Physician Associate, M.M.S. Program Technical Standards

Each student must meet the technical standards continuously and consistently throughout their enrollment in the program. No use of technology or surrogate may be utilized to meet these standards.

Motor/Tactile

• Students must be able to directly perform palpation, percussion, auscultation and all physical exam and diagnostic maneuvers.
• Students must demonstrate sufficient coordination of fine and gross motor skills, balance/equilibrium, and functional sensation.
• Students must demonstrate functional capacity to operate equipment and instruments as needed to perform diagnostic tests and procedures.
• Students must be mobile enough to move from one setting to another in a timely manner.
• Students must demonstrate stamina in physical, mental, and emotional parameters.

Communication

• Students must be able to receive and process auditory information.
• Students must be able to write clearly and concisely.
• Students must demonstrate the capacity to communicate in an empathetic and sensitive manner.
• Students must be able to synthesize complex information and literature and convey this information in a patient-sensitive and easily understood manner.
• Students must demonstrate the capacity to recognize non-verbal cues.

Observation

• Student must possess adequate sensory and mental abilities to accurately perceive information in the educational setting – including auditory, visual, tactile, and olfactory.
• Students must demonstrate the ability to interpret radiography and other graphic images.

Cognitive/Intellectual Function

• To meet program outcomes, students must demonstrate capacity to problem solve and apply critical thinking.

Social and Behavioral Attributes

• Students must possess and demonstrate emotional intelligence and stability.
• Students must show the ability to form meaningful and productive working relationships with peers and treatment team members.
• Students must demonstrate the ability to work in small and large groups.
• Students must possess interpersonal skills adequate to relate to and build meaningful relationships with peers, patients, and family members of patients.
• The student must demonstrate a compassionate and service driven focus.
• The student must demonstrate tolerance to ambiguity and flexibility.
• The student must consistently behave in an ethical and moral manner.
• The student must demonstrate the capacity to accept constructive criticism, self-assess and modify behavior as needed.

Students must attest at the time of acceptance of entrance to the program that they meet these technical standards. If at any phase of the program, a student fails to be able to meet these standards, the student is not qualified to continue in the program.