The policies outlined in this handbook apply to all students, staff, principal faculty, and the PA Program Director. PA students are expected to follow all policies of the university as delineated on the University of South Florida Student Handbook webpage. Students are also expected to follow the guidelines set out in this handbook.
...
Students should be attentive and respectful to lecturers and instructors. Talking, surfing the internet, communicating on social networks or causing general disturbances during class time is inappropriate and may be grounds for disciplinary action by the Academic Performance and Professionalism Committee (APPC).Part of the educational experience is to professionally participate in all didactic and clinical activities. These activities include, but are not limited to, didactic lectures, small group sessions, and workshops, performing physical examinations on standardized patients and participating in clinical experiences under the direction of clinical preceptors. Any student who is unable or unwilling to participate in these required components may be subject to dismissal.
Dress Code
PA students, at all levels of education and training, are expected to maintain a proper professional image in their behavior and personal appearance at all times. During the pre-clinical years, PA students are expected to wear clean, appropriate apparel (shirts, pants, dresses, skirts, etc.) and shoes to all academic functions and on the premises of USF (all campuses).
All students must wear white lab jackets with their name and MCOM Physician Assistant Program designation embroidered on their coat, and ID badges during the clinical training years, and/or any time students have contact with patients, or are in the patient care areas. Shorts are not to be worn at any time when there may be interaction with patients. Men should wear shirt and tie, and women should wear appropriate dresses or slacks and blouses, as well as closed toe shoes at times when there may be interaction with patients.
Holidays and Religious Observances
...
Didactic Courses - Year 1
Unplanned or Emergency absences for Personal Illness, Family Illness, etc.
The student must contact the Academic Director and course instructor by e-mail or telephone (see specific course syllabus) and the PA Program Office by e-mail or telephone (paprogram@health.usf.edu or 813-974-8926) to report his/her absenteeism on the first day of being absent. He/she should indicate if the reason is an emergency or unexpected illness. The student must also complete and submit the Student Absence Report Form. Specifics on planned and unplanned absences, as well as unexcused absences, are listed below. The completed Absence Report form will be kept as part of the student’s record.
If the student has an unanticipated unplanned absence on the day of an exam, he/she must contact PA Program Office by e-mail or telephone (paprogram@health.usf.edu or 813-974-8926) by 8:30 a.m. on the day of the exam. When the student returns to school he/she must fill out and sign the Student Absence Report Form. Documentation for the absence to be excused (e.g. physician’s note, accident report, etc.) will be at the discretion of the Program Director.
Students who miss an examination for any reason are required to contact the PA Program Office (974-8926) prior to returning to class to determine the date and time of the make-up examination. Dates and times of make-up examinations are determined by the Course Directors in consultation with the Academic Director.
In general, make-up examinations must be taken within 48 hours upon return from an unplanned absence. A second unexcused absence for a make-up exam will require referral to the Academic Performance and Professionalism Committee (APPC).
Planned Absence
Absence for attendance at a professional meeting or other educational or research related activity should be submitted via the Student Absence Report Form for approval to the Academic Director at least 3 weeks prior to the event. Each request for absence will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Personal travel plans should not be considered valid excuses for missing an exam.
To receive an excused planned absence for an exam, the student must submit a completed Student Absence Report Form to the Academic Director. The Academic Director or designee will make the final determination to grant or deny the request and will inform the student of the decision.
Supervised Clinical Patient Experiences - Year 2
...
Physician Assistant Student Advancement, Remediation, Appeals, Deceleration, Dismissal and Due Process
The following sections define the composition, purpose, rules, and guidelines under which the Academic Performance and Professionalism Committee (APPC) carries out its responsibilities.
Purpose
The APPC shall review the academic and clinical performance of each PA student at least once during each program year. This Committee shall recommend the appropriate action to be taken for each student, including the promotion to the clinical year, remediation, deceleration and dismissal from the program and readmission to the program. Specific students to be discussed are those who have failed a course(s), those who are performing at less than satisfactory levels after an interim evaluation, and those who have received a near or failing grade. Any other student will be discussed at the request of the Academic/Clinical Director or Instructional Faculty member. An attempt will be made to identify students in minor as well as major difficulty (academic or professional) in concert with the goal of providing help for those in need.
