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school of health professions - Student Handbook 2022-2023


Master of Physician Assistant Studies

PA Program
Welcome
Welcome to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program!  The professional curriculum of the TTUHSC PA Program is a 27-month program consisting of 125 semester equivalent credit hours of academic and clinical education. Students will spend 15 months completing didactic coursework at the Midland campus. Students will then enter the clinical phase, completing 8 supervised clinical practice experiences in various medical disciplines. Students will also learn principles of evidence-based medicine and complete a master's project paper during the clinical year. The program is competency-based, meaning that to graduate, each student must be able to demonstrate :

Medical Knowledge

Clinical and Technical Skills

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Professionalism

Community Consciousness and Societal Health

Clinical Reasoning and Problem Solving


Upon completion of the program, students are awarded the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Degree and are eligible for the National Commission for Certification of the Physician Assistant (NCCPA) PANCE examination.
This handbook will guide you through the twenty-seven months of the TTUHSC PA Program. You are responsible for reading and understanding this handbook, and your performance evaluations will reflect your adherence to departmental policies. Periodically, the information in the Student Handbook may change. Every effort will be made to keep you informed through suitable lines of communication. In addition, the School of Health Professions policies and the University’s official operating procedures are updated regularly and can be accessed online. To meet the dynamic and complex demands of the PA profession, your education will be comprised of didactic and clinical coursework that will be more rigorous than your previous undergraduate college experience. Upon entering the TTUHSC PA Program, you will become a professional graduate student. It will be your responsibility, and you will be expected to, develop professional attitudes and clinical judgment. The faculty and staff are completely committed to supporting you in your academic success, professional growth, and clinical endeavors. We are available to help you in your commitment to becoming a PA.
Acknowledgement of Receipt
The Student Handbook is an important document intended to assist the physician assistant student in becoming familiar with the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Health Professions, Department of Laboratory Sciences and Primary Care, Physician Assistant Program. The provisions of this Handbook do not constitute a contract, express or implied, between any student or faculty member and Texas Tech University System, TTUHSC, School of Health Professions, Department of Laboratory Sciences and Primary Care, or the Physician Assistant program.
The University has a responsibility to maintain order within the University community and to discipline those who violate its standards, rules,  and/or policies. Enrollment requires students to share this responsibility. Students agree to abide by the standards, rules, and/or policies set forth in this Student Handbook, the TTUHSC Student Handbook Code of Professional Conduct, all TTUHSC Operating Policies and Procedures, and the individual Schools’ catalogs and any other official University publications.
The contents of this handbook may be changed at any time at the discretion of the Department and Program. The Department and Program maintain their rights and prerogative to make and change policies as necessary and without prior notice. The most current edition of this publication will be available on the School of Health Professions website. The Handbook supersedes all previous editions. Students are responsible for periodically accessing any revisions to the publications online.
All students in the Physician Assistant Program are required to sign a statement acknowledging responsibility to read the Student Handbook and be familiar with its contents.
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; one color printer and one black and white printer. 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 lounges are available.
Classroom Seating:
Seating in the classroom is a 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 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 must 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 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. Please stop by the front desk to reserve your locker. 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 the 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 contact 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 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 must 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 always wear an official TTUHSC identification badge 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 access to the Midland PA building, lounges, and anatomy lab, as needed.

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 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 in the program. For example, a student taking fifteen hours of course work 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.
Section 1:Overview of the Program
Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be March 2023. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.

Section 2: Professionalism and Conduct
Becoming a Professional
Students of the TTUHSC PA Program have decided to become a medical professional and member of the healthcare team. The health professions are based on a high degree of trust by the individuals and patients they serve. Being a student in a health sciences environment is different from the typical university or college classroom. Students entering the PA profession have an obligation to conduct themselves at all times in a manner that reflects ethical and honest behavior.
TTUHSC PA Students are held to a high standard of professional and ethical conduct throughout the program. Professional conduct not only affects one’s ability to practice medicine, but also the reputation of the TTUHSC PA Program and image of its students. Students will represent the program in a professional manner in many settings including the class, campus community, institution, and clinical community.
All students are expected to exhibit professional conduct in all academic and clinical settings. Students and student organizations are subject to disciplinary action according to the provisions of the Student Code and/or any other applicable University rules or regulations. Each student is responsible to become familiar with the various regulations of the University and meet the various requirements outlined below. Written policies are described in university publications such as this Handbook and the Schools’ individual catalogs. Each student, in accepting admission, indicates a willingness to subscribe to and be governed by the rules and regulations of University officials to take such disciplinary action, including dismissal or expulsion, as may be deemed appropriate for failure to abide by such rules and regulations.
Resources such as the TTUHSC Student Handbook and Code of Conduct, and the Code of Ethical Conduct of the Physician Assistant Profession illustrate more clearly the standards to which students will be held. In addition to the guidelines stated in the TTUHSC policy, the behavior of a student enrolled in the PA program will be guided by the Generic Abilities and Technical Standards listed in this handbook. This creates an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect among all members of the campus and medical community.
Each student is responsible for his/her own integrity and is likewise responsible for reporting possible violations of the Student Code by other students. Faculty and staff shall take all reasonable steps to prevent violations, and each faculty/staff member likewise is responsible for reporting violations.
The TTUHSC Student Handbook Code of Professional Conduct may be found at: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/student-affairs/handbook.aspx
Appropriate behavior in sharing of course materials
The distribution of any course materials, including but not limited to lecture slides, handouts, assignments, test materials, or other study materials is intended only for personal use by registered students in the current cohort. The sharing or distribution of any course materials with anyone other than members of the current class is strictly prohibited and will be considered unprofessional and a violation of academic conduct standards and subject to disciplinary action.

Student Professional Development Evaluation
Purpose of Evaluation:
TTUHSC PA students are held to a high standard of professionalism and ethical behavior through all phases of the PA Program. Professionalism is always expected: in the classroom, in the clinics and hospitals, and at program or school-sponsored events. Professionalism will be evaluated toward the end of every semester while in the PA Program using the Professional Development Evaluation form (PDE) distributed on the Sakai Class site. Evaluations will be a part of the PA student record and will be used when future employers, licensing, credentialing boards request reference information.
Frequency of Professional Development Evaluations:
PDE will be completed each semester during the didactic phase and each clerkship course during the clinical phase. Grading policies for the PDE are defined in individual course syllabi. In the event, a student receives an unsatisfactory PDE grade, the Student Progression Committee (SPC) will review that student’s entire academic record and may impose probation, remedial action, or dismissal.

Communication with the Program
Official Email:
All official e-mail communication to TTUHSC students is sent to the e-mail address provided by TTUHSC. E-mail communications should not be sent to faculty or staff from a student’s personal e-mail account. Faculty and staff are not required to respond to e-mails sent from a student’s personal e-mail account. The SHP and the PA program are not responsible for consequences related to unheeded e-mail correspondence.
Mode of Communication:
Students are encouraged to communicate with faculty and other students through e-mail. The class distribution email list should be utilized for program and student business purposes only. The use of social media accounts or groups is not allowed or supported for program or student organization business. All student organization communications must utilize TTUHSC email.
Timely Communication:
It is the student’s responsibility to check this account daily to ensure important communications are not missed. Students should make every attempt to respond to email within 2 business days unless stated otherwise in the email.
Faculty and staff will check email during business hours and make every effort to respond to emails and voicemails within 2 business days. If unavailable, an out-of-office message will direct students who to contact for additional assistance.

