Technical Standards

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The Physician Assistant Studies program at The University of Southern Mississippi is a demanding and concentrated program that places detailed and specific requirements on the students enrolled in the program. The Program’s purpose for outlining these standards is to ensure graduates are prepared for professional-level employment in a variety of settings and render care to a wide spectrum of individuals. The technical standards set forth by the Physician Assistant Studies program establish the essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to this program to achieve the knowledge, skills, and abilities of a PA, as well as meet the expectations of the program’s accrediting agency (Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant [ARC-PA]).

All students admitted to the program are expected to continually demonstrate the technical standards specified below. These technical standards are required for admission, participation, and progression in the program and must be maintained through graduation. Compliance with the technical standards does not guarantee students’ eligibility for the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE).

The following standards consist of certain minimum physical and cognitive abilities as well as sufficient behavioral stability to ensure students can complete the entire course of study and participate fully in all aspects of the academic and clinical curriculum. It is expected that all students will be able to perform and adhere to each of these standards independently, with or without reasonable accommodations. All Physician Assistant Studies program applicants and enrolled students must: 

1. Possess the ability to learn and understand complex technical and detailed information and concepts across multiple disciplines and effectively synthesize and apply this knowledge to address clinical challenges.
2. Possess adequate neuromuscular and sensory function, and coordination to perform appropriate physical examinations using standard techniques including (but not limited to) inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation.
3. Understand, communicate and document clearly, accurately and efficiently in English.
4. Possess adequate skills to perform common therapeutic procedures (such as drawing blood, suturing, etc.) and use equipment such as medical and surgical instruments accurately and safely during the assessment and treatment of patients.
5. Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, peers, faculty members, supervisors, preceptors, and other members of the healthcare team.
6. Maintain composure and emotional stability during periods of high stress.
7. Fully participate in program scheduled learning and assessment activities, active learning environments, or clinical learning activities (rotations) that may occur outside traditional classroom hours (including all times of the day/night or weekend obligations).
8. Demonstrate flexibility (cognitive and physical) and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in clinical situations.
9. Transport oneself or arrange transportation to educational experiences on and off campus (i.e. distant clinical rotation sites).

Admission to the USM Physician Assistant Program is conditional on the candidate’s having the ability to satisfy these technical standards. The Program embraces a process that examines and values all skills, attitudes, and attributes of each candidate on a case-by-case basis. The Physician Assistant Studies Program reserves the right to assess or reassess any student’s ability to meet the standards at any time.

Students are obligated to notify the Physician Assistant Studies Program in a timely fashion of any change in their ability to meet the technical standards. If a student is unable to fulfill the technical standards prior to or any time after admission the student may not be permitted to enroll, progress, or graduate from the program.

The University of Southern Mississippi Physician Assistant Studies Program fully complies with all state and federal laws and regulations, including the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended), and Mississippi law. The Physician Assistant Studies Program adheres to the University of Southern Mississippi’s policies on Disability Accommodations and Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation. The Physician Assistant Studies Program does not discriminate against qualified applicants or enrolled students with disabilities. The Physician Assistant Studies Program is committed to the full and equitable inclusion of otherwise qualified learners with disabilities.

These technical standards are not intended to deter any candidate for whom reasonable accommodations may enable them to engage in all activities and complete the entire curriculum. Candidates or enrolled students with questions regarding technical standards are encouraged to contact the SAS office to discuss potential accommodations that may be available and appropriate in order to comply with these standards. Given the brisk pace of the program, adequate time will be needed to develop and implement accommodations. As accommodations are not retroactive, timely requests are essential and encouraged.