Technical Standards for Admissions

Personal Competencies for Admission and Matriculation (Technical Standards)

A candidate for admission or retention to the Master of Science Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program must possess, or be able to achieve through reasonable accommodation, certain observation, communication, motor, sensory, cognitive, and psychological functions, that would enable the individual to carry out the activities described in the sections below. Upon matriculation to the program, the student must continue to possess, or be able to achieve through reasonable accommodation, the personal competencies outlined below throughout their progression in the PA program. Graduation from the program signifies that the individual is prepared for entry into clinical practice or into postgraduate training programs. Therefore, graduates must have the knowledge, skills, and behaviors needed to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic care. The candidate must be able to integrate – consistently, quickly, and accurately – all information received by whatever sense(s) are employed. In addition, they must have the intellectual ability to learn, integrate, critically analyze, and synthesize data. As such, the following technical standards have been adopted for admission, promotion, and graduation from the program.

This program requires the performance of specific essential functions, which include, but are not limited to, the following: observation; communication; motor and sensory; intellectual, cognitive, integrative, and quantitative; behavioral and social; and adherence to the ethical, professional and legal standards.

For candidates or students who require a reasonable accommodation to meet the competencies outlined below, please contact the Harris Family Center for Disability and Health Policy (HFCDHP) at Disability Accommodations (e-mail) or (909) 469-5441 or visit the HFCDHP web site.

Under all circumstances, a candidate or student must have the capacity to manage their lives and anticipate their own needs and should be able to perform the following in a reasonably independent manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation:

1. Observation: A candidate must be able to directly obtain information from demonstrations in pre-clinical and clinical coursework through lectures, labs, and experiments in the basic sciences. Candidates should be able to assess a patient accurately and completely at a distance and close at hand; evaluate observational findings, detect changes in patient behavior, physical and mental status. Candidates must be able to obtain and interpret information through a comprehensive assessment of a patient’s status and responses to provide appropriate care. Such observation and information acquisition usually requires functional use of visual, auditory and somatic sensation.
2. Communication: Candidates must exhibit communication and interpersonal skills to enable effective dialogue. Candidates and students should be able to communicate intelligibly and observe patients closely in order to elicit and transmit information, describe changes in mood, activity, and posture, and perceive non-verbal communications. The candidate must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients both in person and in writing. Additionally, they must be able to utilize computerized information technology to access and manage on-line medical information, participate in computerized testing as required by the curriculum, prepare multimedia presentations, and participate in the management of computerized patient records and assessments.
3. Motor: A candidate must have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers necessary to complete a full physical examination. These maneuvers may require reaching, bending, pushing, pulling, lifting, kneeling, standing, sitting. The candidate/student must have motor function sufficient to execute movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Such actions require manual dexterity and coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and use of the senses of touch, hearing, and vision. The candidate/student must be able to demonstrate physical strength and stamina necessary to perform physically demanding procedures, endure prolonged periods of sustained posture and physical presence in diverse clinical settings. The candidate must be capable of using and manipulating instruments, such as, but not limited to a stethoscope, an ophthalmoscope, an otoscope, speculum, and a sphygmomanometer. The Candidate must be capable of performing clinical procedures such as, but not limited to: suturing simple lacerations, pelvic examination, digital rectal examination, drawing blood from veins, giving intramuscular injections, basic and advanced cardiopulmonary life support (CPR) (requiring forceful and sustained chest compressions), and simple gynecological procedures. The candidate must be capable of performing basic laboratory tests, using a calculator and a computer, interpreting an ECG, and interpreting common imaging tests. The applicant must be able to move and otherwise physically respond in the clinical setting so as to act quickly in emergencies.
4. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: A candidate and student must have sufficient cognitive capacity to comprehend, retain, apply, and assimilate detailed and complex information presented through a variety of modalities including, but not limited to, classroom and laboratory instruction; small group, team and collaborative activities; individual study; medical literature review; preparation and presentation of reports; and the use of electronic technology. They must be able to memorize, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, synthesize, and transmit information across modalities. Candidates and students should recognize and draw conclusions about three-dimensional spatial relationships and logical sequential relationships among events. They must be able to apply knowledge in real-world scenarios, demonstrate sound medical decision making, and be able to use problem-solving skills in a timely manner despite stressful distractors, consistently encountered in the medical environment.
5. Emotional, Behavioral and Social Attributes: A candidate/student must demonstrate the maturity and emotional stability required for full use of their intellectual abilities. A candidate must possess emotional stability and health to exercise good judgment, complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and tolerate the physical, mental, and emotional stress often experienced during training and patient care. A candidate must be able to work effectively, respectfully, and professionally as part of the healthcare team, and to interact with patients, their families, and healthcare personnel in a courteous, professional, and respectful manner. A candidate must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and long work hours, to function effectively under stress, and to display flexibility and adaptability to changing environments, technology, and clinical practice guidelines. A candidate must be capable of regular, reliable, and punctual attendance and actively engage in all educational and clinical activities. A student must accept responsibility for his/her learning; accept constructive feedback from others; be able to manage their own emotions and take personal responsibility for making appropriate decisions. A candidate/student must demonstrate sufficient interpersonal skills to interact positively with people from all levels of society, all ethnic backgrounds, all belief systems, all ages and genders, and all dispositions.
6. Ethical, Professional and Legal: A candidate and student must behave in an ethical, professional, and moral manner consistent with the values and standards of the PA profession. Students must adhere to universal precaution measures. Students must be able to comply with all requirements set forth by the institution, the program, and the law. A candidate/student must meet the legal standards to obtain a license to practice medicine as a PA. As such, candidates for admission must strictly comply with instructions on reporting criminal offenses or disciplinary action taken against them prior to matriculation.