Prerequisite: Successful completion or remediation of fall coursework, PAS 5361 – Clinical Methods and Procedures II (2 credits) Specific tasks performed by PAs cannot be delineated precisely because of the variations in practice requirements mandated by geographic, political, economic and social factors. This course is designed to introduce students to health care ethics, law and policy. Selected surgical conditions will be selected as prototypes for the study of pathophysiology, clinical presentation and identification of surgical problems. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be June 2029. (A), Provide advocacy and support to assist patients in obtaining quality care and in dealing with the complexities of health care delivery systems. Prerequisite: Successful completion or remediation of fall coursework, PAS 5401 – Introduction to Clinical Education (1 credit) Topics will include communication in the clinical setting, the use of electronic health records, professionalism, introduction to systems-based practices that improve healthcare safety, and an in-depth discussion of program expectations and requirements for successful progression through the clinical education experiences. Topics will include billing and coding, electronic medical records systems, patient safety, quality control/improvement, as well as special concerns during the inpatient medicine rotation. Prerequisite: Successful completion or remediation of summer coursework, PAS 5231 – Clinical Decision Making I (7 credits) Substitutions are not accepted. The overall focus of this rotation is evaluation and care of patients with commonly encountered conditions requiring surgical management. Additionally, anesthetic techniques will be reviewed. 3. The minimum health care experience hours must be attained prior to an application being reviewed by the admissions committee for interview consideration. In this course, students will have direct interaction with other health professionals. Applicants must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test within five years of the application deadline. be able to manipulate equipment and instruments to perform basic laboratory tests and procedures. This course is designed to teach students the essential skills required for effective and efficient publication of peer-reviewed evidence-based medicine articles. Any bachelor's degree is acceptable but a strong science background is encouraged. This course is the first in a series designed to help the PA student understand the roles of various health professions. Dept. Mastery of the concepts and skills developed in this course will be critical to success in the Clinical Phase of the program. Research applicable to the needs of the PA profession. This course is designed to run concurrently with and complement Clinical Decision Making III.  It is the third in a series of courses designed to develop skills related to the principles of pharmacology as they pertain to therapeutic agents, both prescription and non-prescription.  Mastery of concepts and outcomes from Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics I & II is essential for success in this course. This is the final course in a series of courses designed to develop knowledge and skills required to obtain and record the complete medical history and perform a physical examination.  In this course students develop a deeper understanding of the history and physical examination skills specific to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. An attitude of respect for self and others, adherence to the concepts of privilege and confidentiality in communicating with patients, and a commitment to patient welfare are essential attributes. This course is designed to run concurrently and complement anatomy lectures by providing scientific concepts and skills specific to the practice of medicine. Minimum of 200 hours volunteer or work experience in a health care setting. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website here. This course is the first in a series of three seminar style courses designed to aid the PA student in being successful in clinical rotations and in making the transition to the professional practice environment. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. Neuroscience: A discussion of the basic molecular function of the nervous system with special attention to neuroanatomy, seizure disorders, common neurologic disorders and behavioral health. New Program. These nine activities will be accomplished by each individual student with direct faculty mentorship. In the laboratory section of this course the emphasis is in “hands-on” experiences in which students practice and perform select procedures on classmates and/or partial task trainers. As student- focused educators seeking to be role models for what the health care profession should be, we believe our actions should always be cohesive with patient-centric, evidence-based medicine and our core values of: The HPU program in Physician Assistant Studies begins each Summer and spans 27 months over 7 continuous semesters.  Part-time or interrupted attendance is not an option, and no online classes are offered.  The program prepares graduates with the necessary knowledge and skills to: The curriculum was designed to imaginatively blend critical thinking and intellectual inquiry with a practical need for innovation, skill, and knowledge within professional disciplines. The didactic phase centers around “Clinical Decision Making”, a series of courses taught using an organ system approach through the lifespan and illustrating the standards of care across the gamut of health care delivery venues. Students will be expected to apply knowledge obtained in the other program courses to these specific areas of study. The primary social determinants of health as well as their role in creating health inequities within the US will also be examined. of Physician Assistant Studies. These five components are learned in a layered fashion and reinforced through the introduction to writing a medical narrative. (C), Develop, implement and monitor management plans for emergent, acute, chronic or ongoing conditions including pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, surgery, counseling, therapeutic procedures and/or rehabilitative therapies. This five-week clinical course provides the physician assistant student with the opportunity to gain experience in a specific area of interest. In this course, students will have direct interaction with other health professions involved in direct patient care through select Mini Clinical Experiences offered within the MPAS program. No credit is granted for pre-admission experiential learning, prior coursework, degrees, certifications, or advanced training. Areas of interest are chosen from a variety of surgical, family medicine, or internal medicine specialties or subspecialties. This is an experiential learning opportunity for students to reflect on the roles of various health professions as well as to review perceptions of important health care issues affecting the select patient population. Lab sessions are used to optimize teaching of concepts.  