Matriculate students who are academically qualified to complete the Penn State College of Medicine PA Program. Graduate students who demonstrate core medical knowledge necessary for entry to clinical practice. Develop professional clinicians who effectively function as members of interprofessional healthcare teams.

The Penn State College of Medicine Physician Assistant Program’s core values are Respect-Integrity-Teamwork-Excellence: Respect: Embrace diverse backgrounds, talents, and perspectives Active listening and attentiveness Compassion, thoughtfulness, consideration, and kindness Integrity: Honesty, consistency, and fairness Adherence to moral and ethical principles Teamwork: Commitment to collaboration across interdisciplinary teams Knowledge sharing Accountability and trust Excellence: Alignment of personal performance to our mission, vision, values, and goals Set personal goals for professional development Commitment to promoting positive change

Penn State's holistic admissions process considers multiple factors beyond academic performance. While meeting the minimum GPA requirements is an essential component of the review process, academic metrics alone do not determine interview selection or admission decisions. Preference Factors A3.12a The Penn State PA Program gives interview preference to applicants who demonstrate one or more of the following attributes: Residence in a rural or federally designated underserved community Origin from an educationally or economically disadvantaged background First-generation college student status Veteran or active-duty military service Pennsylvania residency Graduation from Penn State University Employment within Penn State Health Completion of an advanced degree Meeting one or more preference factors does not guarantee an interview invitation or admission to the Program. All applications are reviewed holistically. Interview invitations are extended following a comprehensive application review of preference factors, cumulative GPA, science GPA, patient care experience (type and hours), extent of leadership experience, volume of research involvement, and extent of volunteer and community engagement.

Technical Standards A3.12e The technical standards for the Penn State College of Medicine PA Program have been established to ensure that candidates can demonstrate academic mastery, competence when performing clinical skills, and ability to communicate clinical information. These technical standards are intended to ensure that each candidate has the academic and physical ability to acquire competencies, as defined by the National Commission on Accreditation of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), the Accreditation Review Commission for Education of the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), the PA Education Association (PAEA), and the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA). The technical standards are consistent with the technical standards set forth by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The Penn State College of Medicine PA Program is committed to creating a respectful, accessible, and inclusive learning environment for all students and does not discriminate based on race, sex, age, sexual preference, gender identity, ethnicity, handicap, or socioeconomic status. Out of that commitment, and in accordance with both the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Program offers support to those individuals who may require a disability accommodation. If a candidate states they are unable to meet the technical standards due to a diagnosed disability, the Penn State College of Medicine will determine whether the candidate can meet the technical standards with reasonable accommodation. This includes a review of whether the accommodations requested would jeopardize patient safety or the educational process of the student or the institution, including all coursework and clinical rotations deemed essential to graduation. A candidate with a documented disability who wishes to request academic accommodation is encouraged to contact the College of Medicine’s Student Advocacy Specialist in the Office of Health Advancement and Community Engagement. All candidates, with or without reasonable accommodation, are required to meet the program’s technical standards; including patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and systems-based practice. These technical standards must be maintained from matriculation to graduation from the program. The ability to meet the technical standards established by the program is essential for the fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree. In the event that a matriculated student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodations, the student will be reviewed with the Academic Progress Committee, and may be dismissed from the program with career counseling support in pursuing alternate careers. All candidates must be able to independently meet the following standards: Observation – A candidate must possess: vision, hearing, and touch, or the functional equivalent, in order to be able to integrate, analyze, and synthesize data in a consistent and accurate manner o the ability to perceive pain, pressure, temperature, position, vibration, equilibrium, and movement the ability to observe demonstrations, exercises, and patients accurately at a distance and close at hand the ability to note non-verbal as well as verbal signals Communication – A candidate must be able to: communicate effectively in a professional manner with patients, families, caregivers, faculty and colleagues elicit and transmit patient information in oral and written English to all members of the healthcare team accurately describe changes in mood, activity and posture o read at a level sufficient to accomplish curricular requirements and provide clinical care for patients write or type appropriate medical documents according to protocol in a thorough and timely manner Motor Function – A candidate must be able to: perform the basic and advanced clinical procedures that are requirements of the PA program curriculum execute motor movements required to provide and/or direct the provision of general care and emergency treatment to patients o perform routine physical examination and diagnostic maneuvers carry out treatment maneuvers, which may include lifting, transferring of patients and assisting during ambulation while assuring their own safety as well as the safety of the patient coordinate the use of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and prolonged standing or sitting elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and movement of limbs Critical Thinking Ability – A candidate must be able to: independently access and interpret medical histories or files identify significant findings from history, physical examination, and laboratory data o provide a reasoned explanation for likely diagnoses and prescribed medications and therapy recall and retain information in an efficient and timely manner and be able to ascertain the relationship between this retained information and its application in clinical practice calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize incorporate new information from peers, teachers, and the medical literature in formulating diagnoses and plans Behavioral and Social Skills – A candidate must be able to: demonstrate the maturity and emotional stability required for full use of their intellectual abilities exercise good judgment and professionalism in both the educational and clinical settings be honest, self-assess own mistakes, respond constructively to feedback and assume responsibility for maintaining professional behavior promptly complete responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients under potentially stressful circumstances, emergency situations, and extended hours develop empathic, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients, families, caregivers, faculty and colleagues adapt to changing environments and to learn in the face of uncertainties inherent in the practice of medicine respond to supervision appropriately and act within the scope of practice, when indicated Ethical and Legal Standards – A candidate must: behave in an ethical and moral manner consistent with professional values and standards understand the legal and ethical aspects of the practice of medicine and function within both the law and ethical standards of the medical profession meet the legal standards to be licensed to practice medicine. Physical Demands The U.S. Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) defines the physical demands strength rating as the estimated overall strength requirement of the job. It represents the strength requirements which are considered to be important for average, successful work performance. The strength rating is expressed by one of five terms and the PA profession is considered light work (L). A candidate must: possess the physical ability to learn and implement the various technical skills required by the program. possess an adequate range of body motion and mobility, with or without accommodation, to perform the following essential functions: prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing, occasional bending and stooping and the ability to lift and carry books and other items such as medical instruments weighing up to ten (10) pounds with or without accommodation. be able to exert up to twenty (20) pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly (constantly is defined as an activity or condition that exists 2/3 or more of the time) to lift, carry, push or pull or otherwise move objects including the human body. physical demand requirements are in excess of those for sedentary work. Light work requires walking or standing to a significant degree but may also involve sitting for prolonged periods of time. (View Physical Demands Strength Rating)

The PA student concern form is for general programmatic concerns that students may encounter and would like to bring to the attention of the Assistant Dean/Program Director. The form may also be used to bring suggestions for ways to enhance the educational and professional experience for our students. Individual course concerns should first be brought to the course director. Similarly, clinical site concerns should first be brought to the clinical year team. This form should not be utilized for emergencies or urgent concerns. Emergency Resources are available below: 24-hour Security Dispatcher: 717-531-8711 Penn State Crisis Line: 877-229-6400 Crisis Text Line: Text “LIONS” to 741-741 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 Office of Professional Mental Health: 717-531-8658 Student Health: 717-531-5998 IS Service Desk: 833-577-4357 On-Call Dean: 800-243-1455 (operator can connect you) The concern form can be filled out by a faculty or staff member who has a concern about the knowledge or behaviors of a medical student. The concern form asks for a description of the behavior that is of concern to the person filing the report, which competency domain(s) the behavior is associated, whether the student has been notified of the concern, and what has been conveyed to the student. Copies of the form are given to the student, the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, and Associate Dean of Evaluation and Assessment, and the student’s Longitudinal Academic Counselor.

Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for graduation, students must: Complete the entirety of the 24-month program as accredited by the ARC-PA. Satisfactorily complete all curricular requirements within 36 months of matriculation while: Maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater. Maintaining no final course grades of failing ("F”) following completion of remediation. Complete a minimum of 1,600 supervised clinical hours. Successfully complete the summative evaluation (PAS 756). Achieve all program competencies and subcompetencies. Maintain satisfactory professional standing. Receive a recommendation for graduation from the program, with approval by the APC. Fulfill all financial obligations to Penn State College of Medicine and Pennsylvania State University.

Anatomy Laboratory Guidance for Students with Medical Conditions that Could be Exacerbated by the Laboratory Environment and Students who are Pregnant or Breastfeeding

During anatomy laboratory safety training, students are informed about allergens and respiratory irritants present in the learning environment. Students with known allergies or respiratory conditions that could be exacerbated by materials in the anatomy laboratory, and students who are pregnant or breastfeeding, are requested to schedule an evaluation with the Office of Student Health’s Nursing Supervisor. The Student Health Nursing Supervisor will perform an Occupational Health and Safety screening with the student and provide recommendations for additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including mask fit testing, as needed. The equipment itself will be provided to the student. The student will wear the recommended additional PPE as directed and monitor their condition, making sure to seek medical care and further consultation with the Student Health Nursing Supervisor, if they have concerns, or if allergy symptoms or respiratory conditions worsen, despite PPE use. This procedure will be distributed to all students during laboratory safety training and signs will be posted within the anatomy laboratory with contact information for the Student Health Nursing Supervisor (Student_health@pennstatehealth.psu.edu).

Dress Code Guidelines

Dress Code A3.04 Students are expected to maintain good, personal hygiene at all times. This includes regular bathing, use of deodorants/antiperspirants, combing/brushing hair, and regular dental hygiene. Students may dress in accordance with their gender identity and gender expression, but must dress in a way that meets the following guidelines: Students display their identification badges at all timesA3.04 Students do not wear open-toe shoes/sandals in laboratory or clinical settings Students will not wear heavy fragrances, perfumes or colognes Students will not wear fishnet stockings, crop-tops or other see-through clothing Students will not wear suggestive or revealing clothing Students will not display undergarments while wearing clothing Students will not wear sunglasses, hats or caps in the building, unless for religious reasons For anatomy dissection laboratory sessions, students will be issued scrubs to wear. Students are expected to dress professionally for all sessions that involve working with actual or standardized patients and for all practicals/OSCEs. Professional attire includes: Slacks or dress pants Dresses or skirts below the level of mid-thigh Blouses, sweaters or collared shirts and ties Closed-toed shoes Short white coat

Equipment and Supplies

Stethoscope: Provided by the Office of Alumni Relations If students choose to utilize a different stethoscope than the one provided, it must include a separate bell & diaphragm. Short White Coat: Provided Tromner Reflex Hammer: Included in program fee Medical Penlight: Included in program fee Suture Practice Kit: Included in program fee Practice Suture: approximately $25 - recommended Knot Tying Practice Kit: Included in program fee Flexible Ruler (2): Included in program fee EKG Calipers: Included in program fee Tuning Forks: Included in program fee Hand-held/Pocket Eye Chart: Included in program fee Flexible Tape Measure: Included in program fee Sphygmomanometer (Blood Pressure Cuff): Students should purchase an adult cuff with sphygmomanometer (approximately $25) Watch: Stop-watch or wristwatch with a second hand (approximately $25-100) Students may choose to purchase an otoscope and ophthalmoscope for their own personal practice at home; however, this is not a PA program requirement as students will have access to these items in the SIM lab and clinical practice areas. Therefore, these items will not be included in the annual estimated costs for attendance

Students will be provided with a period of transition from Didactic to Clinical year. This block will provide students with structured training, opportunities for additional certifications, and a formalized orientation to the clinical year. Students must submit the following certifications or proof of completion to the Clinical Year course on CANVAS prior to the start of Clinical Rotations: HIPAA training Pain Management and Opioid Education training Child Abuse certificate Basic Life Support (BLS) training Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) training Student Acknowledgement of Guidelines for MD/PA Student Billable Notes in Patient Charts Student Acknowledgement of Student Handbook Electronic Medical Record (EMR) training Mask FIT testing via Student Health NIH Stroke Scale certification (optional) Failure to provide required documentation will result in the inability of students to begin clinical rotations, which will result in a delay in graduation due to deceleration. All costs associated with deceleration are the responsibility of the student.

Callback Day At the completion of each clinical rotation, all students will return to the Penn State College of Medicine for participation in Callback Day. During this time, a series of direct and indirect assessments on student achievement of rotation learning outcomes and program graduate competencies will be performed. Attendance at Callback Day is mandatory. Students should anticipate being at the College of Medicine from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The following items must be completed and returned to the Clinical Year team before 7:00 a.m. on each Callback Day: Student evaluation of the clinical site and preceptor—online Case presentation paper and PowerPoint (if applicable)—uploaded to Canvas Remediation questions (if applicable)—uploaded to Canvas ID badges from other clinical sites not otherwise returned to the clinical site It is the student’s responsibility to verify completion of all paperwork due for each Callback Day. Paperwork that is submitted after the time indicated will not be acknowledged or accepted and will result in a ZERO for that portion of the assignment grade. Attendance at Callback Day Students are not permitted to miss Callback Day unless a written request demonstrating a significant life emergency or hardship is submitted to the Clinical Year Team via Absence Request Form. All requests will be reviewed by the Clinical Year Team, and students will be notified in writing of the decision. Students who are absent from Callback Day activities due to illness must submit a note from the health care provider treating their illness within 24 hours of the absence. Students will be required to fulfill the educational goals of Callback Day at another time as arranged by the Clinical Year team, which may result in deceleration or delay in graduation. Students who miss any mandatory component of Call Back Day activities without prior notification and approval from the Clinical Year Team will receive a ZERO for assignments/examinations that were missed, which may result in failure of the rotation and delay in graduation. Students will be referred to APC due to professionalism concerns. Callback Day Assignments End of Rotation Examination. Written examinations for students begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. unless otherwise depicted in the Callback Day Schedule. Students will have 120 minutes from the start time to complete the written examination unless accommodations are granted in advance by the student advocacy specialist in Disability Services. Oral and Written Case Presentations. During the completion of clinical year, students must satisfactorily perform two (2) case presentations that contain both a written and oral component. Each student will perform one (1) case presentation during both their ambulatory care and elective rotations, unless remediation is necessary. At least one (1) presentation must be ethically based, with the other being an approved medical or surgical topic of interest or case study. Topic Approval: Students must submit their topic to the Clinical Year Team via CANVAS drop box to obtain topic approval prior to Friday of the third week of the rotation in which oral presentations are assigned. The case presented must be one that the student either personally saw or directly participated in care of, and should be represented in student logging. Oral Component: A HIPAA compliant oral case presentation must include the utilization of PowerPoint as a reference, which is uploaded to the appropriate CANVAS drop box prior to 7:00 a.m. on Callback Day. Students will have ten (10) minutes to present their case and should be prepared to answer questions about the case. Points will be awarded and deducted as noted in the rubric, which can be found on CANVAS. Ethical Case Presentations should include a brief description of the patient, pertinent history, physical examination findings, and a detailed discussion of the ethical dilemma present. Medical and Surgical Case Presentations should include a brief description of the patient, pertinent history, physical examination findings, pertinent laboratory and radiographic findings. A brief discussion should ensue about the management of the patient and the outcome. The disease or dilemma should then be discussed with the class and the student presenter should be prepared to answer questions about the case or disease presented. Written Component: The written portion of the case presentation should be a five-to-ten page, HIPAA compliant paper. A brief summation of the patient’s case or ethical dilemma should be presented followed by elaboration on the disease entity or ethical background information. Students should follow the guidelines presented in the rubric, which can be found on CANVAS for formatting and grading expectations of the written paper. No exceptions will be made for late submissions. All late submissions will result in 20% deduction in grade per day. Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs). During OSCE scenarios students will utilize a standardized patient to obtain a history, perform a physical examination, formulate a differential diagnosis, order appropriate diagnostic tests, diagnose the patient, and provide appropriate treatment. Rubrics for OSCE grading will be placed on CANVAS. During an OSCE scenario, any acts of patient harm will result in automatic failure (i.e. failure to ask allergies prior to prescribing medications, administration of tPA to a patient with a hemorrhagic stroke, etc.). Kienle Groups and Self-Reflection. Students must perform a self-reflection during each rotation that identifies a case, discussion, interaction, or knowledge-based challenge that they faced during their clinical rotation in preparation for Kienle Group Discussions. These reflections should be kept in a journal. During each Callback Day, students will meet with their Kienle Groups to debrief the rotation and collaborate with one another through shared clinical practice experiences. Participation, confidentiality, and respectful behavior is expected from all students. Failure to maintain these requirements for professionalism will result in a meeting with their Kienle group advisor and submission of a professionalism concern form and referral to CPC/APC for review.

Documentation in Electronic Health Records - PA Students

As an academic medical center, the Information Technology division at Hershey Medical Center has developed a “medical/PA student” notes section which allows for students to make electronic entries into the patient files for review by the clinical preceptor within all Penn State Health entities. Students must follow the below guidelines: Students shall only access the records of individuals for whom they are providing direct patient care. Students shall follow the privacy regulations set forth in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) at all times. Students are expected to document medical care in the EHR during clinical rotations within Penn State Health. Students may enter billable and non-billable patient documentation. Attending physicians or Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) who are final signatories are responsible to ensure accurate documentation by students in the EHR. Attending physicians, APPs, or attending physicians’ resident designees shall review the student note to ensure appropriate content, accuracy, and professionalism and to provide teaching to the student. Student billable notes: Student billable notes should include the following statement under the header of the note: “This note was written by a _____(medical/PA) student. Preliminary report status should be regarded as NOT reviewed by an attending physician or supervising APP. Finalized report status indicates that the attending/APP has reviewed the note and agrees with the plan.” The attending/APP of record may use the student’s documentation for billing purposes IF physical presence is satisfied by: The attending, APP or resident is physically present while the student performs the history and physical examination, OR The attending, APP or resident re-performs and verifies the history and exam with the student present. Faculty and residents must attest to their own physical presence for student billable notes in the following manner: For example, language in each attestation may include Attending presence with student: “I was physically present with the____ (medical/PA) student and patient, having personally performed/re-performed the physical exam and medical decision-making activities for the service. I verify that the history, physical exam and medical decision making as documented in the note by the (medical/PA) student are accurate except…” Advanced Practice Provider supervising the student: “I was physically present with the ___(medical/PA) and patient, having personally performed/re-performed the physical exam and medical decision-making activities for the service. I verify that the history, physical exam and medical decision making as documented in the note by the (medical/PA) student are accurate except…” Resident physical presence with student: “As the resident, I was physically present with the (medical/PA) student, having personally performed/re-performed the physical exam, and medical decision-making. I verify that the (medical/PA) student’s note is accurate and reflects the services provided except…” The attending then provides attestation of the resident’s note: “My resident was physically present with the (medical/PA) student at the encounter, and I have personally performed/re-performed the physical exam and medical decision- making activities for the service. I verify that the history, physical exam and medical decision making as documented in the note by the (medical/PA) student are accurate except…” Medical Student and PA Student non-billable notes: Medical students and PA students may document their notes in the EHR without the physical presence of the attending, resident, or APP, but these notes may not be used for billing purposes. However, as per CMS guidelines, physicians of record as well as residents may refer to the nonbillable medical student note for documentation of the Review of Systems, Past Medical History, Family History, or Social History. Attending physicians or residents must personally document all other components of a History & Physical, including the Chief Complaint, History of Present Illness, Physical Examination, Assessment and Plan in a separate electronic note in order to meet CMS guidelines and to ensure accurate billing and coding. As per CMS guidelines, APPs may not refer to the student note as documentation of the Review of Systems, Past Medical History, Family History or Social History but rather must document all components of their note in the EHR. The nonbillable student note is entered in the EHR system with the title of “Medical Student Note” or “PA Student Note” respectively. Final signature of the nonbillable student note may be from the supervising attending or resident or APP as determined by the respective chair in each respective department. Students may not serve as scribes. Students may complete the Discharge Instructions and Discharge Summary. Students rotating outside of the Penn State Health system shall follow the policies and procedures for medical student documentation of the host facility. Publishing Status. Medical/PA student notes shall be viewable to all after completion by the student and before final signing. PA students may not substitute for, or function as, clinical or administrative staff while in the clinical setting as a PA student.

Dress Code A3.04 Students must be clearly identified in the clinical setting to distinguish them from other health profession students and practitioners and must wear their PA Student Identification badges at all times during Clinical Rotations.A3.04 Proper Attire: A healthcare professional's dress and appearance are essential in establishing a relationship of trust and confidence. In some cases, this requires that individual personal attire preferences be balanced with the need for effective patient interaction. Scrubs should be worn only when identified as the standard dress for the clinical site. Short white coats should be worn at all times during clinical rotations unless instructed otherwise by your preceptor. The following attire guidelines are required in all student clinical educational settings: Students may dress in accordance with their gender identity and gender expression, but must dress in a way that meets the following guidelines: General Standards Good, personal hygiene is to be maintained at all times. This includes regular bathing, use of deodorants/antiperspirants, combed/brushed hair and regular dental hygiene. Students must display their identification badges positioned above the waist on the front of the body. Badges must remain clearly visible and unobstructed, allowing patients and staff to easily identify the individual’s name and role. Students do not wear open-toe shoes/sandals in laboratory or clinical settings Students will not wear heavy fragrances, perfumes, or colognes Students will not wear fishnet stockings, crop-tops, low-cut necklines, tank tops, crop tops, or other see-through clothing Students will not wear suggestive, restrictive, or revealing clothing Students will not display undergarments while wearing clothing, even with movement Students will not wear sunglasses, hats, or caps in the building, unless for religious reasons. Garments that show the trunk with movement should not be worn. Students are expected to cover tattoos if requested by the clinical site. Professional attire (khakis, slacks, or dress pants; blouses or collared shirts and ties; dresses or skirts no shorter than mid-thigh.) Hair Should be neat... when in doubt, wear it back. Shoulder length hair must be secured to avoid interference with work or patient care. Natural human color. Beards are acceptable, but must be neatly trimmed. Religious Head Coverings Religious head coverings (such ashijabs, turbans, kippahs, yarmulkes, headscarves, etc.) are permissible in the OR and procedural areas. For infection control purposes, the head covering must be clean, constructed of tightly-woven and low-linting material, without adornments, fit securely with loose ends tucked into the scrub top as applicable, and covered with a surgical bonnet. Nails Muted tones of nail polish. NO chipped, gel, or acrylic nail polish in the OR. No artificial nails and/or nail tips. Shoes Comfortable, clean, and in good repair. No open toed shoes. Clogs are acceptable. Hiking boots are acceptable in the winter. Jewelry Septum piercings may not exceed the size of a dime and cannot contain dangling or loose items. No additional facial piercings are permitted in the clinical environment unless otherwise noted by the clinical site. No excessive jewelry (to decrease risk of cross-infection; or may be pulled by angry or confused patients). The following are permitted: a watch, small earrings of either small hoops or studs (large earrings are distracting and may be pulled through the ear), academic pin/s, other pins, badges, or insignias which represent an award or health care message. Failure to comply with the dress code will result in a written warning via professional concern form. Additional occurrences will result in referral to the CPC/APC due to professionalism concerns.

Student Evaluations of Clinical Sites, Courses, Faculty, Staff, Preceptors and Program

As part of the Professionalism competency domain, we expect you to follow conscientious behaviors consistent with those of a developing health professional by providing constructive comments regarding areas of strength and opportunities for improvement of the clinical rotation sites for future students. Course and faculty evaluations will be administered anonymously to all students at the end of their rotations via Typhon. Guest lecture evaluations will be administered anonymously immediately following the lecture. Unprofessional or inappropriate comments on Clinical Site evaluations/Preceptor evaluations will be reviewed with the student and Clinical Year Team. Additional occurrences of unprofessional feedback will result in completion of a professionalism form and referral to CPC. Program evaluations will be completed in OASIS. Students with repeated incomplete evaluations will receive professionalism forms. While we will track who has completed course/faculty evaluations and evaluations of the program, neither ratings nor comments are traced to students

Student Logging of Patient Encounters

Maintenance of Patient Database As a requirement for the completion of clinical year, ALL patient encounters are to be logged in the Typhon system. Failure to maintain adequate patient encounters, diagnoses evaluated/treated, and procedures performed may delay graduation. Students are expected to log into Typhon on each clinical day. Students must submit accurate and complete records through all electronic entries in compliance with the Penn State College of Medicine PA Program Academic Integrity Policy. Falsification of patient logging will result in referral to the APC and may result in program dismissal due to professionalism concerns. Final patient logs and timecard submissions must be made prior to 11:59p.m. on the Sunday after each Callback Day. No late submissions will be accepted. Patient logs will be reviewed at the culmination of each rotation and graded as Pass/Fail based on completion and correlation between patient encounters and hours recorded. Students must receive a passing score to successfully complete their rotation. Missed or inaccurate logging will result in a 5% deduction in final course grade and submission of a professionalism concern form resulting in referral to CPC. Recurrent instances or failure to rectify the issue will result in course failure and the need to repeat the rotation, resulting in deceleration or dismissal from the program. Technical Difficulties: Students should attempt to troubleshoot technical difficulties using the Typhon technical support. If unsuccessful, students should contact Lori Schreckengast, Clinical Coordinator.

PA Program

Student Handbook

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PA Program Home Academic Resources

As a student enrolled in the Penn State University College of Medicine PA program, you should be knowledgeable of policies, rules, regulations, and administrative procedures within the College of Medicine and the PA program that affect you. This Student Handbook provides guidelines, policies, and requirements for program completion. Students are responsible for all information presented in this Handbook.

College of Medicine Educational Leadership Team

Karen Kim, MD, Dean
Kevin Black, MD, Interim Vice Dean for Educational Affairs
Inginia Genao, MD, FACP, Vice Dean of Health Advancement and Community Engagement
Emmanuelle Williams, MD, Associate Dean for Student Affairs
Britta Thompson, PhD, Associate Dean for Evaluation, Assessment, and CQI
Eileen Moser, MD, Associate Dean for Medical Education
Larissa Whitney, DBA MHS PA-C, Assistant Dean, Program Director PA Program
Deanna Dubots, Senior Director of Educational Affairs

Educational Leadership across the College of Medicine and the PA Program reserves the freedom to change, without notice, degree requirements, curriculum, courses, teaching personnel, rules, regulations, tuition, fees, and any other information published herein.

Program Accreditation Statement

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Penn State University College of Medicine PA Program sponsored by Penn State University College of Medicine. 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 September 2027. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website.

All policies, procedures, curriculum, and information within this handbook apply to all students, principal faculty, and the program director regardless of location. Components of this handbook are subject to change at any time in order to maintain compliance with ARC-PA standards, the Penn State College of Medicine, the PA Program, and Hospital policies. The PA Program administration will notify students of these changes in a timely manner. ^{A3.01, A3.02}

Mission, Vision, Goals and Core Values

The Penn State College of Medicine PA Program’s mission is to prepare graduates to be academically, clinically, professionally, and culturally competent PAs who are devoted to serving patients in their communities through the application of clinical reasoning, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice to deliver compassionate and comprehensive care.

The vision of the Penn State College of Medicine PA Program is to prepare motivated and academically qualified students with various lived experiences for certification and licensure as competent PAs that will improve healthcare delivery through education, direct patient care, and community outreach.

Matriculate students who are academically qualified to complete the Penn State College of Medicine PA Program.
Graduate students who demonstrate core medical knowledge necessary for entry to clinical practice.
Develop professional clinicians who effectively function as members of interprofessional healthcare teams.

The Penn State College of Medicine Physician Assistant Program’s core values are Respect-Integrity-Teamwork-Excellence:

Respect:
- Embrace diverse backgrounds, talents, and perspectives
- Active listening and attentiveness
- Compassion, thoughtfulness, consideration, and kindness
Integrity:
- Honesty, consistency, and fairness
- Adherence to moral and ethical principles
Teamwork:
- Commitment to collaboration across interdisciplinary teams
- Knowledge sharing
- Accountability and trust
Excellence:
- Alignment of personal performance to our mission, vision, values, and goals
- Set personal goals for professional development
- Commitment to promoting positive change

Program Admissions

Advanced Placement Policy ^A3.12c

The Penn State College of Medicine PA Program is a full-time academic program administered in a sequential fashion that builds from courses completed in the prior term. The program does not award credit for experiential learning or advanced placement, nor does the program accept transfer credits.

