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PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MAJOR
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ON-LINE MANUAL
Thank you for downloading the Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Physician Assistant On-
Line Manual. This document contains some, but not all of the Policies and Procedures that are
current for the PA Major. The complete Policies and Procedures Manual is available for
Professional Phase students upon entering the major.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ON-LINE MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Click on topic to be taken to that page
1. College Philosophy 3 2. College Mission 4 3. PA Major Overview 5 4. PA Major Mission Statement 6 5. PA Major Objectives 7 6. Non-Discrimination Statement 8 7. Technical Standards Statement 8 8. Technical Standards 9-10 9. Post-Admission Request for Accommodation 11 10. ADA (Assistance For Individuals With Disabilities) 12 11. Health and Safety Requirements 13 12. Health and Safety Issues 14 13. Scholarships 15 14. PA Major Curriculum 16-17 15. PA Major Academic Policies 18-22
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PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
COLLEGE PHILOSOPHY
We believe in the dignity and worth of all individuals. We further believe that learning is a lifelong
process, and that all individuals should have opportunities for lifelong education. Education
should help individuals realize their maximum potential academically, culturally, and technically,
while also providing for personal enrichment. To prosper in a complex and changing society,
individuals must learn to think independently, value logical and tested conclusions, develop
problem solving abilities, and function collaboratively. The successful application of learning
contributes significantly to health and happiness and benefits the organizations and communities
in which individuals live and work. The College is an integral part of society and must respond to
identified needs and interests. In the delivery of educational services, there is no substitute for
excellence.
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PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
MISSION STATEMENT
Pennsylvania College of Technology offers an array of academic programs – in a student-
centered learning environment – at the certificate, associate and baccalaureate levels, with a
strong emphasis on technology. The College is a statewide-focused institution, with nationally
recognized programs and a commitment to hands-on experiential learning. Pennsylvania College
of Technology seeks to implement its philosophy by providing:
• Opportunities to develop intellectually, ethically, socially, culturally and personally.
• Quality, academic programs with emphasis on pre-professional, technological, and
service areas.
• Accessible full and part-time educational opportunities and services that address a
wide spectrum of individual needs and abilities through varied formats, schedules and
geographic locations.
• Educational programming responsive to economic and employment realities.
• Enhanced learning opportunities through cooperation with industry, business,
government, and other educational institutions, and through international experiences.
• Comprehensive majors that integrate communications, math, science, art, technology,
humanities, interpersonal skills, problem solving, critical thinking, information literacy,
and health and safety.
• Opportunities to develop skills needed to enter and succeed in academic majors.
• Opportunities to increase skills, knowledge, and interest through lifelong learning.
• Assistance with career planning, employment preparation and advanced study.
• An environment that fosters lifelong learning, creativity, and respect for difference.
Providing excellence in instruction and appropriate educational opportunities is the College’s
highest priority. Return to Table of Contents
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PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MAJOR
The Program is committed to providing the comprehensive medical education necessary to
develop highly skilled, well-educated physician assistants who are committed to providing quality,
cost-effective health care to patients. The Physician Assistant Program is one of several health
science majors within the School of Health Sciences at Pennsylvania College of Technology. As
an integral part of the School of Health Sciences, the PA Program supports the Mission and
Philosophy of the School of Health Sciences.
The Program presents an integrated longitudinal curriculum designed to provide students with a
sound knowledge base, professional attitudes and mastery of clinical skills. Students are
challenged to apply knowledge in clinical settings, and to develop the skills that are necessary for
a lifetime of continued learning.
The ultimate objective for students is professional competence. This goal requires knowledge,
clinical reasoning and problem solving, cultural sensitivity to human differences, and an
understanding of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Additionally, socioeconomic, gender, and
ethical concerns must inform clinical reasoning as it applies to medical practice. In the pursuit of
this goal, the ability to work effectively as a member of a health care team and a dedication to the
highest standards of professional integrity and behavior are required.
