36-1806. Preceptor grant program for graduate students; requirements; definition

(Rpld. 1/1/27)

A. Subject to available monies, the department shall establish the preceptor grant program for graduate students to expand the capacity of preceptor training for graduate students pursuing degrees as physicians in allopathic or osteopathic medicine, as advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants or dentists by eligible health professionals in those disciplines who are licensed pursuant to title 32.

B. The purpose of the program is to encourage and support more preceptorships for the training and development of graduate students to become new physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants or dentists in this state.  Participation is voluntary.

C. The monies appropriated to the department for the preceptor grant program shall be allocated to the five largest statewide nonprofit organizations that represent allopathic physicians, osteopathic physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants or dentists. The department shall allocate the monies in proportion to the number of health professionals in those specific disciplines who hold active licenses pursuant to title 32. The department may allow organizations to receive reasonable costs for processing applications and stipends. Organizations shall annually report to the department the number of applications received and the number of grants awarded pursuant to this section.

D. Eligible allopathic physicians, osteopathic physicians, certified nurse midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, registered nurse practitioners, physician assistants or dentists who are licensed pursuant to title 32 and who serve as volunteer preceptors may apply for grants from the statewide nonprofit organization that represents their discipline and that is allocated grant monies, pursuant to requirements and criteria prescribed in this section. To qualify for a grant, the licensed health professional must file a grant application and provide sufficient evidence of completion of a qualified preceptorship with a graduate student in the same professional discipline. Grant monies must be allocated by the organizations to qualified applicants based on the order in which the applications are received, with a maximum grant of $1,000 per calendar year to each qualified applicant, regardless of the number of preceptorships the applicant provides in that calendar year.  Grant priority shall be given to preceptorships in primary health care and in rural areas of this state. Any grant monies remaining unused at the end of a fiscal year may be rolled over to the next fiscal year or reallocated by the department to one of the other statewide nonprofit organizations.

E. To qualify under this section, a preceptorship must meet all of the following:

1. Provide an uncompensated mentoring experience in which the licensed health professional serving as the preceptor provides a program of personalized instruction, training and supervision to the graduate student.

2. Be at least four weeks' duration.

3. Provide an educational opportunity for the graduate student to enable the student to obtain an eligible professional degree.

F. The department may use private donations, grants and federal monies to implement, support, promote or maintain the program.

G. For the purposes of this section, "graduate student" means an individual who is matriculating at the graduate level at any accredited institution of higher education in this state and who is seeking a degree in the areas of doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathic medicine, certified nurse midwife, certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, registered nurse practitioner, physician assistant or dentist.