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The faculty of the Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) Master of Science: Physician Assistant (MSPA) program have developed this Clinical Handbook to provide specific information and guidelines regarding the clinical year. This handbook is a supplemental guide to the program’s general handbook and existing SCU policies and procedures. We recommend that each student familiarize themselves with existing University policies for further information where indicated. If there is a conflict, the program’s clinical policies supersede the University’s policies.
Any concerns regarding policies or information contained in this handbook should be directed to the Program Director of the Master of Science: Physician Assistant (MSPA) Program. Corrections may be made whenever there have been any necessary changes within the MSPA program. All pertinent faculty, staff, and students will be made aware of any updates or changes, in writing, immediately.
Any matter or circumstance that is not contained in the handbook will be reviewed and decided by the program faculty and, when necessary, with input from the Office of the Provost. The information within this handbook is accurate at the time of publishing. Students are responsible for meeting all program standards.
The University reserves the right to make appropriate changes to the Clinical Handbook as needed to comply with accreditation standards or changes in the health care or higher education environment. These updates will be posted within the University Catalog and/or the associated Clinical Handbook for student access.
Ashley Larsen, MPA, PA-C
Associate Program Director of Clinical Education
ashleylarsen@scuhs.edu
MSPA Program contact number: 562-475-5159
MSPA Program fax number: 562-902-3350
24-hour emergency number: 562-947-8755 ext. 333 or 562-475-5159
Program Administrative Offices
16200 Amber Valley Drive, H-Building
Whittier, CA 90604
Purpose
In compliance with program completion requirements and accreditation standards, Physician Assistant (PA) students must participate in a broad spectrum of clinical services. These services should include, but are not limited to:
- Outpatient care
- Inpatient care
- Women’s health
- Prenatal care
- Gynecologic care
- Emergency department care
- Behavioral and mental health
- Surgery
- Pre-operative care
- Intra-operative care
- Post-operative care
The goal is to ensure that students are exposed to care across the patient’s lifespan in a myriad of settings such as preventive, emergent, acute, and chronic.
The Master of Science Physician Assistant (MSPA) Program offers an Integrative Medicine rotation; the program is among the first to expose Physician Assistant students to integrative healthcare practices.
Clinical Clerkship includes 17 courses, 55 credits, and approximately 1,500+ hours of supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs). In addition to SCPEs, clinical courses include the Introduction to Clinical Rotations, Physician Assistant Comprehensive Examinations (PACE), Clinical Integration Weeks (PACLIN1-3), and the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination Preparation Intersession (PA707).
Introduction to Clinical Rotations: This course is offered in Term 5 prior to the start of clinical rotations. This course offers an introductory foundation for PA students as they prepare to enter clinical rotations. It is designed to equip students with the practical skills and knowledge necessary for effective patient care in real-world clinical settings. The course covers essential clinical policies, rotation requirements, and core competencies that are critical for success throughout the clinical phase of the PA program.
SCPEs (PACR 601-610; Clinical Rotation 1-10): Supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) allow clinical students to refine clinical and technical skills through clinical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving in clinical encounters. Supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) occur in Terms 5-7 and are designed to provide students with the opportunity to achieve program learning outcomes and course learning outcomes under the supervision of a preceptor in the assigned field, usually in off-campus health settings.
PACE (PACE 1 and PACE 2): The first Physician Assistant Comprehensive Examination (PACE 1) is a formative assessment designed to evaluate a student’s mastery of program learning outcomes and consists of a written Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE)-like exam that covers all content learned in the didactic phase and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) that includes assessment of interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and technical skills. The second Physician Assistant Comprehensive Examination (PACE 2) is a summative assessment designed to assess the student’s total fund of knowledge for the didactic and clinical phases of the program. The first Physician Assistant Comprehensive Examination (PACE 1) is administered before students enter clinical rotations (Term 5) and the second Physician Assistant Comprehensive Examination (PACE 2) is administered within four months of graduation (Term 7).
