Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences—Department of Physician Assistant 419 Mission Statement To provide a dynamic physician assistant training program dedicated to excellence in academic and clinical medicine with an emphasis on primary care, yet also in a variety of clinical environments; to foster lifelong learning in an environment that cultivates innovation and interprofessional collaboration; to produce exceptional and compassionate clinicians committed to providing quality healthcare in diverse communities; to prepare graduates to advocate for the physician assistant profession through service and leadership with integrity. Course of Study The Physician Assistant Program curriculum is completed following a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. The comprehensive curriculum, completed in a consecutive manner, is oriented to primary care and prepares the student to practice in a wide variety of clinical settings. The first 15 months of study consist of basic sciences and clinically related didactic courses. All courses are required and must be successfully completed before advancing to the clinical year. During this time frame, students are generally in class from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., although there are occasional evening and/or weekend hours. Because of its highly integrated and compact curriculum, the PA department requires matriculants to complete the entire curriculum at this campus. No advanced placement, transfer of credit, or credit for experiential learning will be granted. The progress of each student through the curriculum requires continuous satisfactory academic and clinical performance. Since many of the curriculum’s courses are offered only once per year, a student may have an altered plan of study if not making satisfactory progress each semester. This may extend the student’s program beyond the standard seven consecutive semesters. There is a maximum four-year time limit for program completion, which includes any approved leave of absence /administrative break in enrollment and subsequent return to the program. The clinical year is devoted to 12 months of training in nine required rotations. Students are required to complete sixweek rotations in family medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, general surgery, and internal medicine. Students are also required to complete three-week rotations in women’s health and behavioral medicine. In addition, students have three elective rotations in any area of medicine they wish to pursue. Two of the elective rotations are six weeks in length. The remaining elective rotation is four weeks in length. Each required rotation has assigned readings and learning objectives. At the end of each required rotation, a written comprehensive subject examination is administered and must be passed. During rotations, students will be supervised by licensed practitioners and will actively participate in patient assessments, perform common laboratory procedures, interpret common diagnostic examinations, and help manage common medical problems. The work hours during clinical rotations are set by the preceptor and can include evening and weekend hours. Students are required to work approximately 40 hours per week, however many rotation sites require students to work substantially more hours per week. Upon completion of the course of study, students will have earned a Master of Medical Science (M.M.S.) in Physician Assistant degree. Graduates will be eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. The role of the physician assistant requires a high level of expertise and responsibility. The applicant must possess the ability and desire to complete a rigorous academic and clinical program and make a commitment to continued learning. Physician Assistant Preferred Dual Admission Program with Nova Southeastern University’s Undergraduate Student Success Unit Nova Southeastern University’s College of Health Care Sciences has established an articulation agreement with the NSU Student Success Unit within Enrollment Management, Student Affairs, and Athletics (EMSAA), for a select number of highly motivated, qualified students interested in pursuing professional studies in the Physician Assistant Program—Fort Lauderdale. Candidates must maintain a 3.2 grade point average throughout their undergraduate years, achieve acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and successfully complete all specified prerequisite coursework for the Physician Assistant (PA) program. Students will apply for admission to NSU’s PA—Fort Lauderdale program via CASPA. The CASPA application and GRE scores must be received by NSU’s Office of Admissions by the established deadlines. Personal interviews are offered to the most qualified applicants to assess interpersonal and communications skills, maturity, altruistic attitude, and commitment to the PA profession. There is no guarantee of automatic admission to the PA program, as the final determination of admission is at the discretion of the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences. Students will be awarded a Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant degree (M.M.S.) upon completion of the PA program. Program information and requirements can be reviewed at undergrad.nova.edu/academics/premier-programs/dual -admission/physician-assistant.html.
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