Technical standards
The intent of the physician assistant program of the School of Allied Health Professions (SAHP) is to educate competent primary care physician assistants (PAs) who can evaluate, manage, and provide satisfactory health care to the general population. Candidates admitted to the program are expected to complete the academic and clinical requirements of the professional program.
The following "technical standards" specify those attributes that the PA faculty consider necessary for completing the professional education enabling the graduate to subsequently enter clinical practice. The PA program will consider for admission any qualified candidate who demonstrates the ability to meet the following standards.
Chronic or recurrent illnesses or problems that may interfere with patient care or safety or may lead to a high likelihood of absenteeism are incompatible with PA training or clinical practice. Deficiencies in knowledge, judgment, integrity, character, professional attitude, or demeanor may jeopardize patient care. Candidates are not required to disclose the nature of any disability(ies) to the PA program faculty; however, any candidate who has questions about his/her ability to meet these technical standards is strongly encouraged to discuss the issue with the dean of the SAHP prior to the interview process. If appropriate, and upon the request of the candidate, reasonable accommodations may be provided.
Candidates to the PA program must clearly understand that they must be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner without the use of a surrogate.
- Observation: Candidates must be able to observe demonstrations and experiments in basic and clinical sciences (including computer-assisted instruction) and must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance or close at hand.
- Communication: Candidates must be able to communicate accurately and with clarity, in speech and written form, with appropriate respect and sensitivity towards faculty, patients, and all members of the health-care team.
- Motor: Candidates must have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers.
- Senses: Candidates must have sufficient use of the senses of vision, hearing, touch, and smell necessary to directly perform a physical examination.
- Problem solving: Candidates must be able to learn to measure, calculate, analyze, and synthesize data to reach diagnostic and therapeutic judgments.
- Clinical skills: Candidates are expected to be able to learn and perform routine laboratory tests and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
- Behavioral attributes: Candidates must possess the emotional health necessary for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of sound judgment, the prompt completion of responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with faculty, clinical staff, and patients.
- Judgment: Candidates must be able to learn and demonstrate the ability to recognize limitations to their knowledge, skills and abilities, and to seek appropriate assistance with their identified limitations.
- Stability: Candidates must be able to learn to respond with precise, efficient, and appropriate action in emergency situations.
- Perseverance: Candidates are expected to possess the humility to accept criticism, and the diligence to successfully complete the physician assistant curriculum and enter the practice of medicine as a certified physician assistant.
Candidates who are admitted to the Loma Linda University School of Allied Health Professions PA program will be required to sign a statement that certifies that they have read, fully understand, and meet each of the technical standards.