Clinical Integration Weeks (PACLIN 1-3): This series of three courses occurs in term 5 and term 7. These courses provide clinical year students with activities that enhance students’ ability to apply medical knowledge, clinical and technical skills through clinical reasoning, and problem solving in the clinical setting. These courses are designed to reinforce clinical learning outcomes to aid in student competency. These courses will also aid in the preparation of the student for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE).
Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination Preparation Intersession (PA 707): is offered at the end of the Term 7 and supports student preparation for the PANCE and thus for licensure as a Physician Assistant.
Clinical Clerkship Courses
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Course
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Term
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PACLIN 0 - Introduction to Clinical Rotations
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5
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PACE 1 - Physician Assistant Comprehensive Examination 1
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5
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PACR 601 - Clinical Rotation 1
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5
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PACR 602 - Clinical Rotation 2
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5
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PACR 603 - Clinical Rotation 3
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5
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PACLIN 1 - Clinical Integration Week 1
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5
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PACR 604 - Clinical Rotation 4
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6
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PACR 605 - Clinical Rotation 5
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6
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PACR 606 - Clinical Rotation 6
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6
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PACR 607 - Clinical Rotation 7
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6
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PACLIN 2 - Clinical Integration Week 2
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7
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PACE 2 - Physician Assistant Comprehensive Examination 2
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7
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PACR 608 - Clinical Rotation 8
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7
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PACR 609 - Clinical Rotation 9
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7
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PACR 610 - Clinical Rotation 10
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7
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PACL IN 3 - Clinical Integration Week 3
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7
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PA 707 - Physician Assitant National Certifying Examination Preparation Intersession
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7
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Students are responsible for their transportation, housing, and living expenses during the clinical year. Expenses will vary depending on the location of each rotation site. It is the student’s responsibility to plan for the expense of clinical rotations away from campus.
The majority of clinical rotations while enrolled in the MSPA Program are within a 100-mile radius of campus and students will be expected to travel to rotation sites within this radius. Students may be required to participate in clinical rotations that are located beyond a 100-mile radius of the campus as a requirement of their clinical year.
Any additional costs associated with out-of-the-area or out-of-state rotations are the responsibility of the clinical year student. Additional financial aid may be available on a case-by-case basis for certain approved costs as determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
The MSPA Program’s primary mode of communication will be University-assigned email accounts. The Program will not use personal email accounts for communication. Therefore, it is imperative that students check their SCU email account daily. In addition, the Program may also use cell phone, voicemail, U.S. mail and text messaging to contact students when necessary. Students are expected to respond to all communication within 2 business days. A failure to respond may be viewed as unprofessional behavior, which may result in the student being referred to the Physician Assistant Student Progress Committee (PA SPC) for review of professionalism.
Students may contact the MSPA Program Office or Associate Program Director of Clinical Education by email or phone at any time with messages returned within 2 business days, when reasonable.
For emergency situations while on rotation it is imperative to contact the Associate Program Director of Clinical Education, Ashley Larsen, MPA, PA-C immediately at: (562) 475-5159.
The MSPA Program is affiliated with a number of clinical sites within an approximate 100-mile radius of the University.
Students may identify sites to the Program that may or may not be local to campus and the clinical team will pursue the contact(s) as deemed fit. Students should not contact sites (already contracted or not) or attempt to schedule their own rotation(s) and will be referred for professionalism concerns to the Physician Assistant Student Progress Committee (PA SPC) if they do.
Prior to initiating the clinical experience, students must sucessfully complete all didactic courses, required trainings, certification, clearance, criminal background checks, drug screens, health insurance, personal information, and any site-specific requirements.
Training
Students must successfully complete the following trainings:
- HIPAA
- Title IX
- WHO PPE
- Bloodborne Pathogens
Certification
Students must successfully demonstrate current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) before the start of rotations.
Clearance
Students must successfully demonstrate clearance in the following areas to participate in rotations.
Screening and Immunization Requirements
Students should refer to the “Screening and Immunization Requirements” document located on the SCU website for more information.
Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen
Students must successfully complete a criminal background check and drug screen before the start of rotations and at any other time during the clinical year as required by clinical rotation sites.
This may include Live Scan or other third-party companies, drug screening, or any institution-specific background clearance requirements. Students may be required to cover any costs associated with this clearance.
Student Health Insurance
Students are required to maintain an active health insurance policy while enrolled in the program. Insurance cards must be uploaded to Exxat and approved prior to matriculation. Health insurance must remain valid for the duration of the program. If a student changes to another health insurance policy during their time in the program, a new insurance card must be uploaded at that time.
Personal Information
Student contact information must be current and on file in Exxat prior to the commencement of clinical year. If there are any changes, the student must update this information in Exxat as soon as possible. Students are responsible for maintaining a current address, cell phone number, email address, and emergency contact information in Exxat at all times.
Site-Specific Requirements
Certain clinical sites may have requirements that are site-specific, including, but not limited to, additional vaccinations, drug screens, and background checks. Please note that failing to obtain or provide documentation for any additional requirements may delay graduation. Students must comply with any site-specific requirements as a prerequisite for participation.
After successfully completing the didactic year, students will enter the 12-month clinical training phase of the program. During this phase, students will complete ten Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs).
The program schedules all SCPE assignments; students are not required to locate their own clinical rotations or preceptors. Preferences for all sites and rotations are submitted through Exxat. Rotations will be assigned by the program based on student academic and professional performance, preference, and availability of preceptors and facilities.
The ten SCPEs will consist of eight core required four-week rotations and two elective four-week rotations.
Core Clinical Rotations. Core clinical rotations will occur in the following disciplines: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, Surgery, Integrative Health, Behavioral and Mental Health.
Elective Clinical Rotations. Students have two elective rotations; opportunities vary by term. These rotations will be assigned for students. Students requiring remediation of any pre-clinical or clinical experience or course may forfeit elective experiences in part or entirely to complete remediation requirements and to progress and complete the program.
To successfully complete clerkship, students must pass all courses, successfully submit and/or complete all required evaluations and assessments, track and report all required timesheets, and track and report all required patient logs.
Courses
To complete the clinical phase successfully, students must pass all 17 courses described in “What Courses Constitute Clerkship.” These courses complete the degree completion requirements described in the MSPA Program Page in the University Academic Catalog .
Course Failure
Students should refer to the “Remediation” and “Course Failure” policies located in the MSPA Program Page in the University Academic Catalog for more information.
Evaluations and Assessments
During the clinical year, students are required to pass End of Rotation (EOR) examinations and all clinical rotations (with their associated evaluations):
End of Rotation (EOR) Examinations
End of Rotation (EORs) examinationsare given at the end of each core Supervised Clinical Practice Experience (SCPE) rotation (except Integrative Health).
Students should refer to the “Clinical Phase Evaluation and Remediation” policies located in the MSPA Program Page in the University Academic Catalog as well as the clinical rotation syllabus that applies to their current rotation for more information on course policies and grading.
End of Rotation (EOR) examinations will be given at the SCU campus or via a remote testing platform. If a student is completing a rotation at a distant location, testing arrangements can be made to complete their EOR examination without returning to campus. All examinations must begin and end within the allocated time. Students who arrive late for an examination will not be given additional time to complete the examination.
No personal items are permitted in the testing environment, including hats, backpacks, purses, hoodies, or digital/electronic devices. The desk/workspace should be clear of any extra items; one piece of blank scratch paper and a writing tool may be on the work area. Students may have a glass of water or cup of coffee as long as the container is free of writing. Nothing else should be on the walls or workspace during the exam except for the testing device.Students may use the restroom, but the test time will continue to run.Students who leave to use the restroom should place in the chat that they are using the restroom so the proctor is aware.
Any student that violates any testing policy will be assigned a non-passing grade for the examination. The student will be recommended for disciplinary action, which may result in dismissal from the program.
