PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT (PA) PROGRAM

Student Handbook

Professional Phase

Revised: January 2024

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION 4

MINIMUM TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR ADMISSION, CONTINUATION, AND GRADUATION 8

DISABILITY STATEMENT 11

PROFESSIONALISM 11

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT, ETHICS, AND STANDARDS OF DRESS/APPEARANCE 12

SOCIAL MEDIA EXPECTATIONS 14

SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE PA PROGRAM CODE OF CONDUCT 15

EVALUATION OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT 17

GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES 18

ACCIDENT/INCIDENT REPORT 18

EQUIPMENT 18

DECELERATION POLICY 24

GRADING SYSTEMS 25

CREDIT TRANSFER 26

SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE HARASSMENT POLICY 26

ACADEMIC HONESTY 26

WRITING POLICY 26

DIDACTIC PHASE: ASSESSMENT, REMEDIATION, AND REQUIREMENTS FOR MATRICULATION

TO THE CLINICAL YEAR 26

EVALUATION OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE 27

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE DIDACTIC YEAR AND

PROGRAM FACULTY AND STAFF 35

PROFESSIONALISM SELF EVALUATION DIDACTIC YEAR 36

PROFESSIONALISM SELF EVALUATION CLINICAL YEAR 38

PROFESSIONALISM INCIDENT REPORT 41

ACCIDENT/INCIDENT REPORTING FORM 43

EXPOSURE POLICY AND PROTOCOL 44

BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN EXPOSURE REPORT 45

SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE

PA PROGRAM

INTRODUCTION

All policies apply to all students in the professional phase of the PA program in all locations.

DISCLAIMER

The PA program reserves the right to make changes in the rules and regulations of the program, its

academic calendar, admission policies, procedures and standards, degree requirements, and

standards necessary for successful completion of the program at its sole discretion. Additionally,

change may include, but is not limited to, changes in course content, scheduling of courses offered,

and canceling of scheduled classes and/or other program-related activities.

The College reserves the right to make changes in admission requirements, fees, charges, tuition,

instructors, policies, procedures or standards, regulations, and academic programs offered at its

sole discretion. Additionally, the college has the right to divide, cancel, or reschedule classes or

programs if enrollment or other factors require such action.

ACCREDITATION

Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation

and ARC-PA policy.

The mission of the Springfield College Physician Assistant Program is to educate students in spirit,

mind, and body for leadership in clinical, community, and academic service to humanity by building

upon its foundations of humanics and academic excellence.

1. Academic and professional integrity

2. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

3. Interprofessional education

4. Adaptability and Responsiveness

5. Service to the Community

● https://springfield.edu/programs/physician-assistant/goals-and-outcomes

PROGRAM REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

PAs must have the knowledge and clinical skill to practice medicine in all clinical situations, and to

deliver a wide range of care based on the patient’s needs. In order to graduate, students must

exhibit proficiency in their education with regard to the six program competencies below.

Patient-Centered Care

Provide patient-centered care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of

health problems and the promotion of health

1.1 Gather essential and accurate information about patients and their conditions through

history-taking and physical examination skills (MK, IPS, CTS)

1.3 Interpret data to make informed decisions about diagnostic and therapeutic interventions based

on patient information and preferences, current scientific evidence, and clinical judgment (MK, CTS,

1.4 Develop and implement patient management plans (MK, CRPS)

2.1 Apply principles of clinical sciences to diagnosis disease and utilize (1) therapeutic

problem-solving, and (3) other aspects of evidence-based medicine (MK, CTS, CRPS)

2.3 Apply the principles of epidemiological sciences to the identification of health problems, risk

factors, treatment strategies, resources, and disease prevention/health promotion efforts for

patients and populations (MK, CRPS)

2.4 Identify economic factors that affect access to care (MK, CRPS)

2.5 Access and interpret credible sources of medical knowledge (MK, CRPS)

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of

information and collaboration with patients, their families, and health professionals

3.1 Establish meaningful, therapeutic relationships with patients and families to ensure that

about death, end of life, adverse events, bad news, disclosure of errors, and other sensitive topics

