Physician Assistant

Physician Assistant Program 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 hands on learning and insuring that its students develop 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 primary care practitioners in our community, state, nation and improve access to quality healthcare through our graduates.

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Physician Assistant Program Overview

Penn College’s Physician Assistant staff, faculty, and administrators are 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. Physician Assistant 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 PA major is 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 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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Disability Accommodations

All applicants accepted to the Pennsylvania College of Technology Physician Assistant major 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 into the PA major and who may have physical and learning disabilities (e.g., mobility impairments, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities). Even students with short-term disabilities (e.g., mobility limitations due to injury or surgery) may be eligible for accommodations.

The Disability Services Office will review the information to determine whether a reasonable accommodation can be made. Students needing accommodations should refer to the Disability Services Web site regarding documentation guidelines and eligibility requirements. It is important to note that accommodation requests can be made at any time throughout a semester, but are not applied retroactively.

Access to accommodation and disclosure of disability is voluntary.

See also the College’s official nondiscrimination statement.

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Physician Assistant Program Estimate of Expenses

Per Credit Hour Tuition and Fees (2007-2008)
In-State Residents	$375
Out-of-State Residents	$471

Physician Assistant Major Estimate of Expenses
Year One:
Books	$2,000
Laptop computer	$2,000
Lab Coats (2 short; 1 long)	$90
Name Tags/Program Patch (at least 2)	$10
Physical/Dental Exam/Laboratory	$500
Instruments	$800
CPR Certification	$40
ACLS/PALS	$140
PACKRAT JR	$40
Malpractice Insurance	$195
Student Professional Association Dues	$125 *
Criminal Record Clearance	$45
Child Abuse Clearance	$10
Drug Screen	$25
Health Insurance	Insurance carrier specific

Physician Assistant Major Estimate of Expenses
Year Two:
Books	$400-600
Immunization / Laboratory Update	$50
CPR Certification	$40
PACKRAT SR	$40
Malpractice Insurance	$195
Certification Exam	$425 *
Criminal Record Clearance	$45
Drug Screen	$25
Health Insurance	Insurance carrier specific
Off-campus housing / Transportation	Varies with location of clinical internship

* Miscellaneous costs not directly associated with the College.

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Physician Assistant Program 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 rigorous education. Candidates must have the functional motor capabilities to meet the demands of PA education and the demands of total patient care. In the pursuit of academic and clinical responsibilities, students 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 internships. 

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.

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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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 30 of the didactic year the student is enrolled. Re-certification may be necessary if students are not certified through 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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Student Participation in Evaluation of Faculty and Curriculum

Due to the School of Health Sciences’ 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, all students in the PA major are REQUIRED to participate in assessments of courses, staff, faculty, and internships.

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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.

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.

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Physician Assistant Program Malpractice / Health Insurance

Students are responsible for purchasing and maintaining both health and malpractice insurance coverage. The minimum acceptable coverage for professional liability is 1 million per incident and 6 million aggregate. Students must submit documentation of liability insurance coverage to the PA Program office at the start of the professional phase of the Program. Documentation must be current; therefore, any changes in insurance coverage must be provided to the Program immediately. The PA Program can assist students in this endeavor once accepted into the professional phase.

Verification of personal health insurance will also be kept on file in the PA Program office and is required of all students. The student health service can assist in this regard. All Internships require professional liability insurance along with health and immunization information be provided to clinical preceptors 4-6 weeks prior to a clinical rotation.

Please note that students without health or malpractice insurance can not be permitted to participate in patient contact activities, and therefore can not successfully complete the program.

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