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PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MAJOR MISSION STATEMENT
Pennsylvania College of Technology Physician Assistant Program will graduate professionals
who possess the knowledge and are proficient in the skills necessary to excel in Physician
Assistant practice. The program is dedicated to insuring that its students develop the
interpersonal skills that allow them to interact with patients and health care team members
effectively, ethically and with empathy. We strive to respond to the identified needs for
practitioners in our community, state and nation and, through our graduates, improve access to
quality healthcare. Return to Table of Contents
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PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MAJOR PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
This program will prepare the Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant graduate to:
1. Integrate ethical and moral behavior and serve as a role model for the Physician
Assistant profession.
2. Demonstrate intelligence, sound judgment, and intellectual honesty
3. Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.
4. Develop and maintain clinical competence sufficient to address the needs of
ambulatory and hospitalized patients.
5. Develop, demonstrate, and appreciate techniques and skills for problem solving and
decision making.
6. Recognize and adapt to the changing health care environment.
7. Develop skills for and commit to the process of lifelong learning.
8. Evaluate professional/medical literature to maintain an operational knowledge of new
medical evidence.
9. Appreciate and adapt to diverse/alternative cultures, processes, and ideas.
10. Develop, demonstrate, and appreciate empathy with students, faculty, colleagues, and
patients.
11. Contribute service and knowledge to the community and the profession.
12. Demonstrate effective organizational, operational, and management skills in Physician
Assistant practice.
13. Identify and appreciate the nature of the physician assistant relationship with
physicians and other health care providers
14. Demonstrate an understanding and devotion to primary care medicine.
15. Identify and distinguish the importance of health promotion and disease prevention.
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PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MAJOR NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
Pennsylvania College of Technology does not discriminate in admission by race, color, religion,
national origin, sex, handicap, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, status as a disabled or
Vietnam Era veteran, or any characteristic against which discrimination is prohibited by applicable
law and operates on a non-discriminatory basis throughout the institution.
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MAJOR TECHNICAL STANDARDS POLICY
All applicants accepted to the Pennsylvania College of Technology Physician Assistant Program
must be able to meet the School’s technical standards. Students are asked to review the
standards, and to sign a form certifying they have read, understand, and are able to meet the
standards.
The College is prepared to provide reasonable accommodations to students who are accepted by
the PA Program and who may have physical and learning disabilities (e.g.: mobility impairments,
dyslexia, and other learning disabilities). The College will review the information in order to
determine whether a reasonable accommodation can be made. The College reserves the right to
reject any requests for accommodation that, in its judgment, would involve an intermediary that
would, in effect, require a student to rely on someone else’s power of selection and observation,
Impairments cannot fundamentally alter the nature of the College’s educational program, lower
academic standards, cause an undue hardship on the College, or endanger the safety of patients
or others.
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PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MAJOR TECHNICAL STANDARDS
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 and proprioceptive senses must be sufficiently
intact to enable them to carry out all activities required for a complete PA education. Candidates
must have functional motor capabilities to meet the demands of PA education and the demands
of total patient care. In the pursuit of their academic and clinical responsibilities they must exhibit
flexibility, sensitivity and interpersonal maturity.
Observation: Candidates must have sufficient sensory capacity to observe in the lecture hall, the
laboratory, the outpatient setting, and the patient's bedside. Sensory skills adequate to perform a
physical examination are required. Functional vision, hearing 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 and palpation.
Motor: The ability to participate in basic diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers and procedures
(e.g. palpation, auscultation) is required. Candidates must have sufficient motor function to
execute movements required to provide routine and emergent care to patients. The strength and
coordination necessary may include lifting patients and responding promptly to patients needs in
emergency situations. Candidates must be able to negotiate patient care environments and must
be able to move between settings, such as clinic, classroom building, and the hospital. Physical
stamina sufficient to complete the rigorous course of didactic and clinical study is required. Long
periods of sitting, standing, or moving are required in classroom, laboratory, and clinical
experiences.
Communication: Candidates must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively in both
academic and health care settings. Candidates must show evidence of effective written, verbal,
non-verbal and electronic communication skills. A candidate should be able to effectively speak
and listen to patients in order to elicit information, perceive nonverbal communications, and
discuss changes in mood, activity and status. Students must be able to communicate with
patients and their families concerning the patient's needs in a sensitive and professional manner.
