Graduate Competencies
By the end of training, the student will:
Medical Knowledge
PGC 1 Demonstrate the ability to access, critically evaluate, and apply current medical research and evidence to inform patient care.
PGC 2 Produce a written medical case study that adheres to accepted standards for scholarly and professional medical writing.
PGC 3 Distinguish between normal and abnormal findings obtained from patient histories and physical examinations.
PGC 4 Apply foundational medical sciences—including anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, genetics, molecular biology, pharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, etiology, risk factors, and epidemiology—to the understanding and management of medical conditions.
PGC 5 Formulate and manage treatment plans for medical, psychiatric, and surgical conditions using appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.
Clinical Reasoning and Problem Solving
PGC 6 Integrate clinical findings with diagnostic data to develop accurate differential diagnoses.
PGC 7 Select, order, and interpret laboratory and diagnostic studies appropriately to support clinical decision-making.
PGC 8 Modify management and treatment plans to account for social and cultural determinants of health.
PGC 9 Develop and implement patient-centered treatment plans that address identified medical conditions.
PGC 10 Utilize appropriate criteria and concise patient summaries to prepare effective referrals and consultations.
Clinical and Technical Skills
PGC 11 Obtain comprehensive and focused patient histories appropriate to the clinical context.
PGC 12 Perform accurate, complete, and focused physical examinations across the lifespan.
PGC 13 Competently perform core technical and procedural skills essential to physician assistant practice.
Interpersonal and Communication Skills
PGC 14 Document patient histories, physical examination findings, and clinical assessments accurately and in accordance with professional standards.
PGC 15 Communicate pertinent patient information effectively through both oral presentations and written medical documentation.
PGC 16 Communicate patient treatment plans and preventive care recommendations clearly and appropriately to patients and caregivers.
PGC 17 Demonstrate effective interpersonal communication through appropriate body language, empathy, and active listening.
Professionalism
PGC 18 Exhibit professional conduct during patient interactions by properly introducing yourself, adhering to professional appearance standards, maintaining hand hygiene, and summarizing findings to confirm patient understanding.
PGC 19 Describe the physician assistant's scope of practice and explain the processes of licensure, certification, credentialing, and privileging.
PGC 20 Demonstrate knowledge of healthcare payment systems, insurance models, and financial factors influencing care delivery.
PGC 21 Explain and apply the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) Competencies within team-based healthcare delivery.
PGC 22 Demonstrate professional behaviors consistent with the ethical and behavioral expectations of the physician assistant profession.
PGC 23 Describe the role of the physician assistant in the public health system and apply preventive medicine principles to promote individual and population health.