Policies

Technical Standards

The following technical standards are required for matriculation, progression, and graduation from the CCPA Program.

    Sensory Perception:

  1. Students must be able to observe and participate in all demonstrations, visual presentations in lectures and laboratories, and computer-assisted instruction. They must also be able to observe laboratory evidence and microbiologic cultures, as well as microscopic studies of microorganisms and tissues in normal and pathologic states.
  2. Students must be able to observe patients accurately and completely, both at a distance and closely. This ability requires functional vision, hearing, and somatic sensation.
  3. Students must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and the spatial relationships of structures.
  4. Students must use their senses of vision, hearing, and smell to elicit information, perceive nonverbal communications, and describe mood, activity, and posture changes. They must also have the psychomotor abilities to perform all skills/tests in the physical exam, including inspection, palpation, auscultation, and percussion.

    5. Interpersonal Communication:

  5. Students must be able to relate to patients and family members and establish empathetic, professional, and effective relationships with them, including through speech, reading, and writing.
  6. Students are expected to communicate the examination results to the patient and to their colleagues accurately, clearly, and efficiently in oral, written, and electronic formats.
  7. Students are expected to be able to work collaboratively with all healthcare team members.
  8. Students must possess sufficient interpersonal skills to interact positively with people from all levels of society, all ethnic backgrounds, and all belief systems.

    9. Motor Function and Strength:

  9. Students must be emotionally healthy to fully utilize their intellectual ability, exercise good judgment, and complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients.
  10. Students must tolerate physical, mental, and emotional stress throughout their training while continuing to function effectively.
  11. Students must possess qualities of adaptability and flexibility and be able to function in the face of uncertainty. They must also have a high level of compassion for others, motivation to serve, integrity, and a consciousness of social values.
  12. Students must be able to accept criticism and respond by appropriate behavior modification.

    13. Intellectual:

  13. Students are expected to be able to display appropriate judgment in assessing and treating patients. In addition, they must learn and demonstrate the ability to recognize limitations in their knowledge, skills, and abilities and seek appropriate assistance with their identified limitations.
  14. Students are expected to possess perseverance, diligence, and consistency to complete the physician assistant curriculum and enter into the practice of medicine as certified and licensed PAst.
  15. Students must be able to problem-solve, collect, organize, prioritize, analyze, and assimilate large amounts of technically detailed and complex information within a limited time frame. This information will be presented in various educational settings, including lectures, small group discussions, and individual clinical settings. Students must be able to analyze, integrate, and apply this information appropriately for problem-solving and decision-making.

 

Health Requirements

The CCPA program requires all students to provide documented proof of completion of all CDC-required immunizations, immunity, screenings, and certifications and maintain compliance with the requirements in this section for the duration of enrollment in the program. Students are responsible for all costs associated with this requirement. Failure to comply with the health requirements below may impact course standing, clinical placements, and graduation dates.

The ATSU College for Healthy Communities follows Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for vaccination and immunization. Assessment for immunity to disease will require documentation of the following:

  • COVID-19/Sars-CoV-2
    • COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are strongly recommended for all students.
    • Please note that many of ATSU-CHC’s external clinical partners require students to be vaccinated prior to training in their facilities and exemptions may not be accepted. Clinical external rotation sites may require additional testing for their site and will be at the expense of the student. Consequently, unvaccinated students may be delayed in completing or unable to successfully complete program requirements.

  • Hepatitis B

    • Documentation of two (2) dose series of Heplisav-B or three (3) dose series of Engerix-B, Recombivax or Twinrix Hepatitis B vaccine. Series must be started prior to matriculation and completed per prescribed timeline.
    • OR documentation of POSITIVE immunity to Hepatitis B (Hep B Surface Antibody titer). If you receive a negative result after the primary series, you must complete a secondary Hepatitis B series followed by a repeat titer 1-2 months after the completed secondary series. If you have a negative result after the secondary series, additional testing including Hep B Surface Antigen must be performed. Please refer back to your Healthcare Provider and contact the Program Chair.

  • Influenza

    • Due annually based on seasonal vaccine availability and due date will be set by ATSU-CHC.
    • Documentation of seasonal Influenza vaccination.

  • Measles Mumps and Rubella – MMR

    • Documentation of two (2) doses of MMR vaccine. The doses must be started prior to matriculation and completed per prescribed timeline.
    • OR documentation of POSITIVE immunity to each of Measles, Mumps and Rubella (IgG antibodies) in the last 3 years. If you receive a negative result, you must receive 2 doses of the MMR vaccine separated by 28 days.
    • Repeat titer is not required.

  • Tetanus Diphtheria and Pertussis - Tdap

    • Documentation of one (1) adult dose of Tdap vaccine within ten (10) years of matriculation.
    • DPT (infant dose) or Td vaccinations do not fulfill this requirement.

  • Varicella – Chicken Pox

    • Documentation of two (2) doses of varicella vaccine.
      • The doses must be started prior to matriculation and completed per prescribed timeline.
    • OR documentation of POSITIVE immunity to Varicella (IgG antibodies).
      • If you receive a negative result you must complete 2 doses of the varicella vaccine 4-8 weeks apart.
      • Repeat titer not required.
    • History of this disease does NOT fulfill this requirement.

  • Tuberculosis
    Annual screening must have documentation for ONE of the following:

    1. A negative 2-step PPD skin test.
    2. A negative IRGA test (QuantiFERON TB Gold or T- Spot blood test). 
    3. For students with a history of positive test results: a completed annual symptom evaluation and provider clearance (see below).

    • Students with one or more prior positive tests, LTBI (Latent Tuberculosis Infection), or TB (Tuberculosis) disease must provide:
    • Documentation of prior positive test, and
    • A chest radiograph confirming no active TB disease (obtained after the initial positive result; repeated only if symptomatic or starting LTBI therapy), and
    • TB symptom evaluation and medical clearance from their healthcare provider within the past year.

