9:00 am – 12:00 noon

Item Writing Workshop

The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) will sponsor a free 3-hour item writing workshop that is designed to assist the attendee to develop his/her skills in effective and high quality multiple choice item writing. There is no preregistration for this workshop. The number of attendees is limited to a first-come first-serve basis while on-site. Following this workshop, you may choose to serve as an item-writer for future NBRC credentialing examinations. Hone your item writing skills and enhance your program’s test bank. Aid your credentialing organization in developing effective and high quality credentialing examinations.

12:00 noon – 2:00 pm

Meet the Commission

This session will be a panel of CoARC Commissioners and Executive Office staff. Attendees will be able to ask questions on specific program issues and related accreditation topics. To register, contact Shelley Christensen at CoARC by July 1.

2:00 pm – 6:05 pm

Beyond the Preceptor: A Guide to Mentoring for Program Faculty, Department Educators & Managers

Pre-registration required. Deadline: Friday, June 24. After June 24: you may call AARC Customer Service at 972-243-2272 for availability.

William F. Galvin MSED RRT CPFT AE-C FAARC/Presiding

Approved for up to 3.67 hours of continuing education credits (CRCE). You must attend the entire course to receive CRCE credit; no partial credit will be awarded.

As one of the most requested topics on AARConnect list serves, the AARC is proud to offer this Summer Forum pre-course for program educators, as well as department educators and managers on how to become better preceptors and mentors. We are pleased to address a topic that is relative to student clinical education as well as orientation and development of new and existing employees. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to better engage your students and staff by developing the mentor within you!

2:00 pm – 2:20 pm

The Effective Preceptor & Mentor: Going from Good to Great

Erna Boone

Erna L Boone DrPH MEd RRT, Cabot AR

This presentation compares and contrasts the characteristics and skills needed to be both an effective preceptor and mentor. The hospital educator, whether providing preceptorship for students or mentorship for therapists, shares his/her experience and expertise, provides guidance and support for the learner and acts as a role model through demonstration of professional and technical competence. Not content with just being a good mentor? Then be sure to attend this interactive and engaging presentation that will allow you to be the best mentor you can be for your students and employees.

2:25 pm – 3:05 pm

Beyond Preceptoring: The RT as a Mentor

Erna L Boone DrPH MEd RRT

An introduction of bridging the gap as the student becomes the therapist and the department educator is both preceptor and mentor. The hospital educator is the leader in the next step of the preceptoring and mentoring process for graduate therapists and existing RTs who need assistance in becoming better clinicians, patient advocates, and hospital employees. Invest in your own professional growth and development by making the successful transition from preceptor to mentor—your students, employees, and colleagues will be glad you did.

3:10 pm – 3:50 pm

Providing Constructive Feedback

Kathy Rye

Kathy Rye EdD RRT FAARC, Little Rock AR

Providing effective feedback and effective strategies for improvement of professional knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and overall performance are among the most challenging and important skill sets that excellent clinical preceptors need to possess. Why is it then that we do so poorly at giving it? The answer is simple—the infrequency in which we give it and the negative emotions that consume us before and during the delivery of the message. This presentation will provide attendees with tools they can use to prevent their own emotions from getting in the way of delivering effective feedback that is constructive in nature, how to frame the message, and how to be sure the recipient leaves feeling good about the conversation.

3:55 pm – 4:35 pm

Techniques of Evaluation

Kathy Rye EdD RRT FAARC

Providing an effective evaluation is, along with providing effective feedback and strategies for improvement, the most challenging and important skill set preceptors must have. Preceptoring demands excellence in the skills of evaluation, providing constructive feedback and effective remedial strategies for improvement. Attendees will leave this presentation with a solid understanding of what behaviors, traits, and performance attributes must be present in an effective student/employee evaluation.

4:40 pm – 5:20 pm

Solving Problems in Therapist/Preceptor Relationships

Arthur Taft

Arthur A Taft PhD RRT FAARC, Augusta GA

Working together and using effective communication are among the keys to solving many of the problems and challenges that surface in a teacher/learner setting. For maximum benefit, both clinical instructors and preceptors must utilize proper and effective techniques as various problems arise. The ability to communicate and feel comfortable to share critical reviews without repercussion are essential elements of the preceptor/student or manager/employee relationship. This two-way street of dialogue facilitates higher performing teams and promotes improved efficiency and productivity. This presentation will highlight the required elements necessary for problem solving and improved communication in any vertically reporting work relationship. All program faculty, managers, and department educators will benefit from this talk.

5:25 pm – 6:05 pm

Putting It All Together: Engaging Excellence

Arthur A Taft PhD RRT FAARC

This presentation is a summary of the entire course and provides a framework for both clinical instructors and department educators to continually improve their skills to provide excellence in clinical performance. A focus will be placed on strengthening the mentoring relationship that takes place between the student/employee and the clinical preceptor/department educator/manager. Establishing and building upon a relationship that emphasizes professional growth and clinical excellence is a win-win…for student and employee, the college and the hospital, but most importantly for the patient and the profession.