(IPS)

3.5 Recognize the need for and ensure patients have access to unbiased, professional interpreters

and appropriate resources when barriers to communication arise. (IPS)

3.6 Demonstrate insight and understanding about emotions and human response to emotions that

allow one to develop and manage interpersonal interactions (IPS)

3.7 Accurately and adequately document medical information regarding care for medical, legal, and

quality purposes (MK, CTS, IPS)

Professionalism

Demonstrate a commitment to practicing medicine in ethically and legally appropriate ways and

emphasizing professional maturity and accountability for delivering safe and quality care to patients

4.2 Demonstrate responsiveness to patient needs that supersedes self-interest (PB)

4.3 Demonstrate accountability to patients, society, and the profession (PB)

limited to diversity in gender, age, culture, race, religion, disabilities, and sexual orientation (PB)

5.1 Work with other health professionals to establish and maintain a climate of mutual respect,

5.3 Develop relationships and effectively communicate with physicians, other health professionals,

5.4 Use the full scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities of available health professionals to provide

Practice-based learning & Improvement

Practice-based learning and improvement include engaging in critical analysis of one’s own

experience, the medical literature, and other information resources for the purposes of self-evaluation,

lifelong learning and practice improvement.

identify strengths, deficiencies, and limits of one’s knowledge (MK, CRPS, PB)

6.2 Use appropriate literature to make evidence-based decisions on patient care (MK, CRPS)

6.3 Recognize the value of the work of monitoring and reporting for quality improvement (MK)

ARC-PA competencies legend

(PB) Professional Behaviors

Competencies are assessed during the clinical year via the entrustable professional activities (EPA)

listed below. Each EPA encompasses multiple competencies.

Springfield College EPA’s

EPA 1: Gather and document essential, accurate information about patients thorough history-taking

EPA 4: Synthesize clinical information to determine appropriate orders and pharmacologic

interventions. Competencies (2.1, 5.4)

EPA 5: Develop and implement patient-centered management and education plans. Competencies

(1.4, 1.7, 2.1, 2.2, 5.4, 6.2)

care. Competencies (1.3, 2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 5.4, 6.2)

EPA 10: Provide preventative health care services and education. Competencies (1.5, 1.7, 2.3, 5.4)

MINIMUM TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR ADMISSION, CONTINUATION, AND GRADUATION

leadership in clinical, community, and academic service to humanity by building upon its

technical standards will be applied to candidates for admission and continuing students.

Principles:

1. Technical Standards are the Program expectations for certain knowledge, skills, abilities,

professional attitudes, and behaviors.

Springfield College PA Program. Students must verify they meet the Technical Standards

before matriculation and maintain them throughout their PA education. Students are

obligated to alert the Program immediately of any change to their status.

3. Students are expected to develop a robust medical knowledge base and the requisite clinical

skills to apply their knowledge and skills appropriately, effectively interpret information,

5. Matriculation and continuation in the program assume a certain level of cognitive, motor,

and technical skills. Students with disabilities will be held to the same standards as their

non-disabled peers. Although not all students should be expected to gain the same level of

proficiency with all technical skills, some skills are essential, and mastery must be achieved

with the assistance of reasonable accommodations where necessary.

6. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to assist in learning, performing, and

satisfying the technical standards. Every reasonable attempt will be made to facilitate

students' progress where it does not compromise collegiate standards or interfere with the

Students must possess aptitude, ability, and skills in five areas:

● Observation

● Behavioral and social attributes

performed by the student. Technological compensation can be made for some disabilities in certain

observe information presented through demonstration in a lecture hall, the laboratory, and in

representations of patients’ physiologic data and accurately evaluate patients’ conditions and

ophthalmoscopes, and stethoscopes.

Communication

Communication includes not only speech but reading and writing. PA education presents

exceptional challenges in the volume and breadth of required reading to master the subject area and

to impart information to others. Students must exhibit interpersonal skills to enable effective

caregiving of patients, including communicating effectively with all members of a multidisciplinary

clearly and accurately record information and interpret verbal and nonverbal communication.

