Required Technical Standards for Completion

After reasonable training and experience, the Candidate must be able to observe and participate in demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences, including but not limited to examination of gross specimens in gross anatomy and pathology laboratories, preparation of microbiologic cultures, and microscopic studies of microorganisms and tissues in normal and pathologic states necessary for such studies. Observation of gross and microscopic structures necessitates the functional use of the senses of vision and touch and is enhanced by the functional sense of smell or the functional equivalent.

Candidates must be able to communicate with, to receive communication from, and to observe patients in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and perceive nonverbal affective and gestural communication. These communication skills also must enable the candidate to obtain a medical history in a timely fashion from a variety of patients, and communicate effectively, efficiently and sensitively with all members of the healthcare team, other professionals, patients and their families. Communication includes speech and writing. The student must be able to produce a written “write-up” in the clinical rotations, which includes patient history, physical examination and assessment. The candidate must be able to comprehend written material sufficiently to understand common medical records, laboratory reports, and pharmacological prescriptions. Also, the student must be able to utilize computerized information technology to access and manage on-line medical information, participate in computerized testing as required by the curriculum, prepare multimedia presentations, and participate in the management of computerized patient records and assessments.

After reasonable training and experience, Candidates must be capable of performing a complete physical examination, including inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation. The candidate must be capable of using instruments, such as, but not limited to a stethoscope, an ophthalmoscope, an otoscope, and a sphygmomanometer. The Candidate must be capable of performing clinical procedures such as, but not limited to, the following: suturing simple lacerations, pelvic examination, digital rectal examination, drawing blood from veins, giving intramuscular injections, basic cardiopulmonary life support, and simple gynecological procedures. The candidate must be capable of performing basic laboratory tests, using a calculator and a computer, interpreting an ECG, and interpreting common imaging tests. The applicant must be able to move and otherwise physically respond in the clinical setting so as to act quickly in emergencies. At the conclusion of the first three didactic semesters, the student should demonstrate proficiency in the skills described above. By the conclusion of the clinical rotations, the student should achieve full competence in the skills described above, including the ability to synthesize and organize these skills.

Candidates must have sufficient cognitive capacities to assimilate the technically detailed and complex information presented in formal lectures, small group discussions, medical literature review, individual teaching settings, and in clinical settings. They must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize information across modalities, appreciate three- dimensional spatial relationships among structures and logical sequential relationships among events, and form and test hypotheses in order to enable effective and timely problem-solving in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Candidates must possess the emotional health, maturity and self-discipline required for successful participation in, and completion of, the course of study leading to the MPAP degree. These include but are not limited to attendance, integrity, honesty, conscientiousness, professionalism, teamwork and other attributes described in Standards, Policies, and Procedures of the Keck School of Medicine of USC Primary Care Physician Assistant Program and the USC Student Handbook. Candidates must accept responsibility for learning, exercise good judgment, and promptly complete all responsibilities necessary for sensitive and effective relationships with patients and others. Candidates must be capable of interacting with patients and healthcare personnel in a caring and professional manner. Candidates must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads, to function effectively under stress, and to adapt to changing environments. Candidates must demonstrate a respectful and professional manner in all interactions, including in their online and social media presence and in communicating with or about others, including individuals with whom they may have significant differences. A candidate must possess self-awareness of limitations, beliefs, and values, and must not disrupt or interfere with the learning of others. Candidates must be willing and able to interact with, and care for, all individuals of the community, regardless of gender, race, age, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, or any other protected status identified in the university’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Keck School of Medicine of USC has the responsibility to consider the safety and welfare of patients and others. Students must be able to comply with all requirements (including vaccination requirements) to participate in all educational, clinical, and research settings, including all applicable policies and protocols issued by the university, the School, and any healthcare facilities with which the candidate may interact as part of their program of study. They must also be able to understand and follow instructions given to them by supervising faculty, physicians, and administrators. Candidates should be capable of being vaccinated against known pathogens transmitted during physical contact with vulnerable individuals and populations.