The remediation process is designed to help faculty identify and assist students who may experience academic or professional difficulty. The process is proactive, with the goal of identifying at risk students as early as possible. The Program will use the following processes to identify and remediate students deemed at risk.
Identification
The student is expected to be proactive and notify the instructor, course director or faculty if there are knowledge deficits
The instructor, course director, small group leader, preceptor, faculty advisor or other faculty identifies the at-risk student through weekly faculty reports, exam grades, and advisory sessions.
Evaluation and Assessment
Identified students will be referred to their Faculty Advisor for assessment of root causes. Referrals to campus assistance programs may be instituted (Student Health, the Office of Student Affairs or other practitioners).
Plan Development
The APPC, faculty advisor, student and any other parties will design a remediation plan. Clear expectations will be documented and a contract for remediation developed. The Program Director will then review the contract with the Faculty Advisor and student, placing the contract in the student’s program file. Depending on the action needed, a time line will be initiated for review of student progress.
Plan Implementation
The Faculty Advisor and student will receive a copy of the contract and begin remediation.
The student will be informed of all available resources for remediation.
Plan Evaluation
Depending upon the remediation needed, an evaluation instrument may be prepared to assess the student’s progress. The Academic Director and the Faculty Advisor may collaborate to design an appropriate tool to assess progress. Evidence of compliance of mastery of remediated knowledge deficit will be placed in the student file with the contract.
...
The Committee will recommend:
Promotion of a student from one year’s study to the next.
Certification of a student as qualified to graduate.
Placement of a student, when necessary, on a leave of absence.
Disciplinary action for unethical and/or non-professional behavior or other misconduct when required.
Remediation as might arise during the course of the educational program.
Deceleration or dismissal of a student from the MCOM PA Program for academic reasons and/or readmission.
The Committee has the authority to take action in the following areas:
The formulation of a remediation program (the recommendations of the respective Academic/Clinical Director and Course Director concerning remediation will be the primary consideration for requirements, subject to review by the Committee).
These programs may include, but are not limited to:
Requiring a student to be re-examined or re-evaluated in a course, with or without a period of remediation.
Requiring a student to receive academic tutoring.
Requiring a student to repeat all or part of a year’s work or longer if necessary.
Placing a student on academic warning and probation.
Reviewing all petitions for readmission following a Committee recommended leave of absence, and recommending whether or not the student may resume medical studies. This must be documented in a letter to the student from the Chair of the PA-APRC.
Reviewing and making recommendations concerning a suitable course of study following a Committee recommended leave of absence.
Other actions referred to the Committee for an individual student.
ACADEMIC STANDARDS
Physician Assistants must demonstrate the knowledge and skills in order to provide high quality patient care in a variety of clinical settings. In order to achieve this goal, the faculty and director of each course/SCPE (for simplicity the term course will be inclusive of courses and SCPEs) define the criteria for acceptable academic performance in that course. Evaluation of academic performance may include (but is not necessarily limited to) measuring the student’s knowledge, measuring how the student applies such knowledge to specific problems, evaluating the judgment a student employs in solving problems and assessing the quality of the student’s psychomotor skills, professional conduct, ethical behavior and interpersonal relationships with medical colleagues, patients and patients’ families.
Students are subject to dismissal from the program if they do not achieve academic good standing under established rules.
Advancement of Students with Satisfactory Performance and Graduation
Performance Standards
The PA Program is a competency based program. Students are required to complete each component of the program successfully before progressing on to the next phase. The minimum passing score is 77% on all didactic exams and 60% on EOR exams, and a grade of “satisfactory” in professionalism. The minimum passing grade is a C for each course using a letter system.
...
Achieve a passing grade of C or better in all Year 1 didactic course to be recommended for advancement to year 2.
Fulfill all requirements established by the faculty of each course within the academic year.
Achieve a passing grade of C or better in all courses and SCPEs.
DIDACTIC YEAR:
Didactic course grading follows this rubric.
...
Each didactic course will also include a professionalism evaluation. An unsatisfactory grade on any professionalism evaluation will result in referral to the APPC for review and recommendations regarding remediation plan, academic probation, deceleration or dismissal from the program.
