Rural Preceptor Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in becoming a rural preceptor with West Virginia University School of Medicine. Rural Preceptors play a vital role in educating future physicians while helping one helping to improve access to quality healthcare across West Virginia’s communities.

West Virginia’s diverse landscape and communities present both challenges and opportunities for healthcare professionals. By serving as a preceptor, you will not only provide essential patient care but also help shape the next generation of physicians through hands on clinical education and mentorship.

Rural preceptor are key partners in addressing healthcare workforce shortage and reducing healthcare disparities that exist throughout the state. Your expertise, guidance, and commitment to teaching have a lasting impact on both medical students and the patients they will serve throughout their careers.

Benefits

Free remote access to the West Virginia University Health Sciences Library.

Courtesy faculty are eligible for remote access to the West Virginia University Health Sciences Library resources, including access to many journals, medical databases, and other educational materials.

For more information about this benefit, please contact Heather Hanks at the WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health (ICRH). Her information will be at the bottom of this page.  We will assist you with obtaining library authorization and accessing available resources.

Continuing Medical Education (CME) Credit.

Teaching medical students can help fulfill Continuing Medical Education requirements. The West Virginia Board of Medicine allows physicians to receive CME credit for teaching medical students.

The West Virginia Board of Medicine requires that physicians must complete 50 CME hours every two years. Twenty of these hours can be credit for teaching medical students. As a courtesy to you, WVU ICRH provides documentation of these hours every year.

Preceptor recognition.

The WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health recognizes and celebrates the dedication of our rural preceptors. It takes time and effort to serve as an effective preceptor for students in training. The success of our community and rural training programs is made possible through the time, expertise, and mentorship provided by physicians across the state.

The WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health proudly recognizes preceptors who achieve the following teaching milestones:

  • Sapphire Award – Certificate and Sapphire Pin (2,500 teaching hours)

  • Citrine Award – Certificate and Citrine Pin (5,000 teaching hours)

  • Diamond Award – Certificate and Diamond Pin (10,000+ teaching hours)

  • Mountaineer Award – Certificate and Mountaineer Award Recognition (20,000+ teaching hours)

This recognition honors the valuable contributions our preceptors make to medical education and rural healthcare.

Preceptor Onboarding Requirements

To become a WVU School of Medicine rural preceptor, interested physicians must obtain a Courtesy Faculty Appointment.

Eligibility

Applications are accepted from licensed:

  • Doctors of Medicine (MD)

  • Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

Required Documentation

Please complete the Courtesy Faculty Appointment application and submit the following materials:

  • Completed Courtesy Faculty Appointment application

  • Current curriculum vitae (CV)

  • Proof of malpractice insurance

  • Current medical license

  • Board certification documentation

Clinical Teaching Expectations

WVU medical student rotations generally require 35-40 clinical hours per week with the designated preceptor.

In some circumstances, another qualified physician may supervise portions of the rotation. However, the primary preceptor must provide the majority of the student's clinical supervision and be responsible for completing the student's final evaluation.

Once all required application materials have been received, the Courtesy Faculty Appointment will be submitted to the appropriate department chair for review and approval. Please allow approximately 4-6 weeks for processing.

Courtesy Faculty Appointment Application

WVU HSC Initial Application for Courtesy Faculty Appointment (To Be Completed by Appointee)

Questions?

For additional information about becoming a rural preceptor or the Courtesy Faculty Appointment process, please contact:

Your participation as a rural preceptor helps prepare future physicians while strengthening healthcare access for communities across West Virginia. We appreciate your interest in partnering with WVU School of Medicine to train the next generation of healthcare professionals.