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PA Program Technical Standards

To practice as a PA, the following technical abilities are considered essential and are required for entrance into the Stephens PA program. The six areas of abilities/skills are detailed as follows:

1. Observation

The candidate must be able to:

Observe demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences
Observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand
Discriminate variations in human responses to disease using visual, auditory, tactile, and other sensory cues
Discriminate changes in monitoring devices and alarms using visual and auditory senses

2. Communication

The candidate must be able to:

Communicate clearly, effectively, and sensitively in English through oral, electronic, and written methods in order to communicate with other health care providers and patients of all ages in a timely manner
Speak, receive information in oral form, and observe patients in order to elicit information, to describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and to perceive non-verbal communications

3. Motor

The candidate must be able to:

Elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers
Execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Examples of general care and emergency treatment reasonably required of Nurse Anesthetists and/or Physician Assistants include, but are not limited to, positioning patients, physical examination maneuvers, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, airway management, vascular access, medication administration, catheter insertions, suturing, application of pressure to stop bleeding, simple obstetrical maneuvers, etc.
Coordinate gross and fine motor movements, equilibrium and functional use of the senses of touch and vision

4. Intellectual-Conceptual Integrative and Quantitative Abilities

The candidate must be able to:

Use reason, analysis, measurements, calculations, problem-solving, critical thinking, synthesis, self-evaluation and other learning skills to acquire knowledge, comprehend and synthesize complex concepts
Independently access and interpret medical histories or files
Identify significant findings from history, physical examination, and laboratory data
Provide a reasoned explanation for likely diagnoses and prescribed medications, therapies, and devices
Interpret information derived from auditory, visual, written, and other visual data to determine appropriate patient management plans
Recall and retain information in an efficient and timely manner
Incorporate new information from peers, teachers, and the medical literature in formulating diagnoses and plans h. identify and communicate knowledge to others when indicated
Identify and communicate knowledge to others when indicated

5. Behavioral and Social Attributes

The candidate must possess the emotional health required:

For full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities
For the exercise of good judgment
For the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients
For the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients
To tolerate physically taxing workloads
To function effectively under stress
To adapt to changing environments
To function flexibly and effectively in stressful and rapidly changing situations
To learn to function in the face of uncertainties and ambiguities inherent in the clinical problems of many patients
To employ compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation
To accept criticism and respond by appropriate behavior modification
To use supervision appropriately, and act independently when indicated
To demonstrate personal and professional self-control as well as tactfulness, sensitivity, compassion, honesty, integrity, empathy, and respect

6. Ethical Standards

The candidate must demonstrate professional demeanor and behavior, and must perform in an ethical manner in all dealings with peers, faculty, staff, and patients.