Any proctoring costs for examinations at out-of-the-area assignments will be at the student’s expense.
The student is required to have two internet connected devices, one for testing and one for Zoom proctoring. Prior to joining the testing environment, the following should be verified and prepared.
Testing device: The student must ensure that the testing device is able to open the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) exam testing platform; this platform works best with the Google Chrome browser.
Proctoring device: The camera on the proctoring device must remain on for the entirety of the examination. The camera should face the student and the testing device at all times. Students are also required to keep their microphones unmuted during the duration of the examination.
Clinical Rotations
While on rotation, student progress is monitored by timesheets (Exxat), logs of patient encounters (Exxat), rotation notes (Canvas), rotation check-off sheets (Canvas), reflection papers (Canvas), preceptor evaluations (mid-rotation and end of rotation), student evaluation of the preceptor and site (Exxat), and student evaluation of the course (Exxat).
Exxat
Exxat is a web-based hub for the clinical experience. Exxat is the platform where students will log time and patient encounters, provide and receive feedback, complete evaluations, and generate reports on the rotation experience. This platform can also serve as a portfolio after graduation.
Evaluations and assessments are located in the evaluation section of each rotation.
Timesheets (Exxat)
Students should log all hours spent on rotations daily - and must log all hours weekly - under the “Timesheet” function in Exxat. All activities assigned by the preceptor are included in these rotation hours including but not limited to, case presentations, journal readings, preparation for the next patient or case, and call hours.
These hours must be verified and submitted at the conclusion of each week. The standard calendar week of Sunday to Saturday is followed while on clinical rotations.
*Failure to submit timesheets by the due date will result in a 10% deduction in the grade for those assignments and/or professionalism grade for each day that they are late.
Log of Patient Encounters (Exxat)
Students should log all patient encounters daily - and must log all patient encounters weekly -using the “Patient log” function on Exxat.
These logs must be verified and submitted at the conclusion of each week. The standard calendar week of Sunday to Saturday is followed while on clinical rotations.
All required sections of Exxat “Patient log” function on Exxat need to be completed. No identifiable information should be entered. All patient logs should be complete. The Medical Decision Making (MDM) template must include:
- Age, sex, brief medical history, chief complaint (CC).
- Top differential with medical reasoning
- Plan
- Other differentials (ddx) considered and medical reasoning as to why these are less likely
- Always include life-threatening/serious medical conditions as ddx if applicable
MDM Example
This otherwise healthy 32-year-old male appears to have a musculoskeletal etiology for low back pain. Given history, mechanism of injury and physical exam findings, doubt fracture or dislocation requiring imaging today. Patient will be treated symptomatically with RICE. There is no evidence of epidural abscess or CNS infection based on lack of fever, immune status, and no recent spinal surgery or invasive procedures. Urine is negative for evidence of infection or hematuria so no clinical suspicion for pyelonephritis or renal calculi. No evidence of cauda equina syndrome based on lack of saddle anesthesia or bowel or bladder dysfunction. No evidence of acute neurovascular compromise based on exam. No evidence of soft tissue infection such as cellulitis or herpes zoster. Also considered acute coronary syndrome and abdominal aortic aneurysm, but less likely due to age, and no risk factors.
*Failure to submit required patient logs by the due date will result in a 10% deduction in the grade for those assignments and/or professionalism grade for each day that they are late.
Failing to log patient encounters will result in a non-passing or failing grade for the rotation and is considered unprofessional behavior. This will result in the student being referred to the Physician Assistant Student Progress Committee (PA SPC) for evaluation of professionalism.
Rotation Notes (Canvas)
All students are expected to create a SOAP note for their required rotation note as well as have a SOAP note that can be available for review at the time of a clinical site visit by faculty. See “Medical Documentation” in Program Specific Policies below.
Students must submit their required rotation note to Canvas no later than 11:59 PM on the Friday of their return to campus call back date.
*Failure to submit required rotation notes by the due date will result in a 10% deduction in the grade for those assignments and/or professionalism grade for each day that they are late.