Penn State's holistic admissions process considers multiple factors beyond academic performance. While meeting the minimum GPA requirements is an essential component of the review process, academic metrics alone do not determine interview selection or admission decisions.

Preference Factors ^A3.12a

The Penn State PA Program gives interview preference to applicants who demonstrate one or more of the following attributes:

Residence in a rural or federally designated underserved community
Origin from an educationally or economically disadvantaged background
First-generation college student status
Veteran or active-duty military service
Pennsylvania residency
Graduation from Penn State University
Employment within Penn State Health
Completion of an advanced degree

Meeting one or more preference factors does not guarantee an interview invitation or admission to the Program.

All applications are reviewed holistically. Interview invitations are extended following a comprehensive application review of preference factors, cumulative GPA, science GPA, patient care experience (type and hours), extent of leadership experience, volume of research involvement, and extent of volunteer and community engagement.

General Application Requirements ^A3.12b

Applicants to Penn State College of Medicine must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or have official DACA status. International candidates are not eligible.

All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with completion of all academic requirements from an accredited U.S. or Canadian college/university. Health science majors are preferred; however, this is not a mandatory requirement for application or admission. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

For applications to be screened by the admissions committee, applicants must complete the program’s secondary application and have a verified CASPA application that includes:

Personal/biographic information, experiences, achievements, and certifications
Academic history with official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
CASPA-calculated overall cumulative GPA of > 3.0
CASPA-calculated overall science GPA of > 3.0
Completion of the GRE (no minimum score requirement): GRE school code 0900
- In lieu of the GRE, applicants may provide MCAT, PCAT, or DAT scores. The program has not adopted using the PA-CAT test results as a substitution for the GRE.
  - MCAT (old version) 29 or MCAT (new version) 505 required
  - PCAT total score 75^th percentile rank or higher
  - DAT total score of 18 or higher
Three letters of recommendation
Completion of the release statement
Submission of personal essay

All applicants must agree to abide by the CASPA Professional Code of Conduct and the CASPA Admissions Code of Cooperation.

Incomplete applications will not be considered or screened by the admissions committee.

Following completion of the CASPA application for admission, each applicant will have to register in LionPATH, the college's internal admissions system, prior to interview participation.

Candidates should have a CASPA-calculated overall cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and a CASPA-calculated overall science GPA of at least 3.0. A minimum of 500 hours of healthcare experience (paid or volunteer) is required for admission. Hours as a personal trainer or lifeguard are not accepted by the program.

Applicants may apply to the program while prerequisite coursework, degree completion, and required patient care or healthcare experience hours are still in progress at the time of application and interview. However, all prerequisite courses, degree requirements, and required hours must be successfully completed and verified prior to matriculation into the program in May.

Pre-Requisite Course Requirements

Applicants must complete the following courses with a C or better:

General Biology
Anatomy and Physiology (two semesters or one semester each)
Microbiology
General or Principles of Chemistry
Biochemistry or Organic Chemistry
General Psychology
Statistics or Biostatistics
English Composition (two semesters, or two writing intensive courses)
Medical terminology test
- All students will be required to pass a medical terminology exam during the Introductory Concepts in Medicine Course. A list of terms that may be used as a guide for studying will be provided to accepted students by April 1 through the online pre-matriculation forum. Incoming students may self-study or may find it helpful to take a formal medical terminology course before arrival. Download a list of terms that may be used as a study guide.

Online courses from regionally accredited institutions are accepted. AP credits accepted by the undergraduate institution can satisfy general biology, general chemistry, psychology, statistics, and English composition courses. Anatomy, physiology, and microbiology should have a 7-year currency for completion, which may be waived for applicants who have been working full-time in the healthcare field since completion.

AP and CLEP credit accepted by the undergraduate institution can be used to satisfy pre-requisite requirements for general biology, general chemistry, general psychology, statistics, and English composition.

Three pre-requisite courses have a seven-year currency:

Anatomy / A&P I
Physiology / A&P II
Microbiology

This currency requirement will be waived for any applicant who has been working full time and continuously in the healthcare field since completion of coursework.

Healthcare and Patient Care Experience Hours ^A3.12d

Applicants must have a minimum of 500 healthcare experience hours (paid or volunteer) prior to matriculation into the PA program. These hours can be in progress or planned during the application and interview cycle. While the program is flexible in accepting a wide variety of hours to help satisfy the 500-hour requirement, hours as a personal trainer or lifeguard are not accepted.

For admissions related questions, please contact 717-531-0003, ext 285595, or PSUPAProgram@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

The Penn State PA Program has early assurance programs with the following institutions:

Franklin and Marshall College
Hampton University
Lebanon Valley College
Lincoln University
Gettysburg College

The Early Assurance program allows students to apply to the PA Program during their junior year of undergraduate coursework. Early Assurance applicants have the opportunity to be granted admission at the completion of the Early Assurance process, forgoing the entire CASPA application process as a senior.

Information regarding this program is available by request. Students at these institutions should speak directly to their pre-med, pre-health, or pre-PA advisors to discuss requirements and eligibility.

Admissions decisions will be made in accordance with clearly defined and published practices of the institution and program as noted above.

The Penn State College of Medicine PA Program requires that all students complete criminal background checks prior to matriculation. Information regarding the completion of a criminal background check is sent to students prior to matriculation and again prior to clinical year.

The following clearances must be completed prior to matriculation and in advance of clinical year:

Pennsylvania Criminal History (PATCH)
Child Abuse History Clearance
Federal Criminal History/ Fingerprinting via Cogent

The history of some criminal activity may preclude students/graduates from clinical preceptorships, professional licensing, and/or hiring into clinical practice. The program is not responsible for the student’s inability to complete clinical rotation requirements due to a history of criminal activity.

All criminal background check requirements will be initiated through a Penn State College of Medicine PA Student Portal in partnership with Castle Branch to offer the most secure and user-friendly way for students to initiate and maintain their background check documents, immunization records, and health forms via the student portal which provides the program with a secure and confidential method for reviewing records that arise from these checks.

All candidates for admission must acknowledge and provide a written explanation of any felony offense or disciplinary action taken against them prior to matriculation. Students convicted of any felony offense while enrolled in the PA Program must notify the Program Director as to the nature of the conviction within five (5) days of the conviction. Failure to disclose prior or new offenses will result in referral to the APC and may be grounds for dismissal from the program.

Cost is the responsibility of the student.

PA Program Criminal Background Check (CBC) Procedures

Image description: The flow chart starts with a candidate depositing to the PA program, after which the CBC is requested via CastleBranch. Next, results are reviewed by a Program Admissions Specialist. If no discrepancies are identified, admission is granted. If discrepancies are found, the process continues through additional levels of review. Discrepancies between the CASPA application and CBC are sent to the Admissions Committee for review. If concerns continue, further review is required by the Assistant Dean for the PA Program. Continued concerns lead to a review by the Vice Dean of Educational Affairs and the Associate Dean of Student Affairs. If the issues remain unresolved and are deemed unacceptable, admission is denied. If at any step a review is deemed acceptable, admission is granted. The cycle is repeated prior to Year 2.

It is the policy of The Pennsylvania State University that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance, on property owned, leased or controlled by the University and used in the performance of university services is prohibited. Every student shall abide by the terms of this policy and they shall notify the PA Program of any criminal drug conviction for a violation occurring in the University no later than five (5) days after such conviction. View the full Drug-Free Workplace Policy here.

All PA students must carry malpractice insurance while enrolled in the PA Program. Malpractice insurance must be renewed annually and is the financial responsibility of the student. A copy of the malpractice insurance certificate will be maintained by the program and will be provided to all clinical sites prior to student arrival at the clinical site. Students should also have a copy of their malpractice insurance readily available at each clinical rotation.

Malpractice coverage must be consistent with requirements for student malpractice in Pennsylvania or requested by the clinical rotation site
Students are not covered by malpractice insurance during any personal volunteer activities that are not coordinated by the PA program
Students must inform the program about any negative outcomes or events that occur during a clinical encounter while on rotations.

Students are not permitted to see patients in an office, clinic, or hospital setting without the clinical preceptor seeing the patient during their visit/hospitalization.

Technical Standards and Program Competencies

Technical Standards ^A3.12e

The technical standards for the Penn State College of Medicine PA Program have been established to ensure that candidates can demonstrate academic mastery, competence when performing clinical skills, and ability to communicate clinical information.

These technical standards are intended to ensure that each candidate has the academic and physical ability to acquire competencies, as defined by the National Commission on Accreditation of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), the Accreditation Review Commission for Education of the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), the PA Education Association (PAEA), and the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA). The technical standards are consistent with the technical standards set forth by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

The Penn State College of Medicine PA Program is committed to creating a respectful, accessible, and inclusive learning environment for all students and does not discriminate based on race, sex, age, sexual preference, gender identity, ethnicity, handicap, or socioeconomic status. Out of that commitment, and in accordance with both the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Program offers support to those individuals who may require a disability accommodation. If a candidate states they are unable to meet the technical standards due to a diagnosed disability, the Penn State College of Medicine will determine whether the candidate can meet the technical standards with reasonable accommodation. This includes a review of whether the accommodations requested would jeopardize patient safety or the educational process of the student or the institution, including all coursework and clinical rotations deemed essential to graduation.

A candidate with a documented disability who wishes to request academic accommodation is encouraged to contact the College of Medicine’s Student Advocacy Specialist in the Office of Health Advancement and Community Engagement.

All candidates, with or without reasonable accommodation, are required to meet the program’s technical standards; including patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and systems-based practice. These technical standards must be maintained from matriculation to graduation from the program.

The ability to meet the technical standards established by the program is essential for the fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree. In the event that a matriculated student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodations, the student will be reviewed with the Academic Progress Committee, and may be dismissed from the program with career counseling support in pursuing alternate careers.

All candidates must be able to independently meet the following standards:

Observation – A candidate must possess:

vision, hearing, and touch, or the functional equivalent, in order to be able to integrate, analyze, and synthesize data in a consistent and accurate manner o the ability to perceive pain, pressure, temperature, position, vibration, equilibrium, and movement
the ability to observe demonstrations, exercises, and patients accurately at a distance and close at hand
the ability to note non-verbal as well as verbal signals

Communication – A candidate must be able to:

communicate effectively in a professional manner with patients, families, caregivers, faculty and colleagues
elicit and transmit patient information in oral and written English to all members of the healthcare team
accurately describe changes in mood, activity and posture o read at a level sufficient to accomplish curricular requirements and provide clinical care for patients
write or type appropriate medical documents according to protocol in a thorough and timely manner

Motor Function – A candidate must be able to:

perform the basic and advanced clinical procedures that are requirements of the PA program curriculum
execute motor movements required to provide and/or direct the provision of general care and emergency treatment to patients o perform routine physical examination and diagnostic maneuvers
carry out treatment maneuvers, which may include lifting, transferring of patients and assisting during ambulation while assuring their own safety as well as the safety of the patient
coordinate the use of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and prolonged standing or sitting
elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and movement of limbs

Critical Thinking Ability – A candidate must be able to:

independently access and interpret medical histories or files
identify significant findings from history, physical examination, and laboratory data o provide a reasoned explanation for likely diagnoses and prescribed medications and therapy
recall and retain information in an efficient and timely manner and be able to ascertain the relationship between this retained information and its application in clinical practice
calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize
incorporate new information from peers, teachers, and the medical literature in formulating diagnoses and plans

Behavioral and Social Skills – A candidate must be able to:

demonstrate the maturity and emotional stability required for full use of their intellectual abilities
exercise good judgment and professionalism in both the educational and clinical settings
be honest, self-assess own mistakes, respond constructively to feedback and assume responsibility for maintaining professional behavior
promptly complete responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients under potentially stressful circumstances, emergency situations, and extended hours
develop empathic, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients, families, caregivers, faculty and colleagues
adapt to changing environments and to learn in the face of uncertainties inherent in the practice of medicine
respond to supervision appropriately and act within the scope of practice, when indicated

Ethical and Legal Standards – A candidate must:

behave in an ethical and moral manner consistent with professional values and standards
understand the legal and ethical aspects of the practice of medicine and function within both the law and ethical standards of the medical profession
meet the legal standards to be licensed to practice medicine.

Physical Demands

The U.S. Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) defines the physical demands strength rating as the estimated overall strength requirement of the job. It represents the strength requirements which are considered to be important for average, successful work performance. The strength rating is expressed by one of five terms and the PA profession is considered light work (L).

A candidate must:

possess the physical ability to learn and implement the various technical skills required by the program.
possess an adequate range of body motion and mobility, with or without accommodation, to perform the following essential functions: prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing, occasional bending and stooping and the ability to lift and carry books and other items such as medical instruments weighing up to ten (10) pounds with or without accommodation.
be able to exert up to twenty (20) pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly (constantly is defined as an activity or condition that exists 2/3 or more of the time) to lift, carry, push or pull or otherwise move objects including the human body.
physical demand requirements are in excess of those for sedentary work. Light work requires walking or standing to a significant degree but may also involve sitting for prolonged periods of time. (View Physical Demands Strength Rating)

1. Medical Knowledge:

MK 1.1 Apply principles of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and genetics to explain disease and guide patient management across the lifespan. ⁽^{B2.02: a–e, B2.08a-f}⁾

MK 1.2 Develop a differential diagnosis using history and physical exam findings for medical and surgical conditions. ⁽^{B2.03, B2.07: a–c, B2.08a-f}⁾

MK 1.3 Incorporate epidemiologic trends and genetic risk factors to inform diagnostic and preventive care strategies. ⁽^{B2.05, B2.1b,e3, B2.15a,d, B2.08a-f}⁾

MK 1.4 Differentiate normal from abnormal findings using clinical, lab, and imaging data.⁽^{B2.07: a,b,d, B2.08a-f}⁾

2. Interpersonal Skills:

IPS 2.1 – Evaluate how cultural, socioeconomic, environmental, and behavioral factors influence patient health, and integrate this to guide care. ^{(B2.06; B2.15d)}

IPS 2.2 – Provide care that is equitable, understandable, respectful, and consistent with patients’ beliefs. ^{(B2.04; B2.06c-e, B2.11a-e, B2.12d)}

IPS 2.3 – Demonstrate effective verbal, nonverbal, and written communication with patients, in a person-centered communication style to encourage shared decision making. ^{(B2.04; B2.07g)}

IPS 2.4 – Collaborate effectively in interprofessional teams. ^{(B2.10a–c; B2.07g)}

IPS 2.5 – Identify when to refer and coordinate appropriate specialty care. ^{(B2.07g; B2.0a-f8)}

IPS 2.6 – Advocate for individual and community health needs by identifying and addressing health disparities, systemic barriers, and structural inequities that affect health outcomes.

^{(B2.06a–f; B2.14c, B2.15a–d)}

IPS 2.7 – Connect patients to community and public health resources. ^{(B2.15b,c; B2.06f)}

3. Clinical Skills:

CS 3.1 – Illicit comprehensive and focused medical histories from patients across the lifespan.^{(B2.07a B2.08a-f)}

CS 3.2 – Perform age-appropriate, comprehensive, and problem-focused physical examinations.⁽^{B2.07b; B2.08a-f)}

CS 3.3 – Order and interpret appropriate laboratory and diagnostic tests to support clinical decision-making and management across the lifespan. ⁽^{B2.07d; 2.08a-f)}

CS 3.4 – Document the care provided in inpatient, outpatient, telehealth, and operative settings using professional, timely, and accurate medical records that support continuity of care and reimbursement requirements. ^{(B2.07e; B2.08b-f; B2.14a,b; B4.03a; B2.17c)}

4. Technical Skills

TS 4.1 – Safely and effectively perform entry-level diagnostic and therapeutic technical procedures in accordance with current professional practice standards. ^(B2.09)

5. Professional Behaviors:

PB 5.1 – Engage in conversations with patients, families, and colleagues using patient-centered communication that reflects empathy and nonjudgmental language. ⁽^{B2.04; B2.11a-e; B2.12c,d)}

PB 5.2 – Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and reliability. ⁽^B2.19a–c)

PB 5.3 – Maintain confidentiality and respect while upholding HIPAA, and ethical communication standards in all interactions. ⁽^{B2.04; B2.18; B2.19c)}

PB 5.4 – Apply the four pillars of medical ethics to clinical decision making. ⁽^{B2.18; B2.19c)}

PB 5.5 – Demonstrate knowledge of licensure, certification, credentialing, scope of practice, history of the profession, healthcare law, and regulatory policies that govern PA practice. ^{(B2.17ag; B2.14d)}

PB 5.6 – Apply concepts of billing, coding, and reimbursement to patient encounters. ⁽^{B2.14a–b; B2.17c)}

PB 5.7 – Analyze healthcare delivery models, insurance types, funding sources, and health policy related to their impact on patient care and access. ⁽^{B2.14c–d; B2.15b–d)}

PB 5.8 – Identify signs of burnout in self and others and use strategies that promote resilience, self-care, and professional sustainability. ⁽^B2.20a–c)

6. Clinical Reasoning and Problem Solving:

CRPS 6.1 – Differentiate between healthy, acutely ill, chronically ill, and at-risk patients across the lifespan. ⁽^{B2.05; B2.0a,b,d; B2.08a-f)}

CRPS 6.2 - Develop and prioritize a differential diagnosis based on the integration of history, physical exam findings, and diagnostic data for patients across the life span.^(B2.05;^{B2.07c; B2.08a)}

CRPS 6.3 – Create individualized patient care plans using up-to-date clinical guidelines and shared decision-making to manage acute and chronic conditions across the lifespan. ^(B2.05;^{B2.07e; B2.12a,b; B2.13e)}

CRPS 6.4 – Apply preventive and health maintenance strategies across the lifespan. ⁽^{B2.07e, f; B2.0a,b,e,f; B2.15a)}

CRPS 6.5 – Evaluate and apply evidence-based medicine in clinical decisions and patient education. ⁽^{B2.05, B2.07f, B2.13a-e)}

CRPS 6.6 – Recognize opportunities for quality improvement, patient safety, prevention of medical errors, and minimization of risk in healthcare delivery. ^{(B2.05; B2.14c,d; B2.167a-d)}

Curriculum, Assessment, and Evaluation

Purpose

The purview of the MD and PA Academic Progress Committees (APC) respectively are to approve the promotion of students in the doctor of medicine (MD) and physician assistant (PA) program as defined by the relevant competency domains of each of these Penn State College of Medicine programs. It is the job of each APC to make promotion determinations for all their respective students, and to develop and ensure accountability for individualized plans for those students with deficiencies in some aspect(s) of the MD or PA education program competencies.

Each APC serves as the committee that determines a student’s progression to the next year/Phase, that students have met competencies required to graduate, the need for warning or probationary status, mandated leave of absence for academic reasons, approval of program deceleration, such as repeating courses or an entire year or Phase; and dismissal from the MD or PA education program for academic, professional, or any other competency-related reasons.

Scope

This policy applies to College of Medicine MD and PA faculty and students.

Definitions

Academic Probation: An action reflecting academic concerns that have resulted in requirements needed to demonstrate a student is meeting course or program competencies. Academic Probation is noted in the permanent academic record, including on the student’s transcript. Students on Academic Probation are not in good academic standing. Academic probation will be reported in the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) (for MD students only).
Professionalism Probation: An action reflecting professional behavior concerns that have resulted in requirements needed to demonstrate a student is meeting course or program professionalism competencies. Professionalism Probation is noted in the permanent academic record, including on the student’s transcript. Students on Professionalism Probation are not in good academic standing. Professionalism probation will be reported in the MSPE for MD students.
Academic Warning: A decision designed to bring a student considered at risk from ongoing academic concerns to the attention of those who can assist in supporting the students’ academic success. Students put on academic warning remain in good academic standing. Academic warning is not reported on the student’s transcript or in the MSPE for MD students.
Professionalism Warning: A decision designed to bring a student considered at risk from ongoing professional behavior concerns to the attention of those who can support the student in addressing their professionalism issues. Students put on professionalism warning remain in good standing. Professionalism warning is not reported on the student’s transcript or in the MSPE for MD students.
Adverse Action: A decision which would cause deceleration (repeating a year), dismissal, or probation in the MD or PA education program.

APC Promotion and Graduation Review

At the didactic year and clinical year, a slate of students who have met competency requirements for promotion to the next portion of the curriculum or for graduation will be reviewed and approved by their respective APC.

The Competency Progress Committee (CPC) is an interdisciplinary committee within the PSCOM responsible for the systematic review of student performance, professionalism, and progression throughout the didactic and clinical phases of the curriculum. The CPC ensures that all students demonstrate progression toward program competencies, meet course and clinical learning outcomes, and are prepared for sage and effective clinical practice.

The CPC:

Reviews student academic performance across all courses and rotations
Monitors professionalism concerns, including attendance, tardiness, and preparedness
Evaluates identified deficiencies in knowledge, clinical skills, or professional behaviors
Ensures consistency and fairness in program decisions

The CPC conducts a holistic review of each referred student, incorporating:

Course performance data
Clinical evaluations and feedback
Assessment outcomes
Submission of student concern forms
Documentation of prior interventions or support

Following review, the CPC may:

Recommend resources and additional student services
Recommend additional program support through advising
Choose to continue to monitor student progress
Recommend a check-in with the chair of the academic progress committee, associate dean of student affairs, assistant dean/program director for the PA program, and associate dean of assessment and evaluation
Recommend full referral to the academic progress committee

The PA student concern form is for general programmatic concerns that students may encounter and would like to bring to the attention of the Assistant Dean/Program Director. The form may also be used to bring suggestions for ways to enhance the educational and professional experience for our students. Individual course concerns should first be brought to the course director. Similarly, clinical site concerns should first be brought to the clinical year team.

This form should not be utilized for emergencies or urgent concerns. Emergency Resources are available below:

24-hour Security Dispatcher: 717-531-8711
Penn State Crisis Line: 877-229-6400
Crisis Text Line: Text “LIONS” to 741-741
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Office of Professional Mental Health: 717-531-8658
Student Health: 717-531-5998
IS Service Desk: 833-577-4357
On-Call Dean: 800-243-1455 (operator can connect you)

The concern form can be filled out by a faculty or staff member who has a concern about the knowledge or behaviors of a medical student. The concern form asks for a description of the behavior that is of concern to the person filing the report, which competency domain(s) the behavior is associated, whether the student has been notified of the concern, and what has been conveyed to the student. Copies of the form are given to the student, the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, and Associate Dean of Evaluation and Assessment, and the student’s Longitudinal Academic Counselor.

Program duration: 24 months; 12 months didactic and 12 months clinical

Program completion: 101 credits; 55 in the didactic year and 46 in clinical year

View list of courses and credits on the Course Timeline page.

Course descriptions can be found in the Penn State Graduate Bulletin.

Grading Policy^A3.14c

The Penn State College of Medicine PA Program has adopted the grading scale utilized for all 700 level courses within the College of Medicine and at Penn State University. The following scale lists the final course grade, the translated GPA, and the quality point assignment to each grade.

Students must complete all assignments for each course offered in the PA program. Failure to complete the assignment will result in a zero for the assignment and a failing grade for the course.

Late Assignments:

Unless otherwise noted in course syllabi, students are expected to submit all written assignments in readable files by the due date provided.
- A deduction of 20% from the assignment grade will occur for each day the assignment is late.
- No assignments will be accepted after five (5) days.
- Recurrent submission of late assignments will result in completion of a professionalism form.

For Clinical Year Students:

PAEA End of Rotation Examinations are graded through PAEA software using scale scores of 300-500 points for each examination. Composite performance reports are provided by PAEA to the student/program, which indicate the national average score, the program score, and the standard deviation for each.

Historical reports have demonstrated that using a bell-shaped curve, 68% of test takers fall within 1 standard deviation (SD) above and below the mean, and 95% of test takers fall within 2 standard deviations (SD) above and below the mean.

With the current program threshold of 75% for a passing score, the program utilizes the below cut points for End of Rotation Examination grading.

Students receiving a Low Pass or Failing score on the End-of Rotation examinations will require remediation to successfully complete the course, as depicted by the remediation policy below.

Remediation Policy ^A3.14c

The Penn State College of Medicine PA Program will monitor evidence of information mastery through frequent, objective, and documented evaluations of student performance and the ability to meet the program’s learning outcomes and instructional objectives during both the Didactic and Clinical phases of the program.

Given the nature of continuous assessment throughout the program, student progress is monitored and documented in a manner that promotes the prompt identification of deficiencies in knowledge or skills and establishes a means for remediation.

Remediation is defined by the program as the re-teaching and re-learning of material that a student has not achieved information mastery as evidenced by poor performance on written, oral, or practical/technical examinations and/or assessments.

The goal of remediation within the PA program is to utilize course instructional objectives to identify areas of weakness within course material and assist students in overcoming such weaknesses to develop mastery of course material, professionalism, and program competencies.

Academic Remediation ^A3.14c:

In alignment with the Penn State College of Medicine MD Program, the PA Program recognizes a passing grade for any evaluation or assignment the achievement of a grade of 75% or greater. Unless otherwise noted in the course syllabus, any grade < 75% will constitute failure of an evaluation or assignment and require remediation of course material.

Remediation requirements will be maintained in StarFish to enhance transparency in student performance and academic progress for students, faculty, and advisors.

Remediation of assignments in which a failing grade was received will not replace the initial grade earned by students unless otherwise noted in the course syllabus.

Professionalism Remediation ^A3.14c:

Professionalism is one of the core competencies of the Penn State College of Medicine PA Program. As such, students are expected to adhere to professionalism guidelines set forth by the program as a requirement for graduation.

Students will complete a professionalism self-assessment once per semester while enrolled in the didactic phase of the PA program that will be submitted as part of the Professional Practice course. Students in Clinical Year will be evaluated during each clinical rotation.

Students will be formally assessed during practical examinations, OSCEs, and through preceptor evaluations in the clinical year of the program.

More frequent assessments of professional behavior will occur if the need arises.

Students with an instance of professionalism concern on an informal or formal evaluation must meet with their advisor to address the concern.
Students with a second professionalism concern must meet with the Program Director to discuss the concern and complete a self-reflection via personal improvement plan (PIP) on the unacceptable behavior(s) identified. The student will then be re-evaluated on the unacceptable behavior(s) and ability to follow the remediation plan by their faculty advisor within a designated timeframe.
Failure to improve the unacceptable behavior(s), follow the remediation plan established, or the presence of additional/persistent concerns for professional misconduct will prompt referral to the College of Medicine CPC for review.
A student with multiple documented lapses of professional behaviors despite CPC recommendations will be referred to the APC for consideration of professional probation.
Students with documented lapses of professional behaviors while on professional probation will be referred to the APC for consideration of dismissal from the PA program.
Egregious acts will be referred immediately to the APC for review and may result in immediate dismissal from the PA Program. As necessary, students committing egregious acts may be placed on an immediate leave of absence pending formal comprehensive review by the APC.

To be eligible for graduation, students must:

Complete the entirety of the 24-month program as accredited by the ARC-PA.
Satisfactorily complete all curricular requirements within 36 months of matriculation while:
- Maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater.
- Maintaining no final course grades of failing ("F”) following completion of remediation.
Complete a minimum of 1,600 supervised clinical hours.
Successfully complete the summative evaluation (PAS 756).
Achieve all program competencies and subcompetencies.
Maintain satisfactory professional standing.
Receive a recommendation for graduation from the program, with approval by the APC.
Fulfill all financial obligations to Penn State College of Medicine and Pennsylvania State University.

Satisfactory Academic Progress ^A3.14

Academic Progress for all students enrolled in the Penn State College of Medicine PA Program is monitored by the course faculty/staff in addition to the College of Medicine Competency Progress Committee (CPC) and Academic Progress Committee (APC).

The CPC and APC are composed of program faculty and administrative representatives from the Penn State College of Medicine.

The CPC convenes on a monthly basis and as needed to review academic and professionalism concerns of students in both the PA and MD programs. The CPC may provide recommendations and resources to the students which are meant to enhance their academic performance and demonstrate professional behaviors necessary for a career in healthcare. CPC may also recommend more frequent meetings with their academic advisors, or refer the student for a more detailed review of performance by the APC.

