| All candidates for the Physician Assistant Certificate must have
the intellectual ability to learn, integrate, analyze and synthesize
data. They must have functional use of the senses of vision, hearing,
equilibrium and taste. Their exteroceptive (touch, pain, temperature)
and proprioceptive (position, pressure, movement, stereognosis and
vibratory) senses must be sufficiently intact to enable them to
carry out all activities required for a complete PA education. Candidates
must have motor function capabilities to meet the demands of PA
education and the demands of total patient care.
The candidate for the PA certificate must possess the following
abilities and skills: Observation:
- The ability to observe is required for demonstrations,
visual presentations in lectures and laboratories, laboratory evidence
and microbiologic cultures, microscopic studies of microorganisms
and tissues in normal and pathologic states.
- A candidate must be
able to observe patients accurately and completely, both at a distance
and closely. This ability requires functional vision, hearing and somatic sensation.
Communication:
- A candidate should be able to speak, hear
and observe patients in order to elicit information, perceive nonverbal
communications, and describe changes in mood, activity and posture.
- The candidate must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively
with patients and families including not only speech but reading and writing.
- Communication in oral, written, and electronic form with the health
care team must be effective and efficient.
Motor:
- A candidate should have sufficient motor function
to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation and
percussion, as well as carry out diagnostic maneuvers.
- A candidate
should have motor function sufficient to execute movements reasonably
required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients.
Such skills require coordination of gross and fine muscular movements,
equilibrium and sensation.
- A candidate should be able to manipulate equipment and instruments to perform basic laboratory tests and procedures required to attain curricular goals (e.g. needles, stethoscope, ophthalmoscope, tongue blades, intravenous equipment, gynecologic speculum, and scalpel).
- A candidate must be able to transport themselves from one location to another in a timely fashion in order to facilitate patient care responsibilities and to receive educational training.
Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities:
- Problem solving is a critical skill demanded of PAs and this requires
all these abilities.
- The candidate must also be able to comprehend
three dimensional relationships and the spatial relationships of
structures.
- A candidate must be able to collect, organize, prioritize, analyze and assimilate large amounts of technically detailed and complex information within a limited time frame. This information will be presented in a variety of educational settings, including lectures, small group discussions, and individual clinical settings. The candidate should be able to analyze, integrate, and apply this information appropriately for problem solving and decision-making.
Behavioral and Social Attributes:
- A candidate must have
the emotional health to fully use his/her intellectual ability,
exercise good judgement, complete all responsibilities attendant
to the diagnosis and care of patients.
- A candidate must be able to develop mature, sensitive and effective
relationships with patients and colleagues.
- A candidate must be
able to tolerate physical, mental, and emotional stress in training and continue to function
effectively.
- A candidate must possess qualities of adaptability,
flexibility and be able to function in the face of uncertainty.
He/she must have a high level of compassion for others, motivation
to serve, integrity, and a consciousness of social values.
- A candidate
must possess sufficient interpersonal skills to interact positively
with people from all levels of society, all ethnic backgrounds,
and all belief systems.
- A candidate must be able to accept criticism and respond by appropriate modification of behavior.
In the first year of the program, all PA students are required to master physical examination skills, complete all surgery laboratory exercises, attend assigned patient interactions and complete BLS, ACLS. In the clinical year, students must successfully complete all assigned rotations which may include extended hours of instruction, evenings, nights and weekends. Students must be able to transport themselves to all training sites.
It is the responsibility of each applicant to affirm that they meet these technical standards upon entrance to the Physician Assistant Program. During enrollment, the program’s Progress/Promotions Committee will monitor students for continuing compliance with technical standards. The faculty of the Physician Assistant Program recognizes its responsibility to present candidates for the PA certificate who have the knowledge and skills to function in a wide variety of clinical situations and to render a broad spectrum of patient care.
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