The policies outlined in this handbook apply to all students, staff, principal 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.
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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 and Professional Demeanor
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
All students, faculty and staff at the University of South Florida have a right to expect that the University will reasonably accommodate their religious observances, practices and beliefs. Students are expected to attend classes and take examinations as determined by the University. The University and Program will attempt, at the beginning of each academic term, to provide written notice of the class schedule and formal examination periods.
Any student who believes that he/she has been treated unfairly with regard to the above should contact the Program Director.
The University of South Florida System (USF System) is committed to mutual respect among all constituents of the University community. This commitment includes students, faculty, staff, and administration alike. In all concerns about fair treatment, we seek to work together to understand and address those concerns in an informal setting. As there are several offices designated to address Grievances throughout the University, with specific processes applicable to USF Health, students should first identify the topic or substance of a Grievance and file the Grievance with the
The PA Program expects all students to be professional in their dealings with patients, colleagues, faculty, and staff and to exhibit caring and compassionate attitudes. These and other qualities will be evaluated in the Professionalism Evaluation form by each preceptor during your clinical year rotations. Professional behavior is defined as behavior appropriate to the circumstances. Professional behavior reflects on a student’s qualification and potential to become a competent clinician. Attitudes or behaviors inconsistent with compassionate care; refusal by, or inability of, the student to participate constructively in learning or patient care; derogatory attitudes or inappropriate behaviors directed at patients, peers, faculty, preceptors, or staff; misuse of written or electronic patient records (i.e. accession of patient information without valid reason); substance abuse; failure to disclose pertinent information on a criminal background check; or other unprofessional conduct can be grounds for dismissal. Dismissal from the Master’s of Physician Assistant Studies Program for unprofessional behavior may, subsequently, jeopardize the student’s eligibility for admission to any other college in the university.
Examples of standards for professional behavior include, but not limited to the following: accepting personal responsibility for the care of one’s patients; demonstrating appropriate truthfulness and honesty with colleagues; communicating an attitude of caring (empathy) in the course of health care delivery; recognizes personal beliefs, prejudices, and limitations; demonstrates respect for patients, families, members of the health care team, and colleagues; demonstrates initiative in patient care and a consistently good work ethic; and respects patient confidentiality at all times in verbal and written communication with others. Inadequate communication and/or failure to respond to communication initiated by the PA program is also considered unprofessional, and may result in a substantial reduction in professionalism grade on any given rotation.
The conferring of the degree Master's of Physician Assistant Studies certifies that the student is not only competent to undertake the career as a physician assistant but possesses the personal traits essential to the profession as judged by the faculty, preceptors, peers, and colleagues.
Students who are in not in adherence with the professional standards set forth by the program will have a hearing of the Academic Performance and Professionalism Committee (APPC). If the Committee determines that unprofessional behavior was demonstrated by a student, the following steps may be taken: Depending on the severity of the behavior, the student may be warned in writing that the behavior is unacceptable and that if the behavior is continued, it may lead to their dismissal from school. Such a letter will provide examples about what is or what is not acceptable, and may encourage the student to seek professional help from an appropriate resource. The letter may state that counseling, therapy, and anger management sessions may be considered as options. Some types of behavior may be so egregious as to justify immediate dismissal of a student. Such behavior might include criminal acts or substance abuse.
If there is a second documented case of unprofessional behavior, the student must appear before the APPC and address why he/she should not be dismissed from school.
Holidays and Religious Observances
All students, faculty and staff at the University of South Florida have a right to expect that the University will reasonably accommodate their religious observances, practices and beliefs. Students are expected to attend classes and take examinations as determined by the University. The University and Program will attempt, at the beginning of each academic term, to provide written notice of the class schedule and formal examination periods.
Any student who believes that he/she has been treated unfairly with regard to the above should contact the Program Director.
