The following are the Palm Beach Atlantic University School of Health Professions Master of Medical Science in PA Studies program’s competencies.
These competencies were developed based on the framework of the program’s mission and goals along with awareness of the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA)’s Core Competencies for New PA Graduates and the Physician Assistant Competencies which were written collaboratively by the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), and The National Commission on Certification of the Physician Assistant (NCCPA), and the Accreditation Review Commission on Education of the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
The Palm Beach Atlantic’s School of Health Professions Master of Medical Science in PA Studies uses achievement of the following competencies as a guide for curriculum development and evaluation of the success of the program and its graduates. Upon completion of the Palm Beach Atlantic’s School of Health Professions Master of Medical Science in PA Studies, graduates are expected to achieve the following competencies:
ENTRUSTABLE PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES/ PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOME COMPETENCIES
PAs must demonstrate core knowledge about established and evolving biomedical and clinical sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care in their area of practice. In addition, PAs are expected to demonstrate an investigatory and analytic thinking approach to clinical situations.
Outcome expectations for this competency include:
EPA 1:
Develop rapport and atmosphere of inclusivity with patients from diverse backgrounds through communication, interpersonal skills, and development of cultural competency
EPA 2:
Elicit accurate patient information through preventative screening, problem-based health history taking, and physical examination across the lifespan
EPA 3:
Recognize and evaluate a patient requiring urgent or emergent care
EPA 4:
Synthesize a problem list from patient data collected to diagnose and identify health-related concerns
EPA 5:
Recommend appropriate diagnostic test and interpret results
EPA 6:
Perform required general clinical and technical skills of a new PA
EPA 7:
Develop and implement patient management plans
EPA 8:
Recognize at-risk health behaviors, invite discussion, and counsel a patient regarding preventative health initiatives
EPA 9:
Develop professionalism and effective leadership with interprofessional health care team members
EPA 10:
Document a clinical encounter in the patient record with application of basic billing and coding
EPA 11:
Collaborate and refer to other members of an interprofessional team
EPA 12:
Promote a culture of safety and identify any system failures contributing to health care disparities
EPA 13:
Formulate a clinical question and retrieve applicable scientific evidence to advance patient care
ARC Standard A3.12g Program Accreditation Status
The program must define, publish and make readily available to enrolled and prospective students. The program required competencies for entry-level practice, consistent with the competencies as defined by the PA profession.