4. Attendance, Professionalism, Grading, Advancement, Appeals, Remediation Procedures, and Student Health

The policies outlined in this handbook apply to all PA Program students, staff, principal faculty, and the program director. Students are expected to follow all policies of the university as delineated on the University of South Florida Student Catalog webpage and the guidelines set out in this handbook.

ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES

Students will attend all scheduled hours of instruction. All sessions and participation requirements in didactic courses and Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPE) are mandatory. Recognizing that situations arise which require students to miss time from their course/clinical responsibilities, the procedures presented below will be followed when absence is necessary.

Punctuality

Students are expected to be on time for each scheduled class. Students should be seated and prepared to take notes at the time the lecturer is scheduled to speak and ready to begin. A tardy may be equivalent to an absence. Leaving early may be equivalent to an absence

Roll

Roll may be taken at the start of each day of class and may be taken at any time thereafter you are expected to be in class. Any time roll is taken and you are not present, it will be considered an absence.

Professionalism during Attendance

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 Program 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, 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 a short, waist length lab coat embroidered with an MCOM patch, their name, and the PA Program designation. ID badges during the clinical training years, and/or any time students have contact with patients, are to be worn prominently 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.

Business professional attire is required to be worn at all times. The following items are considered inappropriate:

1. • Short skirts or dresses

   • Tube tops

   • Excessive jewelry

   • Facial piercings

   • Flip flops

   • Open-toes shoes

   • Jeans

   • Low cut tops

   • Shorts

   • Tee shirts

   • Visible tattoos

   • Clothing that reveals shoulders or midriff

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 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 Master's of Physician Assistant Studies degree 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 to justify immediate dismissal of a student, such a 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.

Criminal Background Checks/ Drug Screening

If a felony conviction occurs between the date of submission of the CASPA application and matriculation into the PA Program, the specific details including: (1) date of charge(s), (2) type of offense, and (3) disposition of the case must be reported to the program director’s office immediately. Any felony convictions that occur subsequent to matriculation or at any time during your enrollment in the program must also be reported immediately providing the same information as previously enumerated. Failure to comply will be grounds for dismissal from the PA Program.

During the clinical phase of the program, students will be required to undergo one or more national criminal background checks, which may include finger printing. Some clinical sites used by the PA Program may require additional background checks, fingerprinting, and/or drug screening for students to have practice opportunities at those institutions. The student may be responsible for these costs.

A criminal record or failure to pass a drug screen may impede clinical training and may negatively affect a student’s status in the PA Program. By accepting admission to the program, a student agrees to submit to national criminal background checks as well as drug screening and to pay any associated expenses.

Before beginning clinical rotations or clerkships, select facilities, including both the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital and the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, require fingerprinting of PA students. The fingerprinting activity is coordinated through the PA Program's clinical director and local law enforcement during the pre-clerkship orientation period. Occasionally, elective clinical rotation sites may require students to provide documentation for fingerprinting and a criminal background check analysis. Costs of background checks are the responsibility of the student.

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 PA 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.

Filing a Grievance

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 MCOM, 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.

Absences

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 Student 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 from Exam 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

ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY

Attendance is mandatory throughout the SCPE as determined by the clinical preceptor in accordance with the clinical hour’s guidelines delineated below. Attendance is a demonstration of professional attitude and behavior. This behavior impacts all members of the healthcare team, including fellow students and patients. Any absence from the clerkship may have a direct impact on student performance, the broad-spectrum clinical experience, evaluation of professionalism, overall grade, and the successful completion of the clerkship.

Consideration will be given for activities such as elected student representation to various committees and/or organizations. The PA Program clinical director will respond to the student’s request in writing. Students who miss scheduled hours are expected to acquire the same level of competency as other students involved in the clerkship. Lectures, reading assignments and work load will not be re-created or offset to accommodate any absences.

The work schedule will be determined by your preceptor and students are required to work full time following the same schedule as their preceptors. Students will be required to take on call, nights, and weekends as designated by the preceptor. Holidays or university breaks do not apply to the clinical year.

Students are expected to attend all scheduled clerkship didactic conferences, lectures, workshops, and daily patient rounds. Mandatory sessions and participation requirements in the clinical phase are determined by the individual clerkship. Recognizing that situations arise that require students to miss time from their lectures/clinical responsibilities, the procedures presented below will be followed when an unplanned absence is necessary:

• In the event of an illness or emergency necessitating absence from the clinical rotation, students must notify both the PA Program clinical director and the clinical preceptor by 9:00 a.m. on the day of the absence. Students should also contact the PA Program office by e-mail or telephone (paprogram@health.usf.edu or 813-974-8926). Students should make every effort to reach the clinical preceptor and clinical director rather than utilizing voicemail or email.

• Students are required to complete and submit the Student Absence Report Form with appropriate documentation supporting the reason for any unplanned absence(s). The completed Student Absence Report Form will be kept as part of the student’s record.