Attendance
Students are expected to be available to attend all scheduled classes and clinics as per the published SHP academic calendar and course syllabus. For additional information concerning attendance during the clinical year, refer to Section 4: Clinical Attendance Policies.
Class and Laboratory:
Required classes and events for students are generally scheduled between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM; however, it may be necessary to hold classes, labs, or activities outside of these hours. Students are required to attend classes at scheduled times as published in the course syllabus and SAKAI. Students should arrive 10 minutes prior to class/exam start time.
Excused Absences:
Emergency excused absences: If it is necessary to miss or be late for a class session, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the PA Program staff at 432-620-1120 and their advisor prior to class. The student is responsible for material covered.
Excused absences will be granted for illness or a crisis situation involving the student or the student’s immediate family. Written documentation as evidence for the crisis incident is required. The Program Director will evaluate other situations that may constitute a valid excuse for absence on a case-by-case basis. Sick days are intended for use only in the event of personal illness or to assist a member of the immediate family who is acutely ill. If an absence for illness is for more than one day, documentation of the illness from a licensed health care provider must be provided to the student’s academic advisor and included in the student’s academic file.
Non-Emergency excused absences: Requests for an excused absence must be submitted to the student’s academic advisor no later than 30 days in advance of the date(s) of the requested excused absence. Request must include the activities that will be missed. The request will be presented to the student progression committee for consideration and final approval. Categories of possible excused absences include the following:
a. Attendance at a professional meeting or conference: Students may attend the TAPA and/or AAPA CME conference only if prior approval is obtained from the Program Director and Advisor. The student must be in good standing and have grade averages in all courses >80 to consider attendance.
b. Absence due to religious observance: Students may be excused to observe a holy day observed by religion as defined by HSC OP77.12.
c. Wedding attendance: Approval may be granted for one-day absence for immediate family members (as defined under TTUHSC Family and Medical Leave policy HSC OP 70.32) or if the student is a confirmed member of the wedding party. Student must indicate his/her relationship to the couple, role in the wedding, date of ceremony, and location of the event.
d. Other requests: Other categories for requesting a non-emergency excused absence are considered at the discretion of the Student Progression Committee.
Excessive excused or Unexcused Absences:
Excessive excused or any unexcused absences are not permitted and will be referred to the Student Progression Committee. This may result in negative Professional Development Evaluation and/or disciplinary action. Absences not preapproved may be considered unexcused, except in special circumstances. Unexcused absences may include the following: oversleeping, time conflicts with personal commitments, family reunions, weddings, vacations, or other types of social events.
Late arrivals:
If you arrive late for class, you are to enter quietly by the door furthest from the podium, proceed to your seat, and be seated with the least possible disruption to the class. Repeated tardiness or non-participation will be reflected on the evaluation under Professional Conduct and Development and may result in lower grade based on course syllabus policies.
Personal Days during Clerkship Year:
Up to two (2) personal excused absence days may be taken during the Clerkship Year. Personal days are considered non-emergency excused absences and must also be submitted to the assigned faculty advisor 30 days in advance of the date for the requested absence (special consideration may be given for fellowship interviews with less notice at the discretion of the SPC). No more than one personal day may be requested and excused per clerkship course. Examples of personal days include attendance at family events, job interviews, or addressing personals needs.
Absences on Test Days:
See Testing Policy and Procedure for additional information.

Dress Code
Purpose:
University-wide standards of dress and behavior should be observed both on campus and in the classroom. Neatness and modesty are valued and expected.
Personal grooming and hygiene are a priority. Members of the faculty and staff have the authority and responsibility to maintain standards of student dress and grooming within the classrooms, laboratories, and other areas of public presentations within the campus and community. The dress code reflects professional integrity and special needs of the individual classes. Professional dress is always expected of students throughout the program.
Appropriate Attire in Classroom and Lab:
Examples of unacceptable attire during classes includes, but is not limited to, the following:
  • Ragged, torn, or unkempt clothing
  • Halter tops or tank tops
  • Spaghetti straps
  • Midriffs
  • Short shorts or skirts
  • Clothing items with excessive rips or tears·
  • Athletic wear including warm-up style pants or leggings, sweat pants or yoga pants
  • Perfume, cologne, or other fragrances which may be offensive to others.
Dress Code at Clinical Sites during Clerkship Courses:
Unless specifically defined by the clinical site, students should be dressed business casual with White Coat. Scrub attire is only appropriate for surgical/ER or procedural settings.
Clothing should allow for adequate movement during patient care and should not be tight, short, or low cut. Necklines should be high enough to not expose chest, hemlines to knee length, shoes must be closed-toe, jewelry kept to a minimum, pierced areas should be free of ornament, and tattoos will be covered. All efforts should be made to wear clothing that does not draw attention to oneself.
Fragrances should be minimal.
OSHA Standards:
For all classes involving lab or clinical performance and while on clinical rotations, students are required to wear attire consistent with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards if there is any risk of exposure to blood, bodily fluids, chemicals, or potentially harmful agents. Legs must be covered and footwear must cover the majority of the foot (such as athletic shoes). Open-toed shoes may not be worn.
Dress Code for Examination:
See Testing Policy and Procedure for specific information.
Special Exceptions:
Specific events, VIP visits, or other times at the program may require that students are dressed in business casual attire. The Program Director or Program Business Manager will notify students of the requirement on a case-by-case basis.

Clerkship Course Professional Requirements
General Guidelines:
The PA Program at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center strives to provide an exemplary education to students for careers in primary healthcare. As future members of the healthcare team, students will learn to be a member of the interprofessional health care team in providing healthcare services to patients.
Students on their clinical clerkship assignments are expected to always act professionally. Students are expected to show up on time; be respectful of their preceptors, other healthcare professionals, patients, and patients’ families; and maintain a positive, agreeable attitude. Clinical preceptors and their staff are not paid by the TTUHSC PA Program and provide their services and knowledge in a purely altruistic manner.
Patient Privacy and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
Students are expected and required to respect the patient’s privacy. Discussing the patient, their family, or medical problems outside of the office or where others can overhear is strictly prohibited.
HIPAA Training:
Each student receives HIPAA training administered through TTUHSC. Students are required to complete the training prior to orientation. Questions regarding training requirements should be direct to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs at (806) 743-3220 or health.professions@ttuhsc.edu.
HIPAA Compliance:
Failure to comply with this policy is subject to disciplinary action and may be grounds for dismissal. HIPAA violations will be addressed by Institutional Compliance and/or the Student Progress Committee (SPC) to determine the continued academic standing of the student in the program.

Section 3: Curriculum
Academic Calendar
Published academic calendar:
The Academic Calendar can be accessed at the following web link: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/academic-calendar/default.aspx
Required classes and activities:
Students are expected to be available during defined times on the published academic calendar. Students should reserve travel plans or activities for defined breaks between terms and/or clerkship courses.

