Rocky Vista University Master of Physician Assistant Studies (PA) Technical Standards Required for Admission, Matriculation, and Progression

Introduction

Rocky Vista University (RVU) maintains a strong institutional commitment to equal educational opportunities for qualified applicants and students with disabilities. We collaborate with students to develop innovative ways to ensure accessibility and strive to create a respectful, accountable culture through our confidential and specialized disability support. Technical standards are required to engage in the program fully. Students’ competency related to learning objectives throughout and pertaining to their level of education will be addressed by the individual program. These technical standards are not intended to deter any candidate for whom reasonable accommodation will allow the fulfillment of the complete curriculum. RVU encourages students with disabilities to disclose and seek accommodations.

Seeking Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations

Prospective and enrolled students seeking accommodations engage in an interactive and confidential process with a Disability Officer to determine reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access. This process is informed by RVU’s commitment to inclusive excellence and the knowledge that students with varied types of disability can become successful healthcare professionals. Students are encouraged to submit requests for reasonable accommodations as early as possible, given the time required to process those requests. Accommodations may not be applied retroactively and may not fundamentally alter the nature and objectives of the program. Additionally, accommodations are generally not provided while requests are being reviewed/processed. Therefore, early disclosure is strongly encouraged for those requesting disability-related adjustments or modifications.

If you are an applicant, accepted student, or enrolled student with a disability who may require accommodations, we encourage you to contact the Office of Disability Services via ADAAccommodations@rvu.edu. Additional information regarding disability resources at RVU is available on our website.

Fulfilling Technical Standards

RVU approaches technical standards and accommodations on a non-discriminatory basis that is consistent with our values of equity and inclusion. This approach is also in accordance with legal requirements as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. To matriculate and remain in an RVU educational program, the specific program’s technical standards (delineated below) must be met with or without reasonable accommodations (i.e., students who have and students who do not have accommodations must meet all applicable technical standards). Students must be able to participate in all required activities necessary to meet the educational objectives of each course and of the collective program. While enrolled at RVU, fulfilling the technical standards does not guarantee that an applicant, student, or graduate will be able to fulfill the technical requirements of any specific residency program, employment, future training programs, or other pursued opportunities.

PA Technical Standards

Immunizations

Students must satisfy all immunization requirements at the time of admission and throughout their time at RVU. Failure to do so will prevent matriculation or, in the case of an enrolled student, lead to dismissal. For specific information, please see "Health Records/Immunizations" in the Student Educational Records section of this Handbook.

Observation

Students must be able to obtain, gather, and synthesize information in didactic and clinical settings. This includes but is not limited to, lectures, lecture supplemental materials, labs, physical exams, interviews, and raw diagnostic representations of physiologic data (e.g., radiology images, echocardiograms, ECGs, lab results, and microscopic images).

Communication

Students must be able to communicate with others to elicit information, detect mood and activity changes, and establish a therapeutic relationship. Students must exhibit interpersonal skills to communicate with others accurately. Students must be able to clearly, accurately, and sensitively record information obtained through communication. Students must demonstrate effective communication, participation, and collaboration with all healthcare and educational team members across various communication mediums (e.g., in-person, Zoom, written). English is the primary language of the RVU PA program curriculum, and students are expected to have a level of proficiency that eliminates language as an access barrier.

Motor

Due to the clinical nature of the RVU PA program, all students must be able to coordinate gross and fine muscular movements, balance, and equilibrium. They must also be able to complete a comprehensive physical examination, perform diagnostic maneuvers, provide general care to patients, and provide/direct emergency treatments.

Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities

Students must possess conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities, including measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem-solving, the critical skill necessitated by all RVU programs, requires these intellectual abilities. In addition, students must be able to observe and comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationship of structures. Students must be present, engage, and participate in all required activities necessary to achieve the activity objectives and outcomes. Students must be capable of extended periods of intense concentration and attention.

Behavior and Social Abilities

Students must have the emotional health required for full use of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good insight and judgment, and the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the demands of the educational program. Students must have the capacity to develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with members of the internal and external RVU community (e.g., peers, faculty, staff, patients, and healthcare professionals). Students must be able to function as part of a healthcare team and participate in a multi-disciplinary environment. Students must be able to accept constructive feedback, demonstrate accountability, and take responsibility for improving personal performance and team interactions. Students must be able to tolerate physically and mentally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. Students must adapt to changing environments, display flexibility and professionalism, and function and perform in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical nature of the RVU PA program.

Ethical and Legal Responsibilities

Students must maintain, demonstrate, and display high ethical and moral behaviors commensurate with being productive, compassionate, and professional members of society in all interactions (e.g., faculty, staff, peers, patients, and the public). Students are expected to have the cognitive ability to understand the legal and ethical aspects of the PA profession. They must recognize the limitations of their skills, authority, and authorization within the practice context.