• Failure to report an absence the student will be required to make up the time missed from the clerkship and a 5 point deduction on the clinical preceptor End-of-Rotation Clinical Performance Evaluation.

• Students are required to submit a written request for approval of any anticipated absence, to the clinical director, prior to the absence. The clinical director will communicate with the student regarding details of the anticipated absence, preceptor notification and preceptor approval. Students should not seek approval from the preceptor without prior approval by the clinical director lest this be considered an unexcused absence.

• If a student misses up to five (5) days on any rotation, he/she must discuss with the preceptor ways to make-up the missed time. If there is no opportunity for the student to make up the missed days at that clinical site, the student must discuss make-up time at another clinical site with the clinical director. If there are no available clerkship site contiguous with the current cycle, the student will receive a grade of Incomplete until the hours have been made up.

• In the event that a student misses more than five (5) days on any rotation for an excused absence, they will be required to repeat the rotation.

• Students may be required by some clinical sites to engage in clinical or educational activities during the evenings and/or weekends.

• If the preceptor or his/her designee is unavailable to work with the student for 2 or more scheduled clinical days (e.g. vacation, scheduled days off, etc.), the student is required to notify the clinical director so that an alternate assignment may be made.

• Absence from a clinical site during a PA educational conference (e.g., AAPA, FAPA) for the purpose of conference attendance may be permitted with the permission of the clinical director. The student is still responsible for ensuring that any rotation benchmarks are not compromised by conference attendance.

• Students are required to return to campus at the completion of each rotation for academic and professional activities that may include case presentations, End-of-Rotation Exams, OSCEs, and other designated program endeavors.

• Tardiness

  • If a student arrives to the clinical site 30 minutes late or leaves the clinical site 30 minutes early, he/she is required to notify the clinical preceptor and the clinical director immediately.

  • If a student accumulates lateness hours totaling 5 hours this constitutes 1 unexcused absence. The procedure and policy for unexcused absences will then be applied.

PA Program Student Hours in Clinical Years

PA Program students are held to the following clinical hour’s guidelines:

• Students are limited to a maximum of 80 duty hours per week including in-house call, averaged over four weeks.

• Students must be given one day out of seven free from all clinical and educational responsibilities, averaged over four weeks.

• Students cannot be scheduled for in-house call more than once every three nights, averaged over four weeks.

• Students may not work more than 28 consecutive hours.

• Students should be given at least ten hours for rest and personal activities between daily duty periods and after in-house call. Violations should be reported to the PA Program clinical director, program director, or the vice dean of Educational Affairs.

Students, preceptors, and faculty are not permitted to allow/require deviation from the above rules. Violations should also be discussed with the clinical preceptors, either directly or via the clinical director, program director, and then with the vice dean of Educational Affairs if not satisfactorily resolved.

Leave of Absence

A Leave of Absence is defined as a temporary break in a student’s attendance of five (5) days or longer.

Voluntary

1. Voluntary Leaves of Absence must be for a specified period of time with an expected date of re-enrollment.
2. A student in good academic standing, without deficiencies, may request and be approved for a Leave of Absence for a fixed period of time to conduct research or as a result of a health problem or other personal circumstances that prevent concentration on the academic program.
   

Involuntary

1. The program director may place a student on a Leave of Absence for good reason at his/her discretion. If a student disagrees with such action, he/she may ask the APPC for a review which shall be conducted with a hearing as established in Appeal of Disciplinary Action or Dismissal section outlined below.
2. The APPC may recommend that a student be placed on a Leave of Absence if the student is judged to be capable of completing the PA Program within the allotted time limits of the PA Program, but has current academic or non-academic problems that make ongoing enrollment detrimental to the student’s best interest. If the student disagrees with the recommendation, the procedure for an appeal will be followed as established in the Appeal of Disciplinary Action or Dismissal section outlined below.

Petition for Readmission Following Leave of Absence

1. The student must notify the program director and the academic or clinical director of intent to resume enrollment in writing at least one month prior to return to the PA Program.
2. Students who are on a Leave of Absence specified by the APPC must fulfill all requirements specified in their letter from the APPC prior to return to the PA Program.
3. Students placed on Leave of Absence may maintain such status for a maximum of one (1) year. In order to return to enrollment, the student must petition the APPC within the time period allowed. The APPC will consider petitions for readmission regardless of the reason enrollment was discontinued. When petitioning to the Committe, the student must submit information that will support that return to enrollment is justified. This is required regardless of the reason for leave.
4. Petitions for readmission may be considered at any regular or called meeting of the APPC. The time of readmission will be based upon that which is deemed most appropriate to the student’s status and schedule by the APPC. Students may be required to repeat parts of the curriculum that have previously been successfully completed.

Readmission may be denied if all available positions are filled, even if the student meets all other qualifications for admission.