The University of South Florida System (USF System) is committed to mutual respect among all constituents of the University community. This commitment includes students, faculty, staff, and administration alike. In all concerns about fair treatment, we seek to work together to understand and address those concerns in an informal setting. As there are several offices designated to address Grievances throughout the University, with specific processes applicable to USF Health, students should first identify the topic or substance of a Grievance and file the Grievance with the appropriate office. The USF Student Grievance Policy can be found here: http://regulationspolicies.usf.edu/policies-and-procedures/pdfs/policy-30-053.pdf.
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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
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- We pledge our utmost effort to ensure that all components of the educational program for Physician Assistant students are of high quality. As mentors for our students, we maintain high professional standards in all of our interactions with patients, colleagues, and staff.
We respect all students as individuals, without regard to gender, race, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation. We will not tolerate anyone who manifests disrespect or who expresses biased attitudes towards any student..
We pledge that Physician Assistant students will have sufficient time to fulfill personal and family obligations, to enjoy recreational activities, and to obtain adequate rest. We monitor the time required to fulfill educational objectives, including time required for “call” on clinical rotations, to ensure students’ well-being.
In nurturing both the intellectual and the personal development of Physician Assistant students, we celebrate expressions of professional attitudes and behaviors, as well as achievement of academic excellence.
We do not tolerate any abuse or exploitation of students.
- We do not allow students to substitute or function as instructional faculty. Students with specific prior knowledge, experience and skills may assist faculty in didactic and laboratory session to share their knowledge and skills, however, students are not to be the primary instructor or instructor of record for any component of the curriculum.
We encourage any student who experiences mistreatment or who witnesses unprofessional behavior to report the facts immediately to appropriate faculty or staff. We treat all such reports as confidential and do not tolerate reprisals or retaliations of any kind.
Commitments of Students
- We pledge our utmost effort to acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors required to fulfill all educational objectives established by the faculty
- We cherish the professional virtues of honesty, compassion, integrity, fidelity, and dependability
- We will honor the accomplishments and sacrifices of the faculty who help direct our learning, and respect the effort of the faculty as they help us become physicians and colleagues
- We pledge to respect all faculty members and all Physician Assistant students as individuals, without regard to gender, race, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation
- As Physician Assistants in training, we embrace the highest standards of the medical profession and pledge to conduct ourselves accordingly in all of our interactions with patients, colleagues, and staff.
- In fulfilling our own obligations as professionals, we pledge to assist our fellow students in meeting their professional obligations, as well.
Violations of Faculty Learner Compact
Student reporting of faculty violations of conduct, as it relates to students, shall be to the Program Director. An alternate site of reporting is through the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs. Violations of the standards of conduct by faculty as enumerated in the Faculty Medical Learner Compact or of University Policies shall be relayed to the Faculty Affairs for appropriate action.
The University of South Florida System (USF System) is committed to mutual respect among all constituents of the University community. This commitment includes students, faculty, staff, and administration alike. In all concerns about fair treatment, we seek to work together to understand and address those concerns in an informal setting. As there are several offices designated to address Grievances throughout the University, with specific processes applicable to USF Health, students should first identify the topic or substance of a Grievance and file the Grievance with the appropriate office. The USF Student Grievance Policy can be found here: http://regulationspolicies.usf.edu/policies-and-procedures/pdfs/policy-30-053.pdf.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
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 must receive a passing grade in every course to be recommended for promotion and graduation. Any student with a deficient grade, who is granted approval by the Academic Performance and Professionalism Committee (APPC) to remediate the deficiency, must complete the required remedial coursework with a passing grade. Remediation requirements will be determined by the appropriate Course Director and approved by the Program Director and the APPC.
Requirements for Graduation
For a student to be recommended for graduation, he or she must have satisfied the MCOM PA Program faculty and the APPC in terms of ability and professional behavior by obtaining a passing grade in all courses of the established curriculum leading to the MPAS degree. In addition, the student must have made the appropriate arrangements to discharge all financial obligations to the university. The only exception is the repayment of loans that have a specified maturity date.