Candidates are expected to understand the legal and ethical aspects of the practice of medicine and function within the law and ethical standards of the PA profession. THey must conduct themselves at a level of ethical and moral behavior commensurate with the role of a physician in all interactions. Candidates for admission must acknowledge and provide written explanation of any felony offense or disciplinary action taken against them prior to matriculation in the Keck School of Medicine; in addition, should the candidate be convicted of any felony offense while in school, they agree to immediately notify the PA Program. Failure to disclose in a timely manner prior or new offenses will lead to disciplinary action by the Keck School of Medicine and/or PA Program that may include dismissal. VII. SAFETY: The Keck School of Medicine of USC Primary Care Physician Assistant Program has responsibility to consider the safety and welfare of patients and others. Should a candidate have a condition that would place patients or others at significant risk, that condition may be the basis for denial 120 of admission or dismissal from school. An otherwise qualified individual shall not be excluded from admission, or participation in educational programs and activities solely because of their disability or medical condition. Students must adhere to universal precaution measures. Students must be able to comply with all school requirements working in a clinic environment and with hazardous materials.

The Keck School of Medicine of USC Primary Care Physician Assistant Program may require that an accepted student undergo an evaluation at the school’s expense for the purpose of determining whether an accepted applicant or student meets these essential characteristics and abilities. The Keck School of Medicine of USC Primary Care Physician Assistant Program does not discriminate against otherwise qualified individuals who apply for admission to the MPAP Program or who are enrolled as students. The designated disabilities coordinator for enrolled physician assistant students is the Coordinator Director of Disability Issues Services who may be contacted at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Reasonable accommodations will be granted upon request; requests should be directed to the appropriate disabilities coordinator.

The Keck School of Medicine of USC is in full compliance with state and federal laws and regulations (including the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended), and California law (Civil Code 51 and 54). The Keck School of Medicine of USC abides by the University of Southern California’s Disability Accommodations policy and Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation policy. The Keck School of Medicine of USC does not discriminate against qualified applicants or enrolled students with disabilities. The Technical Standards are not intended to deter any candidate or enrolled student for whom reasonable accommodation will allow the fulfillment of the complete curriculum.

The Keck School of Medicine of USC is committed to the full and equitable inclusion of qualified learners with disabilities. The technical standards are not intended to deter any candidate for whom reasonable accommodation will allow the fulfillment of the complete curriculum. Students who, after review of the technical standards, determine that they require reasonable accommodation to fully engage in the program should contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) to confidentially discuss their accommodations needs. Given the clinical nature of our programs, time may be needed to create and implement the accommodations. Accommodations are never retroactive; therefore, timely requests are essential and encouraged.

Procedure:

1. A candidate for the PA degree at Keck School of Medicine must demonstrate the capacity to acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to complete the PA Program educational requirements, including those Technical Standards in this document. Graduates will achieve the PA Program competencies in the basic and clinical sciences, and they will be able to graduate as skilled and effective practitioners of medicine with or without reasonable accommodations.
2. If at any point during a student’s enrollment, the student’s ability to meet these Standards is compromised, it is the student’s responsibility to report this change to the Program Director. If at any time the School has reason to question a student’s certification that they meet the Technical Standards, the Keck School of Medicine of USC/PA Program can require that a candidate undergo an evaluation and review by the Student Progress Committee to determine whether the student is able to meet these Standards. This may, at the School’s discretion, include an evaluation by an external medical professional designated by the School.
3. Students who require accommodation at any time throughout their enrollment must seek approval from the appropriate School or University office (e.g. Office of Student Accessibility Services and Office of Religious and Spiritual Life). Students receiving accommodation approval from the USC Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) must submit the accommodation letter to the Director of Didactic Education and Student Services Coordinator. If it is a clinical student, the accommodation letter must be submitted to the Director of Clinical Education. Students who fail to register with the appropriate University office or to provide necessary documentation to USC or the Keck School of Medicine that they have done so, may not receive accommodations.
4. Once a student submits their Accommodation Letter to the Director of Didactic Education or Director of Clinical Education, respective of the year the student is in the program, the letter will be distributed to course directors of the respective semester to be implemented. In most cases the implementation of accommodation is simple and requires no further action on the part on the part of the student. For more complex accommodations, the Director of Didactic/Clinical Education will work with the student and OSAS to ensure that the accommodation is fairly and consistently provided without fundamentally altering the nature of the academic program. The student is expected to answer reasonable questions related to the implementation of accommodation when asked.