Approved Instructor / Instructor Candidate
Requirements
A minimum of 50 percent of the faculty at each provider course must be ALSO Approved Instructors or ALSO Instructor Candidates. An individual who wishes to achieve ALSO Approved Instructor status must:
- Be a licensed physician, certified nurse midwife, or registered nurse and
- Achieve successful completion of the ALSO Instructor Course to gain designation as an “ALSO” Instructor Candidate.”
- Have his/her teaching performance observed and evaluated within one year by an advisory faculty member. If the evaluation does not occur within a year, the Instructor Candidate’s status reverts back to provider status. The advisory faculty member must complete and sign an Instructor Candidate Evaluation Form (1-page PDF file. About PDFs) and submit it to the AAFP. Only then will a wallet card be issued designating the individual as an ALSO Approved Instructor.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the instructor candidates and the approved instructors include all of the following:
- Willingness and ability to assist the course director and advisory faculty with maintaining the consistency and integrity of the ALSO Program by ensuring the course adheres to all AAFP requirements for conducting a provider course.
- Willingness and ability to assist the advisory faculty member and course director with answering participants’ questions regarding course content.
- Willingness and ability to function as effective team leaders, to exhibit good leadership skills and to be able to convey a sense of order while role-playing in the workstations.
- Willingness and ability to remain on-site during the entire course.
Maintenance of Status
The ALSO Approved Instructor status may be maintained by teaching in three ALSO courses within a five year time period. Valid teaching experiences include teaching in provider, refresher or instructor courses. Instructors must also maintain an active maternity care practice, either personally, or through the supervision of residents. As long as an approved instructor maintains active status, retaking the ALSO Provider Course is not necessary.