Unsatisfactory Performance
Unsatisfactory academic performance (one or more deficient grades) by a student will be reviewed by the Physician Assistant Program Academic Performance and Professionalism Committee (APPC). Unsatisfactory academic performance may be subject to dismissal from PA Program.
Academic Honesty Guidelines
All students are required to abide by the USF Academic Dishonesty and Disruption of Academic Process Guidelines that have been accepted by the university and are displayed in detail in the USF Student Handbook.
Consequences
Punishment for the violation of any of the academic honesty guidelines will depend on the seriousness of the disruption.
Appeal
Students have the right to appeal disciplinary actions to the appropriate committee through the Academic Performance and Professionalism Committee (APPC). Such appeals must be submitted in writing within ten (10) business days of notification of the decision.
Requirement to Report Criminal Incident
Students are required to report any interaction with the police resulting in an arrest or being brought before the criminal justice system within fifteen (15) days of the incident. This requirement is independent of whether or not there is a conviction involved. Failure to report any incident will result in action by the APPC for unprofessional behavior. APPC action may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the PA Program.
Professionalism Guidelines
Professionalism is an essential part of the practice of medicine, and the PA Program is committed to assisting the development of professional attitudes and values in all our students. There are numerous components to professionalism, including reliability, adherence to ethical principles and effective collaboration with others (including peers, supervisors, patients, families and other members of the health care delivery team).
All constituents of the program are expected to demonstrate professional behavior, defined by the program and college's mission, vision and values which are behaviors consistent with expectations of the public and the profession. For the Physician Assistant profession, these values and behaviors are delineated in the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
AAPA Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the Physician Assistant
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excellence.
We do not tolerate any abuse or exploitation of students.
- We do not allow students to substitute or function as instructional faculty. Students with specific prior knowledge, experience and skills may assist faculty in didactic and laboratory session to share their knowledge and skills, however, students are not to be the primary instructor or instructor of record for any component of the curriculum.
We encourage any student who experiences mistreatment or who witnesses unprofessional behavior to report the facts immediately to appropriate faculty or staff. We treat all such reports as confidential and do not tolerate reprisals or retaliations of any kind.
Commitments of Students
- We pledge our utmost effort to acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors required to fulfill all educational objectives established by the faculty
- We cherish the professional virtues of honesty, compassion, integrity, fidelity, and dependability
- We will honor the accomplishments and sacrifices of the faculty who help direct our learning, and respect the effort of the faculty as they help us become physicians and colleagues
- We pledge to respect all faculty members and all Physician Assistant students as individuals, without regard to gender, race, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation
- As Physician Assistants in training, we embrace the highest standards of the medical profession and pledge to conduct ourselves accordingly in all of our interactions with patients, colleagues, and staff.
- In fulfilling our own obligations as professionals, we pledge to assist our fellow students in meeting their professional obligations, as well.
Violations of Faculty Learner Compact
Student reporting of faculty violations of conduct, as it relates to students, shall be to the Program Director. An alternate site of reporting is through the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs. Violations of the standards of conduct by faculty as enumerated in the Faculty Medical Learner Compact or of University Policies shall be relayed to the Faculty Affairs for appropriate action.
The University of South Florida System (USF System) is committed to mutual respect among all constituents of the University community. This commitment includes students, faculty, staff, and administration alike. In all concerns about fair treatment, we seek to work together to understand and address those concerns in an informal setting. As there are several offices designated to address Grievances throughout the University, with specific processes applicable to USF Health, students should first identify the topic or substance of a Grievance and file the Grievance with the appropriate office. The USF Student Grievance Policy can be found here: http://regulationspolicies.usf.edu/policies-and-procedures/pdfs/policy-30-053.pdf.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
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 must receive a passing grade in every course to be recommended for promotion and graduation. Any student with a deficient grade, who is granted approval by the Academic Performance and Professionalism Committee (APPC) to remediate the deficiency, must complete the required remedial coursework with a passing grade. Remediation requirements will be determined by the appropriate Course Director and approved by the Program Director and the APPC.