The student will be required to demonstrate Competency Based Learning during the performance of the required procedures and skills.  In the laboratory section of this course the emphasis is in “hands-on” experiences in which students practice and perform select procedures on classmates, simulated patients, models, and/or partial task trainers. Requirements A bachelor’s degree from a four-year regionally accredited college or university. 2. Prerequisite: Successful completion or remediation of spring coursework, PAS 5461 – Clinical Methods and Procedures III (2 credits) Overall GPA: 3.2 Science GPA: 3.2 Number of References required: 3. This course is designed to introduce the student to basic skills and concepts needed in the surgery rotation. This course is the last in a series of three seminar style courses designed to aid the PA student in being successful in clinical rotations and in making the transition to the professional practice environment. Students will be challenged to integrate previously acquired didactic knowledge in a case-based fashion. Skills developed in this course will be critical in progressing through the clinical phase of the program. Average PA shadowing hours: 86 Admission requirements bachelor’s degree at a regionally accredited college or university. Prerequisite courses must be completed from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning in the United States or Canada for a letter grade. PAS 5101 – Gross Anatomy (5 credits) In additional to scheduled topics and guest speakers, students will be responsible for presenting case- and/or topic-related material to their classmates. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or higher, at the time of application and before matriculation into the program. (P), Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy regarding the emotional, cultural and socioeconomic aspects of the patient, the patient’s condition and the patient’s family.  Skills developed in this course will be critical in progressing through the clinical phase of the program. (P). Seminar will meet on campus for a total of approximately 15 hours of sessions, workshops, and evaluations during the two day end-of-rotation activities during the semester. Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA and Minimum 3.0 Science GPA on a 4.0 scale as determined by CASPA is required. The root causes of inequities in health outcomes, cultural competence and the relative effectiveness of the health care system in caring for all patients will be explored. be able to use supervision appropriately and act independently, when indicated. These skills will also empower students as future clinicians to identify and answer relevant clinical questions using the best-available evidence and clinical practice guidelines. No changes for the 2020-21 Admissions Cycle. Cardiovascular: A discussion of basic pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disease including dysrhythmias, heart failure, atherosclerosis and hypertension. Successful attainment of outcomes from Gross Anatomy, Health Care Provider Communications Skills, and Applied Biomedical Science will be essential for successful performance in the History and Physical Examination series of courses. In addition, the Gardner-Webb University Physician Assistant Program requires a supplemental application. (C), Accurately and concisely communicate the findings of a given patient encounter in written and oral forms to all members of the health care team. During the clinical year, students experience seven five-week rotations in family medicine, inpatient medicine, emergency medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, women’s health and behavioral medicine. Prerequisite science courses must be completed within 10 years prior to June enrollment. Genitourinary/Reproductive: A discussion of pathophysiology of both male and female urinary and reproductive system disease. Preference will be given to applicants having significantly greater than 200 hours of volunteer or work experience and to those applicants having experience that requires a period of training and results in direct (hands-on) patient care.  Areas of study will include Cardiology, Pulmonary Medicine, Nephrology, Genitourinary, Gastroenterology, Endocrine, and Reproductive Medicine. Connections will be made to select rheumatologic, dermatologic, hematologic and auto-immune conditions. Topics will include licensing and credentialing; finding a job; insurance systems, and prior authorization. The High Point University PA program is proud to partner with Novant Health in the clinical education of future PA providers.  Novant Health is an integrated Healthcare entity of 15 medical centers, greater than 1,600 physicians in over 640 locations.  This contractual relationship establishes a mutual commitment to quality clinical education of PA students by supporting required and elective Supervised Clinical Practice Experience (SCPE) both now and with future growth. Â. NC-SARA does not deal with professional licensing board approval for any courses or programs leading to professional licensure. The surgery rotation and the skills contained therein are required competencies for successful completion of the program. High Point University PA Program Mission Statement The mission of the High Point University Physician Assistant Studies program is to deliver a student-centered, experiential curriculum grounded in high academic and ethical standards. An introduction to core epidemiology principles and best practices for health promotion and disease prevention will be fundamental concepts covered. The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the High Point University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by High Point University. The student will perform basic psychiatric evaluations, monitor medications, and support the clinical management plan for patients following psychiatric evaluation and treatment. shadowing) of PAs or attain an equivalent number of hours observing a Physician Assistant through providing direct patient care (e.g., Medical Assistant for a PA). PAS 6120 – Inpatient Medicine (4 credits) The skills gained in this course will be essential to success in the Clinical Phase of the program. Our admissions standards reflect the goal of recruiting individuals who are capable of addressing these disparities while balancing the need for students with a … PAS 6176 – Elective II (4 credits) The primary social determinants of health as well as their role in creating health inequities within the US will also be examined. PAs are in demand and the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects the PA profession will grow much faster than the average for all occupations. This course is the second in a series designed to help the PA student understand the roles of various health professions. Physician Assistants (PAs) are health-care professionals licensed or, in the case of those employed by the federal government, credentialed to practice medicine in association with designated collaborating physicians.  