Practice Management Preceptor Application

 

American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management Practice Management Preceptorship (PMP) Frequently Asked Questions

*** when you see PMP this means Practice Management Preceptorship

What is a preceptorship?

Preceptorship is a period of training for future medical professionals, during which a more experienced medical professional (or preceptor) provides training and observation time for the less experienced trainee.

What states is this available? What cities?

We are reaching out to podiatrists throughout the country to have a PMP in their office.  This will determine the location of the PMP’s.

How long is it? Can I only do it for a couple of months?

The program is for a ten month curriculum. We expect you to commit to the entire program, unless there are significant extenuating circumstances.

Who is in charge of this program?

The American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management (AAPPM) has created this program reach out to help graduates who did not get a residency program and has a committee responsible for this program.

How do I sign up for this? What is the application process? When will I start?

The application process is simple.  Just e-mail your complete CASPR Application (include your CASPR application, CV, and letters of reference) to Hal Ornstein, DPM at preceptorship@aappm.org.  Applications are now being accepted. The preceptorship start date will be August 1st and we understand in some instances the program may need to start after this date. 

NOTE…after April 8, 2013 you no longer have access to your CASPR application online.  Thus, you should download a copy of your completed application immediately.  If you are in need of your CASPR application please call 301-948-9764.

From time of application, how long will it be before we are notified of a match?

You will be notified by July 15^th but we are working to let you know much sooner. As this is a relatively new program, we are doing our best to make this process work as well as possible for all involved. We understand that we indicated that the preceptorship would begin on August 1st but if there is a match put together in the middle of August we understand that it will be more practical to start towards the middle or end of August.

How will be notified of a match, if selected?

Match will be communicated by e-mail.

Can I pick and choose a doctor or do they pick and choose me?

The preceptee is matched to a preceptor based on request for which part of the country they would like to be.  There is no guarantee that there will be a position available in the area you request, but best efforts will be made to get the preceptee a preceptorship where they choose to be.

Do all of the preceptors run successful practices? What criteria do you use to choose
preceptors?

The preceptors have an application process and are committing that they can mentor the preceptee and provide the practice management experience outlined in the curriculum. Most, if not all, of the preceptors who have come forward are known to the committee and are very qualified to host a preceptee in their practice.

What is the curriculum like? What will it cover?

The 10 month curriculum is based on different elements of practice management. Preceptees will have exposure to front office, billing and coding, back office, inventory, systems and protocols, marketing, and more. There will be required conference calls, reading, and webinars as well.

Will I get any formal certification for doing this?

The PMP is not recognized by any licensure or certification bodies.  You will, however, receive a certificate of completion for this program.

Will I have time to visit residency programs and participate in match?

Your preceptor will be encouraged to allow you to visit residency programs and made clear to them the importance of this activity.  The amount of time you are allowed to do this is between you and your preceptor.

I heard that there used to be preceptorships for podiatrists in the past, is this anything like that?

No.  Previous preceptorships were recognized training programs, which qualified the preceptee to licensure to enter practice in some states.

How will this help me get prepared for residency next year?

Many residency directors will look favorably upon you as a candidate for their program with the real-life podiatry experience you gain in your PMP and the knowledge you learned that other graduates in the graduating class of that year do not have.  In many cases, doing the PMP will put you at a competitive advantage and will likely be looked upon as favorable by residency selection committees.

Is the preceptorship paid?

Yes, but the stipend is at the discretion of the preceptor. The AAPPM does not have a set stipend for this program. Though the amount of the stipend may seem low to you, please remember that you are being hired at a cost to the preceptor, who has volunteered to open their practice to you while you are pursuing a residency program. Since you will not have a license to practice podiatry, your ability to produce any significant income for the practice will be limited.

Is health insurance or other benefits available?

Health insurance and other benefits are at the discretion of the preceptor.

Is there any formal curriculum?

Yes, there is a formal suggested curriculum so as to maximize your learning experience.

Is it required to pass NBPME Part II (Boards)?