Withdrawal

Students withdrawing from the program must submit a withdrawal letter to both the PA Program and the MCOM Registrar’s Office, as well as complete any paperwork needed by either office, and settle any university obligations. USF may refund some portion of the tuition. For details, see the Refund of Fees policy on the PA Program website and the Tuition, Fees, and Medical Equipment Requirements section in this handbook.

ACADEMIC GUIDELINES

Communication

E-mail is the official method of communication between the PA Program faculty and all students. Therefore, it is your responsibility to check your USF Health e-mail account daily. Timely response to e-mail correspondence is expected.

Faculty/PA Student Learner Compact

Preparation for a career as a Physician Assistant demands the acquisition of a large fund of knowledge and a host of special skills. It also demands the strengthening of those virtues that undergird the provider/patient relationship and that sustain the profession of medicine as a moral enterprise. This Compact serves both as a pledge and as a reminder to teachers and learners that their conduct in fulfilling their mutual obligations is the medium through which the profession inculcates its ethical values.

Guiding Principles 

• DUTY - Physician Assistant educators have a duty, not only to convey the knowledge and skills required for delivering the profession’s contemporary standard of care, but also to inculcate the values and attitudes required for preserving the medical profession’s social contract across generations.

• INTEGRITY - Learning environments conducive to conveying professional values must be suffused with integrity. Students learn enduring lessons of professionalism by observing and emulating role models who epitomize authentic professional values and attitudes.

• RESPECT - Fundamental to the ethic of the practice of medicine is respect for every individual. Mutual respect between learners, as novice members of the medical profession, and their teachers, as experienced and esteemed professionals, is essential for nurturing that ethic. Given the inherently hierarchical nature of the teacher/learner relationship, teachers have a special obligation to ensure that Physician Assistant students are always treated respectfully.

Commitments of Faculty and Program Administration

• 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.

  Filing a Grievance

  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 the MCOM, 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.

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 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

The reporting of faculty conduct violations, 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 Office of Faculty Affairs for appropriate action.

Professionalism Values

Professionalism is an essential part of the practice of medicine, and the Morsani College of Medicine 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).

Harassment

All USF MCOM subsidiaries are committed to providing a work environment free from unlawful discrimination and prohibit "unwelcome" or "unwanted" conduct which constitutes harassment. This policy strictly prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment in the workplace based on medical condition, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, marital status, family status, age, sex, sexual orientation or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law or ordinance or regulation. USF MCOM affirms that all employees have a right to work in an environment free from any type of discrimination and prohibits any conduct which constitutes sexual harassment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Unprofessional Behavior

Violations of the standards of conduct by faculty as enumerated in the Faculty Medical Learner Compact and in other University Policies shall be relayed to the Office of Faculty Affairs dean for action based on University Regulation USF10.112: Faculty Misconduct and Incompetence.

Reporting System

There are many ways students and others can report a concern about lapses in professionalism. Options for discussion of such concern include:

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.

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 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.

The University of South Florida expects students to be honest in all of their university coursework. Therefore, students are required to commit themselves to academic honesty by signing the following statement as part of the admissions process.

"I understand that the University of South Florida expects its students to be honest in all of their academic work. I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic honesty, and understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from the University."

This statement serves to remind students of the obligations they assume as students at the University of South Florida. 

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.

Testing Policies

• Students are not permitted to talk once entering any testing facility. Do not communicate with other students in any way during exams or evaluation sessions.
• Students must turn off cell phones and place all personal belongings (including watches) in the designated areas in the room. No hooded coats or sweatshirts allowed
• Once the exam has begun, the proctor will not answer any questions. Students should remain in their seats at all times until they have finished the examination. Students may be excused during the examination one at a time in order to use the rest room.
• The duration of each exam will be determined by the course director.
• Testing areas are subject to video monitoring.
• Upon completing and submitting your exam, please leave the testing area.
• Students are not permitted to disseminate exam content after completion of the exam.
• Any questions or discrepancies regarding an exam during the academic year should be addressed in writing, citing the discrepancy and listing references, to the course director.
• Any concerns with test integrity should be raised within 72 hours of the examination.

In the event a student has a question or concern regarding an examination question, the student will address this issue in writing to the faculty member in charge of the examination. The issue must be made within 2 days of the review of the examination; emails are an acceptable form of communicating this. Communication through exam comments is not sufficient.

The student’s question or concern must address a specific issue regarding the examination question or assignment, such as having multiple correct answers, having no correct answers, etc. An explanation as to support the student’s argument must be made using supporting documents and references referring to specifics in the assigned readings.

The faculty member will consider the student’s challenge and will respond in writing (email is acceptable) within 3 days as to their decision regarding the question being challenged.

Evaluation of Courses

Course/instructor evaluations are mandated by the State and program and must be completed within the time limits set by the program. Course grades will not be released until these requirements are met. Grades will not be released until 80% of the class has completed the evaluation.