CLINICAL MEDICINE I, II, III
The Clinical Medicine sequence is divided into separate clinical modules. Each module has its own syllabus and functions as an individual course with the same grading rubric as outlined for other didactic courses. Course specific remediation for these modules follows the same policy as described above for other didactic courses. Failing grades on two examinations after appropriate make up opportunities is considered a serious deficiency of knowledge and critical thinking skills.
...
Each Clinical Medicine module will also include a professionalism evaluation. A failing grade on any professionalism evaluation will result in referral to the APPC for review and recommendations regarding remediation plan, academic probation, deceleration or dismissal from the program.
CLINICAL YEAR:
In the clinical year, student performance in SCPEs will be evaluated by the clinical preceptor for the competencies of medical knowledge, patient care, interpersonal communication, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement and systems-based practice. Each rotation will also include a written examination.
...
Repeating a SCPE may be scheduled at the end of the clinical year, and graduation may be delayed. The student who does not pass the SCPE will be required to repeat the rotation and be placed on academic probation, and/or may be subject to academic dismissal.
Grade Appeal Process
...
...
Basis for Appeal
A student may appeal a course grade if the student has evidence that the grade was assigned in an erroneous manner. This is not a process for appeal of established departmental grading policies. The following procedure provides guidelines for the appeal process. All persons concerned with this process should make every attempt to adhere to the time schedule outlined in the following description of the appeal process.
Appeal to the Faculty Member for Review of the Assigned Grade
Within one week after the receipt of the grade, the student may appeal in writing to the responsible faculty member any assigned grade that they dispute. The faculty member will review the course grading guidelines with the student to ensure that the process is understood and has been followed. If it is found that the assigned grade is incorrect in the judgment of the faculty member, he/she will initiate the appropriate change. If the change is made at this point, the matter is concluded. The faculty member will respond in writing to the student within ten (10) school days of the student’s request for review.
Note: All actions related to the appeals process are expected to be taken within two (2) weeks of receipt; however, in instances where holidays or vacation intervene, action must be taken within ten (10) weekdays on which classes are held.
If the If the faculty member is no longer with the University, the student shall confer with the course director or Academic Director who will then make every effort to receive written input concerning the matter from the former faculty member. If it is not possible to receive information from the former faculty member regarding the grade, then the student may appeal the grade as described below and the course director or Academic Director will represent the interests of the faculty member who issued the grade.
Appeal to the Academic Director
If the question of the assigned grade cannot be resolved between the student and the faculty member, the student may appeal in writing to the Physician Assistant Studies Program Academic Director or Clinical Director. This appeal must be made within ten (10) school days following the initial faculty member review. The student shall include all relevant information relating to the appeal with the written appeal. After receiving such an appeal in writing from the student, the Academic Director shall review with the faculty member the substance of the student’s appeal and seek to determine its validity.
If it is determined that the assigned grade is, in his/her judgment, inappropriate, the Academic Director should recommend to the faculty member that the grade be changed. The faculty member may or may not concur with the recommendation.
The Academic or Clinical Director will notify the student in writing, within ten (10) school days of receipt of the appeal, whether or not the assigned grade will be changed by the faculty member. If the grade is changed to the student’s satisfaction, the matter is concluded. If the grade is not changed, the Academic or Clinical Director will advise the student of the right of appeal to the Program Director.
If the student elects to appeal, copies of all written communication mentioned above shall be sent by the Academic Director to the Program Director as described below.
Appeal to the Program Director
If the question of the assigned grade cannot be resolved between the student and the faculty member, the student may appeal in writing to the Physician Assistant Studies Program Director. This appeal must be made within ten (10) school days following the initial faculty member review. The student shall include all relevant information relating to the appeal with the written appeal. After receiving such an appeal in writing from the student, the Program Director shall review with the faculty member the substance of the student’s appeal and seek to determine its validity.
If it is determined that the assigned grade is, in his/her judgment, inappropriate, the Program Director should recommend to the faculty member that the grade be changed. The faculty member may or may not concur with the recommendation.
The Program Director will notify the student in writing, within ten (10) school days of receipt of the appeal, whether or not the assigned grade will be changed by the faculty member. If the grade is changed to the student’s satisfaction, the matter is concluded. If the grade is not changed, Program Director will advise the student of the right of appeal to the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs.
If the student elects to appeal, copies of all written communication mentioned above shall be sent by the Program Director to the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs as described below[CL3] .