Students must read and efficiently, accurately, and legibly record observations and plans in legal

documents such as the patient record. Students must prepare and communicate concise but

complete summaries of individual encounters and complex, prolonged encounters, including

hospitalizations. Students must complete forms according to directions in a complete and timely

using palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers, with or without

reasonable accommodation.

Students must be able to execute motor movements to provide or direct general care and

emergency treatments to patients promptly. The student, therefore, must be able to respond

promptly to urgencies within the hospital or practice setting and must not hinder the ability of their

co-workers to provide prompt care. Examples of emergency treatment reasonably required of a PA

include but not limited to; arriving quickly when called and assisting in cardiopulmonary

maintaining an airway, suturing uncomplicated wounds, and assisting with obstetrical maneuvers.

Students must be able, with or without reasonable accommodation, to negotiate patient care

of the PA program through the actual awarding of a degree, including periods immediately before

classes begin or immediately after classes end, during the didactic phase as well as during the

or any other forms of assessment. Students shall not solicit, obtain, possess, or provide to

questions in any form from previous students or graduates of the program.

raises substantial question of student(s) cheating on or misusing questions from an PA

● Shall demonstrate and uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethics with patient

care, medical documentation, and scholarly work and in professional relationships with

faculty and preceptors.

● Shall behave in a manner consistent with the accepted standards of professional practice.

● Shall not employ deceptive means, including submitting to the PA Program any document or

any facts.

● Shall not falsely represent themselves in any way to be a certified PA or a physician.

● Shall demonstrate personal and professional responsibility and accountability at all times.

This includes but is not limited to accountability to patients, the profession, preceptors,

faculty, and staff. Avoidance behavior is not acceptable.

discussion with other medical team members regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual

orientation, disability, or socioeconomic status. Such respect and dignity will be displayed in

both interactions with the patient/family or in discussions with other medical team

members.

● Shall respect appropriate professional boundaries in their interactions with patients,

patient’s families, and others.

● Shall demonstrate and respect professional relationship boundaries with faculty, staff,

preceptors, and other members of the healthcare team. Jocularity and overfamiliarity is

● Shall avoid behavior that would pose a threat or potential threat to the health, well-being, or

safety of others apart from reasonable risks taken in a patient's interest during the delivery

of health care.

● Shall respect the rights of patient confidentiality and privacy at all times. Students shall not

inappropriately disclose any confidential patient information, publicly or privately, that was

PA students disparage any patient in a public setting (including through social media) based

students may not wear their ‘white coat” to gain access to medical facilities or to a patient’s

professional meetings, events, and/or any other setting where judgment is required or

practice without impairment from cognitive deficiency or mental illness that, even with

● Shall demonstrate the professional behavior expected of a SC PA student including:

○ Excellence

○ Altruism

○ Accountability

○ Honor and Integrity

○ Respect for others

○ Intellectual curiosity

○ Teamwork and Collaboration

○ Advocacy and Equity

*Adapted from the National Commission for Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)

EVALUATION OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

The evaluation of ethical and professional behavior is an ongoing process during school, and the

successful completion of each semester, rotation, and phase of the curriculum requires that a

student meet the appropriate ethical and professional standards as laid out above. Students will

complete a professionalism self evaluation each semester while enrolled in the PA Program (see

forms below). A professionalism incident form will be used to document irregularities in

1. Incident Report

2. Professional Written Warning,

4. Dismissal

Professional warning will entail a written account of the offense. If subsequent professional issues

arise, probation or dismissal may result.

Professional probation lasts from the time of offense through graduation. Remediation may result in

the Springfield College Student Handbook, PA Program Student Handbooks, and the

be given to the program administrative associate and updated when necessary.

enrolled in the professional phase of the program. The insurance is included in tuition

which will prevent students from engaging in history taking and physical examination

exercises with classmates and patient encounters in the didactic year or clinical rotations.

● Students are expected to secure their own transportation (reliable car) to clinical sites and

didactic lectures.

