MPAS Technical Standards

Student Compliance with Technical Standards

The Masters of Physician Assistant Studies program at Trine University prepares PAs to serve as healthcare providers in a multitude of medical settings.  This program is a complex and intensive course of study that places specific demands on students that closely resemble the physical and intellectual challenges graduates of the program will encounter as practicing PAs.  In order to function as clinical Physician Assistants, individuals must be able to meet certain physical, emotional, intellectual, and communication expectations for performance. This program is designed to prepare students to be entry-level PAs.

The purpose of technical standards is to delineate the psychomotor, cognitive and affective skills and abilities deemed essential for matriculation into, continuation in and graduation from the educational program.  Technical standards are necessary to create specific expectations for student performance in the classroom, laboratory and clinical education environments.  Students are to familiarize themselves with these essential functions and determine whether or not they are able to perform the specified tasks.  Technical standards must be met with or without reasonable accommodations consistent with The Americans with Disability Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  

Psychomotor Skills

An individual must possess the gross and fine motor skills needed to meet the responsibilities of an MPAS student in a wide variety of educational and clinical settings. Specific aptitudes include:

  • Able to perform the motor movements required to provide general and emergency care to all patients. These demands include reasonable endurance, strength, equilibrium, and precision
  • Have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, diagnostic maneuvers, and procedures in a safe and effective manner
  • Able to effectively maneuver within a classroom, laboratory, examination rooms, treatment rooms, and operating rooms for long periods of time
  • Have sufficient coordination to move about patient care environments, and sufficient dexterity to use common medical instruments
  • Able to arrange for transportation between educational and clinical settings

Observation

Observation, an essential component of evaluation and assessment for a MPAS student, requires:

  • Functional use of vision, hearing and somatic sensation including the ability to perceive position, pressure, movement, weight, and vibration
  • The ability to demonstrate the following observational skills: examination of non-verbal patient and family communication, skin integrity, radiographic findings, graphic representations of data, changes in body position/movement, gauges on medical instruments, and to perform inspection, auscultation and palpation techniques during the physical examination
  • The ability to, in the classroom, independently observe and participate in laboratory dissection of cadavers, the microscopic analysis of tissues, and lecture and laboratory demonstrations in all courses Communication. The MPAS student must demonstrate effective communication in order to: • Elicit information • Describe changes in mood, activity, and posture
  • Assess non-verbal communications
  • Effectively and efficiently transmit information to patients, fellow students, faculty and staff, and all members of the health care team in an attentive and sensitive manner

Intellectual, Conceptual, and Integrative Abilities

To effectively solve problems, a MPAS student must demonstrate the ability to:

  • Measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate, and synthesize information in a timely manner
  • Comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationships of structures
  • Synthesize knowledge and integrate relevant aspects of the patient history and examination findings
  • Understand diagnostic testing and treatment regimens in order to develop an accurate diagnosis
  • Determine an effective treatment plan within reasonable time constraints imposed by the needs of the patient, the facility, and the standards of care

Affective, Behavioral, and Social Capabilities

A MPAS student must possess empathy, compassion, integrity, honesty, concern for others, good interpersonal skills, interest, commitment, and motivation. A student must possess adequate mental and emotional health necessary for:

  • The full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities
  • The exercise of good judgment
  • Academic honesty
  • Maintenance of patient confidentiality
  • The prompt completion of all responsibilities that are attendant to the care of patients and course assignments
  • The development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and others.
  • Tolerating taxing workloads
  • Functioning effectively under stress
  • Adapting to changing environments
  • Displaying flexibility
  • Learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in clinical situations
  • Accept and reflect upon appropriate suggestions and criticisms and, if necessary, respond by modifying personal behaviors
  • Conduct him/herself at all times in a manner consistent with the American Academy of Physician Assistants “Guidelines for Ethical Conduct of the Physician Assistant Profession”