Communication via oral, written, and electronic form with faculty, supervisors, and the health care
team must be open, effective and efficient.
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Intellectual: Candidates must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and
synthesize. Problem solving, a critical skill demanded of Physician Assistants, requires all of
these intellectual abilities. In addition, candidates should be able to comprehend
three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationships of structures. Candidates
must be able to read, abstract, and understand medical literature. 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. In order to complete the Physician Assistant
degree, candidates must be able to then analyze, integrate, and apply this information
appropriately for problem solving and decision-making in patient care.
Behavioral and Social: Candidates must possess the emotional health and maturity 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, supervisors and other members of the health
care team are essential. A candidate must possess the qualities of adaptability and flexibility and
they must be able to function in the face of uncertainty. Candidates must have a high level of
compassion for others, motivation to serve, integrity, and a consciousness of social values. A
candidate must possess the necessary interpersonal skills to interact positively with people from
all levels of society, all ethnic backgrounds, and all belief systems. Moreover, students must be
able to accept feedback and criticism and respond professionally to faculty and supervisors,
including an appropriate modification of behavior.
Students admitted to the program will receive a copy of these standards with a request for
acknowledgment and return.
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PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MAJOR TECHNICAL STANDARDS
POST ADMISSION REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATION
Based on your review of the Technical Standards, what accommodations, if any, would you
request to assist in satisfying the objectives and competencies required of a Physician Assistant
student?
_____________________________________________________________________________
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In consideration of the Technical Standards, reasonable accommodation will be provided to
students with disabilities in accordance with federal and state statutes.
I have reviewed the Technical Standards and have had the opportunity to request
accommodation to any disabling condition.
__________________________________________
Student Name (printed)
__________________________________________ _________________
Student Signature Date
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PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY ADA
ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
1. Eligibility for Services To ensure the provision of reasonable and appropriate services, students with disabilities must
identify themselves in a timely manner when an accommodation is needed and present current,
comprehensive documentation of their disability. Records are confidential and are not part of the
student's academic file. Eligibility for disability-related accommodations at Pennsylvania College
of Technology requires current documentation of the disability from an appropriate professional
source verifying the nature of the disability, the functional impact, and the need for specific
accommodations.
2. Accommodations for registered students: Students must meet with a staff person from Disability Services for an assessment interview
during each semester for which they are requesting accommodations. Based upon the history of
disability, current documentation, and the nature of the request, the disability specialist will
identify accommodations. The students will be informed of the procedures for accessing them.
Disability Services promotes student self-advocacy. Therefore, it is a student's responsibility to
inform faculty of accommodation needs through the Accommodations Request Forms that are
completed by the Disability Services staff person.
3. Requests for Services The Disability Services staff person can address a range of issues in addition to accommodations
including: self-advocacy development, referral to campus and community resources, and liaison
with faculty in conjunction with the student-signed consent.
4. Participation with Disability Services is voluntary. It is a student's responsibility to request
services.
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PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MAJOR HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
CPR CERTIFICATION
The School of Health Sciences requires that all students be certified in Basic Life Support. All
students are required to provide the Program secretary a copy of the Basic Life Support (CPR) by
August 30th of the didactic year the student is enrolled. Re-certification may be necessary if
students are not certified by the American Heart Association course, which is valid for two years.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
All students entering into the Professional Phase of the PA Program MUST fully comply with the
following prior to the start date:
1. Matriculating students must complete and submit the required Health Questionnaire
and Physical Exam and the Dental form.
2. Complete all the immunizations required, including titers.
3. Submit documentation of Health Care Coverage.
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PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MAJOR HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES
TOBACCO USE RESTRICTIONS
No tobacco use of any kind is permitted inside College buildings unless otherwise noted. This
applies to all interior space including, for example, rest rooms, corridors, lobbies, private offices,
the Campus Center and the Susquehanna Room. These restrictions have been adopted out of
concern for the health and comfort of employees and students. Fines will be levied for violations
of the tobacco-use restrictions and repeat offenders may be subject to College disciplinary
proceedings.
