| | | | Health Professions Students Training Opportunities 
The Pennsylvania AHEC develops and coordinates community-based health professions education and training for medical students, dental students, primary care residents, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacy students and public and allied health students. Since its inaugural year, 1994, the Pennsylvania AHEC has facilitated over 74,450 clinical training weeks for health professions students. These students are primarily recruited to train in underserved communities within the Commonwealth.
Working with over 48 community health centers and federally qualified health centers, the Pennsylvania AHEC fosters clinical training experiences that teach students the rewards and challenges of working with at-risk populations and the special knowledge and skills required to provide quality care in communities with limited resources.
Each Pennsylvania AHEC region is matched with a cooperating medical school. The Northwest’s is the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. This affiliation results in a special relationship between the college and the primary care providers who comprise the teaching force in community-based training. This relationship allows for enrichment of the providers’ skills in patient care by providing opportunities for continuing medical education and training provided by the college. This education and training may be provided in the community or at the school of medicine. It serves as a mechanism to enhance the skills of our physicians and other primary care providers in rural and underserved areas. This training is offered at low or no cost to the professional who acts as a preceptor to the health professions students. Third year medical students are scheduled for 12 one month clinical rotations in community based training sites, usually physician offices or clinics. The AHEC assists its cooperating medical school with the scheduling of these rotations in its region. It also assists other professional schools with their rotations whenever possible. Students are asked to complete evaluation forms at the beginning and end of their rotations. The information gathered provides the AHEC and other supporting organizations with information regarding the likelihood and interest of that student in practicing in rural and/or underserved areas in the region. Students may complete these forms online.
The other students include nurse practitioner students, physician assistant students, pharmacy students, physical therapy students as well as others. If you are a student and would like more information about some of the available rotations please contact Mark Stockard at the NW PA AHEC.
Being a teacher, mentor, or preceptor to these students is a very rewarding and enriching experience. If you would like more information about being a preceptor for a health professions student please contact Mark Stockard at the NW PA AHEC.
As part of their curriculum, health professions students are often required to perform studies of various aspects of community health. If you know of any project that would benefit your community, please contact Mark Stockard at the NW PA AHEC and we will find someone to assist you in that effort.
NW PA Area Health Education Center | 1913 West 8th Street | Erie, PA 16505 | P: 814-453-6551 | F: 814-455-4320 | |
Download: