The functions and tasks that graduates of the physician assistant program are expected to perform align with both the published Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession (2003, updated 2012) and the examination content blueprint published by the
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Functions of a Graduate
The physician assistant graduates are expected to be able to function as health professionals who when licensed can practice medicine with physician supervision to respond to the needs of their patients in ways that will improve their quality of life. Using the six published competency categories as a guiding framework for defining function domains, our graduates are expected to demonstrate competency in the areas of medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, patient care, professionalism, practice-based learning, and systems-based practice.
At the satisfactory completion of the requirements of the Master of Physician Assistant degree from t he University of Findlay, the graduate will be able to:
- Evaluate diverse clinical situations by applying knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, clinical medicine, patient presentation, differential diagnosis, patient management, surgical principles, and health promotion and disease prevention.
- Apply medical knowledge and clinical reasoning to interpret information gathered from the history, physical examination and diagnostic procedures to formulate, develop, and implement appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic management plans for a diverse patient population across the age span.
- Competently perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures expected of the generalist physician assistant.
- Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that facilitate the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, families, and other health professionals.
- Provide patient education and counseling through the effective use of appropriate communication techniques while demonstrating awareness of cultural diversity.
- Accurately and adequately document and record information regarding the care process for medical, legal, quality, and financial purposes.
- Provide care that is effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient and equitable for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of wellness as a member of the health care team.
- Demonstrate caring and respectful behaviors when interacting with patients and their families to establish a therapeutic patient-provider relationship.
- Provide services and education aimed at preventing health problems and maintaining health.
- Establish rapport with team members, maintain appropriate boundaries in work and learning situations, relate well to students, faculty, and health care professionals in a collaborative environment.
- Demonstrate professionalism by practicing in a competent, legal, and ethical manner as a physician assistant as a member of the health care team, serving a population of patients of all ages in diverse environments
- Demonstrate sensitivity and compassion to patients in need, takes time and effort to explain information to patients and to listen empathetically to the sick patient and their concerns, shows respect for patient’s confidentiality and puts the patient’s best interest first.
- Exhibit adherence to legal and regulatory requirements and ethical practices in relation to duty of care and inter-professional teamwork.
- Assess and improve delivery of patient care through appropriate use of learning resources, self-reflection, and commitment to lifelong learning.
- Locate, appraise, and integrate evidence from scientific studies related to patient health problems.
- Critically evaluate own performance to identify strengths and develop plans to resolve weaknesses.
- Apply information technology to manage information, access on-line medical information, and facilitate lifelong learning.
- Appropriately address gender, cultural, cognitive, emotional, and other biases; gaps in medical knowledge; and physical limitations in themselves and others.
- Demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger system of health care to provide patient care that is of optimal value, and demonstrate an understanding of needs and priorities for cost-effective health care, resource allocation, and uncompromised quality of care.
- Effectively function within different types of medical practice and delivery systems.
- Demonstrate knowledge of different types of payment systems in health care.
- Collaborate with supervising physician and other health care providers to promote a safe environment for the delivery of quality patient care.
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