The APC serves as the committee responsible for monitoring academic performance, professionalism, progress between semesters, promotion to clinical year, approval for graduation, and student conduct for PA students enrolled at the College of Medicine. The APC convenes at the end of each term, monthly, and as necessary, to review the academic record of each graduate student and determine their academic standing.

Failure to maintain satisfactory academic standing may result in academic probation, professionalism probation, academic dismissal, and/or professionalism dismissal from the program.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

All students enrolled in the Penn State College of Medicine PA Program must comply with all policies set forth by the Penn State College of Medicine and the PA Program. The College of Medicine supports the continued assessment and review of student progress towards academic and competency requirements for graduation.

The PA program defines Satisfactory Academic Progress as:

Maintaining a semester/cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater
Maintaining no more than two (“LP”) course grades in any semester
Maintaining no failing (“F”) course grades
Maintaining consistent professional behaviors

Satisfactory Academic Progress is monitored at the completion of each course, each semester, prior to advancement to clinical year, and prior to graduation.

Continuous Student Monitoring for Academic and Professional Progress: Following each assessment or evaluation, a student’s ability to meet necessary program competencies will be reviewed. Review of academic progress first occurs at the course director level with entry of LP/F grades as well as assignments requiring remediation to StarFish in the form of a flag.

Flags are reviewed by the course director, student advisor, program director, and designee from the Office of Evaluation and Assessment who oversees the College of Medicine Competency Progress Committee (CPC) and Academic Progress Committee (APC).

Performance concerns that arise from evaluations and assessments throughout the Didactic and Clinical Year showing deficiency in a competency domain(s) will be reviewed by the Competency Progress Committee.

Students who fail to maintain satisfactory academic standing (semester GPA of < 3.00, receipt of an “F” in any course, or egregious professionalism concerns) will be notified by the PA Program Director of their academic standing and will be referred to the APC for a comprehensive evaluation of performance in all competency domains of the PA program.

Indications for program required meetings with your advisor, recommendations for referral to cognitive skills faculty, and referral to CPC or APC include, but are not limited to the following.

Didactic Year Students: At the completion of the Summer and Fall semesters, students in the didactic year of the program must complete comprehensive final examinations with a score of > 75% to progress to the next semester. Students with failing and low pass scores must attend the Remediation Workshop program offered prior to the start of the next semester. Students with persistently identified deficiencies in the ability to meet program competencies and/or technical standards will be evaluated by APC for program dismissal due to academic concerns.

At the completion of Didactic Year, students must complete a comprehensive Didactic Summative Examination with a score of > 75% to progress into Clinical Year. Failure to achieve a passing score on this examination will require remediation and assessment retake to ensure that the student has gained the knowledge necessary to progress to clinical rotations, which will result in a delay to the start of clinical year and a delay in graduation.

Clinical Year Students: At the completion of Clinical Year, students must successfully complete summative testing with a score of > 75% on each component. Failure to achieve a passing score on each component of the summative experience will require remediation and repeat assessment to ensure that the student has gained the knowledge necessary to graduate. Students that fail the summative end of curriculum written examination (score <1475), must complete a remediation provided by the program; followed by repeat assessment to ensure that the student has gained the knowledge necessary to graduate. Completion of remediation and reassessment will result in a delay of program graduation.

Didactic Year

The purpose of Didactic Year education is to provide students with foundational biomedical and clinical knowledge, clinical reasoning skills, and core technical competencies necessary for patient care. Through these experiences, students will develop the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors required to prepare for supervised clinical practice experiences.

All students enrolled in the Penn State College of Medicine PA Program will be assigned an advisor from the point of matriculation through graduation. The objectives of the program’s academic advising program are to help advisees obtain the maximum benefit from their educational experience by encouraging involvement in both in-and-out of class educational opportunities that promote self-directed learning and decision making.

Students are required to meet with their academic advisor at least once every semester.

During anatomy laboratory safety training, students are informed about allergens and respiratory irritants present in the learning environment.
Students with known allergies or respiratory conditions that could be exacerbated by materials in the anatomy laboratory, and students who are pregnant or breastfeeding, are requested to schedule an evaluation with the Office of Student Health’s Nursing Supervisor.
The Student Health Nursing Supervisor will perform an Occupational Health and Safety screening with the student and provide recommendations for additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including mask fit testing, as needed. The equipment itself will be provided to the student.
The student will wear the recommended additional PPE as directed and monitor their condition, making sure to seek medical care and further consultation with the Student Health Nursing Supervisor, if they have concerns, or if allergy symptoms or respiratory conditions worsen, despite PPE use.
This procedure will be distributed to all students during laboratory safety training and signs will be posted within the anatomy laboratory with contact information for the Student Health Nursing Supervisor (Student_health@pennstatehealth.psu.edu).

Introduction

At Penn State College of Medicine, Physician Assistant (PA) students are considered junior colleagues. Preparation, participation, attendance, timeliness, and professional engagement are fundamental expectations for all students.

On-time attendance and full participation is required for all scheduled didactic sessions and program-required activities. The program schedule is intentionally designed to include time outside of required activities to allow students to attend to personal needs, including routine medical appointments.

Categories of Absences

All absences, in all circumstances, must be requested using the online Physician Assistant Program Student Absence Request Form. Discussion of an absence with staff or faculty does not take the place of submitting the required Absence Request Form.

Out of respect for others engaged in the learning experience, students must alert faculty and students involved in impacted lab, group, or team-based learning activities of absence. Students missing group work should connect with other students in the group to determine how they can contribute to the group’s work despite the absence.

Three (3) types of absences are recognized:

Medical Absences
Non-medical Absences
Unexcused Absences

Students may not make travel arrangements until they have received approval for their Absence Request.

Campus security will be informed about any student who is unaccounted for more than 24 hours so that a search can be initiated to confirm that the student is safe.

Medical Absences

Acute Illness:

Students with unplanned absences for health-related issues are not expected to participate in course experiences when they are ill and should not report to their courses if they are symptomatic with a communicable respiratory illness.

Students must report their medical absences as soon as possible and within 24 hours using the online Physician Assistant Program Student Absence Request Form.

Students that require evaluation or hospitalization for emergent medical or surgical conditions must have a medical clearance to return to class and other program-related activities that attests to the student’s ability to meet program-required technical standards.

Students missing three (3) or more consecutive days of class due to illness or other medical condition must have a medical excuse to return to class and other program-related activities.

Failure to report an unexpected medical absence due to acute illness within 24 hours will be marked as an Unexcused Absence.

Medical Appointments:

Obtaining medical appointments may be challenging, however, it is expected that every reasonable attempt be made to obtain appointments outside scheduled program requirements. In the event that a student must miss an educational activity due to a personal non-emergent medical appointment, a request must be placed using the Physician Assistant Program Student Absence Request Form at lease five (5) days prior to the date of the appointment and receive approval. The student is expected to attend class prior to and upon conclusion of the appointment as time permits.

Personal medical appointments requiring an absence of four (4) or more hours will be counted as a full day toward medical absences. Personal medical appointments requiring absence greater than one (1) hour, but less than four (4) hours will be counted as a half day toward medical absences. Absences of less than one (1) hour will not be counted toward medical absences.

Students with chronic medical conditions should seek assistance from Disability Services for consideration of reasonable accommodations: disabilityservices@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

Failure to report an absence due to medical appointments as noted above will be marked as an Unexcused Absence.

Non-Medical Absences

Bereavement Absences:

Absences due to the death of a family member or loved one must be coordinated directly with the Director of Didactic Education or the Program Director. Students may be approved for up to five (5) days following the death of an immediate family member and up to two (2) days for extended family or loved ones.

Students must submit the online Physician Assistant Program Student Absence Request Form and receive approval for the absence. As the situation permits, this should be done at least five (5) days in advance.

Failure to report absences as noted above will be marked as an Unexcused Absence.

Military Absences:

Absences due to military service must be requested at leave five (5) days in advance by submitting the online Physician Assistant Program Student Absence Request Form.

Failure to report absences as noted above will be marked as an Unexcused Absence.

Personal Time Off:

The PA Program recognizes the incredible time commitment of the Didactic Year of the Program and understands that many students will greatly benefit from the opportunity to have a day off from their didactic studies without risking their academic success and ability to meet the program’s technical standards.

Students may have one “personal day”, or excused non-medical absence, per semester during the didactic year only. This personal day may be used for religious observations. Students are responsible for obtaining, reviewing, and submitting any materials or assignments from missed days.

Students must submit the online Physician Assistant Program Student Absence Request Form at least five (5) days in advance and receive approval for the absence.

Students may not submit a request on a day that falls immediately prior to/after a scheduled program break, or on a day in which practical exams, OSCEs, written examinations, interprofessional events, ceremonies, or other mandatory program requirements occur. Students missing team-based learning (TBL) sessions will have the opportunity to make up all individual readiness assessments but will not be permitted to make up the group readiness assessment portion.

Additionally, no more than three (3) students from the class make take a personal day simultaneously. These will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis.

Failure to report absences as noted above will be marked as an Unexcused Absence.

Professional/Academic Activities:

Students participating in conference presentations, state or national committee meetings, or as members of the challenge bowl team may request additional absence days if they are in good academic and professional standing to attend. Submission of the online Physician Assistant Program Student Absence Request Form seven (7) or more days in advance with documentation of participation and receipt of approval from the Program is required to attend.

Failure to report absences as noted above will be marked as an Unexcused Absence.

Voting-Related Absences:

The PA program encourages all students to take the opportunity to vote during elections. Please ensure that you are arriving to the voting polls prior to or after your scheduled course hours or taking the opportunity to complete absentee ballots if you are unsure of your ability to vote in person due to classes.

Unexcused Absences, Tardiness, and Unpreparedness

Unexcused absences, unpreparedness, and consistent tardiness, will be considered as lapses in professional behavior.

Tardiness: Tardiness will be monitored by course faculty.

Students with two (2) or more episodes of tardiness in a given semester will receive a conduct observation with documentation via StarFish and be reminded of the program attendance policy.
Students with three (3) or more episodes of tardiness in a given semester will receive a concern form prompting referral to the CPC followed by a meeting with their faculty advisor.
Students with five (5) or more episodes of tardiness in a given semester will be referred to the Academic Progress Committee for review of their academic and professional record.

Unpreparedness: Preparedness will be monitored by course faculty.

Students with one (1) episode of unpreparedness in a given semester will receive a conduct observation with documentation via StarFish and be reminded of the program attendance policy.
Students with two (2) or more episodes of unpreparedness in a given semester will receive a concern form prompting referral to the CPC followed by a meeting with their faculty advisor.
Students with three (3) or more episodes of unpreparedness in a given semester will be referred to the Academic Progress Committee for review of their academic and professional record.

Furthermore, students who arrive unprepared for class sessions or program activities may be unable to participate in the activity, receive an unexcused absence, or require remediation of missed curricular content.

Unexcused Absences: Absences will be monitored by course faculty and program leadership.

Students with one (1) unexcused absence throughout the didactic year will receive notification on unexcused absence and be reminded of the program attendance policy.
Students with two (2) unexcused absences throughout the didactic year will receive a concern form prompting referral to the CPC followed by a meeting with their faculty advisor and the Program Director.
Students with three (3) or more unexcused absences throughout didactic year will be referred to the Academic Progress Committee for review of their academic and professional record.

General Notes Surrounding Attendance

Students that miss more than one (1) week or five (5) days of course material in any semester must apply for an extended absence and will be reviewed by the Didactic Year Team to evaluate their ability to meet course learning outcomes and program competencies. Ability to meet course learning outcomes and competencies will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If concerns about a student’s ability to meet course learning outcomes and program competencies is present, the student will be referred to the Competency Progress Committee for further review.

All medical excuses, medical clearances, and fitness for duty documentation must be submitted to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, where they will be kept confidentially. These documents should not be submitted to the Program Director or Program Faculty.

Students who wish to appeal an absence decision or to request an exception to the above policy due to compelling circumstances must directly reach out to the Assistant Dean/Program Director, PA Program.

In the event of inclement weather requiring the cancellation of classes, information will be detailed on the PSU Alert website.

As deemed necessary by Program Administration, class time may be converted to on-line learning/zoom sessions. Students will be notified of this change in course delivery via CANVAS announcement.

Dress Code ^A3.04

Students are expected to maintain good, personal hygiene at all times. This includes regular bathing, use of deodorants/antiperspirants, combing/brushing hair, and regular dental hygiene.

Students may dress in accordance with their gender identity and gender expression, but must dress in a way that meets the following guidelines:

Students display their identification badges at all times^A3.04
Students do not wear open-toe shoes/sandals in laboratory or clinical settings
Students will not wear heavy fragrances, perfumes or colognes
Students will not wear fishnet stockings, crop-tops or other see-through clothing
Students will not wear suggestive or revealing clothing
Students will not display undergarments while wearing clothing
Students will not wear sunglasses, hats or caps in the building, unless for religious reasons

For anatomy dissection laboratory sessions, students will be issued scrubs to wear.

Students are expected to dress professionally for all sessions that involve working with actual or standardized patients and for all practicals/OSCEs. Professional attire includes:

Slacks or dress pants
Dresses or skirts below the level of mid-thigh
Blouses, sweaters or collared shirts and ties
Closed-toed shoes
Short white coat

Stethoscope: Provided by the Office of Alumni Relations
- If students choose to utilize a different stethoscope than the one provided, it must include a separate bell & diaphragm.
Short White Coat: Provided
Tromner Reflex Hammer: Included in program fee
Medical Penlight: Included in program fee
Suture Practice Kit: Included in program fee
- Practice Suture: approximately $25 - recommended
Knot Tying Practice Kit: Included in program fee
Flexible Ruler (2): Included in program fee
EKG Calipers: Included in program fee
Tuning Forks: Included in program fee
Hand-held/Pocket Eye Chart: Included in program fee
Flexible Tape Measure: Included in program fee
Sphygmomanometer (Blood Pressure Cuff): Students should purchase an adult cuff with sphygmomanometer (approximately $25)
Watch: Stop-watch or wristwatch with a second hand (approximately $25-100)

Students may choose to purchase an otoscope and ophthalmoscope for their own personal practice at home; however, this is not a PA program requirement as students will have access to these items in the SIM lab and clinical practice areas. Therefore, these items will not be included in the annual estimated costs for attendance

Background

Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Health are committed to enhancing the quality of life through improved health, the professional preparation of those who will serve the health needs of others, and the discovery of knowledge that will benefit all. Penn State College of Medicine aims to ensure the medical learning environment is safe for patients and supportive for learners and educators. The Penn State College of Medicine PA program requires that students undertake the examination of all patients, regardless of their personal, social, religious, cultural, or individual characteristics, with the professional manner to develop competence in these examinations. Peer physical examination is an accepted educational method supported in contemporary medical education literature and used in many medical schools and PA programs across the United States and abroad to improve clinical skills training. This policy identifies the benefits of peer physical examination, clarifies the expectations of students and staff participating in peer physical examination, and details the procedures addressing an unexpected event or unprofessional behavior.

Benefits of Peer Physical Examination

Penn State College of Medicine PA program students must demonstrate competency in a wide range of clinical skills including performing an appropriate physical examination on patients. Students begin physical examination training early in didactic year via provider-supervised examination of peers, standardized patients, and real patients. Peer physical exam is supported by evidence in contemporary medical education literature with benefits including:

Helping students to appreciate the patient perspective, i.e. what it feels like to be physically examined, the importance of clear communication and instructions to a patient throughout an examination, how a patient can feel vulnerable or embarrassed, and the importance of proper draping to ensure minimal body exposure.
Enabling clinician students (meaning, the student performing physical examination on a peer) to receive feedback on their physical examination skills from fellow students, clinical skills faculty members and, most importantly, the patient student (meaning, the student who is being examined by their peer) who can give feedback from the patient’s perspective.
Enabling students to improve their technique by practicing the same examination multiple times which is not typically possible with real patients who are ill or tired.
Enabling students to develop confidence and skill in a safe environment examining peers before examining real patients.
Fostering a culture of respect and understanding of appropriate professional behaviors, including obtaining consent.
Enabling students to study normal anatomy and appreciate normal physical examination findings on many different subjects rather than just learning on patients, many of whom have abnormal physical examination findings.

From studies of students’ attitudes toward peer physical examination, it is known that a number of factors including age, gender, ethnicity, cultural and religious beliefs, and personal experiences mean that some students may be more anxious about participation in peer physical examination sessions than others. At Penn State College of Medicine, we value the diversity of our student body. In order to balance individual preferences regarding their level of participation in peer physical examination with ensuring that all students have an opportunity to practice their skills (and thus become competent), Penn State College of Medicine expects that all students treat one another with respect and dignity.

Expectations

Each Penn State College of Medicine PA candidate will participate in physical examination labs beginning in the first semester of the program. Students may discuss any concerns with module Course Directors, the Director of Didactic Education, or the Program Director at any time.

Students must understand that peer physical examination sessions constitute a “clinical” environment where they must behave in the same professional manner as they would on any other clinical rotation

Students are expected to participate in peer physical examination as

the “clinician” student who conducts the physical examination,
the “patient” student who is being examined, and
the “observing” student who provides thoughtful feedback to the clinician student.

To maximize learning, students will rotate through these roles in each clinical skills session. Students should not feel pressured to be examined as the “patient” student at any time.

All students must sign and agree to abide by the professional behaviors outlined in the Peer Physical Examination Agreement.

Students may choose to work with a peer of the same gender identity, for example. If such an adjustment is unacceptable to a student for a specific physical examination, the student may act just as the observing or clinician student.

Students must:

show the same respect and care to peers as they would to patients
respect the modesty of the patient student
ensure they gain verbal consent prior to every physical examination, just as they would with real patients.
must ensure that exposure of the patient student is restricted to the relevant body part, for the shortest time possible, thus ensuring the comfort, dignity, and modesty of the patient student, exactly as with real patients
respect the decisions of their peers regarding the specific physical examinations for which they decline to be examined, and no rationale need be provided for declining to be examined.

It is recommended that students rotate positions and peer partners, thereby ensuring a variety of examination experiences. However, we recognize that students may feel anxious about peer physical examination and are entitled to make autonomous choices about their own bodies.

Students should dress in comfortable clothing that will best facilitate physical examination. Examples of acceptable clothing include athletic shorts, tank tops, sports bras, leggings or yoga pants, and loose-fitting pants.

Program faculty present in clinical skills sessions are all trained, certified, and licensed providers. Their role is to demonstrate a physical examination on a volunteer patient student at the beginning of a session and then provide ongoing feedback to all students in a clinical skills group to increase student competence and confidence with examinations. Program faculty should therefore not routinely offer themselves to be examined.

Ensuring Non-participants Receive Comparable Learning

It is important to remember that while participation in peer physical examination should be at the level of each student’s comfort, it is an absolute requirement of the Penn State College of Medicine PA program that students undertake examination of all patients, regardless of their personal, social, religious, cultural, or individual characteristics. Therefore, all students must participate as the clinician student during physical examination practice sessions and for practical skills examinations.

If a student is uncomfortable with a specific physical examination as a patient student, they should discuss their discomfort with module Course Directors, the Director of Didactic Education, or the Program Director at any time. The student might request to work with a student of the same gender identity, or have the examination take place behind a curtain, for example. If these suggested adjustments are unacceptable to the student, they may act as the observing or clinician student without rotation to the patient student role.

Procedure for Discovery of a Possible Clinical Abnormality

In the event that a clinician student incidentally discovers a possible abnormality upon examination of the patient student (e.g. heart murmur, thyroid nodule, suspicious-looking skin lesion), the clinician student should discretely and confidentially discuss this finding with Program faculty assigned to the small group. Program faculty may observe or facilitate educational discussion of the finding in a general manner; however, this interaction is strictly educational in nature and does not establish a physician-patient relationship.

Program faculty may not provide clinical care, act as a healthcare provider, offer diagnostic impressions or medical recommendations related to the finding. Students with concern for possible clinical abnormalities are advised to seek evaluation by an independent, licensed healthcare provider.

Procedure for Unprofessional Student Behavior

As discussed previously in this document, students are expected to behave professionally during peer physical examination. Any concerns regarding unprofessional behavior (e.g. breaking confidentiality, discussing a fellow student’s medical history/examination outside of the clinical skills session, etc.) will be reported to the:

Course Director
Director of Didactic Education
Assistant Dean/Program Director of the PA Program
Penn State College of Medicine CPC via the formal Concern Form.

Procedure for Unprofessional Program Faculty Behavior

Penn State College of Medicine PA Program Faculty are all trained healthcare providers. If a student has any concerns regarding unprofessional behavior of their small group program faculty, they should discuss with the Assistant Dean/Program Director. Students also may report concerns of unprofessional behavior to The Office for Respectful Learning Environment.

Academic Remediation ^A3.14c

Remediation requirements will be maintained in StarFish to enhance transparency in student performance and academic progress for students, faculty, and advisors.

Remediation of assignments in which a failing grade was received will not replace the initial grade earned by students unless otherwise noted in the course syllabus.

Remediation Procedures:

Unless otherwise specified in the course syllabus, Didactic Year remediation for all failed assignments/written examinations/OSCEs/clinical skills assessments/technical skills assessments will follow a six (6)-step process.

Course Director sets remediation flag in StarFish notifying student of remediation requirement for course completion.
Student initiates remediation by contacting the Course Director within two (2) business days from the posting.
Student will review the information received and develop a personalized remediation study plan based on identified area(s) of deficiency.
Students schedule a time to meet with faculty assigned to the remediation utilizing the self-service scheduling function in StarFish to review their remediation plan, area(s) of deficiency, and the plan for post-remediation assessment.
Post-remediation assessment expectations will be provided to the student by the course director or their faculty designee. Re-assessment activities may include a self-reflection exercise, written response to selected examination items with reference citations, written examination, oral examination, written completion of selected course instructional objectives with reference citations, problem-based learning exercises focused on area(s) of deficiency, skills assessment, practical
Students will demonstrate proficiency in achieving course learning outcomes through post-remediation assessment, with documentation in StarFish.

In the Didactic phase of the program, all remediation assignments must be completed within two (2) weeks, unless otherwise approved by the Director of Didactic Education or Program Director. All remediation assignments must be completed prior to the last day of the semester.

Failure to successfully complete remediation will result in receipt of an Identified Deficiency (overall course grade > 75%) or Course Failure (inability to successfully remediate course assignment or course grade < 75%), which will be subject to review as detailed in the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy above.

We strive to create high-quality courses and expect that students will provide feedback to faculty who teach in the course, as well as course directors in the form of course and faculty evaluations. Evaluation results will be collated and provided to faculty at the end of the semester in an anonymous manner. Evaluations will be reviewed by the course director, Director of Didactic Education, Assistant Dean/Program Director, Physician Assistant Masters Program Education Committee (PAMPEC), the Curriculum Evaluation Sub-Committee (CESC) and Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) as applicable.

As part of the Professionalism competency domain, we expect you to follow conscientious behaviors expected of a developing health professional by providing constructive comments regarding areas of strength and opportunities for improvement of this course for future students. Course and faculty evaluations will be administered anonymously to all students at the end of the course via “OASIS.” Guest lecture evaluations will be administered anonymously immediately following the lecture.

Students with two (2) or more incomplete evaluations in any given semester will receive a professionalism concern form. While we will track who has completed course and faculty evaluations, neither ratings nor comments are tracked back to students.

Students will be provided with a period of transition from Didactic to Clinical year. This block will provide students with structured training, opportunities for additional certifications, and a formalized orientation to the clinical year.

Students must submit the following certifications or proof of completion to the Clinical Year course on CANVAS prior to the start of Clinical Rotations:

HIPAA training
Pain Management and Opioid Education training
Child Abuse certificate
Basic Life Support (BLS) training
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) training
Student Acknowledgement of Guidelines for MD/PA Student Billable Notes in Patient Charts
Student Acknowledgement of Student Handbook
Electronic Medical Record (EMR) training
Mask FIT testing via Student Health
NIH Stroke Scale certification (optional)

Failure to provide required documentation will result in the inability of students to begin clinical rotations, which will result in a delay in graduation due to deceleration. All costs associated with deceleration are the responsibility of the student.

Clinical Year

The purpose of Clinical Year education is to provide the students with supervised clinical practice experiences in specific medical disciplines and settings. Through these experiences, students will integrate didactic year training into the clinical context.

Advising Sessions: Students must meet with their academic advisors at least one (1) time per semester during their Clinical Year.

Attendance at Clinical Rotations

The Clinical Year of the PA Program does not follow the Penn State University/Penn State College of Medicine Academic Calendar and may require weekend, evening, and holiday attendance at Clinical Rotation Sites per the schedule developed by Clinical Preceptors.

Attendance for all clinical rotations is mandatory unless otherwise approved by the Penn State College of Medicine PA Program using the Absence Request Form.

Submission of the Absence Request Form does not guarantee approval of an excused absence.

Students are expected to be present at their clinical sites as scheduled by their preceptors, and should remain at their clinical site for the duration designated on their clinical schedule submitted via CANVAS.

It is NOT acceptable for students to request an absence or early dismissal from a clinical site/preceptor to study or prepare for assessments/callback days and other reasons without first discussing this with the Clinical Year Team.

Categories of Absences

Three (3) types of absences are recognized:

Medical Absences
Non-medical Absences
Preceptor-Directed Absences
Unexcused Absences

Students may not make travel arrangements until they have received approval for their Absence Request.

Campus security will be informed about any student who is unaccounted for more than 24 hours so that a search can be initiated to confirm that the student is safe.

Medical Absences

Acute Illness:

Students with unplanned absences for health-related issues are not expected to participate in supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) when they are ill, and should not report to their rotation sites if they are symptomatic with a communicable respiratory or GI illness.

Students may have one (1) excused medical absence per clinical rotation, if needed. Absences of greater than one day will require additional clinical time to ensure adequate clinical exposure, which may result in deceleration or need to delay graduation.

Students must report their medical absences as soon as possible and within 24 hours using the online Physician Assistant Program Student Absence Request Form.

Students with illnesses requiring an absence of three (3) or more consecutive days requires a written excuse from the licensed health care provider rendering their treatment. Students may require additional clinical time in that rotation to ensure clinical competency, which may result in deceleration or need to delay graduation.

Students who are ill, hospitalized, or incapacitated in some way that affects their ability to safely and satisfactorily perform their duties in a clinical setting must provide official medical clearance that states their ability to return to clinical rotations without restrictions prior to returning to the clinical site.

Failure to report these health-related changes is considered unprofessional behavior that puts yourself, other healthcare providers, and patients at risk. Occurrences will prompt completion of a professionalism concern form, referral to the Competency Progress Committee, and a meeting with the Director of Clinical Education.

Medical Appointments:

Obtaining medical appointments may be challenging, however, it is expected that every reasonable attempt be made to obtain appointments outside scheduled program requirements. In the event that a student must miss clinical activities due to a personal non-emergent medical appointment, a request must be placed using the Physician Assistant Program Student Absence Request Form at least five (5) days prior to the date of the appointment and receive approval. The student is expected to attend their rotation prior to and upon conclusion of the appointment as time permits.

Personal medical appointments requiring an absence of four (4) or more hours will be counted as a full day toward medical absences. Personal medical appointments

requiring absence greater than one (1) hour, but less than four (4) hours will be counted as a half day toward medical absences. Absences of less than one (1) hour will not be counted toward medical absences.

Students with chronic medical conditions should seek assistance from Disability Services for consideration of reasonable accommodations: disabilityservices@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

Failure to report absences as noted above will be marked as an Unexcused Absence.

Non-Medical Absences

Bereavement Absences:

Absences due to the death of a family member or loved one must be coordinated directly with the Director of Clinical Education or the Program Director. Students may be approved for up to five (5) days following the death of an immediate family member and up to two (2) days for extended family or loved ones.

Students in the clinical phase of the program may be required to make-up time missed to ensure course learning outcomes can be met, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Failure to report absences as noted above will be marked as an Unexcused Absence.

Military Absences:

Absences due to military service must be requested at leave five (5) days in advance by submitting the online Physician Assistant Program Student Absence Request Form.

Students in the clinical phase of the program may be required to make-up time missed to ensure course learning outcomes can be met, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Failure to report absences as noted above will be marked as an Unexcused Absence.

Personal Time Off:

Students in the Clinical phase of the Program do not receive personal days.