PA Program Curriculum Overview
Curriculum Design and Philosophy:
The PA Program curriculum is designed to prepare graduates to provide excellent patient care across the lifespan. Education will be divided into 15 months of didactic coursework, followed by a year of clinical clerkship courses, providing students with a variety of experiences in different areas of medicine. The professional curriculum of the TTUHSC PA Program consists of 125-semester equivalent hours of academic and clinical education.
The curriculum includes core knowledge and skills about evolving basic and clinical preparatory sciences, interpersonal and communication skills, social and behavioral sciences, health care delivery and professional practice, and the application of knowledge and skills in patient care. The didactic sequencing builds a foundation of basic sciences and continues with application to clinical medicine, with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for clinical practice. Didactic courses are delivered with multiple teaching methods including lecture, laboratory, case discussions, collaborative learning experiences, and hybrid course delivery.
Supervised clinical experiences provide hands-on clinical experiences in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN, surgery, psychiatry, emergency medicine, and selective specialty. The student should be ready for travel by personal vehicle. Since many clinical sites are away from the Midland-Odessa area, all students must expect to be assigned to these away sites and should anticipate the need to find housing in these areas during the clinical portion of the program.
Required Courses:
The required courses and course descriptions for the PA Program are available in the TTUHSC SHP catalog.
Catalog: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/catalog.aspx
Curriculum: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/master-physician-assistant-studies/curriculum.aspx

Class Schedules
Class schedules will be published on course syllabi and on SAKAI under the “Class of-“ SAKAI site. Students are encouraged to check SAKAI daily for updates or other program announcements. Schedules are subject to change at any time, and therefore, flex times are posted on the calendar to allow for scheduling needs of the Program. In addition, activities required for clinical site orientations may be scheduled outside of regular class time and are required.

Scheduling of extra-curricular and outside events
Student groups wishing to schedule events may do so before or after regularly scheduled class times or during lunchtime. Approval must be received from the Program Director prior to contacting outside guests lecturers. Once approved by the Program Director, students must work with the program staff to reserve appropriate classroom locations and resources for the event.

Course Syllabi
The program defines and publishes learning outcomes and instructional objectives, in measurable terms, with defined evaluations and assessments in the course syllabi. Course expectations and policies are also included. The course syllabus will be posted on SAKAI for each course. For clerkship courses, the course syllabi are posted on the “Class of-“ SAKAI site.

Student Expectations of Performance
The following assumptions apply to the way each student is expected to meet the objectives of every course. Since all of these expectations apply to each course, these standard expectations are not repeated in each course document.
  • The student demonstrates a systematic, safe, accurate, timely, and efficient approach to the accomplishment of each objective and demonstrates the efficient use of materials in each activity.
  • Adequate time is devoted to class and clinical activities and to prepare for each of those to meet the stated objective (i.e., 3 hours per credit hour).
  • Academic integrity is demonstrated in each element of the student’s performance.
  • Ethical behavior appropriate to the standards of a developing professional is always maintained, particularly in relation to maintaining the confidentiality of information regarding patients or clients.
  • Each student maintains appropriate personal health status to accomplish expectations of the program. Professional behavior – all students are expected to exhibit consistent professional conduct in the classroom, lab, and clinic. Disruptive behaviors include, but are not limited to, tardiness, leaving early, offensive remarks, talking to others, cellular phone or electronic device use, and browsing social media.

Testing Policy and Procedures
All testing policies apply in both the didactic and clinical years. For additional Clinical Year Assessment information refer to Section 4: End of Rotation Assessment Format.
Exam Time:
Examinations will be administered per the course schedule, published in the course syllabus. Students are expected to take exams at the scheduled times. Exceptions may only be made in the case of a valid excused absence.
Exam Location:
You may not log in to the test from another location unless instructed to do so by the course instructor or exam proctor. You will need to discuss your absence with the instructor or your advisor at the earliest opportunity.
Absences:
If a student is unable to take the examination at the designated time due to an excused absence (see the attendance policy), the student must take the examination as soon as possible after the scheduled test date. The instructor will coordinate the time and place for the student to complete the requirement. A student who misses an examination due to an unexcused absence will report immediately to their advisor or, if unavailable, the Director of Didactic Education. It is at the discretion of the instructor in consultation with the Program Director to permit the student to take the examination or receive a zero (0) for that examination. If the instructor allows the student to take an examination at another time, the above guidelines apply. Unexcused absences resulting in zero points will be an “F” for that examination.
Late arrival:
If you arrive late for a quiz or test, you will not be allowed to take the test at that time and become a disruption to the testing environment. Unexcused tardiness for an examination carries the same penalty as unexcused absence. It is at the discretion of the examination proctor to allow the student to take the examination due to unexcused tardiness.
The instructor/advisor may elect to discuss your case with the Student Progress Committee (SPC) or program director to determine disposition. Outcomes may include: a grade of zero for the test; or you may be allowed to take a make-up test later, at the instructor's discretion. The maximum score on a makeup quiz or test is 70%.
Testing Format:
Examinations will be given by computer unless otherwise specified. Failure to bring a computer or malfunction of the computer may result in a student not being allowed to take the exam. It will be at the discretion of the instructor if the student will be allowed to take the examination at a later time or if the student will receive a zero for that examination. Availability of paper exam copies is at the discretion of the instructor.
  • Students are responsible for maintaining computer and software updates as recommended for optimum system performance as per the following guidelines:
  • Students are advised to have a power cable connected to their computer to avoid the risk of losing battery power during the examination.
  • Students must turn off all automatic updates for any and all programs (i.e. Windows, Adobe, Java, etc…). If a computer initiates an automatic update and the student is “kicked out” of the examination and is unable to log back in, the student will only receive credit for the questions submitted.
  • Computerized examinations may be given via multiple electronic formats including Sakai, ExamSoft, and Exam Driver. Students must have their computers appropriately updated with software prior to the exam. It is the student’s responsibility to work with software support and have the latest, up-to-date version of all software and/or web browsers installed on their computers and operational.
A privacy screen is required for all computer examinations. Failure to bring a privacy screen may result in not being allowed to take the examination. A paper version will be offered at the discretion of the instructor.
Dress Code for Examinations:
During examinations, the following dress code must be adhered to:
  • No hats
  • No headbands or large accessories
  • No watches or large jewelry
  • Any clothing or accessories deemed a risk for academic integrity will be removed or the student asked to leave
Testing Environment:
Desks must be cleared of all items except for the student’s computer, LAN cord, and mouse. This includes all drinks, food, or other items. All personal belongings MUST be placed at the periphery of the classroom or outside of the classroom at the discretion of the instructor. Scratch paper may be provided by the examination proctor at the discretion of the instructor.
  • There will be no bathroom breaks during exams.
  • Students must log in IMMEDIATELY after receiving the exam code from the proctor.
  • During the examination the proctor may not answer questions related to the content of the examination.
  • Earplugs and scratch paper may be providedat the discretion of the instructor. No headphones are allowed.
  • Proctoring will be at the discretion of the course director and may be administered by staff, faculty, or other proctoring services.
  • Upon completion of the examination, rise quietly, collect all testing materials, proceed to the proctor for collection as applicable, and depart the room. Re-entry is not allowed.
  • Instructors may have additional policies posted in the course syllabus related to the testing environment.
Timed Testing:
Tests are timed. Generally, time allowance for questions is one minute per question, consistent with NCCPA PANCE testing guidelines. Once a student begins an examination, the examination must be completed within the allotted time and will be graded. Once time has expired for the examination, the computerized testing program will automatically “force submission”. Paper examinations will be collected by the examination proctor.
Exam Scores and Grading:
Every effort will be made to release the grades within three (3) business days after the administration of the examination.
Students may approach the primary instructor with perceived grading discrepancies. The instructor will review an examination with any student who desires to do so after grades have been released. The student is expected to act in a professional manner when reviewing an examination. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure accuracy of responses on computer or paper answer sheets. Challenges to examination questions will be accepted for 1 week after the return of scores. Challenges must be submitted in writing via email with two written sources with at least one from recommended course readings.
Virtual Testing
  • Remote proctoring services may be used during the didactic or clinical year and may include ExamMonitor, Monitor EDU, or Zoom. All exams are closed-book and the review sessions if offered are also closed book. There are several acts of misconduct during an exam or review that could result in disciplinary action including dismissal from the program. So, please make sure that you strictly adhere to the following guidelines, the class syllabus, and the student handbook:
    • Make sure that you orient yourself, as well as the camera so that you will be seen during the entire time you take the exam and review your answers. We need to see your entire face, not just eyebrows, forehead, or scalp. Make sure that you do not block the camera while taking the exam or during the review.
    • Do not vocalize the questions and the responses out loud.
    • Using any material (e.g. notebooks, sheets of paper) or equipment (besides the computer you use to take the exam; e.g. mobile phones*) is not allowed.
    • Wearing headphones or earphones is not permitted during exams. If you need earplugs (to minimize distractions), they will be provided by the program.
    • Recording, writing down, or taking pictures of exam questions during the exam or during the review that follows is not allowed.
    • Any review following an exam if offered is also fully recorded. Treat the review like an exam.
    • These rules apply to all closed-book exams that are administered through Examsoft and ExamMonitor.
    • *Monitor EDU and Zoom monitoring DOES require use of the students' phone to proctor the testing environment for the duration of the exam.
  • Please do not discuss anything related to the exam with anyone while taking the exam or during the review.
  • Tests are timed. Generally, time allowance for questions is one minute per question, consistent with NCCPA PANCE testing guidelines.
  • If an immediate review is allowed, passwords for the review will be provided.
  • As always, personal integrity is paramount.
PAEA PACKRAT and End of Rotation Exams:
PAEA Assessments are used during the program. During and after examinations, students are responsible for the following:
  • Adhering to the PAEA Assessment academic integrity instructions and procedures as outlined.
  • Adhering to the PAEA Assessment content security instructions and procedures outlined.
  • Abiding by all institutional and program academic integrity policies and procedures as well as proctor instructions.
Prior to beginning any exam through Exam Driver, the student must agree to the terms and conditions as posted on the exam.
Information regarding the PAEA Exam Honor Code and student responsibilities are available at https://paeaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/PAEA_Assessment-Policy-Doc_2017_Final3.pdf 
All students should read and be familiar with these policies prior to all PAEA exams administered.

