M.S. in Physician Assistant
Contact Information
Physician Assistant Program
Lynn Eckrote, EdD, MSPAS, PA-C
Director, MS PA Program
Phone: (973) 290-4154
nyanoso@steu.edu
Competencies and PSLOs
Based on the Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession, adopted and revised
by the NCCPA, ARC-PA, AAPA, and PAEA, the program-level student learning outcomes
(PSLOs) represent the competencies expected of a SEU PA program graduate.
Graduates of the MS in Physician Assistant degree program at Saint Elizabeth University
will be expected to:
- Competency: Employ critical thinking skills to incorporate medical knowledge, evidence-based principles, and patient information into the provision of medical care to patients across the lifespan and in a variety of settings.
- Explain the etiologies, risk factors, underlying pathophysiologic processes, signs and symptoms, differential diagnosis, and management for medical and surgical conditions across all organ systems and across the lifespan;
- Utilize an investigatory and analytical approach to knowledge acquisition, assessment and problem solving to diagnose and manage common medical, surgical and behavioral conditions;
- Incorporate knowledge of basic and clinical sciences and principles of evidence-based medicine to the provision of preventative, acute, chronic and emergent care to patients across the lifespan.
- Competency: Provide patient-centered medical care including assessment, evaluation and management of patients across the lifespan, as a responsible member of the healthcare team. Support patients in the achievement of optimal health and wellness, taking into account their personal situation.
- Skillfully and competently perform comprehensive and focused interviews and physical examinations on patients across the lifespan, develop a differential diagnosis, and initiate an assessment plan based upon the results;
- Recognize when urgent or emergent care is warranted and initiate evaluation and management;
- Interpret the results of laboratory tests and diagnostic studies in order to evaluate and direct patient care;
- Develop, initiate, and monitor appropriate evidence-based treatment plans including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic modalities; incorporating the results of the patient assessment, clinical judgment, and the patient's personal situation;
- Accurately organize, interpret, document and record information regarding the patient encounter, and effectively communicate findings in written, electronic, and oral forms to all members of the health care team;
- Recognize and address the psychological, behavioral, social and cultural factors and health disparities that impact the health of a patient;
- Provide appropriate counseling and patient education aimed at preventing disease, promoting and improving health and/or optimizing the patient's current situation;
- Perform medical and surgical procedures germane to general PA practice.
- Competency: Develop appropriate relationships with the members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, and patients and their family members; utilize interpersonal and communication skills appropriate to a given context to effectively exchange information.
- Engage in effective, sensitive, and respectful communication with patients and families to accurately obtain and use essential information to construct a patient-centered management plan;
- Utilize appropriate interpersonal skills at all times to promote culturally and diversity-responsive care to patients from all walks of life;
- Collaborate as a responsible member/leader of an inter-professional health care team to provide developmentally appropriate, effective and evidence-based patient care.
- Competency: Exhibit exemplary professional and ethical behavior at all times and demonstrate respect and sensitivity to diverse patient populations.
- Act with professional honesty and integrity at all times, demonstrating professional and ethical behavior in all in interactions with supervisors, colleagues, patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team;
- Upon graduation, be prepared to enter the workforce as a clinically practicing PA with knowledge and skill to gain employment, obtain and maintain state licensure, and achieve and maintain NCCPA certification.
- Competency: Engage in meaningful personal and professional self-assessment and development activities to promote excellence in the practice of medicine and delivery of quality patient care.
- Exhibit on-going self-reflection and actively engage in personal and professional growth and development to promote excellence in the provision of patient care;
- Identify areas of individual practice needing improvement, design, and recommend strategies to improve to support development of effective medical practice;
- Search the current body of literature, critically analyze the information, synthesize the results and apply it to the care of the patient.
- Competency: Provide quality medical care and promote patient advocacy and social justice within the context of the larger healthcare system; participate in leadership and advocacy opportunities to support the delivery of healthcare to all individuals and advance the PA profession.
- Promote health, wellness, and accessible care for all populations and recognize and develop strategies to address system biases and social justice issues that contribute to health care disparities;
- Identify system failures and contribute to a culture of safety and improvement to support quality patient care;
- Advocate for and support the patient and family in obtaining quality care as they navigate the complexity of the healthcare delivery systems;
- Demonstrate the ability to participate as a PA leaders at the local, regional, state and national levels, shaping future policy and legislation to advance the PA profession.
Technical Standards
Graduates of the SEU Physician Assistant Program are expected to provide high quality
medical care to patients as compassionate, professional and knowledgeable members
of the healthcare team. Therefore, students admitted into the SEU PA program must
possess the ethical, physical, cognitive and behavioral abilities necessary to successfully
engage in and complete the academic, clinical and professional requirements of the
program.
As such, applicants must verify that they understand and are able to meet these technical
standards which include communication, observation, sensory/motor function, critical
thinking skills and professional attributes as detailed below.
These "technical standards" are required for admission, must be maintained throughout
a student's matriculation and progress through the SEU PA Program, and are required
for graduation. It is expected that students be able to adhere to the technical standards
throughout all aspects of the SEU PA Program including the classroom, small group,
simulation and clinical rotation courses and in all interactions with faculty, instructors,
fellow students, preceptors, members of the healthcare team, patients and their families.
Standards
Applicants and students must be able to be able to employ effective communication skills to participate in the meaningful exchange of information in oral, written and electronic formats in the English language.
Applicants and students must be able to observe material presented in a variety of
learning modalities throughout all phases of instruction including during the clinical
care of patients.
Therefore, they must have the visual acuity to read information presented in print
and electronic formats; be able to observe classroom presentations, laboratory and
lecture demonstrations, online modules, simulation activities and clinical experiences;
and be able to observe patients accurately at a distance, and close at hand, with
or without standard medical equipment to determine findings on a physical examination.
Applicants to the SEU PA Program do not need to disclose information about reasonable
accommodation needs prior to an admission decision. Applicants accepted for admission
to the SEU PA Program will be required to verify that they understand and meet these
technical standards prior to matriculation. Admission decisions are made on the assumption
that each candidate can meet technical standards without consideration of disability.
An offer for admission can be withdrawn if it becomes apparent that the applicant/student
is unable to perform any of the essential functions or meet any of the technical standards.
It should also be noted that successful completion of all clinical rotation courses
is a graduation requirement, and some facilities with which the SEU PA Program affiliates
may not be able to meet the same accommodations as those offered to the student by
the University during the didactic portion of the curriculum.
The Office of Accessibility Services at Saint Elizabeth University provides assistance
and accommodations for all students with documented physical, medical, learning, emotional
and/or psychological disabilities, both temporary and permanent: www.steu.edu/accessibility.
When applying for services, students should call the Office of Accessibility Services
at (973) 290-4261, email accessibility@steu.edu.