● Because of the intensity of the PA Program, students are strongly discouraged from

undertaken outside the program is not covered by the student malpractice insurance

required during the professional phase of the program. Course work and clinical

experiences will not be arranged to accommodate any outside work.

● Principal faculty, the Program Director, and the medical director will not participate as

health care providers for students in the program.

for immunization and tuberculosis screening results, which may be maintained and released

with written permission from the student.

● Students must carry health insurance while attending Springfield College. Students are

responsible for all medical fees incurred while enrolled in the program.

ACCIDENT/INCIDENT REPORT

Occasionally, accidents will occur in the laboratory or at the clinical site. Any student or staff

member injured as a result of any accident involving a student must immediately file a Springfield

site, the student must notify the clinical education director or Program Director by telephone as

soon as possible. The form found in Appendix C can be photocopied and used for filing the report.

one medical instrument or supply company, program faculty can be consulted prior to purchasing

equipment.

better)

H. Patient cloth examination gown

L. Retractable fabric measuring tape with centimeters

N. Surgical scrub suits

MEDICAL REFERENCE RESOURCES

Recent editions of all required textbooks and medical reference books are available at the Harold C

Smith Learning Commons and in the offices of program faculty. Recommended readings may be

placed on reserve. UpToDate, MEDLINE, Harrison’s On-Line, and other literature searches can be

performed at Springfield College Online Databases.

HEALTH AND IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

For the protection of the health of our students and because of the risk of exposure to infectious

diseases to which PA students are subjected in the course of clinical work, certain tests and

immunizations are required of all students.

● A physical examination is required prior to matriculation to the professional (didactic)

to the Springfield College Health Center. A copy of the TB status and immunizations need to

be sent to the PA department as well.

● PA students will not be allowed to attend classes, labs, or clinical experiences until all

documentation is complete.

● It is the responsibility of the student to keep up to date with their yearly physical,

immunizations, and yearly TB screening.

● During the clinical year an up to date copy must be on file in Typhon.

● The program will submit documentation on the student’s behalf to clinical sites requesting

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

● Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis

● Influenza-yearly or wear a mask while at a clinical site

● Meningococcal vaccination-recommended

● Religious and medical exemptions will be accepted if approved by the college. Clinical

of the clinical year, and at the request of specific clinical sites. The MA CORI information is

compliance with the School of Health Sciences policy on background checks.

rotations. Positive drug screen results will be forwarded to the student’s Program Director

Director. The Program Director may contact Student Affairs to discuss positive results as per

the Student Code of Conduct.

ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROFESSIONALISM

development. Various steps are in place to monitor the performance and promotion of PA students.

The PA Program’s Promotions Committee follows each student to ensure academic and professional

development and takes action when inadequacies are identified. Any deficiencies identified in a

student’s performance are discussed within the committee and recommendations regarding

school and of the other students are being served through the student’s continued enrollment.

PA Program Curriculum

*ACLS (AHA) course will be taken during the January intersession at a determined location defined

opportunity to renew their BLS certification during this time as well.

absence, and lateness.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

year due to personal or medical reasons. A leave of absence requires the approval of the Program

● No code of conduct disciplinary actions as determined by the PA program code of conduct.

return.

● Discuss the terms and conditions for reentry into the program.

conditions for reentry, and specifying the return date.

● Fill out Registrar required LOA form specifying return date.

DECELERATION POLICY

Student initiated deceleration is a voluntary request by the student to pause academic progress and

take a break by decelerating progression and re-matriculating into the subsequent PA student

cohort. Students will officially take a Leave of Absence from the college but will return with the

written request must be submitted to the Program Director.

AHSEC Recommended Deceleration

If a student is dismissed from the program for academic or professional deficiencies, the student

may request an AHSECe review. The AHSEC may recommend that the student be allowed to

deceleration at the time of dismissal and will have 14 days in which to submit their request for

review (see Ad Hoc Student Evaluation Committee Review process below).