Requirements for Graduation
For a student to be recommended for graduation, he or she must have satisfied the MCOM PA Program faculty and the APPC in terms of ability and professional behavior by obtaining a passing grade in all courses of the established curriculum leading to the MPAS degree. In addition, the student must have made the appropriate arrangements to discharge all financial obligations to the university. The only exception is the repayment of loans that have a specified maturity date.
Unsatisfactory Performance
Unsatisfactory academic performance (one or more deficient grades) by a student will be reviewed by the Physician Assistant Program Academic Performance and Professionalism Committee (APPC). Unsatisfactory academic performance may be subject to dismissal from PA Program.
Academic Honesty Guidelines
All students are required to abide by the USF Academic Dishonesty and Disruption of Academic Process Guidelines that have been accepted by the university and are displayed in detail in the USF Student Handbook.
Consequences
Punishment for the violation of any of the academic honesty guidelines will depend on the seriousness of the disruption.
Appeal
Students have the right to appeal disciplinary actions to the appropriate committee through the Academic Performance and Professionalism Committee (APPC). Such appeals must be submitted in writing within ten (10) business days of notification of the decision.
Requirement to Report Criminal Incident
Students are required to report any interaction with the police resulting in an arrest or being brought before the criminal justice system within fifteen (15) days of the incident. This requirement is independent of whether or not there is a conviction involved. Failure to report any incident will result in action by the APPC for unprofessional behavior. APPC action may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the PA Program.
Professionalism Guidelines
Professionalism is an essential part of the practice of medicine, and the PA Program is committed to assisting the development of professional attitudes and values in all our students. There are numerous components to professionalism, including reliability, adherence to ethical principles and effective collaboration with others (including peers, supervisors, patients, families and other members of the health care delivery team).
All constituents of the program are expected to demonstrate professional behavior, defined by the program and college's mission, vision and values which are behaviors consistent with expectations of the public and the profession. For the Physician Assistant profession, these values and behaviors are delineated in the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
AAPA Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the Physician Assistant
Medical Records and Patient Confidentiality
All data gathered about a patient and his/her medical condition, including verbal communication from a patient, is privileged information. Students are not to discuss a patient in any manner or situation that would reveal any information about that patient to any person not involved in the patient’s health care. Refrain from discussing your patients in public places, such as cafeterias and elevators, where your conversations may be overheard. Remind those who may be inappropriately discussing patient information, about patient confidentiality. In clinic or hospital, discussion about a patient with your resident/fellow is appropriate.
If you are asked to present information about a patient’s condition never discuss patients in a dehumanizing or insensitive manner. You are required by the PA program to complete HIPAA training.
Students will adhere to ethical principles and use practical reasoning when dealing with patients. Refer to the Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the Physician Assistant Profession Policy of the American Academy of Physician Assistants Adopted May 2000 (see link under code of conduct).
No student should medically treat other PA students, friends, or family members while a student in the UF Master’s of Physician Assistant Studies Program.
ADVANCEMENT, REMEDIATION, APPEALS, DECELERATION, DISMISSAL and DUE PROCESS/APPEALS
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.
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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.
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In addition to being a violation of state and federal laws, behavior involving unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature is incompatible with faculty, staff, and student status in the University of South Florida - Master’s of Physician Assistant Studies Program.
Dating current teaching faculty (i.e. physicians, residents, teaching assistants, PA faculty, etc.) is highly discouraged. This can be viewed as a form of sexual harassment.
Further information regarding sexual harassment policies is outlined in the USF “Sexual Harassment” policy 0-008, Diversity and Equal Opportunity: Sexual Harassment
Students should contact the PA program director immediately if they have felt as if they have been harassed.
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
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