PA Technical Standards

The technical standards were reviewed and adopted by our physician assistant (PA) program, faculty, and administration to ensure students in the PA program are prepared for the study and practice of medicine. The CMU PA program requires that all students must meet the following technical standards for admission, matriculation, ongoing participation, and graduation from the program. In the event that, during training, a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, then the student may be asked to leave the program. The technical standards can be divided into five broad areas of which students muct demonstrate capacity to meet the necessary requirements of the program’s curriculum and to graduate as competent providers:

  1. Perception/observation.
  2. Communication.
  3. Motor/tactile function.
  4. Intellectual - conceptual, integrative, and critical thinking abilities.
  5. Professionalism (mature and ethical conduct).

Perception/observation

Students must be able to:

  • Observe lectures, demonstrations, exercises, and patients accurately and completely, both at a distance and closely. This ability requires functional vision, hearing, and tactile sensation.
  • Observe and interpret the physical and emotional status of a patient accurately at a distance and closely.
  • Visualize images such as radiographs (x-rays), EKGs (electrocardiograms), and other diagnostic images.
  • Visualize information presented in images on paper form, electronic form, slides, or videos.

The use of a trained intermediary to perform the necessary skills on behalf of the candidate is not permitted.

Communication

Communication includes verbal communication as well as reading, writing, and the use of electronic devices. 

Students must be able to:

  • Speak and hear clearly.
  • Elicit and transmit patient information orally and through written English communication.
  • Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients.
  • Communicate effectively and efficiently in oral, written, and electronic form with all members of the health care team.
  • Describe changes in mood, activity, and posture.
  • Perceive verbal and nonverbal communication signals and cues.
  • Document complete medical records, including a plan, according to medical protocols in a thorough and timely manner.
  • Connect with patients to develop effective therapeutic relationships.

The use of a trained intermediary to perform the necessary skills on behalf of the candidate is not permitted. 

Motor/tactile function

Students must be able to:

  • Possess physical stamina sufficient to complete the rigorous courses of didactic and clinical study, which includes prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and rapid ambulation.
  • Properly perform palpation, percussion, auscultation, manual muscle testing, and other diagnostic procedures.
  • Perform basic laboratory tests (urinalysis, phlebotomy, etc.), carry out diagnostic procedures (lumbar puncture, chest tube, etc.), and read EKGs and diagnostic imaging.
  • Provide general care and emergency treatment to patients (cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administration of intravenous medication, the application of pressure to stop bleeding, the opening of obstructed airways, the suturing of simple wounds, the performance of simple obstetrical maneuvers, etc.). These actions require coordination of gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
  • Manual dexterity to complete medical/electronic medical records.

The use of a trained intermediary to perform the necessary skills on behalf of the candidate is not permitted. 

Intellectual - conceptual, integrative, and critical thinking abilities

Students must be able to demonstrate higher-level cognitive abilities, which include:

  • Showing good judgment and providing a reasonable explanation for likely diagnoses and management plan.
  • Recalling and retaining information in an efficient and timely manner.
  • Comprehending three-dimensional relationships and understanding the spatial relationships of structures.
  • Measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis.
  • Problem solving and critical analysis of complex situations encountered in medical environments.

The use of a trained intermediary to perform the necessary skills on behalf of the candidate is not permitted. 

Professionalism (mature and ethical conduct)

Students must be able to:

  • Consistently display integrity, honesty, empathy, compassion, fairness, respect for self and others, diligence, and dedication.
  • Promptly complete all assignments and responsibilities related to the diagnosis and care of patients.
  • Communicate with, examine, and provide care for all patients including those whose gender, culture, sexual orientation, or spiritual beliefs are different from students’ own.
  • Develop mature, sensitive and effective relationships, not only with patients but with all members of the PA program community and health care teams.
  • Maintain sobriety in all academic and clinical environments, and refrain from the illegal use of substances and misuse of substances at all times.
  • Abide by all state, federal, and local laws, as well as all CMU codes of conduct and PA program policy.
  • Tolerate physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding workloads.
  • Function effectively under stress and proactively make use of available resources to help maintain both physical and mental health.
  • Adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and be able to learn in the face of uncertainty.
  • Take responsibility for themselves and their behaviors.

The use of a trained intermediary to perform the necessary skills on behalf of the candidate is not permitted. 

Central Michigan University is committed to providing students with the academic accommodation and auxiliary aids necessary to ensure access to all university services, programs, and activities. The technical standards for the CMU PA program can be met with or without reasonable accommodation. Students who may qualify for and wish to seek accommodation should consult with the CMU Student Disability Services. The CMU PA program will consider for admission to its program any candidate who demonstrates the ability to acquire knowledge necessary for the practice of medicine, as well as the ability to perform or to learn to perform the technical standards as described above. Candidates will be evaluated not only on their scholastic accomplishments, but also on these technical standards which are necessary to meet the full requirements of the school’s curriculum and to graduate as skilled and effective healthcare providers.