Deceleration Considerations

all PA didactic courses (PAST and BIOL), even those they have successfully completed prior to the

The student may incur additional financial burden when registering for courses already completed.

Clinical Phase: Students in the clinical year may only request up to 2 months of deceleration. If a

successfully prior to graduation as well as any other missed coursework. When rejoining the

program, any revisions in curriculum requirements and policies of the subsequent clinical class

cohort the student has moved into apply. The student may incur additional financial burden when

registering for courses already completed.

additional tuition and fees, including changes in tuition and fees resulting from deceleration.

Students are advised to discuss these issues with the college’s Financial Aid Office prior to making

any decisions regarding requesting deceleration and/or returning to the program if granted the

option of deceleration.

Unless otherwise stipulated by the individual course syllabus, the grading system followed by the

PA program for program courses is as follows:

Springfield College PA Program Yearly Patient Encounter Minimum Competencies

Deficits in particular areas of competence will be monitored and remediated in a timely manner as

needed. In general the program expects each student to acquire ⅓ of the required minimums by

the end of each semester. If significant deficiency is found the student will need to meet with the

clinical team to develop a plan for successful completion. This may include increased clinical time or

didactic review. In addition, the program will continuously monitor these outcomes to ensure

APPEAL PROCESS

to the Dean if unsatisfied with the departmental grade appeal decisions. Due to the scheduling of

process.

Ad Hoc Student Evaluation Committee Review

Students may request deceleration after dismissal from the PA Program. This process requires a

request for an Ad Hoc Student Evaluation Committee (AHSEC) meeting. The process is outlined

below.

Reasons for dismissal from the program may include, but are not limited to, poor academic

While the request is in process, the student may NOT continue in program activities. The AHSEC

will consist of one Springfield College PA Program faculty member not directly involved with the

student’s dismissal and at least two (2) other members from the faculty of Springfield College. The

following procedure will be followed:

for guidance in writing the request. The letter should include a reflection of what led to the

student’s dismissal and what steps will be taken to assure success if given the opportunity

to decelerate.

1. The Program Director will form an AHSEC within two weeks from receipt of the

written request letter.

2. The AHSEC will review all the facts along with any supporting documentation

from the student and faculty. The request letter should be specific enough so that

members of the committee will have a clear understanding of the student’s

concerning the dismissal to the AHSEC during a formal meeting of the

committee. The AHSEC will notify the Program Director of their

recommendation within 3 business days.

In general the AHSEC will either uphold the dismissal decision or recommend that the student be

return. Any students dismissed from the program during the didactic year will be required to

PA students are eligible for membership in the Student Academy of the American

Academy, have access to a job service, and are eligible to compete for scholarships.

C. Massachusetts Association of Physician Assistants (MAPA)

MAPA is a constituent chapter of AAPA. Students are chosen from the programs in

Massachusetts to sit on the MAPA Board of Directors. Each year MAPA offers one or

of ways.

Students are required to join all of the above organizations. AAPA and MAPA membership are paid

through a program fee.

PROFESSIONALISM SELF EVALUATION DIDACTIC YEAR

In a group with other students

Reading textbook(s)/assigned readings

Reading Powerpoint presentations

Listening to recorded lectures

Meeting with faculty to address questions within a course

Other ________________________________________

Poor 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 Excellent

5. Do you have any questions or concerns regarding professionalism? (demeanor, attire,

punctuality, etc)?

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Are you aware of these college resources? (Indicate by checking the box)

8. How would you rate your stress level?

Exercise

Talking with family/friends

Counseling

Spiritual activity

Mindfulness/meditation

Gratitude journal

would like to discuss

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Semester —------------------------------------------

team?

Yes

No

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes

No

7. Describe your plan to prepare for the PANCE

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. How would you rate your level of professionalism?

Poor 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 Excellent

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Poor 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 Excellent

13. How would you rate your stress level?

Counseling Center

Health Center

Academic Success Center

15. Would you like to request an in-person advising meeting, if so, please indicate areas you

would like to discuss

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Semester —------------------------------------------

PROFESSIONALISM INCIDENT REPORT