The Technical Standards for admission are set forth by the Xavier University Physician Assistant Program and are essential functions that include attributes that are necessary to successfully complete the program. Minimal Technical Standards for Admission, Promotion, and Graduation state the expectations of all students.
Students who develop conditions while in the program, which may impair their ability to meet the technical standards, will be reevaluated. If a student’s abilities to meet the technical standards are compromised, then the program director may request a physical assessment of student’s cognitive, psychological or physical ability. After reviewing the information, if the student does not meet the technical standards he or she may be terminated from the program at the discretion of the program director.
The standards provide information to allow a candidate to make an informed decision regarding application and serve as a guide to accommodation of students with disabilities. Academic adjustments can be made for disabilities in some instances, but a student must be able to perform in an independent manner with reasonable accommodations. Xavier University of Louisiana is committed to the principle of equal opportunity. The program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.
The Xavier University of Louisiana Physician Assistant Program is committed to enabling students by any reasonable means or accommodations to complete the course of study leading to the Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree. However, every precaution is taken to ensure that students with substantially impaired intellectual, physical, or emotional functions place neither the educational process nor the patient in jeopardy. Vital to successful completion of the program, it is imperative that students are able to meet the Technical Standards outlined here.
Individuals with questions or concerns about their abilities to meet these standards are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Affairs. The process for applying for accommodations is located at the end of this policy statement in the section entitled Disability Accommodations.
1. Observation Ability:
Students must have the ability to observe didactic presentations, demonstrations, and laboratory activities in the basic and clinical sciences. Students should have the ability to observe patients and assess findings. Observation includes the use of vision, hearing and touch.
2. Communication Ability:
Students must be able to communicate effectively with the faculty, fellow students, patients and their friends/families, and other healthcare professionals. Communication includes speaking, hearing, reading and writing. Students must be able to interpret written records and document information accurately.
3. Motor Ability:
Students must be able to perform gross and fine motor movements required to perform a complete physical examination, perform or assist with procedures, diagnostics and treatment methods, administration of medication, managing of equipment and emergency intervention. Motor function encompasses physical ability, coordination of gross and fine motor skills, and equilibrium. The student should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers. The student have sufficient motor skills and coordination to manipulate equipment and instruments without interruption necessary to perform basic laboratory test and procedures involving stethoscope, ophthalmoscope, needles, tongue blades, intravenous equipment, gynecologic speculum, and scalpel. The students must possess the fine motor skills to perform the requirements of the profession.
4. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Ability:
Students must have the cognitive abilities sufficient to process the information provided during the basic and clinical sciences curriculum. Students must possess intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities. Students must be able to perform measurements, calculations, reasoning, analysis and synthesis. In addition, the student must be able to comprehend three dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures. Students must be able to solve complex problems in a timely manner under stress and in diverse settings.
5. Behavioral and Social Attributes:
Students must demonstrate maturity and emotional stability to allow for full use of all intellectual abilities, reliable and timely decision making, and effective relationships with patients and their families, and other healthcare professionals. Students must be able to work collaboratively with their classmates to sustain a non-competitive learning atmosphere and with their colleagues and patients to develop collaborative professional relationships Students must be able to work effectively under high levels of stress, adapt to changing work environments, and the uncertainties of healthcare. Students must have an understanding of and abide by legal and ethical standards in regards to healthcare. Students must be able to work as part of a team and possess integrity, compassion, motivation to serve, empathy, and the interpersonal skills necessary for medical practice.
