School of Health Professions - Student Handbook 2022-2023


PA Important Contacts and General Information

Important Contacts and General Information
Faculty and Staff
Faculty: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/master-physician-assistant-studies/faculty.aspx
Staff: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/master-physician-assistant-studies/staff.aspx 
SHP Administration
Administration: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/administration/default.aspx 
Department Chairs: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/administration/department_chair.aspx
SHP Administrative Staff
Administrative Staff: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/administration/administrative_staff.aspx 
SHP Office of Admissions and Student Affairs
Admissions: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/admissions/ 

TTUHSC PA Program Building and Campus Information
3600 N Garfield
Midland, TX 79705
(432) 620-1120
Fax (432) 620-8605
Texas Tech PA Program Building Hours
Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Student badge access 24/7
Midland College
Library Hours
Current hours available on the website at: https://www.midland.edu/services-resources/library/index.php
Dining
Current hours available on the website at: https://www.midland.edu/campus-life/campus-living/dining.php

Copies and Printing
Printing is available on-campus via PaperCut through the TTUHSC Library. Two printers are available in the Midland PA Building. Please see https://ttuhsc.libguides.com/papercut 

Classroom Behavior
Food and Drink:
Due to the sensitive nature of the electronic equipment, it is important to maintain the organization and cleanliness of all classrooms and laboratories. Food is not allowed in the classrooms. Drinks are allowed if they are in a closed container. Adequate breaks are scheduled in the curriculum and the student lounge is available.
Classroom Seating:
Seating in the classroom is first-come-first-serve basis. Due to the high number of students enrolled in the program, students may be assigned seating in the classroom or for specific activities as defined by course instructors.
The program may make a seating chart in order to aid instructors with this need. If a student requires an assigned seat due to an identified disability, the student will need to contact the Office of Student Affairs and provide the necessary documentation. Once sufficient documentation has been provided, special accommodations will be granted.
Desktops must be cleared at the end of each day. Items left in the classroom will be disposed of at the end of the day. The program is not responsible for any items left unattended in classrooms.

Community Service, Health Fairs, and Additional Shadowing Experiences
Outside of normal coursework, the Program does not sanction or support students to provide medical care or health screenings as health care providers. Students must be supervised at all times and are only covered by liability insurance when completing defined course requirements.

Electronic Devices
All electronic communication devices must be turned off or placed in silent mode when students are in class or clinic. If you have an urgency and have to take a phone call, you must step out of the room. During class, all electronic devices must be used only for the purpose of classroom activities only. Use of instant messaging, Twitter, Facebook, personal email, texting, or any and all other applications not related to materials being presented is prohibited during all classroom, laboratory, or clinical activities. Repeated violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action.

Employment while in the PA Program
The PA program curriculum is time-intensive and concentrated. Students are strongly discouraged from employment during their term as PA students. Work hours must not conflict with classroom or clerkship obligations. Students are not required to work for the program. Opportunities to work for the School of Health Professions or Institute of Anatomical Sciences as a graduate teaching assistant may be offered by application only.
PA Students must not substitute or function as instructional faculty and clinical or administrative staff during the course of the program curriculum.

Furniture and Program Equipment
Furniture policy:
Students must obtain permission before moving any furniture or equipment from a room, and then only with the understanding that the student is responsible for returning the items to their original location.
Equipment
Faculty members will determine and implement the proper procedures for the use of all equipment and supplies in the classrooms and laboratories. Any equipment used must be returned to its designated location in a clean, sanitary, and good-working condition. It is the student's responsibility to learn the proper use of the equipment and take the initiative to report equipment malfunctions. Loss, abuse, or suspected theft of equipment or supplies should be reported to the faculty immediately.
Use of program equipment by students is confined to TTUHSC unless approved by the program director for official class operations in accordance with the TTUHSC Operating Policy (HSC OP 61.01). With this stated removal of departmental equipment, the student will be financially responsible for the entire replacement cost of the item(s) in the event of damage, loss, or theft.
Students are not permitted to remove any departmental equipment from university facilities for personal use.

Faculty Office Hours and Appointments
Students are reminded that office hours and appointments are reserved for them to meet with every faculty member and clinical supervisor. Faculty will make every reasonable effort to meet with students. Instructors maintain office hours as per their syllabi, and faculty members are available by appointment, as needed. If a student cannot arrange a meeting with the faculty member, he or she should contact the Program Director.

Lockers
The program offers lockers to students on a first-come-first-serve basis. Lockers may be kept during the didactic phase of the program only and students are highly encouraged to place a lock on their locker. The program is not responsible for theft of any personal items placed in lockers.

Logos
Departments and other TTUHSC organizations may use the official TTUHSC logos. However, TTUHSC logos are legally protected trademarks, and restrictions apply. TTUHSC student organizations that wish to use any of the TTUHSC logos must contract PA Program Administration for prior approval and further instructions under the guidance of the assigned student society Faculty Advisor.

Student Services Fees and Midland College Access
Midland College offers access to the MC campus and events to the TTUHSC PA students with your TTUHSC ID badge. This provides access to the library (with limited printing services), discount tickets to various community events, and other Midland College events. The fitness center is excluded.
Fitness memberships are offered to all students paying the student services fees (didactic students) each semester at the Midland Planet Fitness at 1000 N. Midkiff Rd. You may obtain your authorization form each semester from the PA program front desk to enroll.
Clerkship year students will fall into the category "students at a distance" and will have to pay 20% of the fee. If a student during the clerkship year would like access to full services due to being near a branch campus with access to a gym and other services, they will opt-in and pay 100% of the student services fee. These branch campuses include Midland, Lubbock, Amarillo, and Abilene. Clerkship students can opt-in by contacting Student Business Services.

Name Badge and Door Access Badge
Name Badge:
All TTUHSC personnel (faculty, staff, and students) are required to visibly wear an official TTUHSC identification badge at all times while on a TTUHSC campus. Students also must wear their name badges on any clerkship site. For replacement, contact shp.studentaffairs@ttuhsc.edu.
Your TTUHSC badge will also grant students access to the Midland PA building during the times the building is open.

Student Success
The faculty and staff want every student to be successful. Students should be mentally and physically prepared to cope with a rigorous curriculum in PA studies. Students should carefully organize their activities in order to succeed. The faculty fully expects that each student will devote a minimum of three hours per week for every academic credit hour they have enrolled for in the program. For example, a student taking fifteen hours of coursework will need to spend forty-five hours per week studying. That's a full-time job for anyone, and students would be well advised to consider it as such. Those who need assistance with managing the demands of the program are encouraged to reach out to their advisor for guidance on additional resources that are available. The PA program also works with students to develop remediation plans designed to supplement knowledge or skill areas.