Rotation Check-off Sheets (Canvas)
Students must submit their required rotation check-off sheet to Canvas, no later than 11:59 PM on the Friday of their return to campus call back date.
*Failure to submit required rotation check-off sheet by the due date will result in a 10% deduction in the grade for those assignments and/or professionalism grade for each day that they are late.
Reflective Paper (Canvas)
Students completing an elective or an integrative health rotation must submit their reflective paper to Canvas using the “Turn It In” feature, no later than 11:59 PM on the Friday of their return to campus call back date..
*Failure to submit the required reflective paper by the due date will result in a 10% deduction in the grade for those assignments and/or professionalism grade for each day that they are late.
Preceptor Evaluations (Exxat)
There are two preceptor evaluations. These occur at week 2 (mid-rotation) and week 4 (end of rotation).
Mid-Rotation Evaluation
The mid-rotation evaluation (to be completed and submitted at week 2) is a formative assessment that provides the students an opportunity to discuss any areas of concern or deficiencies with their preceptor prior to a final grade being assigned. The mid-rotation evaluation also makes it possible to remediate any areas of concern before the end of the clinical assignment.
End of Rotation Evaluation
The end of rotation evaluation is a summative evaluation used to assess the student during the entire rotation. In the end of rotation evaluation (to be completed and submitted at week 4) the preceptors will address any deficiencies or areas where the clinical student did not meet all the outcomes for that rotation.
If outcome deficiencies are identified, the clinical team will meet with the student to develop a remediation plan to address the deficiencies and formulate a plan for remediation. Any areas that are scored at a 2 or below on the end of rotation evaluation will require remediation. Remediation plans will be developed by the clinical team. Students will adhere to the plan set forth by the clinical team to successfully remediate any deficiencies or repeat the rotation if deficiencies are too great. Refer to the “Remediation” and “Course Failure” policies in the MSPA Program section of the University Catalog.
Clinical students must remind their preceptors/clinical supervisors to submit their mid-rotation evaluation and end of rotation evaluation for each clinical rotation assignment. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all rotation evaluations are completed by the preceptors.
Missing evaluations can result in a non-passing grade for the rotation as well as a non-passing grade for professionalism.
Student Evaluation of Preceptor and Site (Exxat)
The evaluation of the preceptor and site will be available at the start of the rotation and must be completed by the last day of the rotation.
Survey completion is required to receive a passing grade for professionalism for the rotation. Failure to complete the evaluation could result in a non-passing grade for the rotation.
Student Evaluation of the Course (Exxat)
The clinical course evaluation will be available at the start of the rotation and must be completed by the last day of the rotation.
Survey completion is required to receive a passing grade for professionalism for the rotation. Failure to complete the evaluation could result in a non-passing grade for the rotation.
The student is not an employee of any clinical affiliate and should not be a substitute for or take on any responsibilities of a regular staff member’s assignments or duties. If a student has a concern about the responsibilities assigned by the clinical site or preceptor, the Associate Program Director of Clinical Education should be contacted immediately.
After the student has been successfully proctored by the preceptor, the preceptor will determine how much responsibility a student is ready to assume. Although students come to the program with a variety of life and medical experiences, all students must exhibit a baseline of medical knowledge and clinical skills to perform certain tasks successfully. Traditional tasks assigned to a PA student may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Taking histories and performing physical examinations
- Assessing common medical problems and recommending appropriate management
- Performing and assisting in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
- Assisting the preceptor in hospital/nursing home rounds recording progress notes, or transcribing orders of the preceptor (as approved by the facility)
- Participating in virtual telehealth/telemedicine visits
- Following protocols or standing orders of the preceptor
- Presenting patient cases orally and in a written problem-oriented format
- Discussing the basic pathophysiologic mechanisms that have produced the signs, symptoms, and disease processes under investigation
- Completing assigned reading and preparing presentations as requested by clinical preceptors and/or program faculty
- Attending all teaching rounds and conferences;
- Following the assigned on-call/shift schedule
Students will deliver needed care to patients without regard to patient characteristics, including but not limited to race, age, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, creed, socioeconomic status, political persuasion, and national origin.