Students may submit one (1) scheduling accommodation per semester to the Clinical Year team for personal needs. Requests must be submitted no later than thirty (30) days prior to the start of the semester via the online Physician Assistant Program Student Absence Request.

Requests will be reviewed and submitted to Clinical Rotation sites for scheduling accommodation. Students should keep in mind that 1) requested time off is not a guarantee, and 2) students must meet a minimum of 32 hours per week for the rotation regardless of the scheduling request made.

Professional/Academic Activities:

Failure to report absences as noted above will be marked as an Unexcused Absence.

Voting-Related Absences:

The PA program encourages all students to take the opportunity to vote during elections. Please ensure that you are arriving to the voting polls prior to or after your scheduled clinical rotation hours or taking the opportunity to complete absentee ballots if you are unsure of your ability to vote in person due to clinical rotations. If neither of these options are possible, please contact the Clinical Year Team to make additional arrangements.

Unexcused Absences, Tardiness, and Unpreparedness

Unexcused absences, unpreparedness, and consistent tardiness, will be considered as lapses in professional behavior.

Tardiness: Students should arrive fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of their shift unless otherwise instructed by the clinical preceptor. Tardiness to clinical rotations and/or callback day activities is not acceptable.

Students with two (2) or more tardy days within a single rotation, or four (4) or more tardy days over the entire year will receive a professionalism concern form, which will be referred to the Competency Progress Committee for review followed by a meeting with the Director of Clinical Education.
Repeated tardiness concerns will prompt a meeting with the Assistant Dean/Program Director and will be referred to the Academic Progress Committee for review of their academic and professional record.

Unpreparedness: Preparedness will be monitored by clinical instructional faculty (preceptors) and the Clinical Year Team.

Students with one (1) episode of unpreparedness in the clinical year will receive a conduct observation with documentation via StarFish and be reminded of the program attendance policy.
Students with two (2) or more episodes of unpreparedness in a given semester will receive a concern form prompting referral to the CPC followed by a meeting with their faculty advisor.
Students with three (3) or more episodes of unpreparedness in a given semester will be required to meet with the Assistant Dean/Program Director and will be referred to the Academic Progress Committee for review of their academic and professional record

Preceptor-Directed Absences: In the event that Clinical Preceptors will not be at their clinical site for personal reasons and cannot designate another provider to supervise you for that period of time, please contact the Clinical Year Team immediately. If the preceptor absence will be for an extended period of time, students may be reassigned to a different site to facilitate adequate clinical exposure required to fulfill the course learning outcomes.

Failure to notify the Clinical Year Team will be considered an unexcused absence.

Unexcused Absences: Absences will be monitored by course faculty and program leadership.

Students with one (1) unexcused absence in Clinical Year will receive a concern form prompting referral to the CPC followed by a meeting with the Director of Clinical Education and their Faculty Advisor.
Students with two (2) or more unexcused absences in Clinical Year will be required to meet with the Assistant Dean/Program Director and will be referred to the Academic Progress Committee for review of their academic and professional record

General Notes Surrounding Attendance

Students that miss more than one (1) week or five (5) days of course material in any semester must apply for an extended absence and will be reviewed by the Clinical Year Team to evaluate their ability to meet course learning outcomes and program competencies. Ability to meet course learning outcomes and competencies will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If concerns about a student’s ability to meet course learning outcomes and program competencies is present, the student will be referred to the Competency Progress Committee for further review.

Clinical Site Closures and Delays

Students on Clinical Rotations are expected to follow the schedule that their preceptor has established. If the clinical site office/practice has closed due to inclement weather, the student must submit the Absence Request Form and report a change in their schedule. If students are unable to make it to their clinical site due to inclement weather students must notify the Clinical Year Team, their preceptors, submit an Absence Request Form, and report a change in their schedule.

Federal Holidays

All clinical year students are excused from clinical rotations on Thanksgiving Day and the Friday following Thanksgiving.

At the discretion of the preceptor,students on clinical rotations may have off on the following Federal Holidays:

Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Fourth of July
Labor Day

Callback Day

At the completion of each clinical rotation, all students will return to the Penn State College of Medicine for participation in Callback Day. During this time, a series of direct and indirect assessments on student achievement of rotation learning outcomes and program graduate competencies will be performed.

Attendance at Callback Day is mandatory.

Students should anticipate being at the College of Medicine from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The following items must be completed and returned to the Clinical Year team before 7:00 a.m. on each Callback Day:

Student evaluation of the clinical site and preceptor—online
Case presentation paper and PowerPoint (if applicable)—uploaded to Canvas
Remediation questions (if applicable)—uploaded to Canvas
ID badges from other clinical sites not otherwise returned to the clinical site

It is the student’s responsibility to verify completion of all paperwork due for each Callback Day.

Paperwork that is submitted after the time indicated will not be acknowledged or accepted and will result in a ZERO for that portion of the assignment grade.

Attendance at Callback Day

Students are not permitted to miss Callback Day unless a written request demonstrating a significant life emergency or hardship is submitted to the Clinical Year Team via Absence Request Form. All requests will be reviewed by the Clinical Year Team, and students will be notified in writing of the decision.

Students who are absent from Callback Day activities due to illness must submit a note from the health care provider treating their illness within 24 hours of the absence.

Students will be required to fulfill the educational goals of Callback Day at another time as arranged by the Clinical Year team, which may result in deceleration or delay in graduation.

Students who miss any mandatory component of Call Back Day activities without prior notification and approval from the Clinical Year Team will receive a ZERO for assignments/examinations that were missed, which may result in failure of the rotation and delay in graduation.

Students will be referred to APC due to professionalism concerns.

Callback Day Assignments

End of Rotation Examination. Written examinations for students begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. unless otherwise depicted in the Callback Day Schedule. Students will have 120 minutes from the start time to complete the written examination unless accommodations are granted in advance by the student advocacy specialist in Disability Services.

Oral and Written Case Presentations. During the completion of clinical year, students must satisfactorily perform two (2) case presentations that contain both a written and oral component. Each student will perform one (1) case presentation during both their ambulatory care and elective rotations, unless remediation is necessary. At least one (1) presentation must be ethically based, with the other being an approved medical or surgical topic of interest or case study.

Topic Approval: Students must submit their topic to the Clinical Year Team via CANVAS drop box to obtain topic approval prior to Friday of the third week of the rotation in which oral presentations are assigned. The case presented must be one that the student either personally saw or directly participated in care of, and should be represented in student logging.
Oral Component: A HIPAA compliant oral case presentation must include the utilization of PowerPoint as a reference, which is uploaded to the appropriate CANVAS drop box prior to 7:00 a.m. on Callback Day. Students will have ten (10) minutes to present their case and should be prepared to answer questions about the case. Points will be awarded and deducted as noted in the rubric, which can be found on CANVAS.
- Ethical Case Presentations should include a brief description of the patient, pertinent history, physical examination findings, and a detailed discussion of the ethical dilemma present.
- Medical and Surgical Case Presentations should include a brief description of the patient, pertinent history, physical examination findings, pertinent laboratory and radiographic findings. A brief discussion should ensue about the management of the patient and the outcome. The disease or dilemma should then be discussed with the class and the student presenter should be prepared to answer questions about the case or disease presented.
Written Component: The written portion of the case presentation should be a five-to-ten page, HIPAA compliant paper. A brief summation of the patient’s case or ethical dilemma should be presented followed by elaboration on the disease entity or ethical background information.
Students should follow the guidelines presented in the rubric, which can be found on CANVAS for formatting and grading expectations of the written paper.
No exceptions will be made for late submissions. All late submissions will result in 20% deduction in grade per day.

Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs). During OSCE scenarios students will utilize a standardized patient to obtain a history, perform a physical examination, formulate a differential diagnosis, order appropriate diagnostic tests, diagnose the patient, and provide appropriate treatment. Rubrics for OSCE grading will be placed on CANVAS. During an OSCE scenario, any acts of patient harm will result in automatic failure (i.e. failure to ask allergies prior to prescribing medications, administration of tPA to a patient with a hemorrhagic stroke, etc.).

Kienle Groups and Self-Reflection. Students must perform a self-reflection during each rotation that identifies a case, discussion, interaction, or knowledge-based challenge that they faced during their clinical rotation in preparation for Kienle Group Discussions. These reflections should be kept in a journal. During each Callback Day, students will meet with their Kienle Groups to debrief the rotation and collaborate with one another through shared clinical practice experiences.

Participation, confidentiality, and respectful behavior is expected from all students. Failure to maintain these requirements for professionalism will result in a meeting with their Kienle group advisor and submission of a professionalism concern form and referral to CPC/APC for review.

All students must complete a Capstone Project as part of the Summative Experience course prior to graduation. Students will work to identify a Quality Improvement Project that relates to a patient case they saw during their first semester of clinical rotations.

Each student will be assigned a Capstone Advisor from within the PA program to provide feedback and support in their research throughout Clinical Year.

Successful completion of the Capstone Project requires submission of the following items:

Formal capstone project proposal plan
Development of a poster
Oral project presentation
Completion of a poster presentation
Completion of capstone advising

Additional details on expectations surrounding completion of the Capstone Project can be found in the Capstone Handbook and on the Clinical Year/Summative Experience course CANVAS pages.

Students may not solicit their own clinical sites or preceptors^A3.08, nor may they trade preceptorships with other students. Students may, however, suggest potential clinical preceptors using the (PA Clinical Site Development Request Form) to facilitate the program establishing affiliation agreements or clinical rotation site opportunities.

The assignment of students to Clinical Rotation sites is the responsibility of the Clinical Year Team. There are a number of factors that influence student placement into clinical rotation sites; including student performance, student interest in a particular specialty, and site/preceptor capacity. Changes to

clinical site assignment will only occur in extreme situations such as site cancellation, a serious issue that cannot be resolved for all parties, or a student/preceptor emergency. All changes to clinical site assignments will be made solely at the discretion of the Clinical Year Team and the Program Director.

Elective and Selective Opportunities

Elective rotations are designed to provide students with the opportunity to explore any of the previous rotation specialties, or a rotation designed by the student, in conjunction with the Clinical Year Team to enhance the student’s knowledge or skill in a specific specialty area. Selective rotations are available for Ambulatory Care Medicine and will include outpatient medical specialties. Students will be provided with a list of possible rotation opportunities during the Fall Clinical Year Overview Meeting in their Didactic Year.

The PA Program cannot guarantee placement in any elective or selective rotation, but will work closely with students to identify their strengths and professional goals for employment upon graduation to provide each student with an opportunity to gain the skills, knowledge, and experience needed for graduation.

Request for the Development of New Clinical Sites

Students may not develop or arrange their own clinical rotation sites as the assignment of students to clinical rotation sites is the responsibility of the CY team. Students with an interest in a particular specialty, or students that present additional opportunities for establishing clinical rotation sites outside of the Penn State Health system may communicate their recommendations using the request for new clinical site form. Following submission of this recommendation, the program will contact the site, speak with potential preceptors, evaluate the site’s suitability for student education, and (as appropriate) develop an affiliation agreement with the Penn State College of Medicine PA Program.

Student requests for the development of new clinical sites must occur at least 12 weeks prior to the start of the semester in which the scheduled rotation occurs. Rotations may not be completed with a preceptor who is a family member or personal provider.

Submission of a request for a new clinical site does not guarantee placement of the student in that rotation site, and determination of site viability is made solely at the discretion of the PA Program.

Procedure for Request to Change Clinical Rotation Assignments

Student requests to change the location of a clinical site must be submitted in writing to the Clinical Year Team
- No changes to summer rotations unless extenuating circumstances arise
- Deadline for Fall semester: July 1
- Deadline for Spring semester: November 1
Only requests demonstrating significant hardship, emergency, or a violation of the Penn State University Code of Ethics Policy will be considered outside of the above timeframes.
Students will then schedule a meeting with the Clinical Year Team to discuss their request.
- The Clinical Year Team will then discuss the request with the Program Director, as necessary.
Students will then be notified by the Clinical Year Team of the decision on Clinical site change.

Student non-compliance with Affiliate Site Requirements

Approved clinical rotation sites frequently require information about those students who will participate in training at their facilities for the protection of their patients and personnel.

Clinical sites have the right to decline acceptance for training of students who do not comply with the provision of such information.

Students must submit clinical compliance requirements by the published due date
If not received, the student will be considered non-compliant and will not be permitted to progress in the clinical year, which may result in deceleration and delay of graduation.
The requirements for each site are available to students in Typhon and should be checked and completed by the student 30 days prior to the rotation start.
Any questions regarding specific requirements or difficulty with submission of them should be directed to Lori Schreckengast: lschreckengast1@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

If a student cannot meet all of a clinical site’s requirements, the Program will attempt to identify an alternative placement.

If alternative sites that will accept the student cannot be found the student may not be able to complete requirements necessary for graduation, which will result in referral to APC for consideration of program dismissal.

Assignment to Clinical Sites on Re-entry to Clinical Year

Clinical rotations are scheduled and delivered in five-week rotation blocks. Students are expected to begin each clinical rotation at the designated start date for the assigned rotation block. Students requiring reentry, deceleration, remediation, or completion of a partial rotation outside of the established schedule will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Placement into a partial rotation or mid-block clinical experience is not guaranteed and is contingent upon the program's ability to identify an appropriate educational experience, outside of a standard rotation schedule, that meets course learning outcomes and program requirements. If an appropriate placement is not available, the student will be required to resume clinical education at the start of the next scheduled rotation block. Such delays may affect progression through the curriculum and may result in delayed program completion and graduation.

Communication Expectations

Clinical Year students must check their Penn State e-mail for announcements and updates at least once per day.

Communication with the College of Medicine and PA Program. Students can expect regular contact between the program and students or preceptors by telephone and/or email to relay messages, arrange site visits, or to obtain feedback on student performance. This communication is intended to foster dependable relationships and provide a mechanism for informal monitoring of the teaching, learning, and evaluation processes at various rotations sites.

Communication with the Clinical Year Team. Students may contact the Clinical Year Team at any time with questions or concerns.

Students must contact the Clinical Year Team immediately via phone if there is a safety concern.

For non-safety concerns, students should complete the program’s electronic Student Form to Submit a Concern.

For concerns related to mistreatment, students should complete the Resident/Student Mistreatment Reporting Form or reach out to the Office for a Respectful Learning Environment for assistance.

Duty Hours (Monitoring of Student Time)

Communication of Safe Arrival and Orientation at the Clinical Site. Students must submit the following information in the Student Progress Report on Typhon by the first Friday of each clinical rotation.

Confirmation of safe arrival at the clinical site.
Confirmation of preceptor’s preferred contact information.
Confirmation of orientation to the clinical site.
Submission of daily schedule for the 5-week SCPE.

A copy of the student’s schedule must also be submitted to CANVAS.

As an academic medical center, the Information Technology division at Hershey Medical Center has developed a “medical/PA student” notes section which allows for students to make electronic entries into the patient files for review by the clinical preceptor within all Penn State Health entities.

Students must follow the below guidelines:

Students shall only access the records of individuals for whom they are providing direct patient care.
Students shall follow the privacy regulations set forth in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) at all times.
Students are expected to document medical care in the EHR during clinical rotations within Penn State Health. Students may enter billable and non-billable patient documentation.
Attending physicians or Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) who are final signatories are responsible to ensure accurate documentation by students in the EHR. Attending physicians, APPs, or attending physicians’ resident designees shall review the student note to ensure appropriate content, accuracy, and professionalism and to provide teaching to the student.

Student billable notes: Student billable notes should include the following statement under the header of the note: “This note was written by a _____(medical/PA) student. Preliminary report status should be regarded as NOT reviewed by an attending physician or supervising APP. Finalized report status indicates that the attending/APP has reviewed the note and agrees with the plan.” The attending/APP of record may use the student’s documentation for billing purposes IF physical presence is satisfied by:

The attending, APP or resident is physically present while the student performs the history and physical examination, OR
The attending, APP or resident re-performs and verifies the history and exam with the student present.

Faculty and residents must attest to their own physical presence for student billable notes in the following manner: For example, language in each attestation may include

Attending presence with student: “I was physically present with the____ (medical/PA) student and patient, having personally performed/re-performed the physical exam and medical decision-making activities for the service. I verify that the history, physical exam and medical decision making as documented in the note by the (medical/PA) student are accurate except…”
Advanced Practice Provider supervising the student: “I was physically present with the ___(medical/PA) and patient, having personally performed/re-performed the physical exam and medical decision-making activities for the service. I verify that the history, physical exam and medical decision making as documented in the note by the (medical/PA) student are accurate except…”
Resident physical presence with student: “As the resident, I was physically present with the (medical/PA) student, having personally performed/re-performed the physical exam, and medical decision-making. I verify that the (medical/PA) student’s note is accurate and reflects the services provided except…” The attending then provides attestation of the resident’s note: “My resident was physically present with the (medical/PA) student at the encounter, and I have personally performed/re-performed the physical exam and medical decision- making activities for the service. I verify that the history, physical exam and medical decision making as documented in the note by the (medical/PA) student are accurate except…”

Medical Student and PA Student non-billable notes: Medical students and PA students may document their notes in the EHR without the physical presence of the attending, resident, or APP, but these notes may not be used for billing purposes. However, as per CMS guidelines, physicians of record as well as residents may refer to the nonbillable medical student note for documentation of the Review of Systems, Past Medical History, Family History, or Social History. Attending physicians or residents must personally document all other components of a History & Physical, including the Chief Complaint, History of Present Illness, Physical Examination, Assessment and Plan in a separate electronic note in order to meet CMS guidelines and to ensure accurate billing and coding. As per CMS guidelines, APPs may not refer to the student note as documentation of the Review of Systems, Past Medical History, Family History or Social History but rather must document all components of their note in the EHR. The nonbillable student note is entered in the EHR system with the title of “Medical Student Note” or “PA Student Note” respectively. Final signature of the nonbillable student note may be from the supervising attending or resident or APP as determined by the respective chair in each respective department.
Students may not serve as scribes.
Students may complete the Discharge Instructions and Discharge Summary.
Students rotating outside of the Penn State Health system shall follow the policies and procedures for medical student documentation of the host facility.
Publishing Status. Medical/PA student notes shall be viewable to all after completion by the student and before final signing.

PA students may not substitute for, or function as, clinical or administrative staff while in the clinical setting as a PA student.

Dress Code ^A3.04

Students must be clearly identified in the clinical setting to distinguish them from other health profession students and practitioners and must wear their PA Student Identification badges at all times during Clinical Rotations.^A3.04

Proper Attire: A healthcare professional's dress and appearance are essential in establishing a relationship of trust and confidence. In some cases, this requires that individual personal attire preferences be balanced with the need for effective patient interaction.

Scrubs should be worn only when identified as the standard dress for the clinical site.

Short white coats should be worn at all times during clinical rotations unless instructed otherwise by your preceptor.

The following attire guidelines are required in all student clinical educational settings: Students may dress in accordance with their gender identity and gender expression, but must dress in a way that meets the following guidelines:

General Standards

Good, personal hygiene is to be maintained at all times. This includes regular bathing, use of deodorants/antiperspirants, combed/brushed hair and regular dental hygiene.
Students must display their identification badges positioned above the waist on the front of the body. Badges must remain clearly visible and unobstructed, allowing patients and staff to easily identify the individual’s name and role.
Students do not wear open-toe shoes/sandals in laboratory or clinical settings
Students will not wear heavy fragrances, perfumes, or colognes
Students will not wear fishnet stockings, crop-tops, low-cut necklines, tank tops, crop tops, or other see-through clothing
Students will not wear suggestive, restrictive, or revealing clothing
Students will not display undergarments while wearing clothing, even with movement
Students will not wear sunglasses, hats, or caps in the building, unless for religious reasons.
Garments that show the trunk with movement should not be worn.
Students are expected to cover tattoos if requested by the clinical site.
Professional attire (khakis, slacks, or dress pants; blouses or collared shirts and ties; dresses or skirts no shorter than mid-thigh.)

Hair

Should be neat... when in doubt, wear it back.
Shoulder length hair must be secured to avoid interference with work or patient care.
Natural human color.
Beards are acceptable, but must be neatly trimmed.

Religious Head Coverings

Religious head coverings (such ashijabs, turbans, kippahs, yarmulkes, headscarves, etc.) are permissible in the OR and procedural areas.
For infection control purposes, the head covering must be clean, constructed of tightly-woven and low-linting material, without adornments, fit securely with loose ends tucked into the scrub top as applicable, and covered with a surgical bonnet.

Nails

Muted tones of nail polish. NO chipped, gel, or acrylic nail polish in the OR.
No artificial nails and/or nail tips.

Shoes

Comfortable, clean, and in good repair. No open toed shoes.
Clogs are acceptable.
Hiking boots are acceptable in the winter.

Jewelry

Septum piercings may not exceed the size of a dime and cannot contain dangling or loose items. No additional facial piercings are permitted in the clinical environment unless otherwise noted by the clinical site.
No excessive jewelry (to decrease risk of cross-infection; or may be pulled by angry or confused patients).
The following are permitted: a watch, small earrings of either small hoops or studs (large earrings are distracting and may be pulled through the ear), academic pin/s, other pins, badges, or insignias which represent an award or health care message.

Failure to comply with the dress code will result in a written warning via professional concern form. Additional occurrences will result in referral to the CPC/APC due to professionalism concerns.

Requests for an interview day during Clinical Year must be submitted at least one week prior to the requested interview day, using the Absence Request Form. If your interview will be conducted virtually or require only a partial day, please indicate the specific details on the Absence Request Form.

Submission of the Absence Request Form does not guarantee approval for the absence.

All efforts should be made by the student to schedule interviews around current rotation hours. In the event that students are unable to do so, they are allotted a total of three (3) interview days during the

Clinical Year phase of the PA Program. Students must make up the missed time in clinical rotations prior to the day of the absence. No more than two (2) interview days may be used per clinical rotation unless arrangements can be made to ensure that adequate clinical hours are achieved for the rotation.

Students may not use an interview day during callback day activities, exams, remediation activities, or summative activities.

Reference Release Policy

The Penn State College of Medicine PA Program recognizes the need for employers and educational institutions to obtain meaningful reference information from course instructors, clinical preceptors, and program leadership as well as the need for a student’s written consent prior to providing information protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to third parties.

As such, the PA program requires that students provide their written consent through submission of the University’s Consent for Release of Information to Third Parties Form and the Request for Letter of Recommendation Form prior to faculty, staff, and program leadership providing a reference on their behalf that may include FERPA-protected student information to potential employers, educational institutions, or other third-parties.

Following completion of the above form, students should complete the PA Program Reference Request form available on the program webpage.

Students should allow ten (10) days for the completion of a letter of recommendation by program faculty, staff, and administration.

Academic Remediation ^A3.14c

The PA Program recognizes a passing grade for any evaluation or assignment the achievement of a grade of 75% or greater. Unless otherwise noted in the course syllabus, any grade < 75% will constitute failure of an evaluation or assignment and requires remediation of course material.

Remediation requirements will be maintained in StarFish to enhance transparency in student performance and academic progress for students, faculty, and advisors.

Remediation of assignments in which a failing grade was received will not replace the initial grade earned by students unless otherwise noted in the course syllabus.

Remediation in the Clinical Year of the program is required for failed End of Rotation Exams, Clinical documentation assignments, written papers, oral presentations, OSCEs, and identified deficiencies on preceptor evaluations, as follows:

PAEA End of Rotation Examination: Students will receive a performance report at the completion of each PAEA end of rotation examination in which they receive feedback on their scale score based on content area and task area.
The program has identified ‘content experts’ amongst program faculty for each of the content areas covered by the PANCE and PAEA End of Rotation Examinations.
Students may reach out to those content experts at any time throughout Clinical Year to schedule a time to meet and discuss their study plans for successful studying and examination preparation.
- Dan: Pulm, Psychiatry
- Kristi: Ortho/Rheum, GI, Radiology
- Kristin: Heme, Endocrine, Pharm
- Lexie: Oncology
- Kim: Derm, EENT
- Timo: CV, Renal, Genitourinary
- Larissa: ID, Repro, Neurology

Remediation Procedures

Students receiving a low pass score on the End of Rotation Examination must complete remediation.

Students must contact the Director of Clinical Education by email within one (1) week of score release to arrange a time to meet to review their exam.
Students must perform self-reflection on their performance report to remediate the content and task areas in which they have a score below the national average
Review of the keyword feedback items listed on their report—due by 7am on the next Callback Day
- For example, “Pulmonology: History & Physical, Pneumonia” would require an outline of the history and physical exam findings that are pertinent to a diagnosis of pneumonia.
Completion of twenty-five (25) review questions on Rosh Review, Board Vitals, or UWorld pertinent to content and task areas in which they have scored below the national average with a completion average of > 80%.

Students receiving a failing score (< 75%) as defined by the PA program on the End of Rotation Examination must complete remediation.

Students must contact the Director of Clinical Education by email within one (1) week of score release to arrange a time to meet to review their exam
Students must perform self-reflection on their performance report and will work with the Clinical Year Team or Program Faculty Designee to develop a plan for remediation.
Review of the keyword feedback items listed on their report due by 7am on the next Callback Day
- For example, “Pulmonology: History & Physical, Pneumonia” would require an outline of the history and physical exam findings that are pertinent to a diagnosis of pneumonia.
Completion of fifty (50) review questions on Rosh Review, Board Vitals, or UWorld pertinent to content and task areas in which they have scored below the national average with a completion average of > 80%.
Students with a score of < 75% must retake the End of Rotation Examination. Failure to achieve a passing score (>80%) on the remediation will result in course failure.
- Students that do not pass the repeat End of Rotation Examination will be evaluated by APC for recommendations, which may include deceleration, repeating part or all of the clinical rotation, modification to ambulatory selective or elective rotations, leave of absence for program-guided study to enhance knowledge deficits, or program dismissal.

All components of remediation must be completed prior to the next Callback day unless extenuating circumstances arise that are approved by the Director of Clinical Education.

If a student fails an End of Rotation Examination on the final Callback Day, they must complete their remediation assignment prior to taking the Summative Examination.

Students failing one End of Rotation Examination will be referred to CPC.
Students failing two End of Rotation Examinations will be referred to APC.
Students failing three End of Rotation Examinations will return to APC for consideration of program dismissal.

Clinical Documentation Assignments: Students with <75% will receive recommendations for improvement of their clinical documentation from program faculty and must resubmit the clinical note with improvements implemented. Failure to submit a corrected note by the following Callback Day will result in failure of the clinical rotation. If a student fails their clinical documentation assignments on the final Callback Day, they must make the recommended changes and resubmit the notes prior to completion of the Summative Experience.

Written Paper: Students with <75% will receive recommendations for improvement of their written reference paper from program faculty and must resubmit the paper with improvements implemented. Failure to submit a corrected reference paper by the following Callback Day will result in failure of the clinical rotation. If a student fails their written reference paper on the final Callback Day, they must make the recommended changes and resubmit the paper prior to completion of the Summative Experience.

Oral Presentation: Students with <75% will receive feedback from program faculty and must submit a recorded presentation with improvements implemented. Failure to submit a corrected recording by the following Callback Day will result in failure of the clinical rotation. If a student fails their oral presentation on the final Callback Day, they must make the recommended changes and submit a recorded oral presentation prior to completion of the Summative Experience

OSCEs: In addition to recommendations and feedback for performance improvement, students with identified deficiencies or scores < 75% will need to meet with the Director of Clinical Education to review their performance on OSCEs. Students will need to return to campus at the discretion of the Clinical Year Team for this to be completed. Students will have up to one (1) additional opportunity to successfully pass an OSCE exam by the following Callback Day. Failure to pass the OSCE will result in course failure.

Identified Deficiencies: Students with preceptor evaluation scores of developing or unsatisfactory will be required to meet with the Director of Clinical Education to develop a plan for remediation of identified deficiencies. Students will receive an “Identified Deficiency (ID)” for courses in which students have not demonstrated the ability to meet course learning outcomes. Students with 1-3 areas of identified deficiency will be remediated without the need to repeat the clinical rotation. Students with greater than 3 areas of identified deficiency may need to have additional clinical time as part of their remediation to ensure ability to meet course learning outcomes, which may result in a delay in graduation. Remediation needs, plan, and completion will be documented in StarFish. Once course learning outcomes are successfully met through remediation, the final course grade will be adjusted in CANVAS and submitted via LionPath.