Section 4: Academic Policies, Progression, and Graduation
Registration
Student must register for all coursework prior to the start of each semester. Clerkship year students must register for clerkship courses prior to start date of the first clerkship of each semester. CRN numbers will be sent to students by the program staff prior to registration dates.
Tuition and fees are due at the time of registration. For further information concerning registration procedures, contact the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs at (806)743-3220. Failure to register and pay all tuition and fees will result in administrative dismissal from the program.

Academic Advising
Upon enrollment, each student is assigned a faculty advisor to assist in understanding and abiding by PA Program policy and practice. Advisors must provide timely access for assistance and counseling regarding academic, professional, or behavioral concerns or problems.
Each student should meet with his/her academic advisor as needed for academic or professional concerns. It is advisable to meet with the academic advisor at the beginning of the program to provide background information to your advisor to best help assist during the program. Additional meetings with a student’s academic advisor will be scheduled on an as-needed basis. If the student fails a written or practical examination or other assessment, it is the student’s responsibility to meet with the course instructor and academic advisor. Counseling sessions may be documented and placed in the student’s file.
The student’s responsibilities as an advisee in the advising process are:
  • To consider personal career goals so academic and professional goals can be coordinated and discussed with advisor (or another faculty member) as appropriate.
  • To be responsible for monitoring progress toward graduation and the requirements for certification and licensure.
  • To understand the basic structure of the curriculum and its requirements to ask meaningful questions.
  • To become familiar with the class schedule for each term to plan semester schedules.
  • To attend pre-registration meetings or make appointments with an advisor for registration counseling.
  • To be responsible for maintaining academic and clinical performance in accordance with University and Departmental requirements.
  • Title IX: While maintaining HIPAA and FERPA confidentiality, students are encouraged to notify the academic advisor or program director in the event of an illness, medical condition, or family condition (Title IX) that could potentially negatively impact the student’s ability to remain academically successful. Accommodations will only be provided as recommended and approved through Disability Services.
The School of Health Professions does not grade replace.

Academic Standing Definition
To remain in good standing, a student must meet the academic progression requirements of the PA program. If the criteria for good standing are not met, the student will be considered, “not in good standing” and will be placed on probation. It is the responsibility of the student to know his/her academic status and progression standards.

Semester Grade Reports
Grade reports are posted on the TTUHSC website each semester and can be accessed using the student’s e-raider account.

Credit By Examination
Credit by examination is not offered for courses in the PA program.

Academic Progression Standards
To progress in and graduate from the PA Program, a student must successfully:
  • Maintain a semester and cumulative GPA of 2.8
  • Earn a grade of “C” or higher or “P” in all courses
  • Satisfactorily complete the didactic curriculum coursework to progress to the clinical year
  • Satisfactorily complete all requirements of the clinical curriculum including courses and summative examination requirements
  • Maintain satisfactory Professional Development Evaluations and adhere to all program, school, and institutional policies
Any student who does not satisfactorily meet the preceding standards will be referred to the Student Progression Committee (SPC) which will evaluate the student's academic and professional performance and make recommendations to the Program Director which may include Academic Warning, Probation, Remediation, or Dismissal from the program.

Adverse Actions (Academic Warning, Probation, Remediation, Dismissal)
In accordance with TTUHSC School of Health Professions Policy and the Standards established by the Accreditation Review Commission for the Education of Physician Assistants (ARC-PA), the PA Program recognizes certain didactic coursework and clerkships as fundamental for competency in clinical practice. Students who do not successfully complete all the requirements of a didactic course or clinical clerkship as listed in this handbook under Academic Progression Standardsare subject to Academic Dismissalin compliance with SHP Policy.
Academic Warning (Students at Academic Risk)
The course instructor, faculty member, or Program Director will identify the student at risk for failing based on course performance or other academic, behavioral, or professional concerns. An academic warning is a written notification provided to students because of unsatisfactory cognitive or non-cognitive performance. The academic warning is not part of the student's permanent University transcript.
Mid semester warning for at-risk students per SHP policy.
In addition, Academic Warnings occur in, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Behavioral or Professionalism Concerns
Students who repeat, or fail to correct, the deficiency noted in the Academic Warning or continue a pattern of unsatisfactory academic performance will be referred to the SPC for review and recommendation to include further remediation and/or academic probation, or dismissal.
Remediation
Students identified at academic or professionalism risk may be required to remediate as described below.
Failure to Meet Standards: Cognitive
  1. Student initiates meeting with their advisor.
  2. Student given cognitive self-assessment to determine causation by advisor.
  3. Student to be given self-directed learning plan form by advisor and resubmit a completed plan to advisor. Remediation efforts to be discussed with advisor. Advisor, course director, and preceptor have the option of referral for further resources as needed.
  4. For test failures, student to be retested on failed material. Per syllabus policy.
  5. If re-test is failed, student will fail the course.
  6. All students presenting for remediation, whether cognitive or noncognitive, will be given a listing of institutional and community wellness resources.