Note: Comments should be made in a constructive manner, focused on improving the quality of the course. Personal attacks are neither useful nor constructive for the educational goals of any section. Please make an appointment with the academic/clinical director for any concerns that may come up during a course rather than using the evaluation as a vehicle to express your frustrations.

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.

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.

Medical Records and Patient Confidentiality

Patient confidentiality is a critical value for physician assistants and physician assistant students and is essential for maintaining the patient-provider relationship and for preserving the trust that society has placed in the medical profession. PA students are privileged to learn information that patients share only with healthcare professionals and have opportunities to participate in some of the most personal moments of patients’ lives. Patients, in turn, trust that PAs and students will preserve their confidentiality; as a key component of medical professionalism, PA students must honor this trust.

Students are not to discuss a patient in any manner or situation that would reveal any information about that patient to any person not directly involved in the patient’s health care. Students must refrain from discussing patients in public places, (i.e. cafeterias, elevators, etc.) where conversations may be overheard. Students should remind those who may be inappropriately discussing patient information, about patient confidentiality.

Students will adhere to ethical principles and use practical reasoning when dealing with patients at all times. No student should medically treat other PA students, friends, or family members while a student is in the USF MCOM PA Program.

At times, ensuring patient confidentiality may conflict, or appear to conflict, with other important values, such as academic freedom and freedom of speech, giving rise to complex ethical issues. These ethical issues are difficult to navigate, particularly for students who may be new to clinical environments. In confronting these issues, students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the many resources available to them at the MCOM. For example, students may consult with clinical mentors and attending physicians, PA preceptors and faculty, medical ethics faculty, and the Office of Student Affairs.

All students must follow Health Insurance and Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) rules when participating in clinical activities at affiliated hospitals and clinics; HIPAA compliance includes maintaining confidentiality of paper and electronic health records. When violations of HIPAA by a student are identified by a hospital, clinic, physician’s office, etc., the violation will be reviewed by the APPC, which will recommend remediation and and/or sanctions, including the possibility of required withdrawal or expulsion.

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND PROFESSIONALISM REVIEW SUB-COMMITTEE (APPC)

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 Program 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 PA 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.

Composition

The PA Program's Academic Performance and Professionalism Committee (APPC) shall be chaired by the director of the PA Program and shall be composed of the PA Program's clinical and academic directors, one PA Program core faculty member (principal faculty), and a USF Health faculty member (not a principal faculty member of the PA Program). The vice dean for Educational Affairs, Morsani College of Medicine, may also attend meetings as an ex-officio, non-voting member. All members, voting and non-voting, are expected to attend all APPC meetings in order to contribute to discussion, present students with a deficiency in their course/SCPE, and maintain familiarity with student progress for times when they need to vote.

When a voting member is not present an alternate from the same year of the curriculum shall vote, as designated at the start of the meeting by the chair. 

Confidentiality

Proceedings of the APPC are confidential. Except as specified in this handbook, the meetings will be closed to persons other than University representatives authorized by the program director.

Committee Process

The program director, or designee, will serve as chair of the APPC for regular and called meetings.

A quorum for any regular or called meetings of the APPC shall be defined as more than half of the voting members.

All actions of the APPC will require a simple majority of those in attendance. In case of a tie vote, the committee chair will cast the deciding vote.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Academic Performance and Professionalism Committee (APPC)

Each student will be considered individually with emphasis upon quality of performance. The committee may recommend continued pursuit of studies for any student who is justifiably assumed capable of completing the PA Program requirements within the program time limits.

The committee will review the progress of all students at least once yearly.

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 or other reasons
• Readmission to the PA Program

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 APPC.
• 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.

ADVANCEMENT, REMEDIATION, APPEALS, DECELERATION, DISMISSAL, AND DUE PROCESS/APPEALS

Physician Assistants must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary 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 on EOR exams, and a grade of “satisfactory” in professionalism. The minimum passing grade is a C for each course using a letter system.

Standards for academic performance in each Didactic course and Supervised Clinical Practice Experience (SCPE) are outlined in each course syllabus. Assessments tools measure student performance across the competencies of Medical Knowledge, Patient Care, Interpersonal and Communication Skills, Professionalism, Practice-Based Learning and Improvement, and Systems-based Practice.

Student progress will be monitored and documented regularly allowing for prompt identification of apparent deficiencies in knowledge or skills. Students who are identified through self-referral or through faculty observation as being at risk for failure will be referred for remediation. Remediation may include tutoring, self-study, reading assignments, completion of specific tasks, written response to selected exam items, or referral to the Center for Student Success for counseling.

A student may be placed on probation at any point if the APPC determines it is necessary. A student may be placed on probation prior to final grades being assigned in any class.

Promotion from the academic to the clinical year and graduation from the PA Program are based on the student’s mastery of essential competencies, academic performance as well as readiness to assume a professional role. While grades are important, the decisions for promotion and graduation are based on the composite picture of academic performance as well as professional growth and development. A student may be dismissed from the program if they have failed to demonstrate an attitude of professionalism or if the APPC do not believe the student is prepared to assume patient care responsibilities.

