Policies

Technical Standards

The following technical standards are required for matriculation, progression, and graduation from the CCPA Program.

    Sensory Perception:

  1. Students must be able to observe and participate in all demonstrations, visual presentations in lectures and laboratories, and computer-assisted instruction. They must also be able to observe laboratory evidence and microbiologic cultures, as well as microscopic studies of microorganisms and tissues in normal and pathologic states.
  2. Students must be able to observe patients accurately and completely, both at a distance and closely. This ability requires functional vision, hearing, and somatic sensation.
  3. Students must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and the spatial relationships of structures.
  4. Students must use their senses of vision, hearing, and smell to elicit information, perceive nonverbal communications, and describe mood, activity, and posture changes. They must also have the psychomotor abilities to perform all skills/tests in the physical exam, including inspection, palpation, auscultation, and percussion.

    5. Interpersonal Communication:

  5. Students must be able to relate to patients and family members and establish empathetic, professional, and effective relationships with them, including through speech, reading, and writing.
  6. Students are expected to communicate the examination results to the patient and to their colleagues accurately, clearly, and efficiently in oral, written, and electronic formats.
  7. Students are expected to be able to work collaboratively with all healthcare team members.
  8. Students must possess sufficient interpersonal skills to interact positively with people from all levels of society, all ethnic backgrounds, and all belief systems.

    9. Motor Function and Strength:

  9. Students must be emotionally healthy to fully utilize their intellectual ability, exercise good judgment, and complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients.
  10. Students must tolerate physical, mental, and emotional stress throughout their training while continuing to function effectively.
  11. Students must possess qualities of adaptability and flexibility and be able to function in the face of uncertainty. They must also have a high level of compassion for others, motivation to serve, integrity, and a consciousness of social values.
  12. Students must be able to accept criticism and respond by appropriate behavior modification.

    13. Intellectual:

  13. Students are expected to be able to display appropriate judgment in assessing and treating patients. In addition, they must learn and demonstrate the ability to recognize limitations in their knowledge, skills, and abilities and seek appropriate assistance with their identified limitations.
  14. Students are expected to possess perseverance, diligence, and consistency to complete the physician assistant curriculum and enter into the practice of medicine as certified and licensed PAst.
  15. Students must be able to problem-solve, collect, organize, prioritize, analyze, and assimilate large amounts of technically detailed and complex information within a limited time frame. This information will be presented in various educational settings, including lectures, small group discussions, and individual clinical settings. Students must be able to analyze, integrate, and apply this information appropriately for problem-solving and decision-making.

 

Health Requirements

The CCPA program requires all students to provide documented proof of completion of all CDC-required immunizations, immunity, screenings, and certifications and maintain compliance with the requirements in this section for the duration of enrollment in the program. Students are responsible for all costs associated with this requirement. Failure to comply with the health requirements below may impact course standing, clinical placements, and graduation dates.

Assessment for immunity to disease will require documentation of the following:

  • Hepatitis B
    • Documentation of three (3) dose series of Hepatitis B vaccine. Series must be started before matriculation and completed per the prescribed timeline.
    • OR documentation of a blood test (titer) of immunity to Hepatitis B.

  • Influenza – Post-matriculation requirement due to seasonal vaccine availability

    • Documentation of an annual Influenza vaccination.
    • The CCPA program clinical administrative team will establish a deadline for proof of immunization each calendar year and notify students before matriculation.

  • Measles Mumps and Rubella – MMR

    • Documentation of two (2) doses of MMR vaccine.
    • OR documentation of a blood test (titer) of immunity to Measles, Mumps, Rubella.

  • Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Whooping Cough) - Tdap

    • Documentation of one (1) adult dose of Tdap vaccine within the last ten (10) years.
    • Infant dose (DPT) does not meet this requirement.

  • Varicella – Chicken Pox

    • Documentation of two (2) doses of varicella vaccine.
    • OR documentation of a blood test (titer) of immunity to Varicella.
    • A history of this disease does not meet this requirement.

  • Tuberculosis – annual screening

    • During the didactic phase, one (1) negative PPD skin test or one (1) negative QuantiFeron TB Gold blood test within the last twelve (12) months.
    • A 2-step TB test will be required during the clinical phase. Students cannot attend clinical experiences until all site requirements are met.
    • Students with a history of positive PPD skin test or positive QuantiFeron TB G blood test
      • Documentation of a negative chest x-ray (CXR).
      • AND documentation of medical clearance from personal healthcare provider annually.
    • If the student has/had: a history of positive PPD skin tests, a positive QuantiFeron TB G blood test OR documentation of treatment for LTBI or TB disease then a negative chest radiograph AND medical clearance from your healthcare provider is required.

  • COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2

    • COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are recommended for all students but may be required by clinical rotation sites.
    • If you choose to be vaccinated for COVID-19, vaccination information must be submitted to meet potential requirements for future clinical rotations.
    • No lab test results may be substituted for documentation of a completed vaccine series.
    • Please note that many of ATSU College for Health Community’s external clinical partners require students to be vaccinated before training in their facilities. Clinical external rotation sites may require additional testing for their site and will be at the student’s expense. Consequently, unvaccinated students may be delayed in completing or unable to complete program requirements successfully.

Immunization Exemptions:

Under certain religious or health circumstances, a student may request an exemption from a preventive health requirement. Documentation to back up the request may be required. The university, school, or program reserves the right to require additional accommodations according to public health risk. The CCPA program cannot guarantee placement in clinical rotations if an exemption is granted. Consequently, students receiving an exemption from preventive health requirements may take longer to complete the curriculum and graduate, or the student may not be able to complete the curriculum and graduate.

IMPORTANT PROGRAM POLICIES

Clinical Site Recruitment Policy and Procedures (A3.03)

Affiliation Agreements (AAs) must be established between all clinical sites/preceptors and the University before students begin their clinical experience. Students are not required to solicit or provide clinical sites or preceptors. Students may recommend a new clinical site or preceptor by submitting a Clinical Site Recommendation Form to a CCPA Program Clinical Coordinator.

Reporting Title IX-Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Misconduct (A1.02j)

Sexual harassment and discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by Title IX law. Procedures for reporting such offenses are outlined in ATSU Policy #90-210: Prohibition of Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation, which is detailed in the A.T.Still University Catalog.

Student Employment for the Program (A3.04; A3.05)

Students are not required to work for the CCPA Program. Students are also prohibited from substituting for or functioning as instructional faculty and/or clinical or administrative Program staff.

Identification As a PA Student (A3.06)

An ATSU identification badge (ID) will be issued to all students to obtain entrance to campus activities and facilities and to identify them as PA students. Students must always have their ID on their upper chest on campus and during clinical rotations. Students with their ID Badge may be allowed access to campus facilities. Students may be required to wear a separate ID badge at clinical sites. The clinical site(s) will make arrangements if needed. PA students must be identified as students in the clinical setting to distinguish them from other health profession students and practitioners.

Student Health Records and Medical Treatment (A3.09)

Student health records are confidential and are not accessible to or reviewed by the Program Faculty or staff except for immunization and tuberculosis screening results. Except in an emergency situation, the Program Director, Medical Director, and Principal Faculty may not participate as health care providers or behavioral counselors for students in the Program.

OSHA Safety Training (A3.08a)

To prevent exposure to environmental and infectious hazards, students are responsible for following Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and universal precaution guidelines during all CCPA program volunteer activities and at each clinical site. Students will receive OSHA training during the didactic year before starting clinical rotations. Any student who needs help with OSHA guidelines should contact program faculty for further training. OSHA information can be found at https://www.osha.gov/.

Exposure to Infectious and Environmental Hazards Policy and Procedure (A3.08)

Suppose a student experiences a needle stick injury or is exposed to a patient’s blood or other contagious body fluid while participating in educational activities or at clinical sites. In that case, the student must report the incident to the program and initiate medical care immediately. The University will endeavor to ensure that medical insurance coverage for students is in effect throughout the Program. Still, students are financially responsible for their medical insurance and any medical care they receive due to injury or exposure throughout the Program.

Student Counseling Services (A3.10)

TimelyCare, timelycare.com/atsu, is a 24/7 virtual extension of ATSU Behavioral Health & Wellness resources to improve student well-being, engagement, and retention. TimelyCare can be accessed via phone or other device to access virtual care from licensed physicians and counselors in all 50 states at no cost. Timely care services include:

  • On-demand or appointment-based medical care
  • On-demand or appointment-based mental health support
  • Health Coaching and digital self-care content

Refer to ATSU’s Health & Wellness page for more information on University counseling services.