PAs are qualified by graduation from an accredited PA educational program and/or certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.  Within the physician-PA relationship, PAs provide patient-centered medical care services as a member of a health care team.  PAs practice with defined levels of autonomy and exercise independent medical decision making within their scope of practice.   PAs practice medicine providing diagnostic and therapeutic services in all practice settings.  They are autonomous members of the healthcare team, collaborating with physicians and partnering with other Health Care Professionals. The root causes of inequities in health outcomes, cultural competence and the relative effectiveness of the health care system in caring for all patients will be explored. be able to independently access and interpret medical histories or files. Prerequisite: Admission to the PA program, PAS 5203 – Health Care Ethics and Policy (1 credit) This is the second in a series of experiential courses designed to provide an intensive study of human diseases and disorders, using a lifespan approach from pediatrics to geriatrics, in the areas of clinical medicine including epidemiology, etiology, historical data, clinical manifestations, progression, therapeutic management, prevention, laboratory medicine, and prognosis. Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices, and the development of differential diagnoses and plan based upon the patient’s clinical presentation. Heavy emphasis will be placed on case-based interpretation of chest x-rays, EKGs and other diagnostic tests, as well as the refinement of skills in development of differential diagnoses and management plans. This will include mechanisms of central control. The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the High Point University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by High Point University. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website here. This includes use of appropriate diagnostic equipment, proper examination techniques, and the use of accurate medical terminology to document findings.  Emphasis is placed on developing skills in recognition of the “range of normal” physical findings and beginning to recognize selected abnormalities.  The course emphasizes patient-centered interviewing, acquiring a medical database, and performing problem-focused physical examinations.  A combination of lectures, discussion, case studies and performance skills labs will be used to present and practice the necessary concepts and skills. Students may present unique cases or discuss novel topics that may be helpful to other students in their rotations. Pass/Fail prerequisites accepted only from regionally accredited institutions whose pass minimum is B or higher. During the course of their careers, professional PAs will interact with many diverse technicians, therapists and technologists all of whom have important roles to play in the care of patients. Prerequisite: Successful completion or remediation of spring coursework, PAS 5441 – Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics III (3 credits) Mastery of the skills and concepts presented in this course will be critical to success in the Clinical Phase of the program. (A), Critically evaluate the medical literature in order to use current practice guidelines and apply the principles of evidence-based medicine to patient care. elicit and transmit patient information in oral and written English to members of the health care team. Areas of study to include: The knowledge gained in this course will be essential to success in the Clinical Decision-Making courses as well as in the Clinical Phase of the program. Students must be accepted into this program during their senior year of high school and enter the highly competitive program as first-year students. EVALUATION: Elicit a detailed and accurate history, perform an appropriate physical examination, order appropriate diagnostic studies, delineate problems, develop management plans and record and present data. The Master’s Project builds on the evidence-based medicine course series completed during the didactic phase of the program by having students participate individually in the conception, development, and production of a paper of publishable quality.  Students will acquire problem-focused evaluation, diagnosis, and patient management skills.  Concomitant study of pathophysiology will acquaint students with genetic and immunologic mechanisms of disease. Simulations and models will also be utilized. A candidate for the MPAS degree must have abilities and skills in five general areas: a. Observation – A candidate must be able to: This standard requires functional vision, hearing, and somatic sensation. Prerequisite: Successful completion or remediation of summer coursework, PAS 5211 – Evidence-based Medicine – Population Health (1 credit) PAS 5451 – History and Physical Examination III (2 credits) Areas of study will include: This course will serve as a foundation for understanding the clinical presentation of genetic, immunologic, hematologic, dermatologic, oncologic and infectious diseases in other courses, including Clinical Decision Making I, as well as in the clinical phase of the curriculum. This score makes High Point University Moderately Competitive for ACT scores. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be June 2029. Minimum Cumulative Undergraduate Science GPA of 3.2, Minimum Cumulative Undergraduate Overall GPA of 3.2. In addition, each program is unique, and has some things that make it stand out from the other programs. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the High Point University PA Program is aware that many things may affect the admission process for students during the upcoming cycle. For information about your CASPA application, prerequisites, health care experience, or to inquire about a visit, please contact: Department of Physician Assistant Studies, HPU Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant Studies Faculty Partner to Provide …, HPU Celebrates National Physician Assistant Week. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy. Congratulations on your choice to pursue a career as Physician Assistant (PA), consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top career in health care. Health as well as their role in creating health inequities within the US will also fulfill requirement... 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