POLICY ON ILLICIT DRUGS
The illegal manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of a controlled substance on
campus is prohibited. The College’s primary objective is to prevent illicit conduct, and to help
offenders where possible by providing counseling, and other rehabilitative strategies. Violation of
College prohibitions on possession, use or distribution may be grounds for disciplinary action as
provided in College policy on student conduct. Workplace drug testing is required of Physician
Assistant students.
ALCOHOL AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
The use, possession and distribution of alcoholic beverages are prohibited upon the property of
the College, unless specifically authorized. Also, the unlawful manufacture, distribution,
dispensation, possession or use of controlled substances on College property is prohibited.
Violation of these policies will result in the imposition of disciplinary sanctions up to and including
termination of employment, and referral for prosecution by the appropriate law enforcement
agency. These policies are consistent with local, state, and federal law and are in compliance
with the Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended by the Drug-Free Schools and Communities
Act of 1989.
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PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MAJOR SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Students attending Penn College may be eligible for scholarship awards administered by Penn
College or Penn College Foundation. These scholarships are available to students who meet
specific eligibility criteria. For more information or to obtain a scholarship brochure form, please
contact Financial Aid or see the Penn College Web site.
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PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MAJOR (BPA) CURRICULUM
PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM
FIRST SEMESTER (Year 1) SECOND SEMESTER (Year 1)
BIO 115 Human Anatomy & Physiology I 4 BIO 125 Human Anatomy & Physiology II 4
CHM 111 General Chemistry I 4 CHM 203 Organic Chemistry I 4
ENL 111 English Composition I 3 MTS Math Elective (Math 160 or higher) 3
SPC Speech Elective 3 PSY 111 General Psychology*** 3
CSC 110 Intro to Information Technology 3 ENL 121 English Composition II
17* OR 3
ENL 201 Tech/Professional Communication
PSY 111 General Psychology 3
17* THIRD SEMESTER (Year 2) FOURTH SEMESTER (Year 2)
BIO 213 Human Cell & Molecular Bio + BIO 241 Medical Microbiology +
OR 3 OR 3
Biology with a Biochemical or other Microbiology ++
Human Cellular component ++ Directive Elective 3
MTS Math Elective (MTH 160 or higher)3-4 ART Art Elective 3
Humanities Elective ** 3 ELECTIVE 3 Humanities/Social Science/Art/
Social Science Elective *** 3 Foreign Language
12-13 FIT Fitness & Lifetime Sports Elective 2
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PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM
FIFTH SEMESTER (Didactic Phase, Year 3) SIXTH SEMESTER (Didactic Phase, Year 3)
PHA 310 History Taking/Interviewing Tech. 3 PHA 305 Clinical Laboratory Medicine 3
PHA 315 Pathophysiology 3 PHA 337 Clinical Procedure II 4
PHA 322 Pharmacology I 2 PHA 338 Physical Assessment II 3
PHA 327 Clinical Procedures I (STS) 2 PHA 342 Pharmacology II 2
PHA 328 Physical Assessment I 2 PHA 349 Psychopathology 1
PHA 346 Principles of Clinical Medicine I 3 PHA 351 Pediatrics 2
HTH 330 Medical Ethics 2 PHA 366 Principles of Clinical Medicine II 4
HTH 333 Human Cadaver Anatomy 4 19
16
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SEVENTH SEMESTER (Didactic Phase, Year 3) EIGHTH SEMESTER (Clinical Phase, Year 4)
PHA 352 Community/Public Health (CUL,WRT)2 PHA 411 Family Practice Internship 4
PHA 353 Issues in PA Practice 1 PHA 412 Internal Medicine Internship 4
PHA 357 Clinical Procedures III (STS) 2 PHA 421 Pediatrics Internship 3
PHA 362 Pharmacology III 1 PHA 409 Internship Seminar I 1
PHA 367 Principles of Clinical Medicine III 4 12
PHA 368 Physical Assessment III 3
PHA 370 Clinical Decision Making 3
16 NINTH SEMESTER (Clinical Phase, Year 4) TENTH SEMESTER (Clinical Phase, Year 4)
PHA 419 OB/GYN Internship 4 PHA 417 Surgery Internship 4
PHA 415 Emergency Medicine Internship 4 PHA 418 Elective Internship 3
PHA 416 Psychiatry Internship 3 PHA 490 Clinical Preceptorship 4
PHA 422 PA Internship Seminar II 1 PHA 496 Senior Capstone (CUL, WRT) 1
12 12 * Students who need a decompressed schedule can elect to take SPC, CSC, ENG or MTH in the summer term following their