Students preparing to become healthcare providers must be given opportunities to practice the clinical skills they will be expected to utilize as professionals. These skills include patient interviewing, physical examination of patients, communication with patients and colleagues, interpretation of diagnostic studies and clinical data, and demonstration of behaviors consistent with professionalism. Students are expected to apply and practice their skills so that they may become more useful members of the healthcare team, both as lifelong learners and as future healthcare professionals.
Students inevitably enter clinical training with varying levels of healthcare experience and capability, and so delegated responsibility for patient care may need to progress incrementally over the student’s period of training. It is optimal for preceptors to delegate as much responsibility as a given student can manage, while still providing the necessary supervision to ensure a quality learning experience for the student and the safety/well-being of patients.
A clinical preceptor will be a leader and guide in facilitating a student’s patient encounters, helping the student gain clinical experiences that are relevant to the practice of medicine and appropriate for the student’s achievement/experience level. As the student’s patient care responsibilities are progressively advanced, they should be able to manage all elements of a patient encounter, from the initial chief complaint to discussing final treatment plans. All students should be given guidance before participating in any patient encounter as to how the preceptor and/or healthcare practice or system would like patient encounters to occur and/or be documented. Additionally, preceptors should keep in mind that students just starting out on their clinical rotations may need additional supervision before they feel comfortable enough to work more autonomously.
To make the learning experience more meaningful for students, preceptors are encouraged to be receptive to student questions and to preview patient charts with students before encounters. After completing these encounters, students should be given a chance to present their history and physical examination findings to their preceptor, transcribe/dictate appropriate notes, review accompanying diagnostic studies, generate a differential diagnosis and treatment plan, and complete follow-up patient phone calls as needed.
The PA student must never be used as a substitute for a licensed clinical provider in any clinical setting. Students should not be allowed to evaluate, diagnose, treat, or discharge patients without the direct involvement and supervision of the clinical preceptor.
The PA student should be involved in all activities that the preceptor would engage in during the clinical day. Students should not be exempt from on-call, evening, weekend, or holiday clinical responsibilities.
It is the responsibility of the preceptor to give the student opportunities to:
- Obtain an appropriate history
- Perform a pertinent physical examination
- Interpret diagnostic studies
- Communicate necessary and expected information in oral and written presentations
- Correlate clinical and diagnostic data findings
- Develop differential diagnoses
- Develop treatment plans
- Counsel and educate patients
- Follow up with patients after discharge, as needed
- Conduct oneself in a professional manner
General
Students on clinical rotations must work under the direct supervision of a licensed preceptor/clinical supervisor. This includes Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwives, Psychologists, Marriage Family Therapists, Social Workers, or other licensed health care professionals.
Students are expected to become an integral part of the health care team or practice to which they are assigned. This often means working nights, calls, weekends, and holidays. The clinical student’s schedule should match that of the preceptor. Students are to follow the “Duty Hours” guidelines below during extended working times.
Students are expected to mirror the schedule of their assigned preceptor which may include weekends, nights, and holidays. If the assigned preceptor for any reason cannot supervise the student or must be away from the clinical rotation site, the student should notify the Associate Program Director of Clinical Education or Clinical Coordinators immediately by phone or email. Students who violate this policy may be referred to the Physician Assistant Student Progress Committee (PA SPC).
Students are expected to attend all learning activities (e.g., grand rounds, lectures, workshops) assigned by their preceptor. Attendance is mandatory at all scheduled clinical year activities unless otherwise approved by the Associate Program Director of Clinical Education or the Clinical Coordinators. If a student misses any of the scheduled events, the student’s grade may be affected, and they may not be able to begin their next rotation.
Students in the clinical training year must adhere to the program-approved calendar for clinical rotations.
Schedules (including conflicts and errors)
Clinical rotation placements are determined by the program’s Clinical Team. Placements on clinical rotations are final.
