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Elon UniversityDepartment ofPhysician AssistantStudiesStudent Handbook Class of 2021January 20191

ELON UNIVERSITYDEPARTMENT OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES(DPAS)STUDENT HANDBOOK – CLASS OF 20212

Table of ContentsIntroduction . 5Overview of PA profession and Elon University PA Program . 5Mission statement . 5Learning . 5Caring .6Serving and Leading. 6Curriculum delivery model . 6General policies . 7Admissions . 7Total cost of program . 7Financial Aid . 7Contact information. 8PA program facilities . 8Francis Center access . 8Shared space . 8Parking . 8PA Program office equipment .9General maintenance of Program facilities . 9Smoking. 9Student visits to faculty offices . 9University facilities . 9Belk Library . 9Moseley Center. 9Campus bookstore . 10Dining services . 10Campus recreation. 10Academic support . 10Phoenix Card services . 10BioBus schedule. 10University policies. 11Inclement weather. 11Health, health insurance, and immunizations . 16Specific requirements. 17International Rotation Immunization Requirements . 18Infectious disease/environmental exposure . 18Health and counseling services . 20Security and personal safety . 21Safety and Security: Off-Campus Sites . 23Liability insurance . 23Criminal background checks and drug screening . 23Employment . 24Technical standards . 24Student records . 26Academic and professional policies . 26Faculty advisors . 26Transfer and credit for experiential learning . 26Test day expectations . 27Absence and make-up examinations . 273

Examination grades. 27Grades for written assignments . 28Summative assessments . 29Course evaluations . 30Attendance . 34Student Bereavement Policy 34Personal Days .34Tardiness Policy 35Dress code . 35Identification . 36Communication expectations. 37Telephone. 37E-Mail . 37Violations of Standards for Academic or Professional Conduct . 37Unsatisfactory Course Grades . 37Remediation . 38Deceleration . 38Academic probation. 38Promotion . 39Maximum time to complete the DPAS curriculum . 39Disciplinary procedures. 39Leave of absence . 39Withdrawal . 41Suspension . 41Dismissal. 41Dismissal Procedure . 42Requesting records or references . 42Appendix A: Curriculum Overview . 44Appendix B: Elon Honor Code and Pledge . 45Appendix C: Statement of Student Advisement on Institutional and ProgramPolicies . 46Appendix D: Sample Advising Form 474

IntroductionThe purpose of this handbook is to provide the Elon University physician assistantstudent with the policies and procedures of the Department of Physician AssistantStudies (DPAS). This information includes the academic and professional standardsand expectations reflected in University and Program policies. Adherence to thesepolicies is important for progression through the program and to maintain abeneficial learning environment for all members of the Department. All policies inthis handbook are applicable to students in both the academic and clinical educationphases.Overview of PA profession and Elon University PA ProgramPhysician assistants (PA) are healthcare professionals licensed to practice medicinewith physician supervision. Physician assistants graduate from an accreditedphysician assistant educational program and are certified by the NationalCommission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Within thephysician/PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medicaldecision-making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services.The specific tasks performed by individual physician assistants are difficult todelineate because variations exist in state laws and are impacted by othergeographic, economic and social factors. The clinical role of physician assistantsincludes primary and specialty care in medical and surgical practice settings inrural, urban and suburban areas. Physician assistant practice is primarily patientcare-centered but may also include educational, research, or administrativeactivities.The Elon University Physician Assistant Program is a graduate-level professionalprogram designed to produce graduates who are committed to providingexceptional, compassionate, individualized patient care, serving their communities,advancing the profession and engaging in life-long learning and professionaldevelopment. Graduates will be well-prepared for the national certificationexamination and state licensure, enabling them to partner confidently with theirphysician supervisors to fulfill the requirements of their new professional role.Mission statementThe Elon University Department of Physician Assistant Studies embraces the overallmission of the University and seeks to fulfill the Departmental vision of “Learning.Caring. Serving. Leading.” by acting upon these commitments:Learning: We foster a supportive, collaborative and collegial community thatengages students in a learner-centered environment, appropriately challenges themto capably demonstrate clinical competence, and supports professionaldevelopment of students and faculty.5