second semester and create a 14 credit term in either their 1st and/or 2nd semester ** We recommend PHL 210 for Penn College students *** We strongly recommend PSY 201 Abnormal Psychology or PSY 203 Developmental Psychology for Penn College
students (Prerequisite : PSY 111 for either) + Required for Penn College Students ++ Transfer students will be evaluated on an individual basis +++ Directed Elective will be evaluated on an individual basis
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PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MAJOR ACADEMIC POLICIES
COURSE TRANSFER
Courses taken previously will be evaluated on course equivalency to determine relevancy and
content required in the major. A copy of the evaluation will be provided to the student.
It is the student’s responsibility to make certain all coursework has been evaluated for transfer
credit prior to scheduling, to avoid duplication of coursework.
1. It is the student’s responsibility to submit official college transcripts and course
descriptions for courses not already evaluated.
2. The Admission’s Office will review and determine the eligibility of coursework less than
10 years old.
3. The Advisement Center and the School of Integrated Studies will evaluate coursework
older than 10 years based on appropriate materials, transcript and course descriptions.
Should there be a need to talk with the student, the academic school or the Advisement
Center will contact the student.
4. The Admissions Office, in conjunction with the Schools, will attach the courses
approved for transfer to the student’s academic record, and send notification of the
transcript’s evaluation to the student.
5. It is the student’s responsibility to make certain all courses have been evaluated prior to
scheduling to avoid repeating any coursework.
It is the student’s responsibility to make certain all transcripts have been received by
Penn College in time to avoid being scheduled for repeat coursework. The College
refund policy will apply if coursework cannot be evaluated prior to the beginning of
classes.
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WITHDRAWALS If for academic, personal or medical reasons, a student decides to terminate his/her enrollment at
the College he/she must:
1. Officially drop all classes for which he/she is registered by completing required forms
and processing the forms through the Student Records Office.
2. Satisfactorily account for all property issued by the College.
3. Settle all outstanding College obligations.
Students that withdraw after being admitted to the Professional Phase of the Physician Assistant
Program will not be permitted to continue in the program with their class. Students that withdraw
may be permitted to re-enter the program on a space available basis. The guidelines for re-entry,
as outlined, will be enforced for any withdrawal.
STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN THE EVALUATION
OF FACULTY AND CURRICULUM Due to the Pennsylvania College of Technology PA Program’s desire for, and commitment to,
improvement of the educational environment, we value student feedback. Students’ perceptions
of the educational process provide much of the information to assess faculty, staff, courses, and
internships. It is critical to improve the quality of assessment and, therefore, the expectations
exists that ALL students take assessment seriously and participate in the process. Because of the
nature of the educational experience, the PA Program REQUIRES that all students participate in
assessments of courses, staff, faculty and internships.
CONFIDENTIALITY
It is essential that the confidentiality of patients, health care providers and fellow students is
adhered to at all times. Any discussions that occur during the educational process including small
group exercises, competency exams, and at clinical settings must remain confidential unless
explicitly instructed otherwise.
Discussing a patient’s medical condition, or providing any information to unauthorized persons,
may have serious consequences for the disclosing party. Patients should not be discussed with
friends, in public or with families.
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Medical records are also strictly confidential and may not be released to anyone except with the
written consent of the patient or in other limited circumstances. Students who have access to
medical records must be certain that care is taken to preserve the patient’s confidentiality. No
medical charts may be removed from clinical internship sites without a legitimate reason.
