Preceptorship Program

The Preceptorship Program provides an opportunity for chiropractic students to gain patient experience within a clinical setting and to develop a clear understanding of the CCOA’s regulatory requirements. It also allows regulated chiropractors to pass on experience, keep up to date with chiropractic curricula and establish relationships with chiropractic students.

The College of Chiropractors of Alberta (CCOA)’s Preceptorship Program’s principal objectives are:

• To ensure public protection when chiropractic students are participating in preceptor-supervised, community-based clinical care.
• To ensure competencies (knowledge, skills, attitudes and judgements) required of chiropractors in Alberta are being appropriately imparted by preceptors to students participating in preceptorship programs in Alberta.
• To ensure the experience is enriching for students and preceptors.

The supervision guidelines outline the supervision requirements of regulated chiropractors who act as a preceptor in the supervision of chiropractic students. It also outlines to students in Doctor of Chiropractic programs and others regarding the rules for participation in the preceptor program.

The supervision guidelines are also designed to help the preceptor (a regulated chiropractor), the student (an unregulated health provider) and other stakeholders (such as the chiropractic program) understand the expectations and requirements outlined in the College of Chiropractors of Alberta’s Standards of Practice and other legislation that governs the profession.

Eligibility for the Preceptorship Program

Students who are authorized by their Doctor of Chiropractic Program to participate in a preceptorship program and who will be within two academic terms prior to graduation for their program are eligible to apply.

Regulated chiropractors who meet the eligibility requirements can apply. Those requirements can be found in the Terms of Reference in the Resources and Documents Section.

Preceptors who have a pre-existing personal relationship, such as a family, friendship, financial or social relationship with the student may have a conflict of interest in supervising the student. If this is the case, CCOA strongly recommends the student find another regulated chiropractor registered with CCOA to serve as the preceptor for the student.

If a pre-existing personal relationship exists, the preceptor must disclose that relationship to CCOA. After disclosure, CCOA is the decision-maker of whether a conflict-of-interest would prohibit the regulated chiropractor from being a supervising preceptor.

Preceptorship Program Participant Responsibilities

Preceptors (Regulated Chiropractors)

The regulated chiropractor must provide supervision according to the Standards of Practice and the supervision guidelines, to the student. To effectively supervise students in the public interest the preceptor assesses the student’s ability to perform activities and provides a supervision plan. Supervision includes considering feedback from the student on the delegated activities.

At the end of the supervision term the preceptor provides CCOA the student assessments, ethics conversations log and supervision plans.

Students

Students must ensure they adhere to their supervision plan and inform the preceptor in writing if a delegated activity exceeds their competence.

Preceptorship Program application process

Regulated Chiropractors

The regulated chiropractor sends the preceptor application for each student and provides proof of Professional Liability Protection to supervise students.

Completes the CCOA preceptor program jurisprudence exam.

Doctor of Chiropractic Program

The Doctor of Chiropractic Program (DCP) provides the DCP program application and the student application. The DCP must also demonstrate that the student has the required professional liability protection.

Student

The student must complete the CCOA preceptorship program jurisprudence exam.

*The student must complete an application; however, it is usually the DCP that submits the application for the student along with the program application.

Preceptorship program jurisprudence exam

This exam is for regulated chiropractors and students who are applying to participate in the preceptorship program. You will be required to use your email address, first name and last name to register and your results will be emailed to CCOA.

Resources and documents

• Preceptorship Program – Terms of Reference
• Preceptorship Program – Preceptor Application
• Preceptorship Program – Doctor of Chiropractic Program (DCP) Application
• Preceptorship Program – Student Application 
• Preceptorship Program – Jurisprudence Exam
• Preceptorship Program – Supervision Guidelines 
  • Appendix 1 – Preceptor-supervised Activities
  • Appendix 2 – Self-reflection guide
  • Appendix 3 – Student Self-assessment
  • Appendix 4 – Preceptor-Student Assessment
  • Appendix 5 – Chart-stimulated Recall
  • Appendix 6 – Ethics conversation log
  • Appendix 7 – Preceptor supervision plan