Technical Standards (A3.13e)
Mary Lou Hawkes and James B. Hawkes Physician Assistant Program
The abilities and skills which candidates and students must possess in order to successfully complete the training associated with physician assistant education are referred to as the “Technical Standards.” The six 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 Cornwall Hawkes PA Program. Additionally, these standards must be maintained throughout the student’s progress while enrolled in the Cornwall Hawkes PA Program. Students found to be in violation of the Technical Standards are at risk of dismissal from the program.
Candidates and students for the Cornwall Hawkes PA Program must possess the following abilities and skills:
- Students are expected to participate in and observe demonstrations and experiments in basic and clinical sciences including classroom, laboratory, and computer assisted instruction. This involves the ability to use sensory functions of vision, hearing, and somatic sensation. Students must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand.
- Students must be able to effectively and sensitively communicate with patients, their families, and all members of the health care team including faculty and staff. Effective communication skills not only include spoken language, but also reading, writing, and non-verbal cues.
- Students must possess the gross and fine motor skills, including but not limited to coordination and dexterity to perform diagnostic physical examinations and clinical procedures necessary to safely care for patients in emergent as well as non emergent settings. Students must have the physical and mental capacity to function competently throughout the program in changing environments academically and clinically. This includes, but is not limited to, walking, using stairs, sitting and standing for long hours, and varying shift schedules.
- Students must demonstrate the ability to collect, measure, analyze, synthesize, and interpret complex information. Students must be able to critically apply knowledge learned in problem solving and medical decision making.
- Students are expected to think independently and honorably with maturity, empathy, and integrity. Students must demonstrate the emotional stability to function competently and professionally under times of stress and physically taxing working environments. Students must display flexibility and good judgment. Students must accept constructive feedback and demonstrate personal motivation and responsibility to implement positive change. Students must demonstrate cultural competence in all patient and professional encounters.
- Students must adhere to the high ethical standards of the College and the PA Profession. Students must meet the legal standards and regulations to obtain licensure and practice medicine as a PA.
Candidates for admission to the Physician Assistant Program, who are accepted, will be required to verify that they understand and meet these technical standards. Admission decisions are made on the supposition that the candidate believes that they meet 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 Program 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 are encouraged and should contact the Agnes Scott College Office of Accessible Education early to discuss accommodation needs.
Reasonable accommodation will be offered for persons with disabilities in conjunction with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Compliance with the technical standards with or without reasonable accommodation does not guarantee that a program graduate can fulfill the technical standards for employment and licensure.
During enrollment, the program’s Academic Performance Committee (APC) will monitor students for continuing compliance with the technical standards. The faculty of the Physician Assistant Program 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.