Physician Assistant

The mission of the University of New England Physician Assistant Program is to prepare masters level primary care Physician Assistants who will practice with physicians and other members of the health care team. The Program is committed to developing practitioners who are educated in all aspects of healthcare including geriatrics, health promotion and disease prevention, and public health practice. Special emphasis is placed on training clinicians who will provide primary healthcare to rural and urban underserved populations.

Graduate Professional Competencies

The mission of the Program is accomplished by having graduates who meet the goals of the educational process.  Graduates of the Physician Assistant Program will:

• Understand the basic sciences of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology and be able to utilize this knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
• Understand the principles of pharmacotherapeutics and to apply them in the treatment of patients.
• Elicit a detailed, accurate history and perform a thorough physical examination.
• Understand how to order and interpret appropriate diagnostic tests in a cost efficient manner.
• Present patient data and document it appropriately in the medical record.
• Provide quality acute and ongoing patient care by appropriately delineating patient problems and by formulating and implementing patient management plans, including referrals to other healthcare providers and agencies.
• Perform or assist in the performance of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and manage or assist in the management of medical and surgical conditions, particularly in life threatening situations.
• Understand the principles of public health and incorporate health promotion and disease prevention into a patient care practice.
• Use information technology in the provision of quality healthcare and clinical decision-making.
• Evaluate the medical literature critically and apply this knowledge and the principles of evidence-based medicine to clinical practice.
• Provide compassionate and competent healthcare to patients of all ages and backgrounds.
• Understand the medical and social issues that affect the geriatric patient and provide appropriate management of these problems.
• Counsel patients, their families and their caregivers regarding issues of health, illness and medical care.
• Understand the historical and contemporary role of the physician assistant in the healthcare system.
• Participate effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Understand the principles of patient oriented healthcare and to communicate clearly with patients.
• Identify the special dynamics of providing healthcare to rural or underserved populations.
• Demonstrate appropriate professional behavior by following the American Academy of Physician Assistants' Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the Physician Assistant Profession.

The Master of Science - Physician Assistant Program (MSPA) has been planned to effectively utilize faculty expertise from the University's five colleges. Some faculty hold joint appointments with responsibility for teaching medical and physician assistant students as well as other health profession matriculants. Similarly, physician assistant candidates will receive clinical supervision as part of an integrated team of health providers. It is our expectation that these collaborative strategies toward teaching and learning will ultimately result in high quality, cost-effective health care delivery, particularly in medically under- served regions of New England.

Upon successful completion of the Physician Assistant Program, the University of New England awards the master of science degree. The program operates on a twenty-four month full-time calendar, beginning in early June of each year with a new incoming class.

What is a PA?

The University of New England's Master of Science - Physician Assistant Program was designed according to the Essentials and Guidelines for an Accredited Educational Program for the Physician Assistant. The University of New England Physician Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

Other

Physician Assistants (PAs) are health professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Physician Assistants are qualified by graduation from an accredited physician assistant educational program and/or certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Within the physician/PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision-making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services under the general supervision of the physician.

  Prerequisite Courses

• The Anatomy & Physiology prerequisite must have been completed within seven years prior to matriculation (taken summer 2007 or more recently). The courses must include all body systems and be a full-year (two semester sequence) or the equivalent. This must consist of either 4 credits of anatomy with lab and 4 credits of physiology with lab OR 8 credits of A&P I & II (both with lab). Animal Physiology will not satisfy the physiology prerequisite.
• All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
• Prerequisites may be in-progress or planned at the time of application, but must be completed by December, prior to matriculation. Please include any in-progress or planned coursework in your CASPA application. Upon completion of the in-progress and planned coursework please submit official transcripts to UNE Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions.
• Courses in advanced physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, statistics, physics, and biochemistry are highly recommended.

Academic/Experience Requirements (Applicants who meet the minimum requirements for application should understand that the average GPA and number of hours of direct patient care for students accepted into the program are well above the minimum  requirements.  Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview or acceptance.)

• At least 90 undergraduate credits from a regionally accredited institution(s) at time of application, and a Bachelor Degree prior to matriculation (unless in UNE pre-PA accelerated 3/2 track).
• A minimum overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required. (The average for matriculated students has typically been 3.5 for the past few years)
• A minimum CASPA BCP GPA of 3.0 is required. BCP is the calculated CASPA GPA of all biology, chemistry, and physics courses completed. (The average for matriculated students has typically been 3.5 for the past few years)
• A minimum of 250 hours of direct patient care is required. (The average for matriculated students has typically been in the range of 2500 – 3500 hours over the past few years.)
• To get a clear understanding of the PA role on the medical team, “shadowing” of PAs in more than one practice facility and practice area is highly recommended and will be given consideration upon review of your CASPA application. “Shadowing” must be recorded in the “Health Care Shadowing Experience” section of CASPA and does not count toward direct patient care hours.
• Computer experience is strongly recommended.
• NEW for students applying for Summer 2014 start term:  Submit official GRE test scores directly to CASPA or the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions.  (Test scores must be from within five (5) years of expected enrollment.)