First Course Failure
  1. Student will be recommended by the course director to the Program Director to be placed on academic probation as defined in the program's student handbook policy.
  2. Student will be offered to take the failed course again at the course's next offering.
  3. Academic probation may affect clinical assignments in the clinical year.

Second Course Failure
  1. Student will be referred to the SPC.
  2. The SPC will evaluate the student's performance and their entire academic and professional record. The SPC will make recommendations to the program director up to including dismissal.

Failure to Meet Standards: Noncognitive
  1. Advisor will initiate meeting with student.
  2. Student given noncognitive interview to determine causation by advisor.
  3. Student to be given self-directed learning plan form by advisor and to resubmit a completed plan to advisor. Student's remediation efforts will be discussed with their advisor and applicable parties, which could include course director or preceptor, who have the option of referral for further resources as needed.
  4. For a subsequent noncognitive issue, student will be given a noncognitive warning letter with stipulations included. Failure to comply with the noncognitive warning letter's stipulations will result in the student being referred to the SPC. SPC will review the student's entire academic and professionalism records from matriculation and make recommendations to the program director, up to and including dismissal.
  5. All students presenting for remediation, whether cognitive or noncognitive, will be given a listing of institutional and community wellness resources.

Remediation plans may include:
  • A one-time opportunity to repeat the failed course during the following semester by independent study (if instruction is available).
  • A one-time opportunity to repeat the course(s) the next available offering which may be the next year. (recycle). If the course is a clerkship course, the next opportunity will be subject to scheduling and preceptor availability which will delay graduation.
  • Required student advisement and/or evaluation.
  • Additional required study in a specific subject.
  • Additional required testing to demonstrate acquisition of learning outcomes. Maximum score on re-test is a 70%.
A maximum of two courses may be remediated during the didactic curriculum.
A maximum of one clerkship course may be remediated during the clinical curriculum.
A maximum of one re-take may be offered for either portion of the Program Summative Examination.

Behavioral or Professionalism Concerns
  • A student identified with behavioral or professionalism concerns will have documented behavioral counseling with the academic advisor and/or program director.

If the agreed-upon remediation efforts are unsuccessful, or a student has multiple academic concerns, the student may be referred to the SPC for additional review and recommendations to be forwarded to the Program Director.
A remediation plan in conjunction with probation or an academic warning must be completed within the time frame designated and presented within the letter.
Academic Probation
Academic Probation is a designation for students who fail to demonstrate satisfactory academic improvement after an academic warning. Students receiving Academic Probation will meet with their faculty advisor or academic director to develop a plan for improvement. Academic Probation is recorded on the student's permanent University transcript and must be reported to the Texas Medical Board (TMB) upon graduation.
Academic Probation occurs in, but is not limited to, the following:
  • Failure to successfully remediate any clinical end-of-rotation examination
  • Failure to successfully remediate any course examination
  • Failure to successfully remediate any skills assessment
  • Failure to correct any academic deficiencies identified on a previous Academic Warning
  • Failure to maintain a semester and cumulative GPA of 2.8
Students may be placed on academic probation for a maximum of one semester during the PA program (including both the didactic and clinical phases of training). If a student meets condition for academic probation a second time, this will result in dismissal from the program.
Students will be notified they are being placed on academic probation in accordance with the SHP Academic Probation Policy.
A student on probation is considered "not in good standing" per university standards and may have difficulty being placed in clerkship course sites based on clinical site affiliation agreements. This may limit the ability of the program to schedule clerkship course sites and delay a student’s graduation.
A student on academic probation may not hold elected or student leadership positions in the student society.
To return to good standing following placement on Academic Probation, students must correct the identified academic deficiencies during the probationary semester and prove competence in the deficiency(ies) which triggered Academic Probation by successful completion of the improvement plan recommended by the SPC.
Students on Academic Probation will not transition from the didactic to the clinical phase or from the clinical phase to graduation until all the conditions of Academic Progression Standards have been met.
Dismissal
A student may be dismissed from the PA program if:
In the event of a student offense for which dismissal is warranted, the Program Director will be notified. The Program Director will call a meeting of the SPC who are tasked with reviewing the case. The SPC may make a recommendation for the student's dismissal and forward it to the Program Director
Dismissal will occur in compliance with the SHP Academic Dismissal policy.
Students may appeal the program dismissal as outlined in the Student Grievance Policy.
Deceleration
Deceleration is the loss of a student from their current cohort, who remains matriculated in the program.
1. Non-cognitive deceleration (Leave of Absence)
a. In extreme circumstances it may be necessary for a student to be absent from class for an extended time. The Program Director may grant a leave with the approval of the Department Chair and the consent of the Dean.
b. For information concerning a leave of absence, contact the School of Health Professions Office of Admissions and Student Affairs, shp.studentaffairs@ttuhsc.edu.
2. Cognitive deceleration (recycle): Didactice Phase
a. A student not meeting the academic progression standards during the didactic phase of the program will be placed on Academic Probation and, if recommended by the SPC, may be allowed to decelerate and repeat the course.
b. If it is determined if remediation is possible, the student will enroll in the repeat course, the next time it is offered and must be able to meet standards upon completion.
c. Students are responsible for any additional tuition and fees caused by the failure and repeating of a didactic course.
d. The student must pass the repeat course with a minimum grade of "C" or higher and maintain a semester GPA of 2.8 or above; otherwise, the student may be subject to dismissal from the program.
e. Repeating a course does not replace the original grade on your transcript. For calculating GPA, the grade obtained when a course is retaken is averaged with previous grades.
3. Cognitive deceleration (recycle): Clinical Phase
a. A student who fails a clinical rotation will be placed on Academic Probation and, if recommended by the SPC, may be allowed to decelerate and repeat the rotation.
b. The student would make up the failed clinical rotation at a time convenient for the program and preceptor(s) as determined by the Director of Clinical Education (DOCE) and clinical team.
c. Students are responsible for any additional tuition and fees caused by the failure and repeating of a clinical rotation.
d. The student must pass the repeat rotation/course with a minimum grade of "C" or higher and maintain a semester GPA of 2.8 or above; otherwise, the student may be subject to dismissal from the program.
e. Repeating a course does not replace the original grade on your transcript. For calculating GPA, the grade obtained when a course is retaken is averaged with previous grades.
f. Deceleration during the clinical phase of the program will delay student graduation. 
Degree Completion Deadline
All requirements for the MPAS program must be completed within a period of 51 consecutive months from the time of matriculation.