PROGRESSION THROUGH THE PROFESSIONAL PHASE
Students must complete all didactic course work (junior year) with a grade of “C” or better in order
to progress to the clinical internships (senior year). Because of the integrated nature of the
curriculum, all Professional Phase course work must be completed in sequence. A deficient
student who is unable to progress with their class may be permitted to re-enter the following class
year on a space available basis.
A deficient student will fit into one of the following categories:
A. Fifth Semester Failure (Fall semester of didactic year) Any student that receives a failing final grade in a Fall semester course (Fifth Semester
Physician Assistant Major) will be dismissed from the Program and can only be re-
admitted through the admission screening process. Students in this situation will be
required to repeat the failed Fall semester course, as a condition of re-admission. In
addition, students will be required to repeat or audit all Fall courses and/or other Pre-
Physician Assistant courses that are beneficial in creating or maintaining a strong clinical
knowledge base, as determined by Program faculty and staff. B. Sixth or Seventh Semester Failure (Spring or Summer semester of didactic year)
A student who receives a letter grade of F in one course during the Sixth or Seventh
semester of the major will be considered for deceleration. Deceleration consists of
withdrawal from the Program until the next semester that the course is offered. A student
in this situation may be considered for re-entry under the following guidelines:
a. Request re-entry, in writing, within three (3) weeks of final notification of failure.
b. Granting of re-entry is based on space availability.
c. Enroll in and pass the previously failed course and courses with a B grade or
higher.
d. Agree to a Physician Assistant Program re-entry/remediation plan.
e. Repeat or audit courses that are essential for maintaining a strong clinical
knowledge base as decided by Program faculty and staff.
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f. Document current CPR certification, health insurance and malpractice insurance,
and complete an updated Health Questionnaire (medical and dental exams) at
the point of re-entry.
g. Demonstrate competency at 90% level for physical examination and clinical
procedure skills. The specific physical exam components and procedures will be
determined and evaluated by the PA program faculty/staff. Students will be
advised of expectations in advance of evaluation.
The re-entry process is initiated on a space available basis only. (In order for a PA
student to re-enter the Professional Phase of the program, a seat must be available at
the beginning of the semester in which the deficient student needs to repeat course
work.) The number of students in a given class year will not exceed the maximum limit
designated through the accreditation process. A student will be given the opportunity to
utilize the re-entry process one time only.
Should more than one student seek re-entry for a single available class space, re-entry
will be granted to the student attaining the higher Grade Point Average (GPA) in
Professional Phase course work. If the GPA of the competing candidates is equal, re-
entry will be granted to the student attaining the higher GPA in both professional and pre-
professional phase course work.
Should an insufficient number of seats or no seats become available in a given class
year, re-entry opportunities will not be approved. Students affected in this situation must
re-apply to the program through the admission screening process.
Failure to successfully complete all of the above requirements will result in termination
from the program.
Accruing two (2) or more final course grades of “F” (in the same or different courses)
during the Professional Phase of the PA program (HTH and PHA courses) will result in
termination from the program (Consideration for extenuating circumstances may be
evaluated on a case by case basis).
For re-entry and re-admission purposes, all HTH and PHA designated courses must be
completed at Penn College.
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Students granted re-entry must return within the following academic year. A student
granted re-entry who does not enroll in this designated time frame, will be terminated
from the program.
C. Clinical Year Failure
Any student receiving a failing grade in a clinical internship:
a. Must repeat the failed internship and must pass an end of rotation exam for that
repeat rotation. The student should note that this will delay completion of the
Program, and may result in a delay in graduation and may result in a delay in
eligibility for the National Certification Exam.
b. Students who fail two (2) clinical internships (either same or different) will be
terminated from the program.
c. Clinical Directors have the authority to schedule repeated internships according
to the timelines and availabilities of clinical sites.
Students who are unable to complete a clinical internship due to extenuating
circumstances (i.e. accident, serious illness), will be required to complete the
entire rotation at the end of the scheduled clinical year. The student should note
that this will delay completion of the program, may result in a delay in graduation
and may result in a delay in eligibility for the National Certification Exam.
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