Note: Before matriculation, accepted applicants will need to obtain a physical exam with proof of up-to-date immunization status and a current American Heart Association Basic Life Support course for the Provider. Immunization of students is based on current Centers for Disease Control recommendations for health professionals. This information must be presented upon registration.

As required by clinical training sites, students will be subject to criminal background checks and drug screens prior to matriculation, and periodically throughout the PA program.

Procedures and Policies

• Applications for admissions are accepted through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)
• Applications must be submitted to CASPA by posted deadline. Given the normally heavy volume of applications, it is strongly encouraged that completed applications be submitted as early as possible in the cycle. The CASPA application portal opens annually in mid April.
• On-campus interviews are granted to qualified applicants upon invitation by the Admissions Committee, and are required for admission to the program.
• Admissions are rolling and decisions are made after each interview session and continue until the program starts.
• International applicants and applicants with international degrees must have their  transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited institution in the US. See International Applicants for a list of educational credential evaluators. 
• International applicants must submit the International Student Supplemental Application Form at time of acceptance to the university.
• All applicants to UNE must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university. UNE accepts several methods of English Proficiency, see International Applicants. If applicable, the TOEFL requirement must be completed and the score received by the application deadline.
• Official transcripts for in-progress degrees and other in-progress or planned prerequisites must be submitted to the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions prior to matriculation. (This includes all degrees/coursework in progress and planned at the time of submission of the CASPA application.)

The Admission Committee reserves the right to make changes or exceptions to the admission policies and procedures without notice when it deems such a decision is appropriate.

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please access the PA website.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credits are rarely awarded to students who transfer from another physician assistant program. The program director will award transfer credits on a case-by-case basis.

Advanced Placement

There is no advanced placement.

Experiential Learning

No credit will be awarded to students for experiential learning.

Westbrook College of Health Professions Graduate Program Progression Policies

Academic Program Standards

PA students must complete all MSPA Program requirements and receive a passing grade in all courses and clinical rotations to be eligible for graduation.

Technical Standards

All students must be able to meet the following University of New England Physician Assistant Program technical standards to successfully complete the Physician Assistant Program.  A candidate for the Physician Assistant Program must have abilities and skills in five categories: observation, communication, motor, intellectual, and behavioral/social. Reasonable accommodation for persons with documented disabilities will be considered on an individual basis, but a candidate must be able to perform in an independent manner. The following skills are required, with or without accommodation:

Observation:  Candidates must have sufficient sensory capacity to observe in the lecture hall, the laboratory, the outpatient setting, and the patient's bedside. Sensory skills adequate to perform a physical examination are required. Functional vision, hearing and tactile sensation must be adequate to observe a patient's condition and to elicit information through procedures regularly required in a physical examination, such as inspection, auscultation and palpation.

Communication:  Candidates must be able to communicate effectively in both academic and health care settings. Candidates must show evidence of effective written and verbal communication skills.

Motor:  The ability to participate in basic diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers and procedures (e.g. palpation, auscultation) is required. Candidates must have sufficient motor function to execute movements required to provide care to patients. Candidates must be able to negotiate patient care environments and must be able to move between settings, such as clinic, classroom building, and hospital.

Physical stamina sufficient to complete the rigorous course of didactic and clinical study is required. Long periods of sitting, standing, or moving are required in classroom laboratory, and clinical experiences.

Intellectual:  Candidates must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize. Problem- solving, one of the critical skills demanded of physician assistants, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, candidates should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationships of structures. Candidates must be able to read and understand medical literature. In order to complete the Physician Assistant Program degree, candidates must be able to demonstrate mastery of these skills and the ability to use them together in a timely fashion in medical problem-solving and patient care.

Behavioral and Social Attributes: Candidates must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, and the prompt completion of all academic and patient care responsibilities. The development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients and other members of the health care team is essential. Flexibility, compassion, integrity, motivation, interpersonal skills and the ability to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in clinical practice are all required.

For more information on disabilities and accommodation, please contact the UNE Office of Students With Disabilities at (207) 602-2815.

Upon completion of a course of study, the faculty member in charge of that course submits the number of hours taught and a grade for each student to the academic coordinator. The MSPA program uses a pass/fail grading system.

Incomplete Policy

An incomplete (I) grade is given to a student who is doing passing work in a course, but who, for reasons beyond his/her control, is not able to complete the work on time. The I grade must be changed within the time limit determined by the instructor and may not extend beyond six weeks following the end of the semester or thirty days following the end of an eight-week session. The I grade defers computation of credits for the course to which it is assigned. Failure to complete the work before the limitation date, or within the time imposed by the instructor, results in the assignment of an administrative F grade for the course.