Curriculum Graduation Requirements
At the end of the PA program professional curriculum, each student record will be reviewed by the faculty and Program Director to determine if the student has satisfactorily completed and achieved the standards and requirements of the PA program and each course. If the student has met all requirements for completion of the professional curriculum, he/she is then recommended for graduation from the PA program. The Program Director submits these names to the Department Chair for approval and forwards to the Dean, SHP, and the TTUHSC Registrar for graduation and the granting of a degree.
Graduation under a Particular Catalog
A student is expected to complete the degree requirements set forth in a particular School of Health Professions SHP catalog. This will be the catalog in effect at the time the student enters the program. Its provisions are applicable during the following school year, September through August. However, a student who registers for the first time, or is re-admitted during a summer session is subject to the degree requirements set forth in the catalog effective for the fall semester immediately following the initial enrollment. A catalog issued later than the student’s first registration may be selected by the Chairperson in conference with the students.
PACKRAT Examinations
The PACKRAT is an assessment tool that is administered to help the student evaluate their academic progress and Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) preparation needs. Completion of the PACKRAT is a required component of the clinical year. The PACKRAT will be administered at the end of the didactic year and during the final phases of the clinical year. Students performing below the defined benchmark on the PACKRAT exams may be required to complete additional study.
Summative Clinical Skills Practical and Written Examination
Prior to completion of the clinical year, a summative evaluation consisting of a summative written and clinical skills evaluation will be administered. These exams are part of HPPA 6196 Professional Development V. Passage of both the summative clinical skills practicum and the summative written examination are required components for successful completion of the program.
Both the clinical skills practicum and the written summative examination will be administered within the last four (4) months of the clinical year.
Failure to pass either the clinical skills practicum or the written summative examination after two attempts will result in recommendation for dismissal.
Convocation and Commencement
The SHP convocation and commencement ceremony are held in Lubbock, Texas on the campus of Texas Tech University. Although the PA students take part in this ceremony held during May, they do not officially graduate or receive their diplomas until the following August. Each student is highly encouraged to attend the ceremony. Graduation regalia is paid for by the student at the time of order.
Certification and Licensure
Students who complete the graduate program in PA studies will meet the academic and clinical requirements for certification by the NCCPA and state licensure. The Program Director or designee verifies satisfactory completion of academic course and performance evaluation while in the program.
NCCPA Certification:
The program will forward eligibility to the NCCPA for PANCE examination on their diploma date. Students are permitted to take the exam 7 days after official diploma as defined on the published SHP academic calendar.
State Licensure:
All transactions with state licensure boards are strictly the student’s responsibility. The program director will provide appropriate paperwork, upon request, to forward to the state board. Contents of the student file including official student advising/counseling documentation, professionalism evaluations, academic progression communications, clerkship evaluations, official disciplinary records, and overall academic performance will be reported.
Credentialing and privileges requests:
Should be directed to admin.paprogram@ttuhsc.edu. Requests will be completed within 10 business days. Please allow additional time for requests for malpractice insurance coverage or claims.

Section 5: Clerkship Specific Policies
General Information
After successfully completing the didactic phase of PA training, students will transition to the clinical year. This time is known as the Supervised Clinical Practical Experience (SCPE).
Rotation length and requirements:
The SCPE occurs during eight clinical clerkship courses, each approximately 6 weeks. The current disciplines consist of the following: Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Prenatal Care & Gynecology, and one selective clerkship course. Students are expected to be actively engaged in taking responsibility for their education by mastering the knowledge objectives outlined in each clerkship course syllabi.
Didactic lectures, Rounds, and other academic opportunities:
Students are required to attend all learning activities of the rotation. In many hospitals and academic sites, this will include didactic lectures offered to all medical learners (including medical students and residents), participate in daily rounds, Grand Rounds, and other conferences.
General Duties and Tasks:
PA students are educated in required clinical skills and procedures before entry into the supervised clinical experience. Clinical clerkship courses enable PA students to sharpen their primary care skills and learn the art of medical practice.
The primary goal is for the student to gain practical experience, develop skills as a healthcare practitioner, and learn the roles of other members of the healthcare team. The supervised clinical experience also emphasizes the dependent role of the PA and the Physician-PA Team concept.
Professional Liability
All clinical facilities require students have professional liability insurance. Professional liability insurance is provided by the SHP, and information regarding provision of liability insurance is described in the affiliation agreement between TTUHSC and the facility. All questions regarding professional liability insurance addressed to the students should be referred to the Clerkship Coordinator. Students are covered by this liability insurance only while they are in a clinical setting, laboratory, or classroom approved by the TTUHSC PA Program administration.
The SHP provides professional liability coverage for students that work or study in a clinical environment with limits of $1,000,000/$3,000,000. This coverage only applies to activities that are part of and a requirement of students’ curriculum.

Clerkship Region Assignments
Clinical Regions:
Students will be assigned a clinical region at the discretion of the faculty during the Spring semester of the didactic year. The TTUHSC PA program has established regions based around TTUHSC campuses in Amarillo, Lubbock, Permian Basin, Abilene, and El Paso.
Assignment Process: The assignment process is coordinated by the Director of Clinical Education and the assignments are approved by the Clinical Faculty Team. The number of students per region is determined yearly based on sufficiency and availability of clinical sites. The following criteria may be considered in the selection process: Academic standing and performance, GPA, Professionalism, Professional Service, indicators of future practice in populations similar to regional assignments. Clerkship region assignments are final. Placement to top choices is not guaranteed, however, the program has had placement in 1st or 2nd choice at a minimum rate of 84% over the last 5 years.
Travel Requirements Outside of Home Region:
Students are not guaranteed all clerkship course sites will be located within their assigned region. Students may be required to move between regions or outside of the TTUHSC regions based on site/preceptor availability in specific disciplines or for other unexpected situations. Students will be responsible for all travel expenses during the clinical year.

Clinical Site Scheduling
Solicitation and scheduling of sites/preceptors:
All clinical sites are solicited, and schedules are assigned by the faculty of the TTUHSC PA program Clinical Team. The program faculty will review, evaluate, and approve all preceptorships for the suitability of the program. All clinical clerkship courses are scheduled by the Student Training Education and Placement System utilized by EXXAT. Students will have input into their experience placements through submission of preferences.
Student solicitation of site strictly prohibited:
Students may not contact providers or preceptors to seek or schedule clinical clerkship course experiences. Students may suggest sites and preceptors to the Clerkship Coordinator, but all communications with preceptors for the purposes of scheduling and affiliation will be done by program faculty and staff.
Rotation rescheduling:
Please note that occasionally, the situation may arise with little notice that a preceptor is unable to fulfill the scheduled clinical experience.
This may result in rescheduling with another preceptor, relocation of a student to another region, or limited activities while affiliation agreements or contracts are in process. Students must remain flexible when unexpected situations arise. In this case, the student had two choices:
  • Accept the rotation assignment provided by the clinical team to replace the original rotation - the Clinical Team will make every effort to secure a clinical rotation site/preceptor for the student. The student may not find their own rotation.
  • Not accept the rotation selection from the clinical team - the student may suggest alternative rotation sites/preceptors to the team. By choosing this option, the student agrees that if another rotation cannot be arranged, the student may be required to extend their program, delaying graduation.

