Technical Standards – PA Program

Students must have and maintain sufficient sensory capacity to observe in the lecture hall, laboratory, outpatient setting, and at the patient’s bedside. Sensory and tactile sensation must be adequate to observe a patient’s condition and to elicit information through procedures regularly required in a physical examination, such as inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation.

Students must be able to communicate effectively in both academic and healthcare settings. They must show evidence of effective writing and oral communication skills.

Students must be able to participate in basic diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers and procedures (e.g., palpation, auscultation). Students must have sufficient motor function to execute movements reasonably required to provide care to patients. Students must be able to move between settings, such as a clinic, classroom building, and hospital. The physical stamina sufficient to complete the rigorous course of didactic and clinical instruction is required in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences.

Students must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize. Problem-solving, one of the critical skills demanded of physician assistants, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, candidates should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships of structures. Students must be able to read and understand medical literature. In order to complete the Physician Assistant Studies Program, students must be able to demonstrate the mastery of these skills and the ability to use them together in a timely fashion in problem-solving and patient care.

Students must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, and the prompt completion of all academic and patient care responsibilities. The development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and other members of the health care team is essential. The ability to function in the face of uncertainty in clinical practice, flexibility, compassion, integrity, motivation and interpersonal skills, and concern for others is required.