The abilities and skills which candidates and students must
possess in order to successfully complete the training associated with
physician assistant education is referred to as the “Technical
Standards.” The five categorical areas listed below represent the
essential qualities that are considered necessary in order for students
to achieve the knowledge, skills and levels of competency stipulated
for graduation by the faculty and expected by the physician assistant
profession. Prior to matriculation, all candidates must attest that
they meet all Technical Standards as established by the Physician
Assistant Institute. Additionally, these standards must be maintained
throughout the student’s progress while enrolled in the Physician
Assistant Institute. Students found to be in violation of the Technical
Standards are at risk of dismissal from the program.
Candidates
and students for the Physician Assistant Institute must possess the
following abilities and skills:
I. Observation
a.
Accurately and in entirety observe patients both at a distance and
close at hand. This ability requires functional vision, hearing and
somatic sensation.
b. Ability to visually observe materials
presented in the classroom and laboratory environment to include
audiovisual presentations, written documents, microbiology cultures,
microscopic examination of microorganisms, tissues and gross organs,
and diagnostic images (e.g. ECG, X-ray, C.T.).
II. Communication
a.
Effectively speak, hear, and observe patients in order to elicit
information, perceive nonverbal communication, and describe changes in
mood, activity and posture.
b.
Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and their
families through oral and written language.
c.
Communicate accurately and efficiently in oral, written, and electronic
form with members of the healthcare team.
III. Motor
a.
Elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, and
percussion, and clinical diagnostic testing.
b.
Execute movements required to provide general medical care and
emergency treatment to patients. Such skills require coordination of
gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium and sensation.
c.
Properly use clinical instruments and medical devices for therapeutic
intervention (e.g. stethoscope, ophthalmoscope, venipuncture and
intravenous equipment, gynecologic speculum, suturing and casting
equipment).
d. Possess physical stamina sufficient to complete
the rigorous course of didactic and clinical study, which may include
prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and/or rapid ambulation.
IV. Critical Reasoning Skills
a. Demonstrate the ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize information.
b. Demonstrate the ability to acquire, retain and apply new and learned information.
c.
Demonstrate appropriate judgment in patient assessment, diagnosis,
monitoring, evaluation and intervention including planning, time
management and use of resources.
d. Comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationships of structures.
V. Behavioral and Social Attributes
a. Possess the emotional health required for full utilization of
his/her intellectual abilities, exercise good judgment, and promptly
complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of
patients.
b. Demonstrate mature, receptive and effective
relationships with faculty, patients, fellow students, and members of
the health care team.
c. Possess qualities of flexibility and
the adaptability in functioning in an environment of uncertainty
inherent in the clinical problems of many patients.
d. Demonstrate the capacity to tolerate taxing workloads and function effectively under stress.
e.
Display the personal qualities of compassion, integrity, commitment,
motivation, and genuine concern for others that are intrinsic to the
medical profession, and will be assessed during the admissions and
educational process.
V. Behavioral and Social Attributes
a.
Possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her
intellectual abilities, exercise good judgment, and promptly complete
all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients.
b. Demonstrate mature, receptive and effective relationships with
faculty, patients, fellow students, and members of the health care
team.
c. Possess qualities of flexibility and the
adaptability in functioning in an environment of uncertainty inherent
in the clinical problems of many patients.
d. Demonstrate the capacity to tolerate taxing workloads and function effectively under stress.
e. Display the personal qualities of compassion, integrity, commitment,
motivation, and genuine concern for others that are intrinsic to the
medical profession, and will be assessed during the admissions and
educational process.
Candidates for admission
to the Physician Assistant Institute who are accepted, will be required
to verify that they understand and meet these technical standards.
Admission decisions are made on the supposition that he/she believes
that he or she meets the technical standards with or without a
reasonable accommodation.
Candidates are urged to ask questions
about the program’s technical standards for clarification and to
determine if they meet the standards with or without reasonable
accommodation. The Physician Assistant Institute acknowledges Section
504 of the 1973 Vocational Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990, and asserts that the ability to meet certain
essential technical standards with or without reasonable accommodation
must be present in the prospective candidate. Disclosure of a
disability is voluntary; however, admitted students who wish to request
accommodations must provide appropriate documentation. Disability
Services is located in the Health Sciences Center/Warner Hall room 119.
Please contact Disability Services at 203-576-4454
jspodick@bridgeport.edu when requesting accommodations. All
accommodations are determined on an individual basis. Requests for
assistance and accommodations must be initiated by the student,
preferably at least two months prior to the beginning of each academic
semester.
During enrollment, the program’s
Progress/Promotions Committee will monitor students for continuing
compliance with the technical standards. The faculty of the Physician
Assistant Institute recognizes and embraces the responsibility of
presenting candidates for graduation that have the education and skills
to function in a wide variety of clinical situations and to provide
competent patient-centered care to a diverse population of patients.