Completion of the electronic Clinical Year Passport is required for all PA students prior to completion of the Clinical Year. The purpose of the Clinical Year Passport is to promote bedside teaching and feedback, increase student involvement in patient care, enhance exposure to essential clinical and procedural skills, and facilitate interaction with a variety of clinical preceptors and faculty across clinical settings.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure all required passport items are completed and signed by clinical preceptors or College of Medicine faculty to verify competency in designated clinical and technical skills required for degree completion in accordance with Penn State College of Medicine and PA Program standards. Preceptor sign-off indicates the student has demonstrated competency in the specified skill or activity.

Passport items are assigned by clinical course/rotation and are expected to be completed during the designated rotation. Students are responsible for actively seeking appropriate patient encounters and clinical opportunities to complete these requirements. Progress toward completion of the Clinical Year Passport will be monitored and reviewed at the conclusion of each clinical rotation to ensure adequate exposure and participation in essential clinical experiences.

Failure to complete required passport items during the assigned rotation will result in an identified deficiency. The Director of Clinical Education (DCE) will review incomplete requirements and may require the student to demonstrate competency through structured assessment methods, including high-fidelity simulation, standardized patient encounters, task trainers/static skill models, or additional clinical experiences. Failure to successfully demonstrate competency may require remediation, additional clinical time, deceleration, or delay in graduation.

Students are expected to maintain timely, accurate, and professional documentation within the Clinical Year Passport throughout the clinical year. Failure to maintain current and accurate records may result in referral to the Clinical Progress Committee (CPC) for professionalism concerns. Repeated deficiencies may result in completion of a Professionalism Concern Form and referral to the Academic Progress Committee (APC) for formal review and potential disciplinary action.

Forgery, falsification, or misrepresentation of completed skills, clinical experiences, or preceptor sign-off within the Clinical Year Passport constitutes academic dishonesty and egregious unprofessional conduct. Such behavior will result in immediate referral to the Academic Progress Committee (APC) and may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the PA Program.

As part of the Professionalism competency domain, we expect you to follow conscientious behaviors consistent with those of a developing health professional by providing constructive comments regarding areas of strength and opportunities for improvement of the clinical rotation sites for future students.

Course and faculty evaluations will be administered anonymously to all students at the end of their rotations via Typhon.
Guest lecture evaluations will be administered anonymously immediately following the lecture.

Unprofessional or inappropriate comments on Clinical Site evaluations/Preceptor evaluations will be reviewed with the student and Clinical Year Team. Additional occurrences of unprofessional feedback will result in completion of a professionalism form and referral to CPC.

Program evaluations will be completed in OASIS. Students with repeated incomplete evaluations will receive professionalism forms. While we will track who has completed course/faculty evaluations and evaluations of the program, neither ratings nor comments are traced to students

While in the clinical setting, all PA students must be clearly identified to distinguish them from other health profession students and practitioners. PA Students must wear their PA student identification badges at all times while in the clinical setting as a Penn State College of Medicine PA Student.

Students must display their identification badges positioned above the waist on the front of the body. Badges must remain clearly visible and unobstructed, allowing patients and staff to easily identify the individual’s name and role.

PA students may not substitute for, or function as, clinical or administrative staff while in the clinical setting as a PA student.

Maintenance of Patient Database

As a requirement for the completion of clinical year, ALL patient encounters are to be logged in the Typhon system. Failure to maintain adequate patient encounters, diagnoses evaluated/treated, and procedures performed may delay graduation.

Students are expected to log into Typhon on each clinical day.

Students must submit accurate and complete records through all electronic entries in compliance with the Penn State College of Medicine PA Program Academic Integrity Policy. Falsification of patient logging will result in referral to the APC and may result in program dismissal due to professionalism concerns.

Final patient logs and timecard submissions must be made prior to 11:59p.m. on the Sunday after each Callback Day.
No late submissions will be accepted.
Patient logs will be reviewed at the culmination of each rotation and graded as Pass/Fail based on completion and correlation between patient encounters and hours recorded.
Students must receive a passing score to successfully complete their rotation.
Missed or inaccurate logging will result in a 5% deduction in final course grade and submission of a professionalism concern form resulting in referral to CPC.
Recurrent instances or failure to rectify the issue will result in course failure and the need to repeat the rotation, resulting in deceleration or dismissal from the program.

Technical Difficulties: Students should attempt to troubleshoot technical difficulties using the Typhon technical support. If unsuccessful, students should contact Lori Schreckengast, Clinical Coordinator.

Students will receive an evaluation from their clinical preceptors following each 5-week clinical rotation which will be completed via Typhon during week four of the clinical rotation.

Often times, students may find that their schedule more closely aligns with providers other than their assigned clinical preceptor. In this case, the clinical preceptor may complete a collective evaluation on behalf of the team that has worked closest with the student.

Prior to leaving the clinical rotation site, students are required to ensure that their evaluation has been completed and notify the Clinical Year Team if they have met difficulty in evaluation completion. Students review the results of their evaluation with their clinical preceptors to receive feedback on strengths and areas in need of improvement.

Identified Deficiencies: Students with preceptor evaluation scores of developing or unsatisfactory will be required to meet with the Director of Clinical Education to develop a plan for remediation of identified deficiencies. Students will receive an “Identified Deficiency (ID)” for courses in which they have not demonstrated the ability to meet course learning outcomes. Students with 1-3 areas of identified deficiency will be remediated without the need to repeat the clinical rotation. Students with greater than 3 areas of identified deficiency may need to have additional clinical time as part of their remediation to ensure ability to meet course learning outcomes, which may result in a delay in graduation. Remediation needs, plan, and completion will be documented in StarFish.. Once course learning outcomes are successfully met through remediation, the final course grade will be adjusted in CANVAS and submitted via LionPath.

The program reserves the right to visit students and clinical sites at any time during the clinical phase of the program.

Site visits will be conducted during Pediatrics and inpatient Internal Medicine Rotations for all students by the Clinical Year Team or Designated Program Representative. Site visits will be graded and will replace the traditional end of rotation OSCE during Callback Day.

Student-related site visits will consist of an evaluation of PA student performance and discussion with the preceptor. During the site visit, students will perform appropriate histories and physicals, present cases to program faculty, and be responsible for answering questions regarding the problem asked by the faculty member. Additionally, discussion on overall student performance during the rotation will be held with the preceptor.

Additionally, site visits will be conducted for new clinical rotation sites, and on an as needed basis for students with academic or professionalism concerns.

An unsatisfactory site visit may necessitate additional site visits. Reasons which may necessitate a second site visit includes:

Unsatisfactory performance by students
Interruption of patient-student encounters by staff, physicians, etc.
Inability to evaluate student-patient interaction
Unprofessional behavior

Failure to perform satisfactorily during additional site visits will result in student referral to CPC.

Students are expected to have reliable transportation for clinical year, and are responsible for the cost of travel to and from clinical rotation sites. ^A3.14j

Students who are required by the program to travel to a clinical rotation site greater than sixty (60) miles from the Hershey Medical Center campus, or the location in which the student resides, will be provided an option for housing. Students are not required to utilize program provided housing, however, students choosing to utilize different accommodations than what is provided by the program will be responsible for all associated costs.

Students are responsible for costs associated with housing and travel to and from clinical rotation sites that are developed at the request of the student, or in a location requested by the student but not required by the program.

The Penn State College of Medicine PA Program requires the completion of a summative assessment for all students near the end of their education as a means to determine a student’s readiness for graduation.

The summative experience will evaluate each student in the following areas:

Medical Knowledge
- End of curriculum exam, OSCEs
Interpersonal/Communication Skills
- Essay, resuscitation cases, OSCEs
Clinical Skills
- OSCEs, written note submission
Technical Skills
- Technical skills stations
Professional Behaviors
- OSCEs, professionalism review, essay, written note, end of curriculum exam
Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities
- OSCEs, end of curriculum exam, capstone project

Successful completion (75% of greater) of all components of the summative experience is required prior to graduation.

End of Curriculum Exam:

The passing score for the end of curriculum written examination is a 1475. Students who Low Pass the exam with a score of 1450-1475 must meet with the Program Director for remediation, followed by repeat assessment with a program-developed end of curriculum examination to ensure that the student has gained the knowledge necessary to graduate.

Students who Fail the exam with a score of < 1450 must meet with the Program Director for remediation and evaluation of medical knowledge deficiencies. Students will complete a program-guided remediation assisted by Cognitive Skills, and will repeat the PAEA End of Curriculum Examination sixty (60) days later. Completion of remediation and reassessment will result in a delay of program graduation. Students will be referred to APC for review of their academic and professional record.

Students who are unable to successfully complete the repeat PAEA End of Curriculum Examination with a score of > 1475 will be referred back to APC for evaluation of dismissal from the PA Program.

Following completion of the Didactic Year curriculum and during the final semester of the program, students will sit for a national in-training examination known as “PACKRAT”, which is a practice examination intended to assist students in identifying their own strengths and areas in need of improvement.

Following completion of the PACKRAT, students will have an opportunity to reflect on, and receive advising from the program about their performance.

Although strongly recommended, students are not required to complete this examination as the results do not influence a course grade or progression through the PA Program.

Program Policies

Academic Integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest, and responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle.

According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity, an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all coursework entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments.

Students may use generative AI tools to brainstorm ideas, to create an outline or headings for their paper, to generate practice exam questions, and to improve their use of grammar. Students may not use generative AI tools to complete multiple-choice, matching, fill-in-the blank, open ended, or essay exam questions, or for written assignments such as SOAP or procedural notes.

Other uses of generative AI tools are prohibited. This includes the use of AI tools to create content for coursework, including the AI tools embedded in Grammarly. Students must also list the AI tools they’ve used as a “Sourced Tool” at the end of the paper or project. This policy applies to the use of all generative AI tools, including but not limited to Chat GPT, Grammarly, Copilot, and other AI tools, including those provided by the university.

NOTE: All written assessments shall be generated by the individual student without the use of generative artificial intelligence such as ChatGPT or other AI.

You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor BEFORE submitting work.

Students are fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and ethical integrity of all submitted work, regardless of whether AI tools were used in the preparation process. Submitting AI-generated work as one’s own without disclosure will constitute an academic integrity violation and misconduct. A link can be found here: Academic Integrity Resources.

Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity), Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes as depicted in the PA program student handbook.

Academic dishonesty (including, but not limited to cheating, lying, plagiarism, misrepresentation of work produced by artificial intelligence software, or falsification of information) will not be tolerated and can result in academic and disciplinary sanctions such as a failing grade (F) in the course and referral to APC for consideration of dismissal from the program due to professionalism concerns.

The Academic Integrity Policy for the Penn State College of Medicine can be found on Policy Manager.

Academic Probation

May occur one (1) time during the program for students earning an academic semester or cumulative GPA of 2.75-2.99. Students placed on academic probation will be evaluated for removal from probationary status at the completion of each semester by the CPC. A second occurrence of semester or cumulative academic GPA of 2.75-2.99 will result in referral of the student to APC for academic dismissal from the PA Program.

Students who have improved their GPA above a 3.0 but have required continued remediation for knowledge deficiencies may be kept on academic probation for additional semesters as deemed necessary by the CPC.

Students with a GPA under 2.75 will be referred to APC for dismissal from the PA program.

Academic probation is reported on the student’s transcript and reported if requested during references and licensure.

Academic Warning

A decision designed to bring a student considered at risk from ongoing academic challenges or identified deficiencies to the attention of those who can assist in supporting the students’ academic success. Students will remain in good academic standing.

Academic warning is not reported on the student’s transcript or academic record.

Deceleration ^A3.14d

Deceleration is defined by the ARC-PA as “the loss of a student from the entering cohort, who remains matriculated in the physician assistant program" to continue training with a subsequent cohort.

The Penn State College of Medicine PA Program will consider voluntary and mandatory deceleration for Clinical Year students if they are in otherwise good academic and professional standing at the time of the request.

The Penn State College of Medicine PA Program does not offer academic deceleration to students in the Didactic phase of the Program. Students in the Didactic phase of the program who do not meet academic standards as outlined in the student handbook are dismissed from the Program and may apply for readmission in the next application cycle.

Voluntary Deceleration: Students must submit a written request to the Assistant Dean/PA Program Director and the Associate Dean of Student Affairs to voluntarily decelerate. Reasons may include personal, family, or health concerns that impact the student’s ability to successfully complete the program curriculum.

Required Deceleration: Students earning a failing final course grade (“F”) in any course must repeat the course to be eligible for progression. Determination of whether this results in a delay in graduation or formal deceleration will depend on the student’s ability to complete all requirements within the original graduating year. Eligibility for continued progression will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis following evaluation of the student’s academic and professional performance.

Deceleration Plan and Procedures: In the event that a student is decelerated, the student will be provided with a detailed plan for deceleration, approved by the Academic Progress Committee (APC). This plan will include all required coursework and the timeline for completion of the program. The plan must be signed by the student and the Program Director and will be maintained in the student’s permanent record. Students must submit a written request to the PA Program Director and the Associate Dean of Student Affairs for voluntary deceleration. Approval or denial will be communicated following review. Reasons for deceleration may include personal, family, health, or academic concerns that impact successful progression in the curriculum.

Delay in Graduation (Clinical Year): Students who require additional time due to leave of absence, course failure, or other academic or personal circumstances, but who complete all program requirements by the end of the Fall semester will be classified as delayed graduates.

Clinical Year Interruption and Re-entry: Students who experience an interruption in Clinical Year training missing greater than ten (10) weeks of consecutive rotations must demonstrate readiness to return. The competency evaluation will include assessment of medical knowledge, clinical reasoning, and problem-solving via written examination. A minimum score of 80% is required to resume clinical rotations. One retake is permitted following remediation. Failure to achieve a score of 80% on the second attempt will result in referral to the APC for consideration of dismissal.

General Notes

Failure to meet academic and/or professional standards during a period of delay or deceleration will result in referral to the Academic Progress Committee (APC) for review and possible dismissal.

Re-entry to the program is not a guarantee and is a space-dependent decision that will be made on a case-by-case basis.

All costs associated with deceleration are the responsibility of the student.

Dismissal ^A3.14f

Students may be dismissed from the PA Program for inability to meet program technical standards, failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress, or professionalism concerns.

Inability to Meet Technical Standards

Students will attest at the start of each semester to their ability to fulfill program Technical Standards via LionPath. Students who are unable to fulfill the Technical Standards set forth by the program will not be permitted to matriculate into or progress through the PA program and will be referred to APC for a comprehensive evaluation of performance in all competency domains of the PA Program.

Students unable to meet competency domain requirements of the PA program due to persistently identified deficiencies despite programmatic intervention through remediation, advising, mentoring, and referrals for student support services will be dismissed from the program due to inability to maintain program Technical Standards.

Academic Dismissal

Didactic Year:

Any student who earns a grade less than a “C” or “Low Pass” in one term, or more than two grades equivalent to a “C” or “Low Pass” in one term throughout Didactic Year will be unable to complete the PA program due to academic performance concerns and must be referred to the APC for a comprehensive evaluation of performance in all competency domains of the PA program.
Students unable to meet competency domain requirements of the PA program due to persistently identified deficiencies despite programmatic intervention through remediation, advising, mentoring, and referrals for student support services will be dismissed from the program due to inability to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Any student who earns a failing grade in any term, a semester or overall GPA under 2.75, or more than two “Low Pass/C” grades in one term throughout Didactic Year will be dismissed from the PA Program following referral to APC for a comprehensive evaluation of performance in all competency domains of the PA program due to inability to maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Clinical Year:

Any student who earns a grade less than a “C” or “Low Pass” in more than one course, or more than two grades equivalent to a “C” or “Low Pass” throughout Clinical Year will be automatically dismissed from the PA program following referral to APC for a comprehensive evaluation of performance in all competency domains of the PA program due to inability to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Any student who earns a failing grade in more than one course, a semester or overall GPA under 2.75, or more than two “Low Pass/C” grades throughout Clinical Year will be dismissed from the PA Program following referral to APC for a comprehensive evaluation of performance in all competency domains of the PA program due to inability to maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Professionalism Warning

A decision designed to bring a student considered at risk from ongoing professional behavior concerns to the attention of those who can support the student in addressing their professionalism issues. Students put on professionalism warning remain in good standing. Professionalism warning is not reported on the student’s transcript or academic record.
Professionalism probation is reported on the student’s transcript and reported if requested during references and licensure.

Professionalism Probation

May occur one (1) time during the program for students with multiple documented lapses of professional behaviors despite CPC recommendations. Students placed on professional probation will be evaluated for removal from probationary status at the completion of each semester by the APC. Additional documented lapses of professional behaviors while on professional probation will be referred to APC for consideration of dismissal from the PA program.

Professionalism Dismissal

The following inappropriate, unprofessional, and threatening behaviors are considered grounds for dismissal from the PA program, and possibly the University:

Insubordination
Illicit drug use
Writing unauthorized prescriptions
Cheating, forgery, or plagiarism of any kind
Theft
Working under the influence of alcohol or unprescribed controlled substances
Actions that may result in legal action against the student by the clinical site or University
Falsifying medical records
Submitting falsified documentation to the program for grading
Consistent failure to complete assignments or meets deadlines
Unprofessional behavior, including HIPAA violations
Illegal activities while enrolled in the program
Inability to demonstrate a positive and constructive attitude, emotional stability, and/or maturity

Students with egregious professionalism concerns, or multiple professionalism violations will be reviewed by the APC for dismissal from the PA program.

Clinical Year students may be removed from their clinical site assignment at the request of the clinical preceptor. Students exhibiting unprofessional or unacceptable behavior that negatively impacts patients, staff, students, or others is grounds for immediate removal of the student from the rotation.

Students that are dismissed from a clinical site will be placed on an immediate Leave of Absence from the PA program pending an investigation into the offense(s). The student will then be referred for formal review by the APC; which may result in need for probation, need to repeat the rotation, deceleration with delay of graduation, or dismissal from the PA program.

Dismissal Procedures

Students will be referred to the APC for a comprehensive review of their academic record.
A recommendation for dismissal will be made to the Program Director and the Dean of the College of Medicine in the following situations:
- Failure to meet program-defined technical standards
- Failure to maintain program-defined technical standards
- Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress
- Egregious professionalism concerns, or recurrent non-egregious professionalism concerns
Students will be notified of the decision for dismissal from the Assistant Dean/Program Director of the PA Program and/or the Associate Dean of Student Affairs in a post-APC follow-up meeting.
Students may request a review of the APC decision by following the program appeal policy and procedure.

All costs associated with dismissal from the program are the responsibility of the student.

Reapplication to the Program following Dismissal

Students that have been dismissed from the PA program may reapply for matriculation in future cohorts if they choose, unless otherwise noted.

Students that have been dismissed from the College of Medicine must follow Penn State University/College of Medicine Guidelines for re-enrollment prior to reapplying to the PA program.

Withdrawal Policy ^A3.14e

Students requiring a significant amount of time off for any reason (greater than one week of coursework) may need to consider withdrawing from the program given its nature and intensity. Students may submit a written request for withdrawal to the Program Director and Associate Dean of Student Affairs.

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their advisor and the Program Director prior to initiating the withdrawal process.

Matriculation back into the PA Program may be possible, but it is not guaranteed and will be addressed on a case-by-case basis following a detailed review of the student’s academic record.

Withdrawal Procedures.

Students should meet with their program faculty advisor or the PA Program Director to discuss their intent to withdrawal from the PA Program.
Students should meet with the Office of Student Aid to discuss the financial implications of their decision to withdrawal from the PA Program.
Students should meet with the Housing Office if residing in campus-affiliated housing to discuss implications of their decision to withdrawal from the PA Program.
Students must notify the PA program director and the Associate Dean of Student Affairs in writing of their intent to withdrawal from the College of Medicine.
Students must complete the withdrawal form prior to the last day of classes for the semester.

All costs associated with withdrawal from the program are the responsibility of the student.

Appeal of APC/Program Recommendation ^A3.14h

Students have the right to appeal an APC adverse action (defined above). Only actions (deceleration, probation, dismissal) can be appealed.

Responsibility of the Student: In order to exercise this right, a student must provide a written appeal to the chair of the APC within five (5) calendar days of the student's receipt of the official notification of the adverse action.
Materials to the Appeals Committee: Upon receipt of the written appeal, the chair of the APC will refer the appeal to the Appeals Committee and will notify the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs, and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and the Associate Dean for Evaluation and Assessment. The Appeals Committee will be provided with a copy of the entire educational record, including the information the APC reviewed, and the student's written appeal. The student may only submit an appeal that they have written. The Appeals committee will not accept information written by a person other than the student.
Scope of the Appeals Committee: The Appeals Committee is charged with determining the following:
- If the adverse action was made in accordance with the policies of the PSCOM; and
- If the student was afforded due process; and
- If the adverse action was appropriate for the violation(s)/breach(es)
- It is not within the purview of the Appeals Committee to critique the academic judgment of the APC.
Notice: The student will be asked to appear before the Appeals Committee. The student’s Penn State College of Medicine advisor will be invited to attend the Appeals Committee meeting with the student. The only person that may accompany the student to the Appeals Committee meeting is their College of Medicine advisor. No outside individuals, including legal representation, can attend the meeting. The student will receive at least five-calendar days’ notice prior to the meeting with the Appeals Committee. The student must meet with the Appeals Committee at the date, time, and location specified by the Appeals Committee. Attendance is mandatory; exceptions will not be made except in the cases of medical/family emergency or military deployment. If the student does not appear at the scheduled time, the meeting shall proceed, and a decision will be made without the input of the student. If the student cannot attend, the student will be allowed to submit information in writing to the Appeals Committee at least 48 hours in advance. Only information written by the student will be allowed.
Decision Making for Appeals Committee: After reviewing the student’s academic record and hearing the student’s statement, the Appeals Committee will make a determination, based only on the three issues outlined above, either confirming or reversing the original adverse action. Within seven (7) calendar days of the meeting, the Appeals Committee will transmit its final decision (by PSH email) to the student with a copy to the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs, the chair of the APC, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, the Assistant Dean/Program Director PA Program, and the Associate Dean for Evaluation and Assessment. The decision of the Appeals Committee is final; no further institutional recourse is available to the student. If the Appeals Committee reverses the original adverse action, the Appeals Committee will refer the student back to the APC for remediation of the original decision. In that case, the decision of the APC is final; no further institutional recourse is available to the student.

The registration process is initiated when a student consents to do University Business Electronically. This agreement allows you to accept your financial aid, enroll for classes, and pay your bill through the new student system. Once you have consented within LionPATH to the terms and conditions set forth in this document and the Financial Responsibility Agreement (see below), you will then be eligible to enroll in classes. Your consent expires annually and will need to be renewed yearly. The second agreement to which you must consent within LionPATH is the Financial Responsibility Agreement (FRA). The FRA is a promise to take financial responsibility for payment of your account. Once you have consented within LionPATH to the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement and the Consent to Do Business Electronically document, you will then be eligible to enroll in classes. The FRA is required to be completed every semester.

Policy Statement

Students enrolling at the Penn State College of Medicine are responsible for full payment of tuition and fees. A student who is delinquent on payment of tuition or outstanding bills owed to the University past the due date will have a hold placed on their account. The University reserves the right to cancel an incomplete registration for failure to pay tuition and fees. If registration is cancelled the student will not be covered by The Pennsylvania State University professional liability insurance.

Procedure Steps

To complete registration, a student must take the following steps:

Login to LionPATH and consent to do University Business Electronically.
Agree to the Financial Responsibility Agreement.
Enroll in a minimum of one class.
Take action on his/her tuition bill (eBill) before the due date, even if the balance is zero.

Students who do not take action on their tuition bills may experience several consequences of delinquent tuition payments that include but are not limited to:

You will not receive grades for courses attended.
You will be ineligible to register for future semesters.
If you are receiving student loans, you may enter repayment status with your lender.
If you are receiving student aid, some aid sources may be canceled.
The University reserves the right to cancel an incomplete registration for failure to pay tuition and fees.

The following actions may occur if delinquent tuition remains unpaid:

Placement of your account with a licensed collection agency. Collection agencies may assess collection fees up to 33.33% of your balance.
Assessment of litigation and court costs.
Your delinquency will be reported to a national credit bureau.

Following sufficient payment, the hold will be removed. The student will be notified by the Senior Director for Educational Affairs when attendance to courses is no longer allowed until the student’s payment obligation is met. View the Delinquent Accounts policy in the policy management tool. (ePass login required)

The Penn State College of Medicine PA Program prides itself on having professional and competent students. Pursuant to this goal, it is the expectation that students will not be under the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs while attending class, laboratory sessions, or clinical rotations.

The following policy will be enforced for all students in the PA program:

Students should be prepared for drug testing at any point in their training and must comply when a test is requested. Failure to obtain drug testing when requested will be interpreted in the same manner as a positive drug test and will be referred to the APC, which may be grounds for dismissal from the PA Program.

Drug screen may be requested by a hospital or provider office that requires screening prior to students completing a rotation in their facility.
If concern arises surrounding drug or alcohol use during classroom, laboratory, or clinical rotation settings a request for drug screen may be made by the Program Director.

The PA Program has partnered with Castle Branch to initiate, collect and share drug screening tests and test results. Drug testing often requires an appointment, which may be scheduled on the same day as the incident, especially if alcohol use is suspected. If the student does not go for testing at the appointed time, the student’s test results will be considered a positive drug screen or positive for alcohol, even if the screening process was not completed.

The results will be interpreted, and the report will be sent to the Program via Castle Branch. A positive drug test not related to a legally prescribed therapy drug use will result in immediate referral to APC, which may be grounds for dismissal from the PA Program.

If the student is on a prescribed substance, they must immediately provide documentation from their licensed health care provider that there is a medical necessity for the medication to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs. Despite the medical necessity for taking this medication, the student may not be able to attend a clinical site if this medication impairs the ability of the student to function in a safe and effective capacity. Students may be pulled from their clinical sites if the APC determines that they are not able to safely function in the clinical setting. Students are able to request a medical leave of absence if they believe that a medical condition would prohibit them from appropriately functioning in their role as a student health care provider.

The cost of the drug screen is at the student’s expense.

The Penn State College of Medicine PA Program will not be held liable for a student’s dismissal or inability to obtain a state license as the result of a positive drug screen or noncompliance with statutes regarding impaired provider performance.

Didactic Year

Students may review missed examination questions immediately following the written examination in the designated proctored setting. During exam review, students are not permitted to take notes, capture images, reproduce, or otherwise retain examination content in any format.

Students may schedule an appointment with the course director to review missed examination questions within one (1) week of the examination date. Following this timeframe, examination review will no longer be permitted.

The program utilizes a robust pre- and post-assessment validation process to ensure examination quality, accuracy, alignment with course objectives, and fairness. As part of this established assessment review process, students may not formally challenge examination questions.

Clinical Year

Clinical year examinations are standardized assessments administered through the Physician Assistant Education Association. In accordance with standardized examination security requirements, students are not permitted to review missed examination questions or examination forms following completion of the assessment. Additionally, there is no formal process to challenge examination questions.

To support student learning and ongoing performance improvement, examination feedback will include performance data by content area, task area, and missed topic categories to help guide focused remediation and future study.

Non-Academic Student Grievance Process ^A3.14g

The Pennsylvania State University has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution to complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, national origin, race, religious creed, gender, sexual orientation, or veteran status. For further information on the discrimination grievance procedures, refer to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access website.

Grievances/complaints in this venue can be filed with the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at Penn State University at the main campus with the contact information related to the above address, phone number, and email address.

Complaints should be addressed to the:

Office of Equal Opportunity and Access
328 Boucke Building
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: (814) 863-0471 V/TTY
E-mail: aao@psu.edu

Students may report mistreatment or harassment using the Resident/Student Mistreatment Reporting Form.

If a student believes that they have been placed in an environment where any type of harassment (including intimidation) has occurred, that student should contact the PA Program Director or the

College of Medicine Ombudspersons. All inquiries or grievances filed by the students will be investigated and resolved.