Student Requirements for Clinical Sites
Contacting preceptors/sites:
Students must contact their next supervising clinical preceptor a minimum of four (4) weeks prior to the start of each supervised clinical experience.
Onboarding and orientation requirements:
In addition to contacting the clinical preceptor, students are required to contact any facility in which training will also occur in and complete all onboarding requirements prior to arrival. The Clinical Team will be able to answer questions or concerns regarding the policies and requirements for specific clinical sites. Students must comply with any facility-required background checks, health screenings, drug screening, or other requirements.
Failure to contact clinical sites or complete requirements may result in a delay in clerkship. This will delay a student’s graduation pending completion of the clerkship course. It is the responsibility of the student to notify and complete any necessary paperwork required for each supervised clinical experience.

BLS, ACLS, and PALS Certification
Students will be required to complete BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification as a part of didactic training and maintain certification through program graduation. Students who fail to complete these certifications during scheduled times will be required to do at their own expense prior to deadlines defined by the Clinical Team during the didactic year.

Blood and Bodily Fluid Exposures
Report any blood or body fluid exposures (i.e. needle sticks) to Nicole Hines, RN, your assigned Clinical Coordinator, supervising physician, hospital employee health, your clinical coordinator immediately, and Infection Control Managing Director. See Blood & Body Fluid Exposure Plan. (Please be advised that there are clinical situations where you might be exposed to toxins that could be harmful, particularly in the case of pregnancy: Example: bone cement while on surgery rotation. We encourage you to be aware of this and notify your faculty advisor so that appropriate measures can be taken.)
https://hscweb.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/documents/current/Blood-Borne-Pathogen-Policy_Feb2018.pdf

Responsibility of the Student Post-Exposure
Students in training at clinics or hospitals are not employees of the clinics or hospitals. Nor are they employees of TTUHSC. The student shall pay for any and all evaluation and treatment costs related to a blood-borne pathogen exposure required by TTUHSC Institutional Health. The student shall be responsible for the cost of any necessary re-test or subsequent tests required by TTUHSC Institutional Health. Students are prohibited from filing a claim with workers compensation or employee health.

Expectations of Clerkship Students
Timely Communication during Clerkships
The following should be used to direct communications appropriate during clerkship experiences:
Issue
Timeliness of Communication
Contact Person
Emergency
24/7
432-620-1135
Urgent rotation concerns during business hours
During normal business hours, as soon as possible
Clerkship Coordinator or DOCE, by email or phone
Non-urgent rotation concerns
During normal business hours
Clinicalteam.paprogram@ttuhsc.edu


Absence due to illness or emergency
During normal business hours, as soon as possible
First, notify the preceptor and then your Faculty Advisor and 
Clinicalteam.paprogram@ttuhsc.edu
Preceptor illness or vacation
During normal business hours, as soon as possible
Clinicalteam.paprogram@ttuhsc.edu


Blood or Bodily Fluid Exposure
Seek medical care urgently, contact preceptor. Contact Office of Institutional Health as soon as possible during business hours
Seek medical care and contact Nicole Hines, Office of Institutional Health
Change of address or contact information
Within 5 business days
PA Program Business Coordinator and Registrar’s Office
 

Identification during Clinical Experiences
Name tags and Badges:
A name tag identifying the student as a Physician Assistant Student MUST be worn at all times during the clinical experience. If a specific site requires additional identification, it is the responsibility of the student to comply. It is the student’s responsibility to complete paperwork necessary to obtain required badges and return badges to the site prior to departure.
Greeting Patients and Student Identification Requirements:
Students are required to identify themselves to patients by their name and by TTUHSC student status. The student must explain to patients their working relationship with the preceptor.
Signing charts:
When a student signs a chart, they must identify their student status, ex. PA-S2. Any official paperwork or chart must be co-signed by the preceptor.

Student Supervision
Students must have supervision at all times by their preceptor who is a licensed provider. Student may only rotate with approved preceptors. Under no circumstances should a PA student be permitted to practice independent of direct supervision.
Accept only tasks for which the student has been properly trained and perform procedures only under the direct supervision of the preceptor or designated secondary preceptor within the practice.
Under no circumstances should a PA student be used as an employee of the practice or represented to patients as such. Students should not be used as clerical staff, medical scribes, or research assistants.

Clerkship Attendance Policies
Attendance:
Students are required to attend clinic at scheduled times and work the hours set forth by their designated preceptor (minimum of 8 hours/day, 40 hours per week). This is required throughout the entire length of the clinical rotation experience.  While on clinical rotations, students will be “on duty” at the discretion of their supervising preceptor; it is not limited to the 8:00 am – 5:00 pm schedule.
This includes the potential of working weekends, holidays, and on-call hours. To successfully complete the professional curriculum on time, rotations must be started and completed as scheduled. Requests for time off (arriving late, leaving early, personal days, appointments, etc.) must be pre-approved by the Faculty Advisor prior to seeking approval from the preceptor.
Clinical Absences:
Any illnesses or absences must be reported to their assigned academic advisor and Clerkship Coordinator immediately. All missed clinical hours must be recovered on an hour for hour basis. Missed clinical hours may be recovered during the rotation if time allows or at other times as approved by the DOCE through the Clinical Coordinator. If a student misses clinical time during the clerkship, the student will be required to maintain a time log to be co-signed by the supervising clinical preceptor. This will be used by their Clinical Coordinator to evaluate the need for additional clinical time in that area.
Excused Absences and Personal Days:
All anticipated absences must be pre-approved by the Faculty Advisor prior to requesting the absence from the Preceptor. Absence approval will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
See attendance policy in section 2

Requirements of All Clerkship Courses
Mid-rotation Evaluations:
Students are required to submit a mid-rotation evaluation form to the Clerkship Coordinator by Wednesday during week 3 by 5:00 PM CST for each supervised clinical experience. If a student is unable to submit the Mid-Rotation Evaluation Form by the specified deadline, they are required to notify the Clinical Team prior to the deadline. If there are any problems, contact the Clinical Team or Clinical Site Coordinator ASAP for assistance.
Failure to submit the Mid-Rotation Evaluation Forms as specified above may result in loss points on the professionalism grade and may be grounds for repeating the clerkship course.
Patient and Procedure Logs:
The PA program utilizes EXXAT (https://exxat.com/), which is a web-based program designed for students participating in supervised clinical experiences. The system is designed to capture age, diagnosis, type of setting, and level of complexity as well as procedures. The system does not capture protected health information and no attempt should be made to include such data.
Instructions for usage of this system will be given at the pre-clinical orientation training.
Completion:
Patient logging is expected to occur every day of the clerkship. Patient logs must be completed no later than 5:00 PM on the Wednesday during the last week of the clerkship course. On the last day of the clerkship, the patient log will be reviewed by the Clinical Team. Students who fail to log patient contacts may be subject to a reduction in their Professionalism grade or to repeat the clerkship as determined by the student progress committee.
Patient Logs:
During the supervised clinical experience, students are required to document each patient encounter just as a practicing clinician would do. A patient encounter includes any patient in whom a patient was either observed or the student assisted in care, regardless of the patient’s age. While each clerkship course is different in terms of types of patient encounters, every patient should be logged. This is not only a requirement for successful completion of the clerkship course but this log may also assist you after graduation with employment and credentialing paperwork required for clinics and hospitals.
Each supervised clinical experience has varying patient volume loads familiar to the Clinical Team. The Clinical Team will monitor for the expected volume of patients that should be seen during the specified clerkship. The student is responsible for ensuring they are meeting the requirements for the number of patient logging contacts.
Procedure Logs:
The procedure log is a mandatory component of the supervised clinical experience. Completion of the REQUIRED procedures is a requirement of successful completion of the program. The procedures are available in the clinical year passport.
Completion of Clinical Passport is required.
The Clinical Passport is required by the end of the clinical year. In order to complete each clinical skills requirement (History, Physical Exam, and Procedural), the preceptor must sign off that the student is "able to perform skill with minimum supervision" or is "capable of performing this skill independently." Information on how to document the REQUIRED skills and utilization of the EXXAT system will be given at the pre-clinical year orientation.