No

Is there any OR time?

There is a significant amount of clinical shadowing and other office work that you will be doing. If your preceptor takes you to the OR, this is between you and them. Because of liability issues, it is very unlikely that you will be in any role other than an unscrubbed observer.

What happens if we are not happy with the preceptor and want to no longer maintain the relations?

If you are not happy with your preceptorship program, you should communicate this to your preceptor.  If it comes down to you wanting to leave, this is an “at will” position and you can leave at any time.  We do recommend that you give at least a two week notice if the preceptor would like you to remain for this period of time.

Can PMP’s become AAPPM members?

Yes, and complimentary membership will be given to all PMP’s.  As an affiliate of the APMA, membership in APMA is required for membership in AAPPM.  If you are not currently a member of APMA, please click here to download the Post Graduate Membership Application.  Post Graduate Membership in the APMA is also complimentary.

Will there be special prices for PMP’s to attend AAPPM meetings?

Yes, there will be a reduced price for PMP’s to attend all AAPPM meetings.

Can PMP’s get a podiatry license?

There are some states that do not need a residency program to get a license.  Yet it will be difficult for you to get a podiatry license since in most cases it takes several months for the process.  This is a decision by the preceptor as to whether this makes sense for their PMP.

If the PMP’s do not have a podiatry license, what role will they play in the office?

In most states a podiatric medical assistant can perform most of what is necessary in the patient experience while they are in the office.  The PMP will serve to assist the doctor in the office and like podiatric medical assistants; they can serve to provide much of what is needed in patient care and presentations. In addition, there will be specific practice management goals for each month of the preceptorship that will complement the clinical experience.

Will I be able to be called “Doctor” in the office?

This is state specific and will ask the preceptor to check with their state podiatry society.

Does the PMP need their own malpractice insurance?

No, if they are not licensed.  If the preceptee does obtain a podiatry license malpractice insurance should be obtained and is at the discretion of the preceptor who pays for this.  Again, in the great majority of the PMPs the preceptees will not have a podiatry license.

What role will the PMP serve in the practice?

Each practice will define the role the practice management preceptor will serve in the practice. What the graduate will be able to do in the practice will greatly depend on the state’s practice act and licensure rules. There must, however, be focus on the pertinent practice management principles as defined by the curriculum.

Will housing be provided?

Preceptors are not responsible for housing the preceptee, but any support in helping them find housing would be greatly appreciated.

How will I be paired with a preceptor?

The pairing will be done by the AAPPM committee and will largely be based on geography. The preceptor will be given the opportunity to review information about the preceptee and speak by phone, however unless there is a glaring reason why the pairing will not work, requests cannot be accommodated.

Why can’t I interview and choose my preceptee?

Because of the time frame of the match and scramble, pairing will not be able to begin until July 1, with an August 2013 start date of the preceptorship. This will make a formal interview process impossible. Furthermore, we must recognize that graduating without a program is an ongoing source of stress and adding to that stress with yet another interview process would not be productive.

Is there a chance that the preceptee will leave the PMP for a program mid-year?

While unlikely, there are occasions where programs open midyear. We would hope that the preceptor would release the preceptee from the commitment of the program to pursue the residency position.

Disclaimer

Participating in the AAPPM Practice Management Preceptorship program does not guarantee you a residency position. The program was merely designed to help further the education in podiatric medicine and practice management in those graduates of podiatric medical schools who were unable, for whatever reason, to match due to the current podiatric residency shortage.

The AAPPM participated in developing the curriculum and recruiting doctors to participate in the program. There is no guarantee, however that matches for the Preceptorship will be made for all applicants, although the AAPPM will make every effort to match applicants with suitable podiatric offices.  Upon successful placement, the AAPPM will not have a direct influence on each individual postgraduate’s preceptorship experience, which will, of course, ultimately depend upon the podiatric practice with which the applicant is matched.  The AAPPM’s goal is to connect postgraduates with experienced doctors who can mentor them through a practice management preceptorship by sharing their own unique style, approach, and experience.