Documentation of Clinical Experience

NARM Registered Preceptors who sign off on experiences they did not witness risk losing their ability to sign as a preceptor in the future and also risk losing their CPM certification.

Effective June 1, 2021, with initial preceptor registration or preceptor renewal, NARM requires that all Registered Preceptors develop a written work agreement that clearly defines expectations for the student, as well as for the Preceptor. NARM has found the most common difficulty in the preceptor/student relationship is typically poor communication about the responsibilities each person has over the course of the apprenticeship. A clearly written agreement is an indispensable resource to both the student and the preceptor if a dispute occurs. Information regarding the work agreement requirement may be found here.

To help NARM candidates achieve exceptional training and a satisfactory relationship from their apprenticeship, NARM makes the following recommendations:

  1. The preceptor and student should have a clear understanding of the responsibilities of each person to the other, including the time expected to be spent in one-on-one training, classroom or small group study, self-study, clinical observation, opportunities for demonstration of skills, time on call, and financial obligations.
  2. The student, if at all possible, should have the NARM application at the beginning of the apprenticeship, and should have all relevant documentation signed at the time of the experience rather than waiting until the completion of the apprenticeship.

In response to multiple requests for clarification about the role of the NARM Registered Preceptor in the NARM application/certification process, NARM has developed the following guidelines based on the instructions set forth in the Candidate Information Bulletin. These guidelines are recommendations for successful completion of the application documentation.

  1. The preceptor and applicant together should:
    • Review the three (3) separate practice documents required by NARM—Practice Guidelines, Informed Consent, and Emergency Care Form.
    • Review all client charts (or clinical verification forms from a MEAC accredited program) referenced on the NARM Application and confirm that the preceptor and applicant names/signatures appear on each part of the chart/form that is being referenced.
    • Confirm that the signatures/initials of the applicant and preceptor are on every chart/form for: initial exam, history and physical exam, complete prenatal exams, labor, birth and immediate postpartum exam, newborn exam, and complete follow-up postpartum exams listed on the NARM Application. Be sure the numbers written on the application forms are the same number of signatures/initials for both the applicant and the preceptor on the charts/forms.
    • Check all birth dates and dates of all exams for accuracy.
    • Check all codes to make sure there are no duplicate code numbers. Each client must have their own unique code. If there is more than one birth with any given client, there must be a different code assigned for each subsequent birth.
  2. If a preceptor has more than one student (applicant), each chart must have a uniform code that all students will use. Students should not develop different codes for the same client.
  3. Preceptors need to be sure their forms show that the student participated as primary under supervision and that the preceptor was present in the room for all items the preceptor signs. For example, the arrival and departure times at the birth should be documented on the chart for both the applicant and the preceptor. At the time of clinical experience, preceptors and students should initial each visit.
  4. Applicants should have access to or copies of any charts listed in the application, Form 112a-f and Form 200 with Code in case of audit.