For successful completion of the course of study for the Master of Science degree candidates for graduation must possess the knowledge, skills and attitudes and judgment to function in a variety of clinical environments and provide care to a diverse patient population. The program has adapted competencies for the physician assistant profession based on competencies agreed upon by ARC-PA, NCCPA, and PAEA and the AAPA:
- Medical Knowledge
- Demonstrate core knowledge about established and evolving biomedical and clinical sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care in the area of practice across the lifespan of the patient to include infants, children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. (Standards B1.01c, B2.02, B2.03, B2.05, B2.08a, B2.11a.b.c, B2.15)
- Demonstrate an ability to elicit a detailed medical history on patient and to perform a physical exam accordingly to the reason for the visit, patient demographics and condition. (Standards B2.07a, b)
- Demonstrate an ability to formulate a differential diagnosis relevant to the findings in the history and physical exam. (Standard B2.07c)
- Analyze signs and symptoms of medical and surgical conditions and choose the appropriate diagnostic test. (Standards B2.05, B2.07d)
- Develop a diagnostic management plan for common medical and behavioral conditions across the life span, taking into consideration cost, sensitivity/specificity, invasiveness and appropriate sequencing. (Standards B2.05, B2.07e, B2.11)
- Interpersonal & Clinical communication skills
- Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families and other health professionals. (Standard B2.04, B2.07e.f, B2.12, B2.15)
- Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with physicians and other health care professionals in interprofessional patient centered teams. (Standard B2.10, B2.15)
- Demonstrate accurate and adequate documentation of care, coding, and billing. (Standard B2.14, B2.16)
- Patient Care
- Demonstrate the ability to perform clinical procedures that are essential to the area of specialty and are based on current professional practice (Standard B2.09, B2.08b)
- Demonstrate the ability to support patient care decisions and provide education and counseling to patients and their families (Standards B2.04, B2.12, B2.15, B2.16)
- Develop the ability to use scientific evidence and clinical judgement in order to evaluate, diagnosis, and produce a therapeutic management plan aimed at treating acute and chronic medical conditions, disease prevention, and healthcare maintenance. (Standards B2.05, B2.07e, B2.08b.c.d.e, B2.11d, B2.12,B2.15)
- Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively with other health care providers to mindfully provide care to patients from diverse populations that is holistic, ethical, and eliminates health disparities across the lifespan. (Mission statement, Standards B2.06, B2.10, B2.11g, B2.15, B2.18)
- Professionalism
- Demonstrate professionalism with knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements of a physician assistant, as well as laws applicable to patient confidentiality, informed consent, and business practices. (Standard B2.14, B2.16, B2.17, B2.19)
- Demonstrate an ability to understand the effects of substance abuse, mental or cognitive deficiency in practice activity of a physician assistant.(Standards B2.11f, B2.16, B2.20)
- Demonstrate and identify the professional relationship between physician supervisors and other health care professionals. (Standards B2.10, B2.17e)
- Practice-based learning and improvement
- Demonstrate an ability to utilize information technology in medical education of physician assistant for accessing and managing medical information. (Standards B2.13, B2.14, B2.16b)
- Develop and maintain practice-based and lifelong learning skills to identify gaps in medical knowledge in order to improve patient care with continued critical analysis of medical literature to evaluate, manage, and improve patient-centered care and outcomes (Standards B1.01, B2.05, B2.13).