Appendix 1: Rights and Responsibilities of Program Faculty
Faculty members of the PA program have specific responsibilities assigned to them daily. The four major responsibilities include: Academic instruction, clinical practice scholarly research; and departmental, school, institutional, professional, and community service.
Faculty members are assigned teaching responsibilities each semester by the Chairperson based on information provided by the Program Director. These assignments are based in part upon the faculty member’s expertise, professional interest, and research. On occasion, a faculty member may be instructed to teach a course that has not been taught in the past due to scheduling problems or a faculty shortage in one or more areas of the program.
Nevertheless, every effort is made to ensure the quality of instruction.
Near the end of each semester, the faculty members are assessed by the students. These assessments are reviewed by the Program Director, Chairperson, and the Dean relative to teaching effectiveness, promotion, tenure, retention, and merit pay. The student’s assessments are important to the department and are taken seriously. All assessments are anonymous; however, comments should be constructive and professional.
Every PA faculty member is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and is licensed by the Texas Medical Board. Furthermore, each faculty member must show proof of continuing medical education (CME); meeting both the state and national requirements. Typically CME credit is obtained by attendance at professional conferences, workshops, seminars, and journal reading. The principal faculty, the program director and the medical director are all competent healthcare providers, however, they are not the student's healthcare provider. The principal faculty, the program director and the medical director are prohibited from participating as health care providers for students in the program, except in an emergency.
Each faculty member is expected to contribute to a scholarly profession through publication, presentations, workshops, consultations, and reviews.
Each faculty member is also assigned numerous service responsibilities. These include regular departmental faculty meetings and committee meetings within the department, school, and institution. On average, faculty members attend at least two of these meetings per month and spend considerable time outside of the meetings working on assigned projects. Other service roles are demonstrated through participation in professional organizations on local, regional, and/or national levels.
Another important aspect of each faculty members’ position is advising. Each faculty member counsels students on topics such as career opportunities, research, comprehensive examinations, postgraduate education, certification, or any other topic related to academia. Faculty members are also responsible for informing students about their legal rights at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. These include the rights of the disabled student as stated below and on each course syllabus.
Faculty are also obligated to protect each student’s privacy. Posting grades by the student’s names is strictly forbidden by federal law. Grades may be posted by personal test number or some other method that maintains the student’s confidentiality but are encouraged to be released via the current learning management system (i.e. SAKAI). Faculty are also prohibited from discussing grades and/or performance with a student’s family members or anyone else without the student’s written permission.

Appendix 2: Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the Physician Assistant Profession
AAPA Policy
The Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the Physician Assistant Profession were written by PAs for PAs. This ethics manual outlines the fundamental principles of the profession and describes ways in which the principles might apply in professional life. Each PA must use his or her best judgment in any situation while considering the preferences of the patient and the supervising physician, clinical information, ethical concepts, and legal obligations. Students in the PA Program are held to the same standards as the PA profession.
The guidelines can be viewed in their entirety at the following weblink.
https://www.aapa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/16-EthicalConduct.pdf

Appendix 3: Statement of Values of the PA Profession
NCCPA Code of Conduct
Below is the Code of Conduct for Certified and Certifying Physician Assistants as stated by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and can also be found at the following web link: https://www.nccpa.net/code-of-conduct.
All PA students are held to the same standards of conduct as defined by the NCCPA, and breeches of conduct may be reportable to the NCCPA.

Appendix 4: Technical Standards
Technical Standards
A student admitted into the TTUHSC Physician Assistant Program must meet basic and essential requirements that are necessary for obtaining employment and performing as a Physician Assistant. The technical standards each student must master include cognitive, physical, and behavioral characteristics that are identified in the following:
Observation:
The applicant/student must possess the ability to observe required demonstrations, visual presentations in lectures and laboratories, and written and audiovisual presentations. Examples of perceptual abilities include but are not limited to gross and microscopic studies of organisms, cadaver dissections, and various diagnostic tests such as interpretation of echocardiograms, digital and wavelength readings, and graphic or radiographic images. The applicant/student must be able to observe patients accurately and completely, both at distance and closely using functional visual, hearing, and somatic sensation.
Communication:
The applicant/student must possess the ability to communicate effectively with patients to elicit information, including nonverbal communications, and describe changes in mood, activity, and posture with immediate assessment of information provided. Individuals must possess the ability to communicate effectively with clinical preceptors and other members of the healthcare team, didactic and clinical faculty, and colleagues. The applicant/student must possess the ability to effectively and sensitively communicate in oral, written, and electronic form with patients and members of the health care team in order to provide safe and effective patient care.
Motor:
The applicant/student must possess sufficient gross and fine motor function, equilibrium, and sensation to elicit information from patients through customary techniques for physical assessment such as visual observation/inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation as well as carry out diagnostic maneuvers and technical procedures involved in the practice of medicine and surgery. Examples reasonably required of physician assistants include cardiopulmonary resuscitation, application of pressure to stop bleeding, venous and arterial punctures, suturing, pelvic and rectal exams, obstetrical maneuvers, and opening of obstructed airways.
Intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities:
The applicant/student must possess the ability to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and spatial relationships of structures; and be able to collect, organize, prioritize, analyze and synthesize large amounts of detailed and complex information to apply in problem-solving and decision-making in clinical and educational settings including lectures, laboratories, small group discussions, and clinical settings.
Behavioral and Social Attributes:
The applicant/student must be able to tolerate physical and mental taxing workloads, function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and function in the face of uncertainty inherent in the evaluation and treatment of patients. The applicant/student must have the emotional health to fully use his/her intellectual ability, exercise good judgment, and complete all responsibilities necessary to the diagnosis and care of patients. The applicant/student must possess integrity, compassion, and effective interpersonal skills to interact with patients and members of the health care team with sensitivity to cultural differences. The applicant/student must be able to understand and apply the concepts of medical ethics and demonstrate ethical behavior.
Candidates for selection to the PA program will be required to verify that they understand and meet the essential functions or believe that, with reasonable accommodations, they can meet the standards. TTUHSC OP 10.15 complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and state and local requirements regarding students with disabilities. Under these laws, no otherwise qualified and competitive individual with a disability shall be denied access to or participate in services, programs, and activities of TTUHSC solely on the basis of the disability. For additional information, please see https://www.ttuhsc.edu/student-services/
Reviewed by legal counsel, 06/03/2015; effective June, 2016

Appendix 5: Midland College Map