The following criteria will be used by the APPC as the basis for promoting academic year PA students to the clinical year and for recommending clinical PA students for graduation from the Program. Students who fail to meet all promotion criteria may be either dismissed from the MPAS or required to remediate any deficiencies deemed necessary by the APPC.

• 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.

• Professionalism is one of the core competencies of a physician assistant considered equally important to the academic development of students and practicing PAs as medical knowledge, interpersonal skills, communication skills, patient care, practice- based learning/improvement, and systems-based practice. A student who has failed to demonstrate an attitude of professionalism or is not prepared to assume patient care responsibilities based on faculty and/or APPC evaluations, may be dismissed from the USF MCOM PA Program at any time prior to promotion or graduation.

PACKRAT Exam

Physician Assistant Clinical Knowledge Rating and Assessment Tool (PACKRAT) will be taken during each year of the two year program. Students may be required to pay for the cost of the test at some future date without formal announcement. However, at the present time, the School covers the expense of the examination. The School of has received authorization to make an individual copy of each student's performance on the PACKRAT examination as a measure their clinical knowledge base during his/her training. This information may be used to make decisions affecting promotion, clinical rotations, graduation or remediation. The School will maintain the scores in the same confidential manner as with other academic performance information.

Didactic Year

Didactic course grading follows this rubric.

Didactic Course Grading Rubric

For the didactic year, the course specific remediation policy is as follows:

If a student scores <77% on a test, it is considered a failing grade for the examination. All students will be required to remediate exam failures (grades below 77%). The goal of this policy is to help the student identify and master the material, not to improve the numerical grade.

The course director will be responsible for coordinating the remediation plan for the particular exam. The student will meet with the course director to review strengths and weaknesses. The student will be offered opportunities for additional instruction outlined by the course director. The student will then repeat the failed examination within one week after the original examination.

A student may only repeat an examination once. After successful remediation, the exam score may be adjusted to a maximum of 77% at the discretion of the course director. If a passing grade on the repeat attempt is not achieved, the higher of the two grades is awarded. Failing grades on two examinations after appropriate make up opportunities is considered a serious deficiency of knowledge and critical thinking skills. The student will meet with course director and an individualized academic remediation plan will be designed and implemented. This plan must be reviewed and approved by the program’s Academic Performance and Professionalism Committee (APPC).

If the student is unable to attain and demonstrate the expected learning outcomes and competencies to successfully pass the course, the APPC will make recommendations regarding remediation plan, academic probation, deceleration or dismissal from the program.

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.

If the student receives failing grades on two examination, the student will meet with course director and an individualized academic remediation plan will be designed and implemented. This plan must be reviewed and approved by the APPC. If the student is unable to attain and demonstrate the expected learning outcomes and competencies to successfully pass the course, the APPC will make recommendations regarding remediation plan, academic probation, deceleration or dismissal from the program.

In cases where a clinical module includes only a single examination, a passing grade on the examination is required to pass the module. The student will repeat the failed examination one week after the original examination. A student may repeat an examination twice. The highest score awarded on the repeat examination is 77%. A failing grade after two repeat exam attempts is considered a serious deficiency of knowledge and critical thinking skills.

The student will meet with course director and an individualized academic remediation plan will be designed and implemented. This plan must be reviewed and approved by the program’s Academic Performance and Professionalism Committee (APPC). If the student is unable to attain and demonstrate the expected learning outcomes and competencies to successfully pass the course, the APPC will make recommendations regarding remediation plan, academic probation, deceleration, or dismissal from the program.

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. 

Note: Students are not required to provide or solicit clinical sites or preceptors. The PA Program's clinical director must coordinate clinical sites and preceptors for program required and elective rotations. Students may make suggestions to principal faculty for sites and preceptors, but are not required to do so. Student suggested sites and preceptors will be reviewed, evaluated, and approved for educational suitability by the program.

SCPE grading follows this rubric:

SCPE Grading Rubric

The student will be evaluated by the program director, clinical director, clinical preceptor(s) and faculty advisor(s) utilizing a variety of assessment tools, as follows:

End-of-Rotation Examination

• Will be administered at 8:00 a.m. on End-of-Rotation Day 1 on campus
• Comprised of 120 PANCE style, multiple choice questions based on the learning objectives of the clerkship completed.
• Will follow the NCCPA PANCE topic and task blueprints
• A grade of “Fail” will be assigned to scores that fall below the minimum passing score as determined after statistical analysis of the exam scores. If a student receives a failing grade then the student needs to remediate and retake an examination
• Exam results will be available on the morning of End-of-Rotation Day 2

Preceptor Evaluation of the Student

• Mid-rotation evaluation
• This evaluation MUST be submitted via E*value by the clinical preceptor on the last day of the clerkship

Clinical Procedure Log on E*value

• This log MUST be submitted via E*value by the student on the last day of the clerkship

Patient Profile Log on E*value

• This log MUST be submitted via E*value by the student on the last day of the clerkship

Student Site Evaluation

• This evaluation MUST be submitted via E*value by the student on the last day of the clerkship 

Student Self Evaluation

• This evaluation MUST be submitted via E*value by the student on the last day of the clerkship

Final Grade Calculation

• The student MUST achieve a grade of 77% in all of the following clerkship performance assessments in order to pass the clerkship:

Failure to achieve a passing grade (77%) in any of the following assessments, End-of-Rotation Exams, and Preceptor Clinical Performance Evaluations will result in the failure of the clerkship, regardless of the final composite grade.