Students must adhere to their assigned clinical rotation schedule. Students should not do the following, or anything else to vary from the assigned schedule: ask the Clinical Team for an alternative placement, attempt to swap a rotation with classmates, or ask a preceptor to change a schedule. Students who are found to have asked for rotation placement and/or schedule changes may be referred to the Physician Assistant Student Progress Committee (PA SPC) for a review of professionalism.
The clinical rotation schedules require extensive planning and coordination by MSPA faculty, staff, and clinical sites. The program will attempt to accommodate any extreme circumstance whenever possible if advance notice is provided to the clinical team and at least six weeks before the scheduled date.
In certain circumstances, the clinical team may need to adjust clinical schedules at the last minute due to a preceptor’s schedule or change in availability; this is done at the discretion of the program.
Attendance Requirements
Students should refer to the “Attendance” policy section in the MSPA Program Page of the University Academic Catalog.
Duty Hours
Duty hours at each site may vary. However, students are not expected to work more than 80 hours weekly, including taking call. In addition, students will receive one day off every seven days averaged over four weeks. Students should expect to work on average 40+ hours per week, five days a week, but no less than 32 hours a week. Specific sites may require extended hours due to the nature of the practice. Students are not to negotiate the schedule with the site. Students who are found to have negotiated their own schedule may be referred to the Physician Assistant Student Progress Committee (PA SPC) for evaluation of professionalism. Additionally, students may fail a rotation if asked to not return by their preceptors due to negotiating their schedule or not attending scheduled rotation times.
Punctuality
Students are required to be on time to all clinical rotations. Students who are habitually late will be referred to the Student Progress Committee (SPC) for review. Depending upon the situation, the student may be recommended for dismissal from the program.
Qualifying Hours
University Holidays/Closure
During the clinical year, students are expected to maintain the same clinical schedule as their assigned preceptor. Therefore, students may be required to participate during the weekend, holidays, and overnight.
During the clinical year SCU-observed University holidays are not followed. Students are expected to be present at the assigned site on all University holidays, provided that the site is operational, unless otherwise approved by the Associate Program Director of Clinical Education or Clinical Coordinators.
Unique/Special Situations, Vacations, and Holidays
Students will not be given time off or vacation time while on clinical rotations and a clinical site cannot approve the student to take time off outside of what is usual for the practice or setting. Students do not accrue time off.
Students who experience certain unique/special situations (e.g., emergencies, unexpected illnesses, deaths, births, weddings, doctors’ appointments) may need time off and the program will assist with these types of absences. It is expected that students be present at their clinical rotations and understand that any time off must be made up.
Absence Request for Planned Absence
For a planned absence, an absence request must be filled out and emailed to the Associate Program Director of Clinical Education and Clinical Administrative Support. Absence requests must be received at least six weeks in advance of the beginning of the rotation. Under no circumstances should the student negotiate their schedule with the preceptor without first submitting an absence request and discussing their situation with the Associate Program Director of Clinical Education. An absence request is not guaranteed to be approved. An absence request can only be submitted if the student is in good academic and professional standing.
Leave of Absence
Students should refer to the “Leave of Absence” policy in the University Catalog Academic Policies. A leave of absence may result in deceleration or delayed graduation.
Absences and Make-Up
Any absences during the clinical year, whether excused or not excused, will need to be made up to ensure that the clinical student has met the required number of hours for the clinical rotation and has satisfactorily completed the assigned outcomes for the rotation. All missed time - whether excused or unexcused - will be made up at the end of the clinical year. Make-ups are scheduled based on preceptor availability, which means the student’s date of program completion may be delayed.
Students must bring all necessary equipment to their assigned location every day. Students shouild refer to the course syllabus for each clinical rotation for required materials.
Clinical students should have the UpToDate application downloaded on their personal devices for easy access during clinical rotations.
All students are required to have access to any required textbooks for each clinical assignment.