Peter Lewis, MD serves as ombudspersons for the PA students. If a student believes that they have been placed in an environment where any type of harassment (including intimidation or retaliation) has occurred, that student should contact the PA Program Director or the College of Medicine Ombudspersons. All inquiries or grievances filed by the students will be investigated and resolved.

In this capacity, they will investigate harassment and other complaints brought forward by students and work to achieve an equitable solution. The purpose of an ombudspersons is to enhance communication and clarify misunderstandings in any situation, which involves potential disputes, to provide information about possible courses of action and to help resolve issues so that they do not grow into more serious conflicts. ^A3.10

The ombudspersons shall "thoroughly investigate each incident brought to their attention taking into account all sides of the issue, counsels the involved parties or makes referral for such counseling, provides periodic reports of such incidents and their outcomes/resolution to the Vice Dean of Educational Affairs, and seeks appropriate advice from senior academic or administrative faculty when necessary to assist in resolving issues of concern."

Peter Lewis, MD
Email: plewis@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
Phone: 717-531-8736

The right of confidentiality for any party involved in a harassment incident, including the complainant and the charged, will be respected insofar as it does not interfere with the university’s obligation to investigate allegations of misconduct and to take corrective action where appropriate.

Harassment complaints about a student should be filed with the PA Program Director. If the complaint is with the Program Director, the student should contact the Vice Dean of Educational Affairs. A complaint about a guest or visitor should be called to the attention of the Program Director or other appropriate program employees.

The Office of Human Resources may be contacted for counseling and assistance relating to equal opportunity and access concerns. Anyone with a question or concern about harassment is encouraged to contact one of the above offices for counsel and assistance.

Academic Student Grievance Process ^A3.14g

Exam Question Appeals Policy and Procedure. Students with an academic-related complaint/grievance related to the quality of exam questions are first directed to the Course Director. If the student feels that their complaint or grievance has not been resolved, they may contact the PA Program Director to request a meeting. A meeting with the Program Director does not guarantee a grade change but provides students with an opportunity to meet and discuss their concerns.

Grade Appeal Policy and Procedure. Based on The Penn State Faculty Senate Policy 47-20 on grades, as well as Penn State’s Grade Mediation and Adjudication Policy G-10, the basis for grade determination is “…the instructor’s judgment of the student’s scholastic achievement…”

The PA Program recognizes that there may be times in which students are dissatisfied with grades they have received and may wish to appeal a grade. Individuals grades for assignments and exams within a designated course shall not be appealed. Final Course Grade appeals may be filed on the grounds of discrimination, retaliation, capricious evaluation, or mathematical/clerical error.

In such instances, students must initiate the following process within five (5) business days of the grade posting.

Students must first meet with the Course Director.
- Students must submit their grievance or request for grade adjustment to the Course Director in writing via email within five (5) business days of posting to CANVAS/LionPath.
- The Course Director must respond to the student within five (5) business days of email receipt (unless pre-scheduled to be out of the office) to arrange a meeting to discuss the student’s concerns and reason for appeal. Meetings must occur within ten (10) business days of email receipt (unless pre-scheduled to be out of the office).
- The Course Director must respond in writing to the student within 48 hours of the arranged meeting with a decision on the student’s appeal.
If a resolution is not reached, students may appeal to the Program Director.
- Students wishing to appeal their grade beyond the level of the Course Director must submit their grievance or request for grade adjustment to the Assistant Dean/Program Director via email within five (5) business days of receiving the Faculty Member’s appeal decision. Students will need to schedule a meeting to discuss their concerns.
- The Program Director must respond to the student within five (5) business days of email receipt (unless pre-scheduled to be out of the office) to arrange a meeting to discuss the student’s concerns and reason for appeal. Meetings must occur within ten (10) business days of email receipt (unless pre-scheduled to be out of the office).
- The Program Director must respond in writing to the student within 48 hours of the arranged meeting with a decision on the student’s appeal.
- If the Program Director is the Course Director assigning the grade, the student may appeal to the Medical Director.
If a resolution is not reached, students may appeal to the Vice Dean of Educational Affairs.
- If a resolution is not reached, the student may appeal to the Vice Dean of Educational Affairs through submission of the Grade Adjudication Petition Form Grade Adjudication Petition Form within five (5) business days of receiving their appeal decision from the Assistant Dean/Program Director.
- A representative from the Vice Dean’s Office must respond to the student within five (5) business days of email receipt to arrange a meeting to discuss the student’s concerns and reason for appeal. Meetings must occur within two (2) business weeks of email receipt.
- The Vice Dean of Educational Affairs must respond in writing to the student within five (5) business days of the arranged meeting with a decision on the student’s appeal.
- The Vice Dean’s decision is final.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires that all healthcare providers respect patient confidence and realize that healthcare providers are given access to information that is highly confidential and personal. HIPAA mandates that the healthcare provider does not use their position as a healthcare provider to gain inappropriate access to patient records. Furthermore, it mandates that patient information can only be released to others after consent is granted by the patient. HIPAA regulations include fines and/or prosecution for the organization and healthcare provider if information is disseminated without patient consent.

Students receive training and education about HIPAA regulations beginning at student orientation with concepts reintroduced throughout the didactic and clinical years. Annual successful completion of the HIPAA training, as required by Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Hershey Medical Center, will be documented in the student files. All clinical sites require this training prior to entering clinical rotations.

For students attending clinical rotations, HIPAA is fully enforceable. Students should take every precaution in guarding patient information and should be aware that patient cases should not be discussed in public areas. When documenting student notes for program assignments, all identifying patient information should be removed prior to submitting any documentation to the Program.

The American Academy of Physician Associates has issued a “Code of Ethics of the PA Profession.” The following statement is extracted from this principle regarding patient confidentiality:

“PAs shall uphold the doctrine of confidentiality regarding privileged patient information, unless required to release such information by law or such information becomes necessary to protect the welfare of the patient or community.”

Institutions hold patient privacy in high esteem. Students can be dismissed from clinical rotation sites and from the PA program for violating patient privacy. Students should not access patient files if they are not involved with the patient’s case and should not attempt to access files of people with whom they have no professional relationship.

A confidentiality agreement verifying that the student will maintain confidentiality related to patient matters must be completed by all PA students prior to having contact with patients in a clinical setting. Patient confidentiality is a serious issue and violation of this standard may result in dismissal from the PA Program.

Any violations to HIPAA policies and confidentiality agreements will result in referral to CPC/APC due to professionalism concerns, which may result in dismissal from the PA program.

The University Policy on HIPAA can be found here.

Definitions

Short-term absence: Up to 7 continuous calendar days (5 school days) for documented medical, family crisis, or documented bereavement purposes.

Extended absence: More than 7 continuous calendar days and less than 1 semester for documented medical or family crisis purposes; academic reasons as determined by the APC or due to College of Medicine (COM) policy. Any course in a semester without a final grade must be retaken from the start of the course upon the student’s return enrollment. Any course with a passing grade will not need to be repeated. If associated with medical leave, a fitness for duty will be required in order to return and enroll.

Extended absence in Didactic Year will result in deceleration and will not be granted for academic reasons.

Extended absence in Clinical Year will result in a delay in graduation. If greater than ten (10) weeks in duration, students must pass a program-developed clinical competency examination with a score of 80% or higher prior to returning to clinical rotations.

Leave of Absence (LOA): A leave greater than one semester for reasons such as research, global health travel, medical concern, military leave, to fulfill an APC mandate, or due to COM policy. Up to one (1) year may be taken for the entirety of a student’s medical education, with a maximum time for program completion of 36 months.

Deceleration: An absence/leave which requires the student to graduate with a different cohort from which they matriculated.

Procedures

Short-term absence

Approval process: This absence must be approved by the Assistant Dean/Program Director of the PA Program following submission of the online Physician Assistant Program Student Absence Request Form.
Course enrollment: During this type of absence, students will remain enrolled in their courses. Any outstanding course requirements must be completed within one (1) month of return and prior to progressing to the next semester or phase of educational training as determined by the course director.
Deceleration: Deceleration is not associated with a short-term absence.
Return process: The student will immediately return to class at the end of the short-term absence.
Fitness for duty: A medical excuse is required to return to coursework, however a full fitness for duty attestation is not required for a short-term absence.
Notation in Education Verification or State Licensure:
A short-term absence is not noted in education verification or state licensure documentation.
Student financial aid: For short-term absences, student financial aid is not typically affected.
Maximum short-term absences per Phase: Short-term absences should be rare, and only in extreme circumstances. Only 1 short term absence is permitted during Didactic and Clinical Year and must be approved ahead of time by the Assistant Dean/Program Director of the PA Program.
Short-term absences and sick days: After 5 days that have been approved for sick leave, on the 6th sick day the student must apply for a short-term absence.
Notifications: The individuals that must be notified regarding a short-term absence include the PA Program Office and Office of Student Affairs, with copy to student.

Extended absence

Approval process: This absence must be approved by the Assistant Dean/Program Director of the PA Program following submission of the online Physician Assistant Program Student Absence Request Form.
Course enrollment for didactice courses: Any course in a semester without a final grade must be retaken from the start of the course upon the student’s return enrollment. Any course with a passing grade will not need to be repeated. If associated with medical leave, a fitness for duty will be required in order to return and enroll.
Course enrollment for clinical courses: The student must have completed at least 75% of the course to avoid the course being dropped. The remainder of the course must be completed upon return. If greater than ten (10) weeks in duration, students must pass a program-developed clinical competency examination with a score of 80% or higher prior to returning to clinical rotations.
Deceleration: Extended absence in Didactic Year will result in deceleration and will not be granted for academic reasons. Extended absence in Clinical Year will result in a delay in graduation. Determination of whether this results in a delay in graduation or formal deceleration will depend on the student’s ability to complete all requirements within the original graduating year.
Return process: To return from an extended absence, the student must complete the return from leave paperwork at least seven (7) calendar days prior to their return. If a student does not submit the return paperwork by seven (7) days before the date that they will return, they will be considered withdrawn from PSCOM PA Program and must reapply to be reinstated.
Notifications: The individuals that must be notified regarding a short-term absence include the PA Program Office, Office of Student Affairs, Registrar, Office of Financial Aid, and Bursar, with copy to student.
Fitness for duty: If the extended absence is associated with a medical leave, a fitness for duty from a physician will be required and must be submitted along with the return application. The physician/medical provider/center must have a longitudinal relationship with the student and must be able to comment on the minimum essential standards as listed in our Penn State College of Medicine PA Student Handbook. Emergency Department, Urgent Care or notes from physician relatives will not be accepted.
Notation in Education Verification or State Licensure: An extended absence is not noted in education verification or state licensure documentation, unless mandated by the APC.
Student financial aid: For an extended absence, financial aid may be affected. Any student taking an extended absence should immediately contact the student financial aid office.
Maximum extended absences per Phase: Extended absences should be rare, and only in extreme circumstances. Only 1 extended absence is permitted during Didactic and Clinical Year and must be approved ahead of time by the Assistant Dean/Program Director of the PA Program.
Students are not permitted to participate in courses remotely during an Extended Absence.

Leave of Absence (LOA)

Approval process: This type of absence must be approved by the Assistant Dean/Program Director of the PA Program and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.
Course enrollment: A student is not enrolled in any courses during a LOA.
Deceleration: Leave of Absence is associated with deceleration for Didactic Year students and highly anticipated for Clinical Year students depending on the timing in their curriculum. Determination of whether this results in a delay in graduation or formal deceleration for Clinical Year students will depend on the student’s ability to complete all requirements within the original graduating year.
Return process: At least 30 days before the student returns from a LOA, the student must complete the return from leave paperwork. If a student does not submit the return paperwork by thirty (30) days before the date that they will return, they will be considered withdrawn from the PA Program and must reapply to be reinstated.
Fitness for duty: If the LOA is associated with medical leave, a fitness for duty from a physician will be required and must be submitted along with the return application. The physician/medical provider/center must have a longitudinal relationship with the student and must be able to comment on the minimum essential standards as listed in our Medical Student Handbook. Emergency Department, Urgent Care or notes from physician relatives will not be accepted.
Notation in Education Verification or State Licensure: A LOA is noted in education verification or state licensure documentation.
Student financial aid: A LOA will affect student financial aid. Students must meet with the student financial aid office if they are planning to take an LOA.
Maximum LOAs: A student may take up to three (3) semesters of LOA (maximum of 1 year) throughout their entire duration of PA education at Penn State College of Medicine. If a student does not re-enter following one (1) year, the student will be considered withdrawn from the College of Medicine.
Eligibility: Except in circumstances of family/medical emergencies or military deployment, a leave of absence will only be granted to students that have successfully completed the didactic phase of the program.

Breaches in Professional Behaviors

Breaches in student conduct and violations in academic integrity are considered breaches in professional behaviors for the purpose of the MD and PA medical education programs.

The Penn State University has identified specific breaches that are investigated through the Student Conduct process. The Penn State University Student Code of Conduct provides a list of examples of inappropriate, unprofessional or threatening behaviors (not an exhaustive list) that would be considered grounds for an adverse action.

Violations in Academic Integrity are investigated at the level of the course or clerkship with assistance of the Office of Evaluation and Assessment and may be referred to the APC. The Academic Integrity Policy G-9 provides a list of examples of academic integrity violations (not an exhaustive list) that would be considered grounds for adverse actions and/or dismissal from the MD or PA program.

If the alleged breach in student conduct has been determined to 1) require further response, 2) no adaptable resolution has been identified, 3) written notice has been provided to the student, and 4) an informal meeting has been provided to the student, the student will meet with respective APC for review and determination of an action plan, which could include (but not limited to) deceleration, warning, probation, up to and including dismissal.

It is expected that the PA Program is the student’s primary responsibility from matriculation to graduation. ^A3.14i

Employment while enrolled in the PA program is not prohibited and students are not required to disclose to the program whether paid employment is taking place. However, students are strongly discouraged from working while enrolled in the PA program.

Concessions for missed classes, late assignments, scheduled assessments, and clinical rotation obligations due to work outside of the program will not be made.

Students are not permitted to work for the PA program in any capacity while enrolled as a student at the Penn State College of Medicine. ^A3.02

Students may not substitute for, or function as, instructional faculty, clinical staff, or administrative staff while enrolled as a student at the Penn State College of Medicine. ^A3.03a,b

As part of Penn State Health’s commitment to provide safe and responsible care, and to enhance patient comfort during sensitive area physical examinations (exams) or procedures, a chaperone or third party will be present for the duration of such exams and procedures unless specifically declined. This policy is applicable to Physicians, Advanced Practice Providers, Nurses, Therapists or other clinicians who physically examine patients or perform procedures.

View Use of Chaperones During Sensitive Exams and Procedures in the policy portal (Penn State Health ePass login required).

Culture of Respect in Education

The (ORLE) is dedicated to fostering an educational community at Penn State College of Medicine in which all learners and educators feel supported, challenged, valued, and respected. Mistreatment, discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment are prohibited at Penn State College of Medicine. ORLE also supports students requesting their assistance and provides a means for students to report incidents where the student perceives that mistreatment has taken place.

The can be found here. Questions? Contact the Director of the Office for a Respectful Learning Environment:

Debra Byler, MD
dbyler@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
717.531.8790

As necessary, students may report mistreatment confidentially through the PA Program Director, completion of the Mistreatment Reporting Form, your advisors, or the PA Program . All allegations are investigated.

The Mistreatment Reporting Form can be completed either anonymously or with the student’s contact information as part of this action. Forms can be completed either anonymously or with the student’s contact information as part of this action. Students that wish to receive feedback from their concerns will need to provide their contact information.

Students who violate the anti-harassment policy will be referred to the Academic Progress Committee (APC), as the program expects professional behavior on the part of the student.

If a student on clinical rotations believes that they are being put into an environment where any type of harassment is suspected that student is to immediately contact the Clinical Year Team or Program Director. If a student feels unsafe at any point during the supervised clinical practices, the student is to seek safety at once, notify appropriate authorities, and then notify the Clinical Year Team or Program Director once they are in a safe environment.

The University is committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethics and conduct, consistent with applicable legal requirements and University policies. Through the establishment of policy AD67, Disclosure of Wrongful Conduct and Protection From Retaliation, the University wishes to encourage and protect from Retaliation those who desire to report potential violations of these standards.

View the full Penn State Disclosure of Wrongful Conduct and Protection From Retaliation.

The College of Medicine is committed to upholding the Penn State policy of providing a responsive environment free of intolerance, discrimination, harassment, and coercion. Students should never be placed in an environment where harassment occurs. It is the goal and intent of Penn State University, the College of Medicine, and the PA Program to create learning environments that are always conducive to positive and respectful behavior; with the students, faculty, and staff being held to a high standard of professional behavior. Environments which do not encourage, and support respect, dignity, and professionalism will not be tolerated.

Harassment is defined as verbal, written or physical conduct directed at a person, or a group based on color, race, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age, gender or sexual orientation where the offensive behavior is intimidating, hostile or demeaning or could or does result in mental, emotional or physical discomfort, embarrassment, ridicule or harm.

Harassment includes not only offensive behavior that interferes with a person’s or group’s well-being or development, but also behaviors that interfere with one’s employment, educational status, performance, that creates a hostile working, academic or social environment. In this regard, sexual violence is deemed to be a form of sexual harassment.

It is a violation for students, faculty, staff, guests, visitors or anyone else acting at the instigation of a university person — to:

Engage in any form of harassment whether intentional or unintentional on the campus or in the off-campus area.
Retaliate against a person who has initiated an inquiry or complaint having to do with harassment.

Racial Harassment is defined as verbal, written or physical conduct — either a single incident or a persistent pattern of behavior — directed at a person or a group based on one’s color, race, national origin or ethnicity, where the offensive behavior is intimidating, hostile or demeaning or could or does result in mental, emotional or physical discomfort, embarrassment, ridicule or harm.

Harassment based on Sexual Orientation is defined as any verbal, written or physical conduct directed at a person, or a group based on sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation where the offensive behavior is intimidating, hostile or demeaning or could or does result in mental, emotional or physical discomfort, embarrassment, ridicule or harm.

Sexual Harassment and Violence

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature for submission to such conduct:

is a condition for grades, academic status, promotion, or employment;
is used as a basis for academic/employment/clinical placement decisions affecting an individual;
interferes unreasonably with the individual’s academic/clinical performance or creates an offensive, hostile, or intimidating learning/working environment.

Sexual violence refers to physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will or where a person is incapable of giving consent due to the victim’s use of drugs or alcohol. An individual also may be unable to give consent due to an intellectual or other disability.

Any member of the College of Medicine Community who experiences sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior that interferes with the learning environment should contact the Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Ethics and Compliance.

Amber Grove, Title IX Coordinator, x5088, titleix@psu.edu

Students may also contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (OEOA) at University Park at 814-863-0471, utilize the 24-hour Penn State reporting hotline (800-560-1637), or submit an online report: Office of Sexual Misconduct Reporting & Response Incident Report Form.

For Clinical Year Students—if you experience discrimination, harassment, or bullying at any time during your rotation, contact the Clinical Year Team and/or the Program Director immediately.

The Office of Student Conduct at Penn State serves as a valuable resource for the university community by promoting a safe living and learning environment. The Code of Conduct exists to maintain a civil and safe community in which all Penn State students can live and learn. The disciplinary process administered by the Office of Student Conduct is designed to foster growth and learning through holding students accountable for their behavior. The goal of the Office of Student Conduct is to create a community in which students' actions validate the essential values of Penn State:

Community
Discovery
Excellence
Integrity
Respect
Responsibility

The University identifies unacceptable student behavior in a document called the Code of Conduct. Specific information can be found on the Code of Conduct & Student Conduct Procedures page. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the behaviors identified in the Code of Conduct and to allow it to inform their everyday decision-making both in and out of the classroom.

Professionalism

Students displaying inappropriate behavior in the classroom, on campus, or in the clinical environment will not be tolerated and may result in dismissal from the classroom or the clinical environment and completion of a Behavior Concern Form with referral to CPC or APC for review.

Students are expected to demonstrate professional and altruistic behavior at all times using the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) guidelines, as detailed below.

Students must exhibit honesty and integrity, including:
- Forthright, truthful and trustworthy behavior.
- Appropriate identification of status when participating in patient care.
- Showing ethical behavior at all times.
Students must demonstrate responsibility and reliability, including:
- Punctuality and meeting deadlines.
- Compliance with policies, rules, regulations and laws.
- Attendance at required sessions.
- Demonstration of appropriate prioritization between personal and professional life.
- Demonstration of accountability, including appropriate assumption of responsibility and reporting inappropriate behaviors.
Students must demonstrate respect for others, including:
- Respecting the authority and knowledge of other professionals.
- Working with and showing respect to all team members.
- Showing appropriate grooming and cleanliness.
Students must demonstrate altruism and empathy, including:
- Showing appropriate concern for others.
- Perception and acknowledgment of others’ physical, emotional and social needs.
- Demonstration of sensitivity and concern regarding those needs.
- Maintenance of objectivity in difficult interactions with other individuals.
Students must demonstrate commitment to competence and excellence, including:
- Setting, achieving and reflecting on realistic goals.
- Routinely seeking to develop additional knowledge and skills.
- Striving for excellence rather than to just meet minimum standards.
Students must demonstrate responsibility for self-assessment and self-improvement, including:
- Admission of errors and accepting responsibility for actions.
- Seeking feedback and implementing changes from feedback.
- Demonstration of appropriate self-confidence.
- Asking for help when appropriate.
Students must demonstrate respect for patients and their families, including:
- Sensitivity to patient beliefs, opinions, gender, race, culture, religion, sexual preference, and status.
- Respecting patients’ autonomy and right to choose.
- Demonstration and maintenance of sensitivity to confidential patient information.

Inability to maintain the above professionalism standards while enrolled in the PA program will result in referral to the Competency Progress Committee and/or the Academic Progress Committee for review, which may result in provision of recommendations for remediation of unprofessional behaviors, professionalism probation, or dismissal from the PA program.

Assessments

Students must abide by the program-related assessment guidelines and uphold academic integrity expectations.

Exams will begin promptly at the start time listed in the Outlook calendar.
- Students that arrive late for the exam will not be given additional time to complete their assessment.
Proctors will not answer questions during the exam or during the exam review. Interpretation is part of the question.
Lecture Hall:
- Backpacks must be placed in the back of the room prior to the exam start.
- Students must spread out across the front half of the lecture hall.
- Upon completion and submission of the exam, students must move to the back half of the lecture hall for exam review.
- During the exam review, students will have the opportunity to independently review the questions that they missed. No notes are to be utilized during the review.
- Following completion of the exam review, students will quietly exit through the back of the lecture hall to minimize distraction.
PA Classroom:
- Backpacks must be placed in the front or back of the room prior to the exam start.
- Upon submission of the exam, students will remain in their seats for exam review.
- During the exam review, students will have the opportunity to independently review the questions that they missed. No notes are to be utilized during the review.
- Following completion of the exam review, students will exit the classroom quietly.
With the exception of the device utilized for taking the examination, no electronic devices are allowed on student’s desks during test taking, including smart watch devices.

No baseball caps, hats, hoods or sunglasses may be worn during test-taking.

Students should utilize the restroom prior to the examination. If necessary, students may utilize the restroom during the examination, but only one (1) student may leave the room at a time. Students may not visit the cafeteria, coffee shop, or other areas during assessments.

Acts of plagiarism, cheating, and other illegal behaviors are subject to disciplinary actions, including dismissal from the Program.

Classroom Conduct

Students are expected to arrive to class ready to learn at least 10 minutes before class starts.
Students are expected to attend all classes.
Students are expected to complete all class assignments within the deadlines provided.
Students should keep all cell phones turned off or silenced during classroom and laboratory sessions unless instructed otherwise.
Students must conduct themselves in a professional manner while in the classroom and demonstrate collegiality with students, faculty, staff, and guest lecturers at all times.
Students should be cognizant of entering and leaving class as to minimize distractions to fellow learners.

Clinical Site Conduct

Students should participate in clinical rotations as active learners. Throughout their clinical rotations, PA students shall be considered an extension of their specific preceptors and are permitted to perform tasks delegated to them with supervision. Although the specific role of the PA student will vary from

rotation to rotation, there are certain broad guidelines that should be followed by all preceptors, clinical faculty, clinical sites, and students.

Conduct:

Students must interact in a professional and respectful manner with all members of the health care and educational team
Students will be under the supervision of the clinical preceptor or a designee at all times while conducting clinical activities (office hours, hospital/nursing home rounds, surgeries, on-call, etc.).
Students are expected to follow the preceptor’s office hours, and may be required on site for evenings, weekends, or immediately before or after a holiday.
Students are expected to complete chart review prior to the start of their clinical day and should be logging this time as clinical hours.
Students are required to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of their assigned shift. Failure to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the shift will be considered late/tardy and may be reflected in the preceptor evaluation and/or submission of a professionalism concern form (see attendance section above on tardiness).
Penn State College of Medicine student badges must be worn during all patient encounters, without exception.
White coats are to be worn at all times unless otherwise directed by your preceptor.
PA Students mustproperly identify themselves at all times as PA Students.
Students will follow and adhere to the guidelines and directions of the preceptor regarding all aspects of patient care, including HIPAA regulations.
Students must notify the Clinical Year Team and their preceptors of all absences due to illness or emergencies prior to the start of their scheduled shift.
Students must follow the appropriate procedures for requesting time off from rotations.
- Student requests for time off from clinical rotations must be submitted to the clinical year team, not to the preceptor.
Students are not permitted to function in settings outside of the preceptor’s practice unless approved by the Clinical Year Team and supervised by a preceptor or program faculty.

In addition to the above outlines for professionalism and conduct, the following guidelines are to be followed during all clinical rotations and at all sites:

Students are expected to conform to the laws, rules and regulations and by-laws of the state, hospitals and/or office practices in which they are being trained.
Students may perform evaluations, examinations, procedures and patient education that the supervising preceptor is willing to train, approve and supervise within the preceptor’s scope of practice.
No student is permitted to carry pre-signed forms or prescription slips.
The student is permitted to examine, document, offer treatment plans and encourage health promotion and disease prevention plans to the patient, in accordance with the medical practice policies and procedures.
Students are not permitted to seek medical advice for themselves, family, or friends while on clinical rotations.
Students may only perform procedural skills under the direct supervision of a clinical faculty member or designated preceptor.
No patient may leave the care of the practice or hospital until evaluated by the preceptor.
Students must have access to their Immunization records at all times. Failure to provide required documentation will result in the inability of students to begin clinical rotations, which will result in a delay in graduation due to deceleration.
Any questions regarding the scope of practice for the student must be addressed with the preceptor and to the Clinical Year Team.
Students may not discuss or criticize the actions of their patients, peers, healthcare professionals, or any others in a public manner and must discuss any problems or concerns directly with the Clinical Coordinator.
Students at clinical sites who benefit from housing provided by the clinical site must abide by the housing guidelines, policies, and procedures outlined by the clinical site or organization that provides the housing. (i.e., cleaning).

Failure to comply with the above conduct expectations result in deduction from course grade and will result in submission of a professionalism form to CPC/APC.

Additionally, students are NOT permitted to substitute for instructional faculty, clinical, or administrative staff during clinical rotations.^A3.05

Communication Etiquette

Students should note that standards of professional behavior apply to all forms of communication and program-related items.

Students:

Students should forward their PSU email to their Penn State Health email.
Students are expected to check their email at the beginning and end of each day.
Students should respond to email correspondences in a timely manner.
Emails shall be written in a professional and appropriate manner
- Designate if message is urgent in the email subject line
- Always address an email with the appropriate salutation
- Sign all emails
- Before pressing send, read your email aloud—maintain a professional demeanor
Urgent student needs will be addressed within twenty-four (24) hours unless faculty/staff are out of the office as signified by an away message in their email.

Faculty/Staff:

Faculty/staff will respond to all non-urgent program/course-related emails from students within seventy-two (72) hours of receipt.
Faculty will notify students of any changes to course syllabi within twenty-four (24) hours of the change via CANVAS (except in cases of emergencies).
Faculty will notify students of changes in course instruction times and locations via CANVAS and/or the program Outlook Calendar.
Faculty are available to students through email, office hours, and personal appointments as designated in their course syllabi and on StarFish.
Faculty will provide students with a grade on assignments and examinations within two (2) weeks of the assignment due date/date of examination.