Note: The curricular requirements below apply to the the class entering May 2013 (Class of 2015). 

Phase I of the program of study consists of 56 credit hours in pre-clinical didactic course work. The summer, fall and spring terms include instruction in the fields of microbiology, clinical medicine, pharmacology, emergency medicine, anatomy, physiology, and evidence based medicine, surgery and epidemiology.

Twelve months of clinical rotations will take place upon successful completion of the didactic phase. The program ends with a final week on campus, consisting of two credit hours, which provides a forum for the presentation of students' research projects to peers and faculty; offers assistance in preparing the graduating students for certification; and gives physician assistant candidates an opportunity to integrate the didactic and clinical portions of their training in preparation for the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam.
 

The mission of the Program is accomplished by having graduates who meet the goals of the educational process.  Graduates of the Physician Assistant Program will:

• Understand the basic sciences of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology and be able to utilize this knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
• Understand the principles of pharmacotherapeutics and to apply them in the treatment of patients.
• Elicit a detailed, accurate history and perform a thorough physical examination.
• Understand how to order and interpret appropriate diagnostic tests in a cost efficient manner.
• Present patient data and document it appropriately in the medical record.
• Provide quality acute and ongoing patient care by appropriately delineating patient problems and by formulating and implementing patient management plans, including referrals to other healthcare providers and agencies.
• Perform or assist in the performance of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and manage or assist in the management of medical and surgical conditions, particularly in life threatening situations.
• Understand the principles of public health and incorporate health promotion and disease prevention into a patient care practice.
• Use information technology in the provision of quality healthcare and clinical decision-making.
• Evaluate the medical literature critically and apply this knowledge and the principles of evidence-based medicine to clinical practice.
• Provide compassionate and competent healthcare to patients of all ages and backgrounds.
• Understand the medical and social issues that affect the geriatric patient and provide appropriate management of these problems.
• Counsel patients, their families and their caregivers regarding issues of health, illness and medical care.
• Understand the historical and contemporary role of the physician assistant in the healthcare system.
• Participate effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Understand the principles of patient oriented healthcare and to communicate clearly with patients.
• Identify the special dynamics of providing healthcare to rural or underserved populations.
• Demonstrate appropriate professional behavior by following the American Academy of Physician Assistants' Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the Physician Assistant Profession.

Course Add/Drop or Withdrawal Policy

Due to the standard curriculum sequence within the MSPA Program, students are not allowed to add or drop courses. Students may not withdraw from a MSPA course; to do so indicates a complete withdrawal from the MSPA Program.

Repeat Course Policy

Courses in the MSPA Program are offered once per year. The Student Affairs Committee in association with the Program Director determines whether or not a course or part of it must be repeated. It may be necessary for the student to await the next time the course is offered in the MSPA Program schedule.  Until the course if offered again the student may have to apply for and be on a leave of absence.

Upon completion of a repeated course, a new listing and assigned grade are placed on the student's transcript. The original course listing and grade remain on the student's transcript. All courses are listed chronologically on the transcript by semester or academic period in which they are enrolled.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Lab Fees

A fee is charged to cover the expenses for specific science courses (e.g., anatomy), and certain specific course or program component (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), evaluative testing, including the use of high-fidelity simulators, etc.).

Clinical Fee

The Clinical Fee is dispersed to clinical sites during the student's clinical year. It is an honorarium paid to the clinical site in appreciation for clinical training. While dispersed to clinical sites during the clinical year, to better equalize charges and award financial aid, the fee is billed to students during both the didactic and clinical year.

Tuition and fees are refunded per UNE policy. The refund policy can be found in the  University Catalog section on Financial Information for Graduate Programs.

Equipment

Students in the didactic phase will be required to obtain certain medical equipment. A list of required equipment is included with pre-matriculation materials. During the first week of class, the program will bring vendors to the school to demonstrate various brands of equipment. The vendors will give the students a group discount, but students are not obligated to purchase the equipment from these vendors. Estimated cost to the student is $775 - $1200. Price is dependent on type, brand and quality of equipment. The University assumes no financial responsibility for this equipment.

Books

Students in the didactic phase can plan on spending approximately $1,500 to $2,000 on required textbooks. Course syllabi and the program book list may also include recommended books which students are not required to purchase, but may wish to have as important reference materials.

Other Expenses

Students are responsible for expenses involved with travel, parking, living expenses and meals at clinical sites.

Student Employment

The program discourages students from having outside employment while attending the PA Program. If a student feels that it is necessary to work while in the program, it is advisable that the student informs his/her academic advisor.

Financial Aid

Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office on the Biddeford Campus. Call 207-602-2342 or visit the Financial Aid website.

Students must complete all program requirements prior to the issuance of their Master of Science degree and the certificate of completion of the program. The Core Faculty Committee will be responsible for notifying the program director when students have completed all of the requirements for graduation.