The program adheres to all University policies as outlined in the University Catalog, including the SCU Clinical Handbook. The policies below are either unique to the program, are in addition to University policy, and/or are more stringent than the University policies they reference.
The following are in addition to the university “Clinical Code of Conduct” in the SCU Clinical Handbook.
Professionalism (Additions)
Students are given the privilege to serve as a guest at various clinical sites and should strive to make a positive impression. Discretion, integrity, honesty, courtesy, and respectful behavior are required and expected at all times and especially during the clinical year.
Students are expected to treat all patients, faculty, university staff, clinical preceptors, healthcare workers, healthcare staff, and fellow students with dignity and respect. Any conflicts should be managed diplomatically and tactfully. Students should be sensitive to and tolerant of diversity within the populations they will serve.
Physician Assistant clinical education involves working in a patient-centered collaborative interprofessional environment with other healthcare providers, patients, staff, and other students. It is in this setting that personal information that is pertinent to patient care is often discussed and shared. These situations must be approached with respect to the privacy, confidentiality, and sensitivity of such individuals. Ideas, suggestions, and constructive criticism should be offered in a thoughtful and respectful manner that fosters trust and understanding.
Students should note that flagrant displays of anger, intimidation, or aggression may be grounds for failure of the rotation and/or dismissal from the program. This includes demeaning, offensive, argumentative, and threatening language/behavior, or conduct that is insensitive to race, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, medical condition, socioeconomic status, religious or political beliefs, or any status protected by law or executive order.
Students who fail to consistently demonstrate maturity and professionalism may receive a failing grade for the rotation.
Students should refer to the section of the Clinical Remediation policy located in the MSPA Program section of the University Academic Catalog and the University’s “Professionalism” policy located under the “Clinical Code of Conduct” in the SCU Clinical Handbook for more information.
Standards of Professional Appearance (Additions)
Students should adhere to the standards of professional appearance whenever representing the MSPA Program and the PA profession.
Students should refer to the “Dress Code” policy in the MSPA Program section of the University’s Academic Catalog and the University’s “Standards of Professional Appearance” located in the SCU Clinical Handbook for more information.
The Master of Science: Physician Assistant (MSPA) program adheres to all University policies as outlined in the University Academic Catalog, including the Campus Safety Manual and SCU Clinical Handbook. Students should refer to the “Bloodborne Pathogen and Hasardous Waste Exposure Policy” in the MSPA Program section of the University Academic Catalog which includes policies that are either unique to the program, are in addition to University policy, and/or are more stringent than the University policies they reference.
A critical part of professionalism is accurate and timely documentation. Therefore, students must follow all documentation policies and guidelines.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines only allow students to document a portion of the history and physical exam (the past medical history, family history, social history, and review of systems). It is imperative that the assigned clinical preceptor/supervising clinician personally documents all other key elements of the visit, (e.g., physical examination, management/plan, orders).
If a particular site does not authorize or allow PA students to officially document patient notes in a paper or electronic chart, it is advisable for students to document the patient encounter on a separate piece of paper (a “practice” note) so that they can continue to refine their documentation skills and obtain feedback from the preceptor - which is critical to the student’s ongoing clinical learning and decision-making. Paper practice notes must never contain any identifiable data, should not leave the facility, and should be destroyed after fulfilling their practice purpose (there should never be duplicate records of the same visit).
The student must sign all charts appropriately, and the supervising physician/clinician must countersign all charts/medical records. All charts and written orders must be signed (if applicable) with the student’s name clearly written, followed by the designation of “PA-S.” All charts must be co-signed by their approved preceptor(s) before discharging of the patient.
For example: Jan U. Ary, PA-S//Feb U. Ary, MD
Consistent with the “Clinical Code of Conduct” in the SCU Clinical Handbook, at no time on written orders/materials may PA students use other professional titles, degrees, or certifications (e.g., MA, LVN, RN, EMT, PT, OT, DC, L.Ac., RT).
Students should refer to the “Student Employment” policy in the MSPA Program section of the University Academic Catalog for more information.
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