Interpersonal Behavior

Utilization of appropriate interpersonal behaviors will facilitate a respectful and collegial environment for student learners.

Students must demonstrate emotional maturity and stability through challenges while forming professional work relationships with faculty, staff, preceptorship/clinical rotation personnel, and their peers.
Engagement in physical or verbal altercations will not be tolerated.
Positive and constructive interpersonal skills should be utilized in conflict resolution.

Social Media Policy

When engaging in online communication using social media and networking platforms, the Penn State College of Medicine PA Program expects all students to behave in an ethical and responsible manner with this form of communication.

The definition of social networking includes but is not limited to: Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, X, Reddit, Instagram, TikTok, Weblogs, Snap Chat, Online Discussion Boards, or any other online application that allows an individual to post or publish content on the internet.

The following guidelines have been developed to protect the privacy, confidentiality, and reputation of patients, fellow students, faculty and staff, clinical educators, clinical sites, the Penn State College of Medicine PA Program and Pennsylvania State University.

The PA Program has a ZERO tolerance for any violation of the social media policy, which will result in referral to the CPC for further evaluation.

Statement:

Students may be held personally liable for proprietary, defamatory, libelous material posted on any form of social media.
Students are expected to follow all clinical site policies regarding social media.
Students are not to use social media during classes and may be excused at the discretion of the faculty member facilitating the class, which will reflect as an unexcused absence.
Students will be referred to CPC/APC for posting material that is defamatory, profane, threatening, harassing, hateful or private information that is humiliating to patients and their families, students, hospital/clinical staff, clinical instructors, faculty, staff and subject to disciplinary action.
Occurrences of inappropriate use of social and electronic media may be submitted to the State Board of Medicine, which may affect licensure.
The use of non-PSU email addresses or online identities can be investigated and traced, so their use does not protect the student from responsibility and any liabilities related to posting online materials or social media.
Violation of HIPAA policies may result in legal action against the student and dismissal from the Program for Professionalism violations of HIPAA.

Student Health

Office of Student Health

Location: University Fitness Center

Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

Email: student_health@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

Phone: 717-531-5998

Hershey

Services

The Student Health Office is located on the main campus of the College of Medicine, a short walking distance from the main hospital, among on-campus student housing. The Student Health Office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily Monday through Friday. Student Health is staffed by a dedicated Student Health registered nurse who is available to perform nursing assessment and triage. The nurse operates under the supervision of the Medical Director of the Office of Student Health, a family physician who is uniquely qualified to provide preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic services regardless of gender, age or organ system.

Student Health provides the following services to all medical, graduate, physician assistant students enrolled at Penn State College of Medicine:

N95 mask fit testing
Away rotation medical form completion
OHSP & Biosafety Protocol Clearances
Pre-matriculation requirements and forms

Students also have the option to seek medical care at any Penn State Health site or other private physician though conventional health insurance.

The Penn State Health Cocoa Outpatient Center is an Internal Medicine clinic located approximately 2 miles off campus.

For students who do not have transportation, the office is accessible by shuttle services that can be arranged through the Penn State Health on Demand Shuttle service by visiting ondemand.transloc.com/ride or calling 717-599-6376.

This policy closely complies with the most current evidence contained within the SHEA (Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America) guideline and CDC (Centers for Disease Control) Recommendations for Management of Medical Students who are infected with Hepatitis B Virus (2012). This policy also discusses policy for students with other blood borne pathogens including Hepatitis C Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Students are:

Required to comply with College of Medicine Blood Borne Pathogen Policies and Requirements.
Aware that they will be required to participate in the care of patients with various communicable diseases or infections including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.
Ethically and professionally responsible for knowing their serological status with respect to blood borne pathogens and to inform Student Health and the Assistant Dean/Program Director of the PA Program if they are positive for a blood borne pathogen infection. Confidentiality concerning the student’s state of health will be maintained to the greatest extent possible. An Expert Review Panel may be consulted for guidance, keeping the name of the student confidential if possible. Disclosure may be necessary if there is reason to believe that the infected individual has declined or has failed to follow the provisions of this policy in regards to personal notification of appropriate personnel or fails to respond within a reasonable amount of time to a recommendation that he/she personally notify the person in charge of a particular clinic or department.
Expected to be in a state of health such that they may participate in the academic programs, including patient care, without posing a risk to themselves of others.
Obligated to comply with Hepatitis B immunization policies and requirements as outlined by the College of Medicine and Student Health Department. This policy requires that all students receive the hepatitis B vaccine and test positive on the subsequent quantitative serology titer. Further testing is provided for those students who still do not respond to a second series of the vaccine.
Mandated to comply with the Communicable Disease Protocol as outlined by the College of Medicine according to the most current CDC recommendations.
Required to use standard precautions and additional practices in order to prevent the spread of blood borne pathogens and other infections. These practices are reviewed annually with all students under the Infection Control Procedures.
Required to disclose, as per school policy, if they are potentially exposed to a blood borne pathogen in a clinical setting and provide a blood specimen if indicated. This information is reviewed annually under the Sharps Injury/Blood and Body Fluid Exposure Policy.

The PA Program faculty will:

Provide education and training to all students in appropriate methods to prevent the transmission of communicable diseases, including blood borne pathogens, that is consistent with the CDC’s guidelines for standard and additional precautions. This infection control training will be reviewed during the student’s initial orientation and on entry to the Clinical Year.
Maintain confidentiality to the greatest extent possible regarding information disclosed by students concerning their serological status and disclose relevant information only with appropriate consent.

The Expert Review Panel will:

Advise the student to apply for ADA (disability) status based on their medical condition which then allows the Panel to design accommodations to prevent these students from participating in Exposure Prone Procedures (EPPs), such as those encountered in Surgery or OB/GYN, without jeopardizing their medical education.
Designate contact personnel in departments that perform EPPs. Such personnel will be notified by the student of his/her disease status, if appropriate, and any applicable restrictions that may apply as recommended by the Expert Review Panel according to the CDC Guidelines.
Develop a plan of counseling and advice to assist the student regarding clinical practice and career choices. This information will be discussed with the student by the Assistant Dean/Program Director of the PA Program and/or the Director of Student Health.
Evaluate the student’s status and continued testing and/or treatment as indicated in the guidelines outlined in this policy.

PA students infected with blood-borne pathogens:

Are professionally and ethically obligated to inform Student Health and the Assistant Dean/Program Director of the PA Program of any blood borne infection.
May pursue their studies only as long as their continued involvement does not pose a health or safety hazard to themselves or others. It is expected that all students can be accommodated as needed with some modification to their program of study to reduce the risks of blood borne pathogen transmission.
Will have their condition reviewed and monitored by an Expert Review Panel at the request of the Assistant Dean/Program Director of the PA Program. The members of the Expert Review Panel may be selected from, but not necessarily limited to, the Assistant Dean, an infectious disease and hospital epidemiology specialist, liver disease specialist (gastroenterologist / hematologist) with expertise in blood borne pathogens and their infectivity, the Student Health Director, a person with Bioethics experience, and legal counsel. The student is responsible for ensuring the receipt of requested lab results and any pertinent physician notes (including those obtained from facilities outside the Penn State Health System) by the Director of Student Health.
May have clinical duties or clinical exposure modified, limited or abbreviated based on recommendations from an Expert Review Panel as outlined in the CDC guidelines - particularly as it relates to the performance of exposure prone procedures and the status of the blood borne infection (e.g. viral loads etc.).
Required to immediately disclose if he/she accidentally exposes a patient to their blood borne pathogen in a clinical setting. Pre-notification to patients is neither suggested nor required.
Must be offered advice and counseling that will assist him or her regarding clinical practice and career choices.
Have the right to appeal decisions made by the Assistant Dean or Expert Panel by submitting, in writing or in person, a proposed amendment to the decision and the rationale supporting such amendment. The student may submit additional documentation from his/her personal physician or other healthcare provider in support of their appeal. In the case where the student’s appeal is denied by the Assistant Dean/Program Director for the PA Program or Expert Panel, the student may engage in the Student Appeal Procedure of his/her University to submit any additional appeals.

Medical students who are potentially exposed to a blood-borne pathogen are:

Required to seek medical attention immediately after the event as per the School’s Policy for HIV rapid testing and post exposure prophylaxis if indicated;
Required to report and document occurrence as per the Student Health Policy;
Required to follow post exposure testing and treatment. This information, including testing of the source patient, is outlined in the Sharps Injury/Blood and Body Fluid Exposure Policy and reviewed at PSCOM Orientation and at the start of the Clinical Year.

Definitions

Blood borne disease: a disease caused by a microbial agent capable of being transmitted via contact with the blood of an infected individual. Most notably, this includes the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Category I. Procedures known or likely to pose an increased risk of percutaneous injury to a health-care provider that have resulted in provider-to-patient transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV).

These procedures are limited to major abdominal, cardiothoracic, and orthopedic surgery, repair of major traumatic injuries, abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy, caesarean section, vaginal deliveries, and major oral or maxillofacial surgery (e.g., fracture reductions). Techniques that have been demonstrated to increase the risk for health-care provider percutaneous injury and provider- to-patient blood exposure include:

digital palpation of a needle tip in a body cavity and/or
the simultaneous presence of a health care provider’s fingers and a needle or other sharp instrument or object (e.g., bone spicule) in a poorly visualized or highly confined anatomic site.

Category I procedures, especially those that have been implicated in HBV transmission, are not ordinarily performed by students fulfilling the essential functions of a medical or dental school education.

Category II. All other invasive and noninvasive procedures.

These and similar procedures are not included in Category I as they pose low or no risk for percutaneous injury to a health-care provider or, if a percutaneous injury occurs, it usually happens outside a patient’s body and generally does not pose a risk for provider-to-patient blood exposure. These include:

surgical and obstetrical/gynecologic procedures that do not involve the techniques listed for Category I;
the use of needles or other sharp devices when the health-care provider’s hands are outside a body cavity (e.g., phlebotomy, placing and maintaining peripheral and central intravascular lines, administering medication by injection, performing needle biopsies, or lumbar puncture);
dental procedures other than major oral or maxillofacial surgery;
insertion of tubes (e.g., nasogastric, endotracheal, rectal, or urinary catheters);
endoscopic or bronchoscopic procedures;
internal examination with a gloved hand that does not involve the use of sharp devices (e.g., vaginal, oral, and rectal examination; and
procedures that involve external physical touch (e.g. general physical or eye examinations or blood pressure checks).

General recommendations

Students should not be prohibited from participating in patient care activities solely on the basis of their blood borne pathogen infection. Viral load burden may determine if a student should be restricted from performing certain exposure prone procedures.
Using Standard Precautions, the infected student may perform routine physical examinations provided there is no evidence of open or healing wounds, or eczema on the student’s hands.
If the skin of the hands is intact, and there are no wounds or skin lesions, then in examining a body orifice, whether oral, vaginal or rectal, the student must wear gloves as per Standard Precautions.
If the skin of the hands is not intact, whether from a healing laceration, or from any skin condition interfering with the normal protection afforded by intact skin, or cannot be covered with an appropriate barrier, then the affected student should not provide direct contact until they have received effective treatment and the condition is resolved.
A decision as to whether an affected student should continue to perform a procedure which in itself is not exposure prone should take into consideration the risk of complications arising which might necessitate the performance of an exposure prone procedure.
It is recognized that infection control precautions are not perfect. However, based on the guidelines outlined in this document, it is expected that the risk of transmission event occurring is low and if an event were to occur, remedial action can further minimize the risk to the patient.

Summary for Managing Medical Students Infected with Hepatitis B (HBV) as indicated by current CDC Recommendations:

Anonymous Viral Load testing results should be submitted to the Expert Review Panel by Director of Student Health in order to ensure confidentiality for the student. Restrictions and subsequent monitoring, if warranted, will be recommended by the Expert Review Panel in accordance with the guidelines outlined in this policy and the information will be conveyed to the student by the Assistant Dean and /or the Director of Student Health.

The summary for managing students infected with Hepatitis B applies to Hepatitis B blood borne pathogens. In 2021, the state of the art is that every effort should be made to eradicate Hepatitis C and/or completely suppress HIV viral levels through the use of antiretroviral therapy. Achievement of these goals for Hepatitis C and/or HIV should mitigate the risk of transmission during Exposure Prone Procedures. The student with Hepatitis C and/or HIV will be evaluated on a case by case basis by the Expert Review Panel.

The above summary of management of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV provides a framework within which to consider such cases. However, each case is sufficiently complex that each should be independently considered in context by the Expert Review Panel.

Resources

CDC recommendations for the Management of Hepatitis B Virus Infected Health Care Providers and Students. MMWR, Vol. 61, No. 3. July 6. 2012.
Updated U.S. Public Health Service guidelines for the management of occupational exposures to HIV and recommendations for postexposure prophylaxis. Personal Author(s): Kuhar, David T.; Henderson, David K.; Struble, Kimberly A.; Heneine, Walid; Thomas, Vasavi; Cheever, Laura W.; Gomaa, Ahmed; Panlilio, Adelisa L.; Corporate Authors(s): USPHS Working Group on Occupational Postexposure Prophylaxis.; National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (U.S.). Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion.; Published Date: 9/25/2013; URL: https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/20711
Henderson et al. SHEA Guideline for Management of Healthcare Workers Who are Infected with Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus and/or HIV Virus. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, Vol. 31, No. 3, pages 203-232. March 2010.

Timely Referral for Student Services ^A3.07

Program faculty, staff, and leadership shall refer students to services addressing personal issues that may impact their progress in the PA program as soon as they become aware of a concern. These services include student health, the office of professional mental health, cognitive skills, student aid, and disability services.

Provision of Medical Care to Students ^A3.06

Except in emergency situations, program principal faculty, the program medical director, and program director may not participate in the medical care of PA students enrolled in the Penn State College of Medicine PA program.

Program faculty, staff, and leadership may recommend that students seek care at the Student Health office, Penn State Health’s complimentary COMMpanion virtual Primary Care service, their PCP, or to the Emergency Department if health care needs arise.

Chemical Hazard Exposure ^{A3.05 a,b,c}

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) devised the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to ensure that information about chemical and toxic substance hazards in the workplace and associated protective measures are disseminated to workers via Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

Hazardous Chemicals: any chemical classified as a health hazard or simple asphyxiate in accord with the Hazard Communication Standard.

Students exposed to chemical hazards in classroom laboratories must notify Program Faculty immediately during Didactic Year, or their Clinical Preceptor followed by the Clinical Year Team if the exposure occurs during Clinical Rotations. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) must be readily available wherever chemicals are used. The student is responsible for identifying the location of the MSDS information sheets as part of their orientation to each clinic/hospital site where they are rotating.

Students must complete the Student Exposure Form following exposure. Post-exposure care is dictated by the type of chemical exposure.

Students are strongly recommended to have an evaluation performed by a healthcare provider following any chemical exposure. The protocols set forth at non-Penn State Health clinical sites will supersede those set forth by the College of Medicine and students should follow the directions given by their preceptor.

Students are responsible for all costs related to care and treatment.

A virtual-first primary care service that provides students with accessible, personalized healthcare through a dedicated Primary Care Provider (PCP) and a team of nurses and health navigators. Upon enrollment, students complete an initial appointment where a PCP develops an individualized health plan based on their medical history and current needs. Throughout the year, the care team offers proactive support, including appointment scheduling, prescription management, responses to non-urgent health questions, and coordination of specialist referrals. Sick and well visits can be requested at any time, with most communications receiving timely responses. COMMpanion is intended to supplement, not replace, traditional health insurance and serves as a convenient, high-quality resource for managing everyday health needs.

Additionally, the College of Medicine ensures exceptional access to primary care through an agreement with COMMpanion powered by Penn State Health. This is a “telehealth-first” subscription-based primary care model, the cost of which is subsidized by the College of Medicine. Students receive access to primary care through video or telephone, with no additional charge for an unlimited number of video visits, phone visits, and electronic messages with the Penn State Health COMMpanion primary care physicians and CRNP.

Students can access the service from home, rotation site, or anywhere with internet access or through an app on a smart phone. The service is available Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and manages urgent and acute, chronic, preventive care and travel-related care for students and their spouses and dependents over the age of 18.

COMMpanion providers can access consultation with Penn State Health specialists through electronic communication within 3 days of consultation request. COMMpanion providers can order lab testing, diagnostic testing, prescribe medications and refer to specialists for conventional in-person appointments. The COMMpanion team includes RNs available for triage and education, and health navigators who assist student with coordinating medical tests and arranging referrals.

Communicable Disease Exposure ^A3.05a,b,c

Communicable diseases are those diseases that are caused by an infectious agent that is spread from person-to-person. The CDC identifies reporting cases of communicable diseases as an important aspect of the planning and evaluation of disease prevention and control, a pathway for assuring the distribution of appropriate medical care/treatment, and a way to detect outbreaks.

Students are required to have fit testing and PAPR training prior to the start of clinical rotations through Student Health.

If exposure occurs during didactic year, students must immediately notify Student Health, followed by the Clinical Year Team and Program Director if absence from didactic or clinical year studies is necessary.

Exposure to certain diseases (such as tuberculosis, COVID, or measles) may result in the temporary cessation of in-person learning or clinical rotations. In this case, students will work directly with the Program Faculty and/or the Clinical Year Team to develop a plan for the completion of the program coursework.

Students exposed to communicable diseases should be evaluated by their family healthcare provider, or at the Emergency Department. Recommendations surrounding the communicability of the disease will be managed by Department of Health recommendations on a case-by-case basis.

Students must complete the Student Exposure Form following exposure. Post-exposure care is dictated by the type of chemical exposure. Students are strongly recommended to have an evaluation performed by a healthcare provider following any chemical exposure. The protocols set forth at non-Penn State Health clinical sites will supersede those set forth by the College of Medicine and students should follow the directions given by their preceptor.

Students are responsible for all costs related to care and treatment.

COVID-19 Precautions

Any updates to COVID-19 related guidelines for students within the College of Medicine will be relayed to students as policy changes occur.

For the most updated information please review the Student Health webpage.

Students with questions or concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccination should contact the Office of Student Health at 717-531-5998 or Student_Health@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

Failure to comply with Penn State College of Medicine COVID-19 policies will result in referral to the CPC/APC for review and may result in disciplinary action

All students must maintain personal health insurance throughout their professional education.

At the student’s expense, a limited health insurance policy is provided by the University if the student cannot provide proof of insurance coverage. Students may waive out of the Penn State Student Health Insurance Plan but must do so by the deadline date provided. Otherwise, the fee will be automatically charged to their student account.

For an insurance plan to meet the Penn State University mandatory insurance waiver criteria, the insurance plan must feature, at a minimum, all the following:
- Coverage that allows the insured student to receive outpatient, emergency, specialist and inpatient care, maternity benefits, diagnostic testing and procedures, and mental health inpatient and outpatient care, including alcohol and substance abuse treatment. Pay benefits worldwide.
  - A deductible not greater than $3,000 per policy year.
  - Have an unlimited maximum benefit per incident
  - Must be provided by an insurance company domiciled in the United States or must be provided by an international insurance company with a United States partner for handling of insurance claims in the United States.
For students engaged in school-sanctioned activities outside of the United States, evacuation insurance for medical illness and injury or reasons of civil unrest, must be purchased prior to the time of travel.

Questions may be directed to Student Health Insurance at uhs-insurance@psu.edu or 814-865-4847 ext. 6.

Infectious Disease Prevention Program ^A3.09a

Students matriculating into the Penn State College of Medicine PA Program must complete the mandatory requirements and forms listed on the prior to April 3 of their entering year.

Fees will be incurred for students that do not complete these requirements prior to April 3. Students accepted after March 1 will have five (5) weeks from their acceptance date to complete their requirements before incurring the $50 fee, which increases to $100 after six (6) weeks, and to $150 after eight (8) weeks.

Preventive Health Requirements and Immunization Policy for New PA Students ^A3.07a

Healthcare workers are at risk for exposure to serious and potentially deadly diseases. The Penn State College of Medicine PA Program requires that all students maintain immunizations as recommended for healthcare workers by the CDC (Recommended Vaccines for Healthcare Workers Page), as well as any Penn State Health, or state specific mandates.

Facilities and hospitals may require additional immunizations and titers from students prior to starting clinical rotations at those sites. Cost is the responsibility of the student.

Failure to comply with the Immunization Policy for PA Students, or any additional immunizations and titers for clinical rotations will result in the inability to enter, continue with, or complete the program.

Health Screening: completed by the student, reviewed and signed by a healthcare provider
- Results of student health screenings are maintained confidentially by Student Health.
- Students identified by Student Health with history of chronic illness or other need to establish care will be contacted to schedule an appointment.
Physical Examination: completed/signed by a health care provider within the last 12 months
- Results of the examination are maintained confidentially by Student Health and will not be accessible or reviewed by the program, principal, or instructional faculty.^A3.19
Immunization and Infectious Disease Form: completed and signed by a health care provider with copies of titer results included.
- Immunization and screening results are maintained in the Student Health Office. ^A3.19
  - Student Health Immunization Requirements
- Screening Requirements:
  - Tuberculosis Screening: Results of a two (2) – step PPD or one (1) IGRA blood test are required regardless of prior BCG status.
    - Screening is required within 90 days of arrival on campus
  - HIV Screening: Students are not required to be tested for HIV, but if known positive must identify.
- Immunization Requirements: All students are required to meet the immunization requirements set forth by the College of Medicine’s Office of Student Health. Failure to complete the required immunizations by the established due date will result in the following escalating consequences.
  1. Inability to begin classes or clinical rotation at the beginning of the semester.
  2. If in a clinical rotation, the student will be removed immediately from that rotation.
  3. Scheduled meeting with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.
  4. Documentation of the College of Medicine’s professionalism report form.
  5. Inability to register for a new semester of classes.
  6. Revoking of University privileges including but not limited to issuance of grades, issuance of transcripts, registration for subsequent semesters, participation in graduation ceremonies, awarding of a degree and participation in classroom examinations. Access to LionPath and/or CANVAS may be suspended.
- If a student has an extenuating circumstance that makes it impossible to meet the immunization due date, the student must contact the Office of Student Health at least one (1) week before the due date. The contact information for the Office of Student Health is 717-531-5998.
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis: Prior to matriculation, students must be considered immune against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis
  - A student will be considered immune by demonstrating all of the following:
    - Documentation of appropriate vaccination against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis: 5 doses of DTaP or 4 doses of DTaP if the fourth dose was administered on or after the fourth birthday.
    - At least one TDaP vaccination in lifetime.
    - At least one Td or Tdap vaccination in the five years prior to matriculation.
  - If a student does not meet these criteria, they must receive an appropriate primary vaccination series if that is lacking, or a Td or Tdap booster vaccine.
  - If a student has further concerns about their immune status, they are encouraged to consult an infectious disease specialist.
- Hepatitis B: Prior to matriculation, students must provide Student Health with the record of their completion of a Hepatitis B vaccination series. This submission must include the type of vaccine and the dates of vaccination.
- Prior to matriculation, students must provide documentation of a quantitative Hepatitis B titer collected at least 1-2 months after the final dose of the vaccine series.
  - If the documentation is consistent with completion of a Hepatitis B vaccinations series and the quantitative titer measures >= 10 mIU/mL, the student will be considered immune. Immune students may begin clinical education.
  - If the quantitative titer measures < 10 mIU/mL after the primary vaccine series is complete, the student will be recommended to be revaccinated through administration of one additional dose of a hepatitis B vaccine (available data do not suggest a maximum number of booster doses). A quantitative Hepatitis B titer should be collected at least 1-2 months after the revaccination. If the quantitative titer measures >= 10 mIU/mL, the student will be considered immune. Immune students may begin clinical education.
  - If a student’s Hepatitis B titer measures < 10 mIU/mL 1-2 months after the one booster dose, they should receive a second series (usually 6 doses total), followed by a quantitative Hepatitis B titer collected at least 1-2 months after the final dose in the series.
  - Additionally, if a student’s Hepatitis B titer measures < 10 mIU/mL after the second series, the student will be counseled to undergo medical assessment which may include testing for active hepatitis B infection.
  - If a student’s quantitative Hepatitis B titer remains less than 10 mIU/mL after 2 complete series, they are considered a “non-responder.” Such students should be considered susceptible to HBV and should be counseled regarding precautions to prevent hepatitis B viral infection and the need to obtain prophylaxis for any known or probable parenteral exposure to hepatitis B surface antigen-positive blood or blood with unknown HBsAg status.
  - Medical authorities differ with respect to interpretation of a hepatitis B titer >= 10 mIU/mL when not accompanied by documentation of a completed, properly-spaced hepatitis B vaccination series. Association of immunity with a Hepatitis B titer >= 10 mIU/mL has only been demonstrated in the context of receipt of a completed hepatitis B vaccination series. Therefore, a student with a hepatitis B titer >=10 mIU/mL but lacking documentation of vaccination is encouraged to receive a hepatitis B vaccination series, but vaccination is not required.
  - Documentation of a “positive” or “reactive” titer alone, without accompanying indication of a quantitative titer >10 mIU/mL is not considered evidence of immunity.
- Meningococcal:
  - MenB vaccination is recommended for all students upon enrollment.
  - MenACWY vaccination is required for students living in on-campus housing. Adequate vaccination will be documented by demonstration of:
    - One dose received on or after the 16th birthday
    - If administered prior to the 16th birthday, a second booster dose should be administered before enrollment.
  - In accord with Act 83, a student residing in on-campus housing may request an exemption from meningococcal vaccination for religious or other reasons, through completion and approval of the Penn State University Health Services Meningococcal Waiver Request form.
- Polio: Prior to matriculation, students must demonstrate vaccination against polio.
  - The following will be considered demonstration of immunity:
    - Receipt of ≥3 appropriately spaced doses of OPV (trivalent oral vaccine) or IPV in any combination, with the final dose in the series administered on or after the fourth birthday.
    - Documentation of physician-diagnosed polio disease.
  - Serologic screening is not necessary for students who have documentation of appropriate vaccination or documentation of physician-diagnosed polio infection.
  - In exceptional circumstances in which students are unable to produce documentation of vaccination, demonstration of reception of other child vaccinations may be considered evidence of polio vaccination at the discretion of the Director of Student Health.
- Varicella: Prior to matriculation, students must demonstrate immunity against varicella.
  - Any of the following will be considered demonstration of immunity:
    - Documentation of appropriate vaccination against varicella
      - First dose administered on or after 12 months of age, second dose administered at least 4 weeks after first dose
    - Laboratory evidence of varicella immunity. A serologic test interpreted as “indeterminate” or “equivocal” does not indicate immunity
  - A stated history of chicken pox infection is not sufficient, this must be supported by serology or documentation of vaccination.
  - If a student is unable to demonstrate immunity, they should receive the routine varicella vaccination series.
  - If a student has further concerns about their immune status, they are encourage to consult an infectious disease specialist.

Prevention

Wear all required protective gear for every session, during class hours or after hours. Students must wear long pants or long skirts and close-toed shoes whenever they are in the anatomy lab. Open-toed or perforated shoes (e.g., sandals) and shorts are not to be worn in the anatomy lab. When using hammers, chisels, bone pliers and saws, students must wear safety goggles and a mask.

Eye Contamination

If any chemicals or fluids contact the eye, students and faculty should thoroughly flush the eye using the Eye Wash Station for 15 minutes.

Small Lacerations

Wash the wound with soap and copious amounts of water. Place a dry sterile dressing over the area. A band-aid is appropriate and antibiotic ointment may be used. A student’s tetanus immunization should be within five years, if you are unsure call Student Health at 717-531-5998 to verify the date. After hours call nurse triage - CARELINE 717-531-6955 for triage advice.

Watch the area for signs of infection such as worsening redness, pus, soreness and red streaks on skin as the area heals.

Larger Lacerations

Larger lacerations are those roughly approaching 1 centimeter or above. The wound should be washed with soap and copious amounts of water. If bleeding can be controlled use a bandage and watch for signs of infection as listed above. If bleeding cannot be stopped in 5 – 10 minutes, cover the area with a clean and absorbent towel and keep the area elevated. If surgery is needed a student may go to an urgent care clinic or the Emergency Department.