Appeal to the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs
If the grade is not changed to the satisfaction of the student at the program level, the student may appeal the assigned grade, in writing, to the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs. This appeal must occur within ten (10) school days of receipt of the decision of the Program Director. The Vice Dean for Educational Affairs may discuss the case with the student, Program Director, Academic Director, and the instructor who taught the course. Following these discussions, the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs may make a recommendation for resolution to the faculty member, the student, and the Program Director. If the suggested resolution is an acceptable solution to all parties, the matter is concluded. If not, then a Hearing Committee will be appointed. The Vice Dean for Educational Affairs may appoint a Hearing Committee upon receiving the initial appeal. The appeal will be handled as expeditiously as possible by the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs.
When the decision is made to establish a hearing to investigate an appeal, the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs shall convene an ad hoc committee comprised of three senior members of the faculty of the PA Program who had not previously been involved in issuing the grade or the appeal process and three physician assistant students, all of whom shall have voting privileges. This Committee shall elect a chairperson and hold a hearing concerning the appeal at a time acceptable to all participants. At this hearing all material relevant to the appeal shall be presented by the student, the Chair of the APPC, and the faculty member issuing the grade or raising the concern. Others may be requested to assist the Committee. The student may request to have another individual present for support.
The Hearing Committee will submit to the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs a written report containing a recommendation for a specific course of action regarding the student’s grade appeal. If the Committee cannot reach a conclusion, the written report will be submitted to the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs who will consider the reason(s) why the committee failed to reach a decision. The Vice Dean for Educational Affairs will then recommend a solution, which may or may not contain some or all of the recommendations of the Hearing Committee. As delegated authority of the Dean, the decision of the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs is final.
Deceleration and Dismissal
...
...
If a student fails a course after attempted remediation, the student’s file will be viewed as a whole by the APPC. If it is believed that the student will succeed in the future, the student may be decelerated and allowed to repeat the course the next time it is given. If the failure is in a SCPE, the student may be allowed to repeat the SCPE at the end of the clinical year. Any student who fails a repeated course or clerkship will be dismissed from the program. A student may not repeat more than two courses total (one in didactic and one in clinical) while in the program.
Although a student may have passing grades in all courses, but when viewed as a whole, the record shows a pattern of concern, that student will be given a written warning or be placed on academic probation with a remediation plan. Failure to successfully complete the terms of the remediation plan will result in dismissal from the program.
Student conduct that may indicate a pattern of concern include:
Failure of two (2) or more exams in one course
Failure of three (3) or more exams across all courses in a single term
Receiving a grade of F on a Preceptor Evaluation of a student
Failure of an End of Rotation (EOR) examination
Cumulative GPA below 3.0
Consistent marginal passing scores/grades
Failure to adhere to professional standards
Reasons for dismissal from the program include, but are not limited to, academic dishonesty, unprofessional conduct, unsatisfactory attendance in classes or clinical assignments, positive drug testing, and inability to pass a background check. Each case will be investigated and will be based on objective findings.
Guidelines for Voluntary Withdrawal from the Physician Assistant Studies Program
...
Students may voluntarily withdraw from this program at any time prior to a formal notice of dismissal from the Physician Assistant Studies Program. Students must file a “Withdraw from All Classes Form.”
Guidelines for Leave of Absence
In exceptional circumstances – such as the sudden onset of a serious medical condition – a leave of absence from the PA Program may be granted by the Program Director. A Leave of Absence is defined as a temporary break in a student’s attendance of five (5) days or longer. Due to the cumulative nature of the didactic material, extended absences during this phase is not permitted. Students may request a leave of absence and deceleration in the program for up to one year in length.
All requests must be made in writing. Please note the following: (i) a student who is not registered after one quarter’s absence and has not requested a leave of absence will be dropped from the program; (ii) a student who has not re-registered with the program after a leave of absence of one year will be dropped from the program.
The PA Program reserves the right to determine the conditions for re-entry after any leave of more than one month duration. Coursework, exams and clinical experiences missed during any leave must be made-up within a time-frame agreed upon by the course instructor and the Program Director before the student may continue in the program in good standing. Additional tuition may be required to complete the program after re-entry.