     

Immunization Exemptions:

Students may seek a request for exemption from preventive health requirements for medical or religious reasons. Documentation to backup the request may be required.

ATSU-CHC cannot guarantee placement in clinical rotations if an exemption is granted. Consequently, students receiving an exemption from preventive health requirements may take longer to complete the curriculum and graduate, or the student may not be able to complete the curriculum and graduate.

IMPORTANT PROGRAM POLICIES

Clinical Site Recruitment Policy and Procedures (A3.03)

Affiliation Agreements (AAs) must be established between all clinical sites/preceptors and the University before students begin their clinical experience. Students are not required to solicit or provide clinical sites or preceptors. Students may recommend a new clinical site or preceptor by submitting a Clinical Site Recommendation Form to a CCPA Program Clinical Coordinator.

Reporting Title IX-Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Misconduct (A1.02g)

Sexual harassment and discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by Title IX law. Procedures for reporting such offenses are outlined in ATSU Policy #90-210: Prohibition of Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation, which is detailed in the A.T.Still University Catalog.

Student Employment for the Program (A3.02; A3.03; A3.14i)

Students are not required to work for the CCPA Program. Students are also prohibited from substituting for or functioning as instructional faculty and/or clinical or administrative Program staff.

Identification As a PA Student (A3.04)

An ATSU identification badge (ID) will be issued to all students to obtain entrance to campus activities and facilities and to identify them as PA students. Students must always have their ID on their upper chest on campus and during clinical rotations. Students with their ID Badge may be allowed access to campus facilities. Students may be required to wear a separate ID badge at clinical sites. The clinical site(s) will make arrangements if needed. PA students must be identified as students in the clinical setting to distinguish them from other health profession students and practitioners.

Student Health Records and Medical Treatment (A3.06)

Student health records are confidential and are not accessible to or reviewed by the Program Faculty or staff except for immunization and tuberculosis screening results. Except in an emergency situation, the Program Director, Medical Director, and Principal Faculty may not participate as health care providers or behavioral counselors for students in the Program.

OSHA Safety Training (A3.05a)

To prevent exposure to environmental and infectious hazards, students are responsible for following Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and universal precaution guidelines during all CCPA program volunteer activities and at each clinical site. Students will receive OSHA training during the didactic year before starting clinical rotations. Any student who needs help with OSHA guidelines should contact program faculty for further training. OSHA information can be found at https://www.osha.gov/.

Exposure to Infectious and Environmental Hazards Policy and Procedure (A3.05b,c)

Suppose a student experiences a needle stick injury or is exposed to a patient’s blood or other contagious body fluid while participating in educational activities or at clinical sites. In that case, the student must report the incident to the program and initiate medical care immediately. The University will endeavor to ensure that medical insurance coverage for students is in effect throughout the Program. Still, students are financially responsible for their medical insurance and any medical care they receive due to injury or exposure throughout the Program.

Student Counseling Services (A3.07)

TimelyCare, timelycare.com/atsu, is a 24/7 virtual extension of ATSU Behavioral Health & Wellness resources to improve student well-being, engagement, and retention. TimelyCare can be accessed via phone or other device to access virtual care from licensed physicians and counselors in all 50 states at no cost. Timely care services include:

  • On-demand or appointment-based medical care
  • On-demand or appointment-based mental health support
  • Health Coaching and digital self-care content

Refer to ATSU’s Health & Wellness page for more information on University counseling services.

Student Employment While Enrolled in the Program (A3.15e)

Due to the significant time commitment required, outside employment is strongly discouraged while enrolled in the CCPA Program. Students who still elect to work outside the Program may be employed up to eight hours per week during any term. Attendance is mandatory, so PAAR requests for work will not be approved unless they are related to a military assignment. No assignments, examinations, or schedules will be adjusted due to a student’s outside work schedule.

Student Grievance Reporting Procedures (A3.14g)

This section outlines the various program-level grievance reporting procedures. Students must follow the proper chain of command when reporting any grievance. Additionally, ATSU Student Affairs provides students with a staff member who can advise them in solving grievances.

Academic Grievances (A1.02g)

A student has three (3) working days to dispute an exam or assessment grade or academic course concern in writing with the course director. If the course director does not resolve the issue within three (3) working days of receiving the dispute, the student may discuss the matter with the Director of Didactic Education or Academic Coordinator (during the Didactic year) or the Director of Clinical Education (during the Clinical year). If the academic grievance still remains unresolved, the student may bring the matter to the Program Director. (The process and timeline for final course grade appeals can be found in the University Catalog.)

NON-Academic Grievances and Mistreatment (A3.14g)

Any non-academic grievance against employees or the Program should be reported to the Dean of the College of Health Communities following University Policies A.T. Still University Catalog . If any grievance involves Title IX complaints, please follow the ATSU Title IX reporting procedures.

Reporting Grievances or Misconduct Involving Another Student (A1.02g)

Students who wish to report a grievance or misconduct of a fellow student should first speak to a classmate about the issue with the intent to resolve the complaint. However, if that conversation might exacerbate the situation, the incident should be reported directly to the student’s faculty advisor. If the grievance involves Title IX complaints, please follow the Title IX reporting procedures.

Clinical Rotation Grievances/Problems

If any problems occur during clinical rotations, whether academic, professional, or personal, the student should first try to resolve the concern with the preceptor or Regional Director of Physician Assistant Education (RDPAE); if unresolved, contact the clinical team (ccpa-clinical@atsu.edu). If there is a safety issue, contact the clinical team immediately. For other matters, attempt to resolve the problem with the preceptor or RDPAE first, and if this is not possible, contact the clinical team.