Serious Injuries and Wounds

These injuries should go to the Emergency Department, calling extension 8888 (717-531-8888) for transport when appropriate.

Loss of consciousness with trauma to the head should go directly to the Emergency Department. If students are unable to walk, extension 8888 should be called for assistance.

Large wounds with rapid blood loss or involving nerves, tendon or bone should go to the Emergency Department for treatment.

For injuries requiring Emergency treatment, the College of Medicine will pay the student’s remaining patient bill after the student demonstrates that their health insurance carrier has fulfilled their payment responsibilities.

After Hours Injuries

When an injury occurs in the anatomy lab after regular hours, students should first seek proper medical care and then report the injury to Penn State College of Medicine staff.

Financial Responsibility

For fees incurred due to the cost of medical care related to the injury, students should first submit to their personal health insurance. The balance of costs of medical care incurred due to the exposure will be paid by Penn State College of Medicine.

View the policy for injuries in the anatomy lab in the policy management tool. (ePass login required)

In the event that a student is involved in an invasive incident with a needle or scalpel or exposed to another person’s blood or body fluid, the following procedure should be followed.

General Guidance:

Sharps Injury/Blood or Body Fluid Exposure at Penn State Health locations:

Wash needle sticks and cuts with soap and water.
Flush splashes to the nose, mouth or skin with soap and water.
Irrigate eyes with clean water.
Students should seek care immediately after the incident.
Report injury/exposure to the supervising physician, who is then responsible for arranging source testing.
Notify appropriate unit clinical leadership to assist with source testing.
Report the incident to the Employee Health Department via ReadySet. View ReadySet instructions (ePass login required).
Graduate students should follow the Biosafety Protocol guidelines of the laboratory they work in.

Specific Location-Based Guidance:

Penn State Health Locations in Hershey Region

During normal business hours, if at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, report to Employee Health office.
Anytime Employee Health is not open (after regular business hours, weekends and holidays) report to a Penn State Health Emergency Department to receive care, and then notify HMC Employee Health about the incident on the next business day in person or via email.

Penn State Health Locations in the State College Region

If a needle stick or other invasive incident occurs while at a Penn State Health Outpatient Clinic, students will visit University Health Services located at Penn State University, 438 Student Health Ctr, University Park, PA 16802, telephone number 814-863-0774.

If the incident occurs after business hours or on weekends at any University Park site, go to the Emergency Department at Mount Nittany Medical Center for initial testing.

Follow up with HMC Employee Health on the next business day in person, via email HMCEmployeeHealth@pennstatehealth.psu.edu or by phone @ 717-531-8280.

Mount Nittany Medical Center

If a needle stick or other invasive incident occurs while at Mount Nittany Medical Center (MNMC), then MNMC will have the initial evaluation and baseline testing completed through their usual process for all invasive incidents, such as needle sticks. Medical students must report incidents to the provider they are working with, followed by the Employee Health Service Department, who can direct them to the Emergency Department and process testing for the source patient. When seen at the Emergency Department, the student will need to provide their medical insurance information so that charges can be processed.

Students will need to complete an electronic MNMC non-employee event report by typing “event report” in the search bar located on the connect home page. This form can be printed and completed or completed electronically.

The completed form must be turned into the Director of Risk Management. For questions please contact the Employee Health Service Department at 814-234-6731.

Mount Nittany Physician Group Outpatient Clinics

If a needle stick or other invasive incident occurs while at a MNMC Outpatient Clinic, students will contact and visit Mount Nittany Physician Group (MNPG) Occupational Health. MNPG Occupational Health is located at 1850 E. Park Avenue, Suite 302 State College, PA 16803, telephone number 814-231-7094. This is separate from Penn State University Occupational Health, which is located in the same building.

Exposure at all other Clinic Sites or Other Institutions (sites not associated with Penn State Health or Penn State College of Medicine):

The student should report any injury or exposure directly to the Supervising/Attending physician, who is then responsible for initiating source testing.
Follow the institution/hospital's established policy for exposure; leverage nursing leadership at clinical location for assistance if needed.
Students should seek care immediately after the incident.

Policy: Follow Up Care:

Exposure victims are expected to follow the recommendations of the healthcare provider managing the exposure. Care may be managed by the institution/provider who handled the initial exposure, or may be the student’s personal healthcare provider.

Financial Responsibility:

It is the MD and PA student’s responsibility to submit any costs incurred due to the exposure to their personal health insurance. If they wish to be reimbursed by the College of Medicine for any remaining balance after health insurance, they must submit the Student Exposure Financial Reimbursement for Sharps Injuries form and any relevant request documentation to the Penn State College of Medicine Bursar’s Office.Self-pay graduate students should follow the MD and PA student guidelines above; graduate students appointed as graduate assistants or fellows should follow up with the Graduate Education Office (Rachel Reager, Director) to complete a Worker’s Compensation Claim.

View sharps injury/blood and body fluid exposure information in the policy management tool. (ePass login required)

Penn State College of Medicine ensures that PA student health records are maintained in accordance with legal requirements for security, privacy, confidentiality, and accessibility. A record of care provided through Student Health is maintained electronically through the “Point and Click” health records system, as it relates to the services provided by the Student Health office described below. As patients, the medical records for students are not maintained by Student Health. For students who choose to get their health care through a Penn State Health provider, the Cerner/Oracle PowerChart medical record is the electronic medical record used.

To respect the privacy and confidentiality of students and patients, if a Penn State Health provider or staff member opens the chart of a student, they receive the following warning before proceeding: You have accessed the chart of a Penn State University College of Medicine medical student, which may be restricted from your access. Refrain from navigating further within the chart if: you have any current involvement with the academic assessment or promotion of this student. If you are a medical or physician assistant student. (Immediately advise your supervising physician who can obtain verbal permission from the patient before you continue access into the chart.) Note to providers: Once you provide services for this student, you may not have any future involvement in the academic assessment or promotion of this individual.

In addition to the warning in PowerChart, the student performance assessment form that faculty complete for students on any clerkship or other clinical rotations has an attestation that he/she has not provided health and/or psychiatric/psychological services to the student whose form the faculty member is about to complete. If so, the faculty member does not fill out the student performance assessment form. The bylaws of the Academic Promotions Committee specifically state that faculty members must recuse themselves from any decisions about students who they have cared for as patients.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that Tuberculosis (TB) screening programs are in place for “anyone working or volunteering in healthcare settings.” It further recommends that “all U.S. health care personnel should be screened for TB upon hire, and the College of Medicine similarly applies this policy to medical and physician assistant students upon matriculation. The CDC also notes that “annual TB testing of health care personnel is not recommended unless there is a known exposure or ongoing transmission.” These procedures therefore support the recommendations to prevent and manage exposure to tuberculosis among College of Medicine students.

Tuberculosis Prevention

TB testing result is required within 8 weeks prior to matriculation.
Prior to matriculation, an IGRA (T-SPOT or QuantiFERON Gold) or a two-step PPD is required. A two-step PPD is performed by placing a second PPD one to three weeks after an initial negative PPD.
For those with a history of BCG vaccination or anyone who is immunocompromised, an IGRA TB blood test is recommended.
Students with a history of a past positive PPD skin test or positive IGRA (T-SPOT or QuantiFERON Gold) TB blood test, treated or not treated prophylactically, must obtain a chest x-ray and submit the result 8 weeks prior to matriculation. Annually thereafter these students are required to complete an annual TB symptom questionnaire.

Latent Tuberculosis (Positive PPD):

If a student has a positive PPD that has not previously been managed, the must obtain a chest x-ray, which can be billed to Student Health. If the chest x-ray is negative, they may attend educational activities but they must be referred to the Pennsylvania Department of Health and they must seek medical care from an infectious disease specialist.
Treated PPD-positive students should provide physician documentation of completed prophylactic therapy to Student Health.
Students with a positive PPD (treated or untreated) are required to complete an annual TB symptom questionnaire annually. If responses to the questionnaire indicate that symptoms are present the student must enter the care of an infectious disease specialist for management.

Tuberculosis Exposure

If a student with a previous negative TB test result is exposed to TB, they should immediately have an IGRA (T-SPOT or QuantiFERON Gold) TB blood test performed by their health care provider, and repeated 8-10 weeks after the last known exposure, and report the results to the Office of Student Health.
Students are also expected to monitor for signs or symptoms of TB: a bad cough that lasts three weeks or longer, pain in the chest, coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs), weakness or fatigue, weight loss, decreased appetite, chills, fever, sweating at night;
If the student develops signs or symptoms of TB or a positive blood test, they must notify Student Health immediately and enter the care of an infectious disease specialist.
Students who convert to a positive tuberculin test during medical school should be treated with the necessary medications, blood work monitoring and studies as determined by their personal physician and submit the bills to their health insurer for reimbursement. Outstanding medical bills for TB exposure after insurance payment should be emailed to Student_Health@pennstatehealth.psu.edu which will in turn forward them to the Bursar’s Office for payment.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. TB Screening and Testing of Health Care Personnel. Accessed January 3, 2024

View the tuberculosis policy in the policy management tool. (ePass login required)

Student Services

The Penn State College of Medicine PA Program provides academic advising from certified and clinically practicing PAs.

Additionally, the Penn State Health Human Resources and Office of Advanced Practice assists in providing preparatory sessions as well as a job fair for PA students in their clinical year of training.

The may also assist graduate students and postdoctoral scholars and fellows in preparing for and pursuing meaningful and rewarding careers through a comprehensive array of programs and services.

The Penn State College of Medicine’s (CSP) provides comprehensive cognitive skills development and learning support to our medical, graduate, and PA students. CSP serves allstudents in the College of Medicine by providing programs to help promote effective and efficient life-long learning. CSP also provides remediation services for students who are struggling academically.

Programs are provided throughout the year based on student needs and interests, including:

Study skills sessions, such as time management, studying and test-taking strategies
Remediation and support for learning
Strategies for content boosting
Using technology to enhance learning
The learning process and effective strategies for learning
Collaboration and approaches for successful group learning

Through these and other engaging and transformative program offerings, students can learn how language, thinking, and metacognition directly impact their knowledge and understanding.

The CSP supports and empowers all students in developing essential skills, provides opportunities for applying these skills to relevant content, and guides students in implementing strategies for success at the College of Medicine.

Program faculty, staff, and leadership may recommend that students seek additional resources or support from the Cognitive Skills Office.

Computing Access

The Harrell Health Sciences Library partners with Information Services to provide walk up IT support Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the library service desk.

For technical support contact the IS Service Desk at 833-577-HELP (4357) or via email help@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

Penn State College of Medicine is committed to the success of students with disabilities in all aspects of the University’s educational programs. Students with disability-related needs are encouraged to reach out to the College of Medicine’s student advocacy specialist through the Office of Health Advancement and Community Engagement for consideration of reasonable academic accommodations.

Program faculty, staff, and leadership may recommend that students seek additional resources or support from disability services.

Email: disabilityservices@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
Phone: 717-531-3033

For further information regarding Student Disability Resources at Penn State College of Medicine, please visit the .

Expenditures and Accounts

Student organization leaders have a responsibility to assure that all financial transactions posted to the student organization accounts are appropriate, reasonable, and based on the below criteria:

The transactions support or advance the student organization’s mission and goals.
The transactions are aligned with student organization priorities.
The transactions are compliant with University policy.

Student organizations may sponsor events, including group meals, meetings, conferences, retreats, receptions, and health-related wellness recreational activities. All events and activities, regardless of funding source, are considered a University-Sponsored Event.

Funds allocated to student groups may be used as the source of funding if the event has a clear educational or academic purpose and/or enhances the student out-of-class experience.
Social events are allowable provided a staff or faculty person is in attendance and/or the event falls under student affairs or activity programming.

Penn State is a nonprofit organization and is tax-exempt. The Office of Student Affairs can directly provide tax-exempt documentation to a vendor on the student organization’s behalf.

Activities and Events Supported by University Funding:

Any events not specifically identified below may be submitted as an exception request to studentaffairs@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

Meeting expenses, including snacks and group meals associated with events.
Honoraria for external guest speakers from outside of the organization.
Travel-related expenses for external guests.
General supplies (i.e. art supplies, sheet music, general office supplies, etc).
Travel-related expenses for University-sponsored events wherein members fundraise to cover associated costs to represent the Penn State College of Medicine.
Rental costs associated with approved on-campus events
Promotional items for events, door prizes, and participation prizes that are distributed randomly.
Group memberships to national associations.
Printed materials, including books, journals, and periodicals.
Student-led activities related to Second Look Day, White Coat Ceremony, Match Day, and Graduation.

Expenditures related to admission costs for events will be handled case by case. Expenditures for alcoholic beverages require special permission and follow separate guidelines. Please submit requests to studentaffairs@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

Activities and Events Not Supported by University Funding

Appropriations in furtherance of a political campaign or activity by any candidate or candidate’s staff.
Appropriations to a legislative lobby or to a registered student organization whose primary purpose is to influence legislation.
Grants-in-aid and scholarships.
Donations or charitable contributions of money or products.
Philanthropic activities where the primary purpose is fundraising.
Retroactive expenses (expenses outside the reimbursement period).
National association memberships on a per-person basis.
Programs and activities that are for academic credit and/or are considered an essential component of a class.
Hiring legal services or providing bail bond funds.
Honoraria for Penn State or Penn State Health faculty or staff.
Purchase of a specific gift for a specific person.
Purchase of items used to raise funds.
Purchase or reimbursement for the purchase of alcoholic beverages.
Purchase or reimbursement for the purchase of any tobacco products.
Any religious ceremony or worship service, except when such activity is for educational purposes.
Any activity, material, or program whose primary purpose is recruitment or increased membership in the sponsoring group.
Raffles and gift cards.
Printed materials, including books, journals, and periodicals, purchased for recruiting and/or fundraising.

Expense Reimbursement

If College of Medicine student organizations purchase items for their sponsored events they submit receipts utilizing this Reimbursement Request Form for reimbursement. Forms should be submitted no later than 14 days past the purchase date.

Detailed line-item receipts are required.
A signed non-employee information form is required.
Supporting documentation should also be submitted, including any event advertisements.
Students are not permitted to request reimbursement exceeding the funds available in their general and gift fund accounts.

If the cost of a purchase provides a financial hardship and reimbursement is not practical, a University-held purchasing card is available to help assist with purchasing. Please submit this Request to Purhcase Goods form and a representative from Student Affairs will reach out. Please be advised: Tax on purchases will not be reimbursed. Amazon purchases will not be reimbursed.

Financial Accounts

All banking and financial transactions must flow through the University financial system and follow University guidelines. Class and Student organizations will have (2) internal orders (budget numbers) that will track their funding allocations. One account will be a general fund; the other a gift fund. General Fund Account:

Annual awards by HPSA will be allocated to the general fund.
General funds will be zeroed out of the student organization account at the end of the fiscal year.
General funds need to be spent by June 15th of the allocation year.
Items purchased near the end of the fiscal year must be received by June 30th of the allocation year.
General funds cannot be transferred to a gift fund account.

Gift Fund Account:

Any fundraised dollars or donated dollars are to be deposited to the student organization’s gift fund.
Gift funds can carry balances forward across fiscal years.

Financial Transactions:

The use of cash and checks is the approved method for financial transactions.
PayPal, Venmo, and other third-party payment services companies in the course of University-related activities are not allowable.
Student organizations that receive any monies must promptly deposit all funds in their organization account no later than the first University business day after being received. Funds should be given to staff in the Student Affairs Office.
It is the responsibility of the leaders of student organizations to know their account balances.

If a recognized student organization has outstanding expenditures and insufficient funds in its student organization accounts, the account will be suspended until payments are resolved. Insufficient funds can prohibit student organizations from receiving general funds during the next fiscal year. Students are to work with the Office of Student Affairs to resolve any debit balances. All organizations may be subject to an annual audit performed by the College of Medicine Finance and Business office.

See the student fundraising guidelines policy in the policy portal here (ePass login required).

Fundraising

Any class or student organization may schedule one sales event during the fall semester (July 1 – December 31) and one sales event during the spring semester (January 1 – June 30). Requests for exceptions to this policy will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact studentaffairs@pennstatehealth.psu.edu for assistance.

Guidelines

All fundraising activities planned by students must be approved by the Student Assembly-HPSA.
Fundraising must occur within designated areas specifically identified for student organizations. These locations include:
- directly inside the BMR near the door leading to the breezeway
- outside of the entrance to the library
- the back lobby of the BMR building (outside of C1805)
- the Courtyard
- the ASB lobby, and the lecture room waiting areas.
Groups are not authorized to reserve these areas until their fundraiser has been approved by the Student Assembly.
All fundraisers must benefit an organization that directly supports the mission of Penn State College of Medicine.
There will be no sales for personal benefit or to provide individuals or patients with materials, cash, or goods outside of approved Penn State Hershey Medical Center programs.
All fundraisers must meet the health and safety standards of the Medical Center.
If food is part of the fundraiser, proper handling/storage of food is required.
Marketing & Communications must approve all products and merchandise bearing Medical Center or College of Medicine name, logo, or other graphic identifiers.
Marketing & Communications must also be contacted if any media will be involved with the fundraiser.
If flyers are posted on campus, they must be removed immediately following the event. Flyers may only be posted on bulletin boards and may not be taped on walls, in elevators, in restrooms, on fixtures, on doors, or existing signage.
The space in which the fundraising event was held must be left in the same condition as it was found. Any cost incurred by the Medical Center/College of Medicine as a result of the event will be assessed to the group.

Permission may be denied to fundraise on Medical Center/College property to any group or organization that does not comply with the guidelines and regulations. Class leaders and student organization officers are responsible for ensuring that fundraisers follow the guidelines and University policy.

Fundraising approval

All fundraising requests must be submitted via the Fundraising Request Form. All submissions must be received two weeks before the fundraiser. The submitted form is reviewed by the Student Assembly and the student organization will be notified via email of their approval status. Each request must follow the above guidelines and include the following information:

Primary contact person’s name and email (a recognized student organization officer must submit a request).
Name of the group requesting the fundraiser.
Details about the fundraising event (including date, location of the fundraiser, a description of what the fundraiser is benefiting, and description of the fundraiser). If an external vendor is being used, you must include the vendor’s name.
Explain how the event/benefiting organization relates to the University or Hospital’s mission of education, research, and health care.

See the student fundraising guidelines policy in the policy portal here (ePass login required).

Use of Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages may only be served at events involving students if approved prior to the event and must comply with the University’s general provisions for alcoholic beverages. The following approvals are required:

Educational Affairs Budget Administrator
COM Finance and Business Office
COM Dean Exception Approval

Students should submit their request eight weeks prior to the event with justification to studentaffairs@pennstatehealth.psu.edu for consideration. Requests submitted 30 days before the event will not be approved. The request for alcohol at student events should be limited and reserved for those events attended by University leadership, including the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs and the College of Medicine Dean. The provision or serving of Alcoholic Beverages at all University-Sponsored Events must comply with the following rules:

Non-alcoholic beverage alternatives must be available. (This applies even if University funds are not used to purchase Alcoholic Beverages.) All non-alcoholic beverages must comply with the University's contract with its beverage provider (see Policy AD26 Sale and Serving of Food and Beverages at University Locations).
Alcoholic Beverages should not be served or ordered prior to 3 p.m. on a business day (Monday – Friday).
Costs for Alcoholic Beverages should not exceed an average of 2 drinks or $25 per person.
Top shelf beverages and premium wines are rarely appropriate on University funds.
Kegs of beer are never permitted at events on University property.
If the event is being held on-campus, permission must be granted to possess/use Alcoholic Beverages on Penn State property per the provisions of University Policy AD18 Possession, Use, and Distribution of Alcoholic Beverages.
Off campus events where Student Organization or Class funds will be used to purchase food such as appetizers and students will be purchasing alcohol using personal funds requires permission per the provisions of University Policy AD18 Possession, Use, and Distribution of Alcoholic Beverages.
Serving Alcoholic Beverages must comply with University Risk Management guidelines (See Addendum) to assure the safety of those attending, even if the Alcoholic Beverages are not purchased with University funds.

Disclaimer: The University assumes no responsibility for any liability of any nature arising from the possession, use, distribution, and/or sale of alcoholic beverages on University property or at any University-Sponsored Event pursuant to any permission for such use, possession, distribution, and/or sale granted by the University under Policy AD18 Possession, Use, and Distribution of Alcoholic Beverages. Any person, not in the course of the University employment, receiving permission or approval under Policy AD18 Possession, Use, and Distribution of Alcoholic Beverages to possess, use, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages on University property or at any University-Sponsored Event shall indemnify and hold harmless the University from any liability, damage, or claim, including counsel fees, arising from such possession, use, distribution and/or sale, pursuant to a written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Risk Management Office.

See the student fundraising guidelines policy in the policy portal here (ePass login required).

Students, faculty, and staff at Penn State College of Medicine and the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center enjoy free, unlimited access to the Harrell Health Sciences: Research and Learning Commons resources.

The library is open every day with 24-hour badge access to the library commons and printing/copy services.

Librarians are available Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (excluding holidays), or by appointment, to provide one-on-one assistance with research.

Student Housing Services

University Manor is a housing complex situated on the campus of Penn State College of Medicine at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. University Manor West (UMW) student housing complex is designated for undergraduate students, while University Manor East (UME) student housing complex is designated for postgraduate students and their families.

To be eligible to lease a University Manor apartment the applicant must be:

A full time Medical, Graduate, PA, or Nursing Student
A Medical Resident, Post-Doctoral Fellow, or Visiting Scholar

Housing Office is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except holidays

Email: housing@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
Phone: 717-531-8210

Office for Professional Mental Health

There are designated non-faculty student health providers at the Hershey campus in the , and at University Park in the University Health Services Office who can provide health and/or psychiatric/psychological services to students. These designated student health providers are not involved in the academic assessment of or decisions about the promotion of PA students.

Program faculty, staff, and leadership may recommend that students seek care at the Office of Professional Mental Health.

Location: College of Medicine in Suite C1746.
Email: PMH@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
Phone: 717-531-8658

Options for Crisis Situations available 24/7/365 include:

Penn State Crisis Line: 877-229-6400
Crisis Text Line: Text “LIONS” to 741-741
Dauphin County Crisis Intervention: 717-232-7511
YWCA/Rape Crisis and Domestic Violence Services: 717-238-7273
Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ Youth: 1-866-7386
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Veterans’ Crisis Line: 800-273-8255
Physician Support Line: 888-409-0141 and physiciansupportline.com

Should any faculty identify a mental health concern about a student, the student will be referred to the office for professional mental health immediately. If no one from the office is available, the student will be encouraged to call the Dauphin County Crisis Hotline or visit the Emergency Department.

Hershey students

The University Fitness Center offers a friendly atmosphere with support to help you achieve your personal fitness goals. Membership is free for students defined as full-time Penn State students that are enrolled in one of the following Penn State College of Medicine programs:

Medical school
Graduate school
Physician Assistant program
College of Nursing
Student spouses or significant others, dependent children of students, non-campus affiliated Penn State students, and visiting students are eligible for membership for a fee.
Penn State College of Medicine or Graduate School alumni, including those who have completed residency at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Click here for more information about the University Fitness Center

University Park

Penn State College of Medicine University Park students have the ability to access three recreation facilities on campus at Penn State University Park. The student Campus Recreation membership will allow access to all three fitness centers (White Building, IM Building and Hepper Fitness Center), most fitness classes, and open recreation areas (indoor track, basketball, racquetball, squash, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, etc.) in the IM and White buildings. Patrons of any of the campus recreation facilities will be required to swipe into the building using a valid Penn State ID card or membership card with an active Campus Recreation membership.

See more about the recreational facilities here.

See more health and wellness options in University Park here.

While at Penn State College of Medicine or Penn State Health Sites

The Penn State College of Medicine Department of Security upholds its mission to provide for the protection of the lives, well-being and property of patients, students, visitors, and employees at the College of Medicine and Hershey Medical Center campus by providing 24-hour security services.

To reach the 24-hour security dispatcher, students can call 717-531-8711 from an external line or ext. 8711 from an internal line.

While at off-site Clinical Rotation Sites

Safety and security remains essential for students throughout clinical year, regardless of clinical rotation site location. Routine site visits are conducted by the program to evaluate the safety of students and faculty at all clinical sites.

If an incident were to occur while on clinical rotations in which you feel a sense of immediate danger, clearly communicate your distress, remove yourself from the area, and call 911. If at any point you feel unsafe while at your clinical rotation site, the Clinical Year Team should be notified immediately.

All concerns or allegations that question the safety of a student in a clinical rotation site will be investigated promptly by the PA Program or a College of Medicine Designee.

The Penn State College of Medicine Office of Student Aid is committed to assisting PA Students in making informed choices about paying for their graduate education. Although the primary financial responsibility for PA education belongs to the student, there are financial sources that can be explored if financial assistance is necessary. The student aid office provides assistance and counseling to help students regarding financial resources available to them and how to obtain such resources.

The primary application for obtaining financial assistance at the Penn State College of Medicine is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Our federal student code is 003329.

Program faculty, staff, and leadership may recommend that students seek additional resources or support from the Office of Student Aid.

Email: StudentAid@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
Phone: 717-531-7052

Appendicies

Absence Request Form

Absence Request Form

Academic Integrity Policy

Academic Integrity

Behavior Concern Form

PA Student Concern Form

Confidentiality Agreements

Disability Documentation Guidelines

Disability Documentation Guidelines

Disability Resources at Penn State College of Medicine

Drug Free Workplace Policy

Drug Free Workplace Policy

Immunization Form

Immunization Form

Policies on Respectful Treatment of Learners

Reference Release Information

Sharps and Blood/Body Fluid Exposure Form

Intake of Sharps Injury or Blood/Body Fluid Splash

Student Grievances/Mistreatment

Mistreatment Reporting Form

Student Health Page

University Policy on HIPAA

University Policy on HIPAA

Student Handbook

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College of Medicine Educational Leadership Team

Program Accreditation Statement

Mission, Vision, Goals and Core Values

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Program Admissions

Advanced Placement Policyplus icon

Advanced Placement Policy A3.12c

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Preference Factors A3.12a

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General Application Requirements A3.12b

Pre-Requisite Course Requirements

Healthcare and Patient Care Experience Hoursplus icon

Healthcare and Patient Care Experience Hours A3.12d

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PA Program Criminal Background Check (CBC) Procedures

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Technical Standards and Program Competencies

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Technical Standards A3.12e

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Curriculum, Assessment, and Evaluation

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Purpose

Scope

Definitions

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Grading Policy A3.14c

Remediation Policy A3.14c

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Satisfactory Academic Progress A3.14

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Didactic Year

Advisingplus icon

Anatomy Laboratory Guidance for Students with Medical Conditions that Could be Exacerbated by the Laboratory Environment and Students who are Pregnant or Breastfeedingplus icon

Attendance Policyplus icon

Introduction

Categories of Absences

Medical Absences

Non-Medical Absences

Unexcused Absences, Tardiness, and Unpreparedness

General Notes Surrounding Attendance

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Dress Code A3.04

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Peer Physical Examination Policyplus icon

Background

Benefits of Peer Physical Examination

Expectations

Ensuring Non-participants Receive Comparable Learning

Procedure for Discovery of a Possible Clinical Abnormality

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Procedure for Unprofessional Program Faculty Behavior

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Clinical Year

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Categories of Absences

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Unexcused Absences, Tardiness, and Unpreparedness

General Notes Surrounding Attendance

Clinical Site Closures and Delays

Advanced Placement Policy ^A3.12c

Preference Factors ^A3.12a

General Application Requirements ^A3.12b

Healthcare and Patient Care Experience Hours ^A3.12d

Technical Standards ^A3.12e

Grading Policy^A3.14c

Remediation Policy ^A3.14c

Satisfactory Academic Progress ^A3.14

Dress Code ^A3.04

Academic Remediation ^A3.14c

Dress Code ^A3.04

Academic Remediation ^A3.14c

Deceleration ^A3.14d

Dismissal ^A3.14f

Withdrawal Policy ^A3.14e

Appeal of APC/Program Recommendation ^A3.14h

Non-Academic Student Grievance Process ^A3.14g

Academic Student Grievance Process ^A3.14g