Program Defined Competencies
Upon completion of the Salus University Physician Assistant Program, a student is expected to have achieved the following Program defined competencies:
1) Knowledge for Practice
- Identify the signs and symptoms for commonly presenting disease processes.
- Construct a differential diagnosis for commonly presenting symptoms.
- Identify the indications for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures commonly utilized in outpatient and emergency medical settings.
- Recognize and treat common medical conditions.
- Identify indications, contraindications, side effects, and drug interactions for commonly used medications.
- Approach the use of diagnostic studies and therapeutic management with a cost-effective perspective.
2) Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Provide accurate and appropriately formatted documentation for patient history and physical examinations.
- Present the data gathered in patient encounters in a concise and accurate summary.
- Establish rapport with patient and family, and demonstrate concern for patient’s welfare.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the effects of family/support systems and cultural influences upon disease and health outcomes.
3) Person-Centered Care
- Demonstrate adherence to the guidelines of universal precautions and sterile procedure when required.
- Obtain both a comprehensive and problem-focused history.
- Perform both a comprehensive and problem-focused physical examination.
- Synthesize information acquired through all aspects of a patient encounter demonstrating appropriate progression of thought.
- Manage conditions specific to the patient’s presentation.
- Provide medical education at the patient and/or family’s level of comprehension while incorporating patient preferences to enhance shared decision-making.
- Provide appropriate referral for secondary evaluation, as well as community-based resources.
4) Professionalism and Ethics
- Demonstrate awareness of appropriate professional behavior and insight regarding clinical practice limitations.
- Accept constructive criticism and demonstrate the ability to improve performance based on that feedback.
- Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to diverse patient populations.
- Apply ethical principles as they relate to patient care.
5) Practice-Based Learning and Quality Improvement
- Utilize current evidence-based medicine in the care and management of patients.
- Demonstrate the ability to self-reflect on strengths and weaknesses of knowledge and practice and address deficiencies.
6) Interprofessional Collaboration
- Work and communicate effectively with other health professionals to provide collaborative, patient-centered care.
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Demonstrate appropriate rapport with nurses, residents, attending physicians, allied health professionals and ancillary hospital personnel.
7) Society and Population Health
- Apply principles of epidemiology to identify health problems, risk factors, treatment strategies, resources, and disease prevention/health promotion efforts for individuals and populations.