Pharmacy Preceptor FAQs

What are the requirements for being a preceptor?

Preceptors are required to have at least 1 year of experience in their practice setting and/or have post-graduate training, such as an advanced degree, residency or fellowship. Preceptors are encouraged to attend Butler’s preceptor development workshop and/or complete the core online modules available through CEImpact (through E*value).

What is the process for becoming a preceptor?

To become a preceptor, complete the online preceptor application and attach a copy of your current CV or resume.  Once received, a member of the Experiential Education Office will respond to you as soon as possible.

If the site is new, a site visit will be scheduled. Each site must also sign an affiliation agreement with Butler University prior to students being placed at the site.

What are the expectations for being a preceptor?

Preceptors should:

  • Be knowledgeable in their area of practice
  • Serve as a role model for the students and for the profession of pharmacy
  • Be committed to their profession and to the student’s learning
  • Maintain an open line of communication (if not through direct contact, through email/phone)
  • Provide time devoted to student
  • Provide detailed and thorough feedback throughout the rotation
  • Challenge student to do their best work on rotation
  • Adjust the design of the rotation based on student’s perceived strengths and weaknesses, interest areas and career goals
  • Provide a mentoring relationship

How do I enter my availability to take students?

Once you have become a preceptor, you will receive an email containing information on how to access E*Value. This allows you to login to the system at any time and input your availability for the current or future academic year.  Emails to preceptors and notifications for evaluations are all sent via E*Value.

What opportunities exist for me to inform students about my rotation experience before APPEs are made?

Preceptors are strongly encouraged to include a rotation syllabus and/or description of your rotation in “My Profile” tab in E*Value. Students are able to view these in E*Value prior to preferencing.

What evaluations are required for me to complete for students on my rotation?

IPPE and APPE preceptors are required to complete a midpoint and final evaluation for each student. These evaluations will be sent to you automatically through E*value around 5 days prior to completion. Ad-hoc evaluations (Praise or concern cards) are also available at any time when you sign in to E*value.

What are the requirements for Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE) rotations and when do students complete them?

IPPEs are rotations that allow students to build upon and apply what they have learned so far in their classes. There are two assigned IPPE rotations: community and institutional.

Students will complete 160 community experience hours during the summer after the P1 year. The 160 institutional experience hours will be completed either during the summer after the P2 year or during the P2 or P3 year as a longitudinal experience. Longitudinal rotations are conducted over five to six months during the summer-to-fall or fall-to-spring rotation blocks. Longitudinal rotation schedules involve a small number of weekday rotation experiences but primarily consist of weekend experiences.

What are the requirements for Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE)?

APPE rotations are completed during the P4 year. Students will complete 10, 4-week rotation blocks at a variety of rotation sites.

Required rotations sites include:

  • 1 General Medicine
  • 1 Acute Care (inpatient)
  • 1 Hospital/Health System
  • 1 Ambulatory Care
  • 2 Community Practice
  • 2 Patient Care electives (inpatient or outpatient)
  • 2 Electives (either patient care or non-patient care)

How and when do students select APPE rotations?

The preference process occurs in the beginning of the spring semester (January) of P3 year. Students are able to view all availability that has been entered by preceptors for rotations. Students are asked to list (in order of preference) 10-20 rotations for each required rotation. E*Value uses an optimization process to assign student rotations.

What assistance is available for students on APPE rotations?

Please feel free to contact any of our Experiential Education team members.