Preceptor Criteria

1. A pharmacist wishing to serve as a preceptor must normally meet the following criteria:

  • Be currently licensed to practice pharmacy and be in good standing with the provincial regulatory body, with no restrictions placed upon their practice.
  • Have a minimum of three years of experience as a licensed practitioner. Pharmacists who have completed post-graduate training (e.g., residency) require only two years of practice experience.
  • Practice at a level of proficiency that enables the preceptor to meet the course requirements. This normally requires the practitioner to have been practicing at their current site/institution for six months or more and in the specific clinical area where the rotation will be occurring for a minimum of three months.
  • Have shown a commitment to professional development and lifelong learning.
  • Have completed one of the following free online preceptor education courses: Dalhousie University Preceptor eLearning Course or the University of British Columbia's Practice Educator Development Modules, or other acceptable preceptor education program.
  • Be willing to accept responsibility for supervising the student during the APPE period; must be the pharmacist most directly involved with the student and be accountable for providing learning opportunities for the student.
  • Be willing to assess student performance by providing feedback on a regular basis; and completing required evaluation forms.
  • Not be immediately related to the student (i.e., connected by blood relationship, marriage, conjugal relationship or adoption).
  • Not have a relationship with the student that could preclude the preceptor from giving an honest and unbiased assessment or could be perceived as a conflict of interest (e.g., have a business, financial, or contractual relationship with the student; or have an otherwise close relationship with the student).

2. Preceptors from other health disciplines:

Upon request, approval may be granted for students in the PharmD for Working Professionals Program to be precepted by a professional from another health discipline. The following criteria generally apply. The individual must:

  • Hold an active license (appropriate to the discipline) to practice in his/her/their province and be a member in good standing with the licensing body.
  • Fulfill the program’s preceptor requirements with the following exception:
    • May be exempt from completing preceptor training based on training completed in their discipline at the discretion of the experiential learning program coordinator.