Caring: We promote dialogue on personal and cultural attributes and are acceptingof different values, beliefs, and perspectives as a valuable addition to our learningcommunity. We advance patient care by recognizing that our first responsibility isto our patients as we integrate the core competencies of the physician assistantprofession including: medical knowledge, interpersonal communication skills,patient care, professionalism, practice- and systems-linked learning.We embrace the healthcare team approach and believe interprofessional, patientcentered care is achieved through collaboration across health professions’disciplines and integration of patient or family preferences with the best availablehealthcare practices.Serving and Leading: We are dedicated to the advancement of the PA professionand our communities as we continually seek to develop as professionals. We seek tolead change within PA education that improves patient care, eliminates healthdisparities, and adapts to meet the needs of the ever-changing healthcareenvironment.We encourage the development of engaged minds, inspired leaders, and globalcitizens through the investment of our talents and skills toward the betterment ofcommunities locally and around the globe.Curriculum delivery modelThe curriculum is a 27-month program that engages students through aninnovative, systems-organized educational path, employing large and small groupdiscussion, hands-on clinical skills labs, simulated patient experiences, lecture, andpatient scenario discussions. Over the course of the academic year, the patientscenarios and simulated patient experiences will increase in complexity. These willculminate in an Advanced Clinical Reasoning course in the fall that builds onexisting, learner-centered models by guiding students to reapply knowledge andbuild competence in all areas of the NCCPA Competencies for the PhysicianAssistant Profession. Additionally, students will have a Clinical Phase Preparationcourse in the fall of the academic year to prepare them for their transition tosupervised clinical education experiences. In the clinical education phase, theClinical Year seminar courses will further prepare students for the rigors of theclinical learning experiences and give them an opportunity to strengthen their fundof medical knowledge through self-directed learning activities.6

General policiesAdmissionsAdmission to Elon University’s 27-month graduate program in Physician AssistantStudies is detailed on the Program’s website under admission guidelines tmlThe admissions process, admission requirements, frequently asked questions,tuition and expenses, and links to the program application and graduate admissionsoffice are found here. Candidates selected for admission to the Program must meetall admission requirements and will be chosen following a selective, on-campusinterview process. Matriculates enter in January each year and complete theProgram as a cohort.Total cost of programThe PA Program makes every effort to keep costs reasonable for students. However,because the Program runs continuously for twenty-seven months, applicants mustreview their financial resources carefully and anticipate expenses realistically. Dueto the rigorous nature of the curriculum, students should not plan to be employedduring the Program. Classes may be held in evenings and/or Saturdays if necessary.During the clinical education phase, all students will, at times, be assigned to clinicalsites outside of the immediate Burlington/Alamance County area. The student isresponsible for the costs related to out-of-area travel and housing if applicable. Thetotal cost of the program is estimated below. A detailed breakdown of expenses maybe viewed on the Program’s website n-financial-aid/Year one: Tuition, 39,318; Living expenses (rent, utilities, meals, insurance, books& supplies, miscellaneous) 22,500 estmated total: 61,818Year two projected: Tuition, 39,318**; Living expenses (rent, utilities, meals,insurance, books & supplies, miscellaneous) 21,200 estimated total: 60,518**Final phase projected: Tuition, 9,830**; Living expenses (rent, utilities, meals,insurance, books & supplies, miscellaneous) 5,075 estimated total: 14,905***Tuition is projected to increase each year.Financial AidIn the event of withdrawal from the Physician Assistant Studies Program, studentswill receive tuition reimbursement based on the following timetable. Thisinformation is also available on the University’s website for the Bursar’s Office ml7

The acceptance deposit is nonrefundable. Students will receive tuition refunds on apro rata basis during the first 13 weeks of each half of the academic year. The firsthalf begins with the first day of classes in January. The second half begins with thefirst day of classes in July. The following is a table of pro rata charges:Time periodStart of the period through the end of 3rd week4th week through the end of the 7th week8th week through the end of the 13th week14th weekContact informationPercent charged10% charge (90% refund)50% charge75% chargeNo refundStudents must inform the PA Program Administrative Assistant of changes in name,address, telephone number, or emergency contact information as soon as thechange occurs. In addition, changes must be reported to the Elon University Officeof the Registrar. See the Registrar’s website for the necessary istrar/changeAdd.xhtmlPA program facilitiesFrancis Center access: The Francis Center will be open from 8:00 am-5:00 pm,Monday through Friday, except for university observed holidays. Only studentsenrolled in a School of Health Sciences academic program with a valid Phoenix cardhave 24-hour access to the building. All Elon University students with a validPhoenix card have limited aft

physician assistant educational program and are certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Within the physician/PA relationship, physician assistants exe