If the student is unable to attain and demonstrate the expected learning outcomes and competencies to successfully pass the SCPE, the student will be referred to the APPC for review and recommendations regarding remediation plan, academic probation, deceleration, or dismissal from the program. 

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 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 PA 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 PA 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.

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 PA Program. Students must file a “Withdraw from All Classes Form" with the Registrar.

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)

Disciplinary action of a student from the APPC may be appealed by the student for reconsideration of the action taken. If the disciplinary action of the APPC is to dismiss the student from the PA Program, the student must appear before the APPC. The request must be received in writing within ten (10) school days following the date the student was informed of the decision. Requests to appear before the Committee should be submitted to the program director.

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. 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.

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 APRC, serve as their advocate. That individual will be present at the Committee meeting only while the student is present. Immediately following the hearing, the APRC will decide upon a specific recommendation.

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.

The hearing will address evidence of the student’s performance or professional behavior. The student will be required 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 serve as their advocate. That individual will be present only while the student is present. Immediately following the hearing, the dean will decide upon a specific recommendation.

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, Harassment, or Abuse

Students are encouraged to discuss any and all issues of physical, emotional, psychological or sexual abuse without fear of retribution. The student may contact any faculty or staff member with whom he/she feels comfortable which may include the PA Program director, clinical director, academic director, or any principal faculty. In addition, the student may directly contact the USF Center for Victim Advocacy & Violence Prevention.

 Sexual Harassment

In conformance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Florida Educational Equity Act, and the USF policy on the topic, it is the goal of the PA Program to create and maintain a work and study environment that is positive and free of discrimination. In order to help provide such an environment, faculty, staff, and students must be aware that sexual harassment is sex discrimination, and is unacceptable conduct that will not be tolerated at the university as defined in USF policy 0-008, Diversity and Equal Opportunity: Sexual Harassment. Sexual harassment is defined as conduct of a sexual nature or with sexual implications, which interferes with an employee’s or student’s status or performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or educational environment. This conduct may include, but is not limited to the following:

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.

• 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. See the USF policy regarding consensual relationships.

• 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 PA students, is viewed as professional misconduct and is a violation of academic standards. As such, any professional misconduct is subject to disciplinary action by the APPC.

PA Program 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

The USF Center for Victim Advocacy & Violence Prevention is available to assist all USF students or employees who are victims of actual or threatened violence, including but not limited to battery, assault, sexual battery (date rape, acquaintance rape, stranger rape) and attempted sexual battery.

Police reports are strongly encouraged; however, reports are not required for information and referral assistance.

The USF Center for Victim Advocacy & Violence Prevention will assist by providing information, support, and guidance in the following ways:

1. Crisis intervention
2. Emergency shelter, medical help, and counseling referrals
3. Assistance as needed
4. Services available on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Resources - Important Numbers

Police Emergency: 911 or 813-974-2628

USF Center for Victim Advocacy & Violence Prevention

Office Location: SVC 0067

• • Telephone: 813-974-5756
  • Crime Victim Hotline: 813-974-5757

Hillsborough County Crisis Lines

• • Crisis Line: 813-234-1234
  • Sexual Abuse Line: 813-238-7273

Mistreatment or Abuse Violations by faculty

Reporting of alleged faculty or preceptor abuse violations, as it relates to students, shall be made to the program director of the PA Program. An alternate site of reporting is through the academic or clinical director of the PA Program. Alleged abuse violations by faculty shall be relayed to the Office of Faculty Affairs for action based on University Policy.

GENERAL PROCEDURES

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted in July of 1990, with its provisions becoming effective at various dates thereafter. The ADA expands the rights of the disabled and augments existing anti-discrimination laws. Title III of the Act relates to anti-discrimination by entities engaged in public services and applies to the relationship between students and colleges and universities. The PA Program complies with provisions specified in the ADA.

Enrolled Students with Disabilities

All students with documented disabilities will be afforded appropriate accommodations as determined by the USF Students with Disability Services. The approval must be coordinated by the academic and clinical affairs directors based upon recommendation from the Office of Students with Disability Services (SDS [Deborah McCarthy, Director, SVC 1133, 813-974-4309]). 

Accepted students who have disabilities will be expected to achieve a comparable level of competency to that required of other students for progression and graduation.

