Purpose

A clinical instructor is an experienced practitioner who provides supervision during clinical practice and facilitates the application of theory to practice for students and staff learners. They assist the learner by setting expectations, providing effective feedback about their performance, and providing appropriate opportunities to meet their learning objectives.

Des Moines University supports healthcare providers who choose to actively participate in the education of our students by offering excellent clinical training opportunities. Clinical instructors not only transmit skills but are mentors who convey the core values important to Des Moines University: accountability, collaboration, honesty, inclusiveness, and wellness. 

Clinical instructors do what no textbook or classroom can accomplish. As a result, the students benefit from the community-based experience, while preceptors benefit from integrating new ideas and techniques into their practices currently taught in academic health sciences institutions. Join us for a series of educational opportunities which provide precepting pearls to aid in shaping the next generation of clinicians.

Learning Objectives

1. Highlight strategies for having challenging conversations with students throughout the clinical experience.
2. Discuss the importance of honest and accurate assessment.
3. Give helpful feedback on the students performance.

Speaker

Katie Sorensen, MSPAS, PA-C, has practiced in surgery at St. Luke's in Duluth, MN since 2010. Sorensen has been dedicated to teaching and mentoring students over the past ten years and has a student by her side about 90% of the time. Ms. Sorensen is also a guest lecturer at the St. Scholastica PA program and a suturing instructor for the University of Minnesota medical school.

• Award: 2021 PAEA Preceptor of the Year
• Education: DMU MSPAS - 2010
• University of Wisconsin - 2008