Important Program Policies

Technical Standards for Enrollment 

(A3.13e)  
The standards for admission set forth by the Physician Assistant Program establish the requisite abilities considered essential for students admitted to this program to achieve the levels of competency stipulated for graduation by faculty, the professional program accrediting agency [Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)] and the state of New Mexico. All students admitted to this program are expected to have demonstrated the attributes and have met the expectations listed below with or without accommodations. Candidates for admission to the Physician Assistant Program: 

• must have the mental capacity to assimilate and learn large volumes of complex, technically detailed information, to perform clinical problem-solving, and synthesize and apply concepts and information from different disciplines to formulate diagnostic and therapeutic judgments; 
• must have the ability to maintain composure and emotional stability during periods of high stress; 
• must possess adequate sensory function to fulfill the minimum competency objectives for observation, palpation, auscultation and percussion in order to perform a competent physical examination; 
• must possess sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control, and eye-to-hand coordination to utilize standard medical instruments and possess sufficient control of the upper extremities to meet the physical requirements for training and perform competent, complete physical examinations; 
• must have the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients from different cultural and social backgrounds, and develop an effective professional rapport with patients; 
• must have the ability to record examination and diagnostic results clearly, accurately and effectively, and then communicate effectively to the patient and colleagues; 
• are expected to learn and perform common diagnostic procedures (e.g. laboratory, cardiographic, radiologic) and interpret the results with respect to recognizing deviations from the norm and identifying pathophysiologic processes; and 
• are expected to have the high degree of coordination of motor skills necessary to respond to emergency situations quickly and appropriately. 

The PA Program is cognizant of its responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Accordingly, if any applicant with a disability has any questions or needs with respect to the above standards they should contact the Director of the PA Program at HSC-PAProgram@salud.unm.edu.

Program Competencies

(A3.12g, B1.01b) 
At every stage of the program, all students will be expected to conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism, courtesy, and respect for their fellow students, and the faculty, staff, and community members with whom they come in contact. In order to accomplish our mission, the UNM PA Program provides a supportive educational environment that assures each student/graduate the opportunity to acquire and demonstrate competency in the following functions and tasks:

Professional Behaviors 
1. Demonstrate professionalism and professional values by: (B2.19)   
a. managing professional interactions with patients, fellow students, faculty, staff, and members of the healthcare team. (B2.04, B2.10)
b. exemplifying compassion, integrity, honesty, and respect for patients, fellow students, faculty, staff, and members of the healthcare team. (B2.04, B2.19)
c. exhibiting self-awareness, personal responsibility and professional insight to recognize limits in knowledge and expertise. (B2.19)
d. cultivating professional identity and understanding roles and responsibilities of a physician assistant and other health care professions. (B2.10, B2.17)

Medical Knowledge
2. Demonstrate medical knowledge by:  
a. accessing and interpreting current and credible sources of medical knowledge. (B2.13)
b. describing principles of clinical sciences, disease pathophysiology, diagnostic testing, and treatment strategies including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic, risk factors, epidemiology and disease prevention/health promotion. (B2.02, B2.03, B2.07, B2.08, B2.15)

Interpersonal and Team Skills 
3. Integrate interpersonal and team skills by: (B2.04, B2.10)   
a. demonstrating appropriate communication with colleagues within one’s profession or specialty, other health professionals, and health-related agencies.  (B2.04, B2.10)
b. demonstrating effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients and family members. (B2.04, B2.10)
c. working collaboratively in interprofessional patient-centered teams. (B2.10)
d. demonstrating cultural humility, respectful interactions, and awareness of social and behavioral health determinants with patients and all members of the healthcare team. (B2.06)

Clinical and Technical Skills  
4. Apply clinical and technical skills through: (B2.07)   
a. gathering essential information about patients and their conditions through history taking and physical examination. (B2.07)
b. selecting and interpreting labs, radiologic studies, and other diagnostic procedures. (B2.07)
c. performance of technical skills appropriately applied to the clinical situation and setting. (B2.09)
d. verbal presentation of clinical scenario to faculty, preceptors, and consultants. (B2.04)
e. maintaining comprehensive and timely documentation. (B2.14)

Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities 
5. Demonstrate clinical reasoning and problem-solving through:
a. applying an investigatory and analytic approach to clinical situations. (B2.05)
b. applying principles of clinical sciences to identify and diagnose disease, taking into consideration risk factors, epidemiology, treatment strategies, resources, and disease prevention/health promotion efforts for patients and populations. (B2.02, B2.03, B2.07, B2.08, B2.15)
c. interpreting data based on patient information and preferences, current scientific evidence, and clinical judgment to make informed decisions about therapeutic interventions. (B2.07, B2.13)
d. prescribing, implementing, and monitoring effectiveness of patient management plans, including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies. (B2.07, B2.08)
e. referring patients appropriately, ensuring continuity of care throughout transitions between providers or settings. (B2.07)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The UNM PA Program is committed to fostering a culture that upholds the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of our educational and professional spaces.

Please visit the Department of Family and Community Medicine’s Diversity web page for information on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within our department.

Additional resources:

• School of Medicine Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• UNM Division for Equity and Inclusion
• UNM Lesbian Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) Resource Center
• UNM Men of Color Initiative (MOCI)
• UNM Institute for the Study of “Race” and Social Justice

Soliciting Clinical Sites/Preceptors 

It is extremely important to note that students are not to recruit clinical preceptors. If a student knows of a potential preceptor or clinical site, the student shall give the contact information to the Clinical Coordinator. The Clinical Team will then assess the site and preceptor to determine suitability for requirements of PA education.

Learner Mistreatment 

The School of Medicine Learner Mistreatment Policy applies to all Health Professions Program students, including PA students. The policy is available here.