In order to receive special accommodations, it is the responsibility of the student to provide appropriate professional documentation showing the nature of their disability and request accommodations. Upon request, the PA Program or SDS will provide recommendations to applicants concerning professionals who are skilled in conducting evaluations for individuals who believe they may have a disability. 

Student Health

As in all institutions, student health is the ultimate responsibility of the individual student. All students are required to have health insurance throughout their enrollment in the PA Program. During the orientation process students are counseled about appropriate avenues for receiving medical care. Available options include continued care by the student’s personal physician, the University Student Health Center or the USF Physicians Group.

Prior to matriculation all students are required to provide the following to the Medical Health Administration Office for review:

Students must have health insurance in effect at all times during enrollment at PA Program. In addition to obtaining health insurance through the Affordable Care Act's Marketplace, basic health insurance policies are available on the USF Student Health Services website for students who do not currently have health insurance. Certification of current health insurance is required for each year of enrollment.

1. Students must undergo a physical examination conducted by the student’s personal physician. prior to starting school. Complete the Communicable Disease Prevention Certification & Physical Examination Verification Form and return it to the Medical Health Administration Office. Matriculating students will be informed of the deadline in which this form is due
2. Students must provide documented evidence of immunity to specified communicable diseases listed on the Communicable Disease Prevention Certification & Physical Examination Verification Form. All documentation must be in English.
3. Note: Student health records are confidential and are not accessible to or reviewed by any faculty, staff or student. Only immunization and tuberculosis screening results that are maintained in the Medical Health Administration office can be obtained upon receipt signed release from the student. PA Program principle faculty, the program director and the medical director must not participate a health care providers for students in the program, except in an emergency situation.

Immunizations

Annual Requirements are provided through Medical Health Administration (MHA).

All students must complete the following requirements prior to matriculation (April 1st of each cohort):

• TUBERCULOSIS (TB) Screening: To meet the USF requirement, you must submit documentation of ONE of the following: 1. Results of NEGATIVE “Two-Step” TB Skin Testing (TST/PPD). This screening requires 2 separate TB skin tests administered at least one week apart but within 12 months of each other. The last TST must be within 6 months of your start date. 2. Lab Copy showing a “NEGATIVE” Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) blood test (QFT or T-Spot) within 6 months of start date (accepted in lieu of the “Two-Step” TST). 3. Individuals with a history of a POSITIVE TB skin test or IGRA blood test must submit both of the following: a. Verification of a NEGATIVE Chest X-ray within 12 months of start date to the USF MCOM and b. A current NEGATIVE Screening Questionnaire. A Questionnaire can be found and downloaded from the USF Medical Health Administration website at: http://hsc.usf.edu/medicine/internalmedicine/infectious/medicalhealthadmin/Forms.htm
• RUBELLA (German Measles): Serologic documentation of a positive Rubella immune titer OR immunization with at least one dose of live Rubella or MMR vaccine after 12 months of age.
• MEASLES (RUBEOLA): Serologic documentation of a positive Rubeola immune titer OR immunization with two doses of live Rubeola or MMR vaccine administered after 12 months of age and separated by 28 days or more
• MUMPS: Serologic documentation of a positive Mumps immune titer OR immunization with at least two doses of live Mumps or MMR vaccine after 12 month of age.
• VARICELLA (Chicken Pox): Serologic documentation of a positive Varicella titer OR two Varicella immunizations (given 4 to 8 weeks apart). This requirement is satisfied only by a positive titer or the vaccine series.
• HEPATITIS B “POSITIVE” QUANTITATIVE SURFACE ANTIBODY TITER (Blood Test): Serologic documentation of a Positive (QUANTITATIVE) Hepatitis B surface antibody titer that verifies IMMUNITY to the Hepatitis B Virus. The TITER is required in addition to completion of the vaccination series. The results should be reported as “POSITIVE” or as a number. “REACTIVE” results will NOT be accepted.
• Adacel™or BOOSTRIX® Vaccine Booster: Documentation of an Adult TETANUS/diphtheria/acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine booster is required. Tdap was licensed in June, 2005 for use as a single dose booster vaccination (ie. not for subsequent booster doses). The current CDC recommendation states “Healthcare personnel, regardless of age, should receive a single dose of Tdap as soon as feasible if they have not previously received Tdap and regardless of the time since last Td dose”.
• MENINGOCOCCAL Vaccination: Documentation of immunization with one dose of Meningococcal vaccine after 16th birthday OR a completed and signed USF Student Health Services Immunization Health History Form (Block 3, checkbox, signature) declining receipt of the Meningitis vaccine. The form is available at: http://www.usf.edu/student-affairs/student-health-services/documents/mandatory-imm-form-122014.pdf 
  
  ** ANNUAL TB Screening will be required during your entire program. This Screening will be provided at no cost to you through the Medical Health Administration (MHA) office. 
  ** INFLUENZA VACCINATION will be required each year. This vaccine will be provided for you at no cost beginning in October of each year through the USF Medical Clinic/Medical Health Administration (MHA) office.
  Note: Several affiliated hospitals require drug and alcohol screening with and without advanced notice.

