOP is recognized as an official educational program of the School of Medicine. Medical students and their preceptors are indemnified under the University’s liability policy for possible incidents arising from the students’ participation.

The UW School of Medicine has published a wonderful website for student applicants with a program overview, a FAQ page, and a current application. It can answer many of prospective preceptors’ questions. Visit the UW SoM website
Some preceptors are hesitant to host students in their practices because they are concerned with violating HIPPA regulations. The linked article, Protecting Confidentiality in Healthcare Education Programs, addresses protected patient information regulations and the impact on student education.
WWAHEC has compiled a handbook designed to support managers of clinics in identifying, recruiting and maintaining a cadre of volunteers. Clinics that are hosting students may also find some of the resources in the “Toolbox” helpful. Go to the Volunteer Resource Toolbox.
The American Academy of Family Physicians has compiled a list of helpful hints for Preceptors. Go to Want to Be a Successful Preceptor? Get Organized!
An article in the on-line April, 2003 edition of Family Physicians’ Report (FPReportonline) describes high-school mentoring and medical school preceptor programs. Go to Sweet Success: Students Thrive in Mentoring Programs.

For more information about preceptor programs,
or to apply to become a R/UOP or R/UOE preceptor,
please contact:

Western Washington Area Health Education Center
2033 Sixth Avenue, Suite 310
Seattle, WA 98121
206.441.7137

- return to top of page -

HOPE Mentors & Sites

“Washington State is facing a growing public health crisis
because of a shortage of health care workers....
Hospitals and other health care institutions have a role
in redefining the workplace and in helping to recruit and train
the next generation of health professionals.”

- Washington State Hospital Association Report, Who Will Care For You? 2001

The Washington State Department of Health and Washington’s two Area Health Education Centers urge you to be a partner in the effort to expand the future health workforce.

Internship Sites will be local to where the students live. Facilities in your community provide the opportunity to expose students to a broad array of health centers. Sites will receive information about a student's career interest areas and will be asked to provide as much experience in those areas as possible. A student may spend a part or the entire six weeks of the program in one facility ore more.

Each internship site will identify a Site Coordinator. This person will work with the student intern. Although many students will have limited skills, your facility is encouraged to provide as much opportunity for observation of and/or participation in diagnostic and clinical areas of care. Coordinators will participate in an orientation and will receive a Project HOPE manual, which will include evaluation forms and copies of student materials.

Students are screened for a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0; they must comply with state workplace requirements (i.e., a Washington State Patrol background check may be required); and they have expressed an interest in exploring health careers. Preference is given to diverse groups currently under-represented in the health professions; students who are the first in their family to attend college; students from rural communities; and Juniors and Seniors in high school.

quote by a student intern

* - Comments taken from Student Intern Journals

still have questions?

Some mentors and clinics are hesitant to host students because they are concerned with violating HIPPA regulations. The linked article, Protecting Confidentiality in Healthcare Education Programs, addresses protected patient information regulations and the impact on student education.
WWAHEC has compiled a handbook designed to support managers of clinics in identifying, recruiting and maintaining a cadre of volunteers. Clinics that are hosting students may also find some of the resources in the “Toolbox” helpful. Go to the Volunteer Resource Toolbox.
An article in the on-line April, 2003 edition of Family Physicians' Report (FPReportonline) describes high-school mentoring and medical school preceptor programs. Go to Sweet Success: Students Thrive in Mentoring Programs.