Technical Standards | M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies

The Carroll University Physician Assistant Studies program requires that a student possess the ability to meet the requirements of the program. Though the program might modify certain course requirements to provide accommodations required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1990, there are no substitutes for the following essential skills. The applicant must independently, with or without reasonable accommodation, be able to meet each requirement to gain admission to the program, and must also continue to meet them throughout participation in the program.

• Physical requirements: The applicant/student must be willing and capable of performing the customary techniques for physical assessment, such as visual observation, auscultation, percussion and palpation. The applicant must be able to timely perform physician assistant procedures such as suturing, splinting, venous and arterial puncture and cannulation, bladder catheterization, nasogastric tube placement, emergency procedures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, suctioning of airway, endotracheal intubation, operation of cardioverter/defibrillator and application of routine first aid procedures.
• Communication: The applicant/student must be able to elicit information, describe changes in health, mood and activity and perceive nonverbal communication. The applicant/student must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and all members of the health care team.
• Intellectual ability: The applicant/student must be competent in problem solving skills, including measurement, calculation, reasoning and analysis.
• Behavioral and social attributes: The applicant/student must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads, function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the evaluation and treatment of patients and must possess integrity, compassion and effective interpersonal skills and be motivated for a career in health care. The student/applicant must be able to work with patients who have serious illnesses, infectious or terminal diseases and severe emotional disorders.

The physician assistant studies program requires that the applicant/student undergo a physical examination. Carroll University does not discriminate against qualified applicants or enrolled students with disabilities. These technical standards are not intended to deter any candidate or enrolled student for whom reasonable accommodation will allow the fulfillment of the complete curriculum.