Student Health Services

As a student, one of the university base fees that you pay for is a "health fee." This fee health fee covers primary care services offered at the Student Health Center; third party insurance information is collected and is used to cover the cost of any additional charges such as procedures, treatments, medications or labs that take place during the course of the visit. Subspecialty services such as dermatology, nutrition, PT, etc are associated with small charges for students with no insurance and those with insurance will have their insurance processed for these services. 

Additionally, PA students may be seen by our medical staff at the USF Health Morsani Center for Advanced Healthcare. Physician fees incurred at the Center by students that are not covered by an insurance payment will be billed to the student. Students will be billed for the cost of supplies, lab work sent outside of the Center, and for elective procedures. If the student’s private insurance company does not cover the cost the student is responsible for payment. This practice also applies to the student’s spouse and children.

An appointment with a USF Physicians Group physician can be arranged by calling the appointment line at 974-2201. Students should identify themselves as PA students when requesting an appointment. (There are a sufficient number of providers to ensure that students will not need to be seen by a provider who is also responsible for grading the student – thus avoiding any conflict of interest issues.If students have an emergent medical problem, follow the emergency procedures in your health insurance policy.)

Blood-borne Pathogen Exposures and Other Infectious Exposures to Communicable Diseases

Policies and procedures concerning blood-borne pathogen exposures and exposures to communicable diseases (e.g. tuberculosis, chicken pox) are in place at USF MCOM and at each of the major clinical teaching facilities. During orientation of the program, as well as before beginning in a clinical facility, an overview of procedures is presented. Try to familiarize yourself with the policies and procedures of each clinical facility and carefully comply with all requirements in case you are injured or exposed to communicable disease.

All needle sticks and other exposures to blood or other potentially infectious body fluids should be immediately reported to your preceptor, PA Program clinical director and to the employee health nurse at the facility where the incident occurs.

The employee health nurses at affiliated hospitals are provided to you before entering the clinical facility.

Health Requirements for Patient Contact

TB Screening

• First year PA students submit immunization documentation to MHA prior to orientation
• Also, at the beginning of the clinical year for PA students

N-95 Fit Testing

• First-year PA students undergo Fit Testing during the first week of school by MHA and Environmental Health & Safety
• Done at the beginning of the academic year for second year PA students

Blood-borne Pathogen Education/Training

• First-year PA students undergo Blood borne Pathogen Education/Training during the first week of school by MHA and Environmental Health & Safety
• Done at the beginning of the clinical year for PA students

Student Exposures at the USF Affiliated Practice Sites:

The Employee Health Departments at the affiliated practice sites will evaluate students who report significant exposures to blood/body fluids and communicable diseases while on rotation. Significant exposures include needle sticks, sharp injuries, non-intact skin, and mucous membrane exposures to blood, body fluids or exposures to airborne communicable diseases.

Exposures should be handled as follows:

• The student should report the exposure to his/her instructor immediately.
• The student fills out the employee section of the affiliated site’s Employee Incident Report.
• The instructor fills out the supervisor section of the Employee Incident Report.
• The student takes the completed incident report to Employee Health as soon as possible after the exposure. The student should bring the following information on the source patient: name, medical record number, diagnosis, and room number.
• Student reporting a needle stick/sharp injury from a patient must be evaluated within one to two hours for appropriate prophylaxis. In these cases, if Employee Health is closed, the student should contact the site’s nursing supervisor.

• The student will be provided with the following evaluation:

• First aid treatment as necessary.
• Investigation of the source patient and HIV and hepatitis tests as necessary.
• Baseline lab work. Follow-up tests at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months will be offered. There will be no charge for the required lab tests.
• Employee Health will provide the appropriate prophylaxis.

Communicable Illness

Students with an illness or medical condition that may be communicable to patients or staff should not be allowed patient contact. If the student is unsure whether he/she should be in patient contact areas, please ask the clinical director of the PA Program. If necessary, the student will be evaluated by staff at Employee Health to determine work status. Persons with the following medical conditions should not be allowed patient contact without a medical clearance:

1. Active chicken pox, measles, German measles, herpes zoster (shingles), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tuberculosis
2. Diarrhea lasting over three days or accompanied by fever or bloody stools
3. Conjunctivitis
4. Group A streptococcal disease (e.g. strep throat) until 24 hours of treatment received
5. Draining or infected skin lesions
6. Oral herpes with draining lesions

Chemical Dependency

Students who are identified as having a chemical dependency may be referred to the HELPS Program for consultation and to the Florida Professional Resources Network (PRN). Successful entry into and treatment via this program will result in no additional action against the student. Should a student be dismissed by the PRN for non-compliance, action will be referred to the APPC, and may result in dismissal from the PA Program.
 

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