Guidelines for Consideration for Reinstatement to the PA Program
Because of constant changes in curriculum presentation, re-admission, if desired, must be negotiated with the Program Director. Requests for reinstatement must be made in writing. The student must show that the problem leading to the withdrawal has been resolved such that success in this program will follow if the student is reinstated. Reinstatement is also dependent on the availability of a clinical training site.
Referrals to Counseling, Tutorial, and Study Skills Service
The Academic Performance and Professionalism Committee (APPC) may recommend a student receive tutoring, advising or professional referral for a variety of problems (e.g. emotional, addictive or psychiatric disorders). If a student is directed to arrange for such services, but does not do so, the APPC may evaluate the student’s professional attitudes. If a student is directed to seek these referral services, the student has a choice of choosing internal or external resources. Verification that the student has utilized these referral services may be required. In addition, the Committee may require that the student have his/her counselor/physician submit information and/or recommendation to the Committee Chair relating to the student’s academic program.
Appeal of Disciplinary Action or Dismissal
Appeal to the Academic Performance and Professionalism Committee (APPC)
...
The hearing will address evidence of the student’s performance or professional behavior. The student has the right to be present for the appeal and may be accompanied by a person or persons of the student’s choice to provide support and counsel to the student. The person(s) may not act as the student’s attorney. Alternatively, the student may request that another faculty member, who is not a member of the APPC, serve as their advocate. That individual will be present at the Committee meeting only while the student is present. Immediately following the hearing, the APPC will decide upon a specific recommendation. Recommendations of the Appeal Committee are final in all decisions except cases where dismissal has been recommended[CL2] . If the decision is to uphold a previous dismissal decision, the recommendation will be forwarded to the Program Director. The Committee shall inform the Program Director (or a designee) of the vote and present a report of discussions leading to the decision at the earliest time possible and no more than ten (10) school days after the decision has been made.
Appeal to the MCOM Academic Performance Review Committee (APRC)
An appeal of the APPC decision may be made by the student to the MCOM Academic Performance Review Committee (APRC). The request must be received in writing within ten (10) school days following the date the student was informed of the APPC decision. Requests to appear before the APRC should be submitted to the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs.
...
Recommendations of the APRC are final in all decisions except cases where dismissal has been recommended. If the decision is to uphold a previous dismissal decision, the recommendation will be forwarded to the PA Program Director. The Committee shall inform the Program Director (or a designee) of the vote and present a report of discussions leading to the decision at the earliest time possible and no more than ten (10) school days after the decision has been made.
Appeal to the Dean of the Morsani College of Medicine
An appeal of the APRC decision may be made to the MCOM Dean. The request must be received in writing within ten (10) school days following the date the student was informed of the APRC decision. Requests to appear before the MCOM Dean should be submitted to the Dean’s office.
...
Recommendations of the Dean are final in all decisions. If the decision is to uphold a previous dismissal decision, the recommendation will be forwarded to the PA Program Director. The Dean shall inform the Program Director (or a designee) of the decision and present a report of discussions leading to the decision at the earliest time possible and no more than ten (10) school days after the decision has been made.
...
MISTREATMENT OR ABUSE
Student Mistreatment or Abuse
...
Inappropriate touching; the display of sexually explicit or suggestive materials; use of sexually explicit or suggestive language or gestures; and subtle pressure for sexual activity, as well as demands for sexual favors or physical assault. Sexual harassment is a serious form of abuse.
The student is encouraged to directly contact the USF Center for Victim Advocacy & Violence Prevention with any concerns.
Sexual Battery
Sexual battery is a crime under the laws of the State of Florida and will not be tolerated at the USF MCOM as defined in USF Policy 0-014, Sexual Battery. As an integral part of academic performance, medical students are expected to maintain the high standards of professional and personal conduct traditionally associated with the practice of medicine. Any act such as sexual battery is a violation of University Policy, which in the case of medical students, is viewed as professional misconduct and is a violation of academic standards. As such, any professional misconduct is subject to disciplinary action under the PA Student Advancement Policies, Procedures and Due Process.
MCOM PA students who are victims of actual or threatened violence can obtain assistance from the /wiki/spaces/MCOM/pages/19396592255. Additionally, PA students should refer to the USF Policy concerning Sexual Battery.
Center for Victim Advocacy & Violence Prevention
...