Preceptorships are an intensive clinical training program offered to healthcare providers in Florida who have an interest in learning more about the diagnosis and management of HIV/AIDS, opportunistic infections, and co-morbid conditions. Preceptorships provide extensive clinical training and supervised experiences in urban and rural clinics throughout the region, and are available for physicians, dentists, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and pharmacists. Other clinical training experiences are also offered and differ from preceptorships in that they are usually of shorter duration, and individuals of other disciplines, such as medical case managers, can also participate.
Preceptorship participants can experience 4 to 40 hours of clinical training at adult, adolescent, pediatric, obstetric, and/or family practice clinics where care is provided to HIV-infected patients. Each preceptorship and clinical training experience is structured to meet the unique needs of the individual participant based on his or her previous experience, geographic location, and time available. Lectures, seminars, and small group discussions may enhance the clinical experience. All training provided is consistent with current guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or other nationally recognized guidelines when available.
Objectives
Upon completion of a preceptorship, the participant will be able to:
- Identify, contrast and justify the role, uses, and complications of antiretroviral therapy as a treatment option according to the Department of Health and Human Services
- Describe the major issues of age and gender appropriate HIV care including management of special populations such as pregnant women, and gay, lesbian or transgender patients
- Identify and treat HIV disease, HIV complications and co-morbid conditions in the primary care setting
- Identify new diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for HIV and comorbidities associated with HIV
- Identify and access resources and standard of care protocols for HIV/AIDS patients that can be immediately applied to any clinical setting
- Describe legislation and/or recommendations about HIV testing, confidentiality, access to medical care, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
- Identify the modes of transmission of HIV and epidemiology of the disease and related infections
- Identify and implement strategies to provide culturally competent care to patients with HIV/AIDS
- Identify and implement strategies that support HIV risk reduction, increased HIV testing, and improved patient linkage and retention in care
- Formulate a clinical practice plan that promotes an interdisciplinary team approach to working with patients along the HIV Care Continuum: identifying potential barriers and strategies for success.
Program Regions
Preceptorship sites are available in North, West, and Central Florida.