Technical Standards
The University of Arizona Physician Assistant program is designed to train highly skilled and effective PAs who are dedicated to improving patient care and advancing the profession. An applicant for the Master of Physician Assistant Practice program must demonstrate proficiency in five key areas for technical standards: (1) intellectual-conceptual abilities, (2) behavioral and social attributes, (3) communication, (4) sensory/observation, and (5) motor capabilities.
Throughout the program, students must possess the capability to complete, with or without reasonable accommodation, all aspects of the curriculum and training. The following abilities and characteristics, defined as technical standards, are requirements for admission, retention, progression and graduation.
The Master of Physician Assistant Practice pProgram is committed to the selection of a diverse cohort of students who will become future leaders in advancing health care to the distinct communities that comprise Arizona and the United States. The University of Arizona promotes a campus that is accessible and welcoming to applicants, employees and guests with and without disabilities and where community members are invested in the inclusion, representation and equitable participation of all.
By actively collaborating with students, it is ensured that the curriculum and the physical, technological and policy environments are functional, welcoming and accessible through individual consultation, strategic partnerships and consistent outreach. Students who require accommodations are encouraged to contact the University of Arizona Disability Resource Center to explore available support options.
Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities
The applicant must be able to problem solve rapidly. This critical skill demanded of all health care professionals requires the ability to learn and reason, and to integrate, analyze and synthesize data concurrently in a multi-task setting. In addition, the applicant must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures. The applicant must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate and synthesize in the context of the study of medicine. The applicant must be able to effectively learn, participate, collaborate and contribute as a part of a team. The applicant will need to synthesize information effectively both in person and via remote technology. The applicant must be able to consider alternatives and make decisions for managing or intervening in the care of a patient.
Behavioral and Social Attributes
The applicant must possess the ability to make sound decisions and to complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients and their families. The applicant must have the ability to perform essential tasks in a fast-paced or high-pressure environment and adapt to an environment that may change rapidly without warning or in unpredictable ways. The applicant must be able to exhibit integrity, cultural humility, emotional intelligence and concerns for others. When engaging patients and their families, health care professionals and all involved parties, the applicant must demonstrate compassion, consciousness of social values, and interpersonal skills to effectively interact positively with people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, expression, sexual orientation, disability and belief systems. Applicants are expected to understand and perform within the legal and ethical aspects of the health care profession.
In addition, the applicant must maintain mature, sensitive, effective and harmonious relationships with all patients, health care providers and team members, even under stressful situations.
Communication
The applicant must be able to communicate effectively, professionally and efficiently with all members of the health care team. The applicant must demonstrate a willingness and ability to both give and receive feedback.
Applicants must be able to: effectively communicate and comprehend auditory information, with or without reasonable accommodations, and observe patients closely in order to elicit and transmit information; describe changes in mood, activity and posture; perceive nonverbal communications; and communicate sensitively with patients. Communication includes not only speech, but also reading and writing skills. Applicants must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written English with all members of the health care team, with or without accommodations. Applicants must possess reading skills at a level sufficient to accomplish curricular requirements, provide clinical care for patients, and complete appropriate medical records, documents and plans according to protocol in a thorough and timely manner.
The applicant must be able to process and communicate information on the patient’s status with accuracy in a timely manner to members of the health care team, with or without accommodations.
Sensory/Observation
The applicant must be able to acquire the information presented through demonstrations and experiences in the basic and clinical sciences. The applicant must have the ability to receive, process and respond to visual, auditory and tactile information, or the functional equivalent, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Motor Capabilities
Applicants are required to directly perform palpation, percussion, auscultation and other diagnostic procedures and execute motor movements reasonably required to provide medical care, with or without reasonable accommodations. These actions typically require coordination of gross and fine muscular movements and equilibrium. Applicants must be able to perform them effectively, with or without accommodations.
Equal Opportunity
The PA program follows the University of Arizona in its equal opportunity and affirmative action stance. More information can be found on the University of Arizona’s Disability Resource Center website.