About the Program

Physician Associate

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Physician Associate

MISSION, MOTTO AND VALUES (A3.12b,c)

Program Mission

The Berry PA Program is committed to preparing, educating and empowering the next generation of physician associates to deliver quality, comprehensive, compassionate, patient-centered care to their communities.

College & Program Motto

Not to be ministered unto but to minister.

Program Values

We believe that our core values inform and shape our decisions and actions. The Berry PA Program culture is defined by these values and is committed to them.

Excellence - striving for continuous improvement and pursuing high-quality medical knowledge, clinical skills and patient-centered care. 

Inclusivity - including people or ideas, treating them fairly and respecting the essential dignity of all individuals.

Integrity - implies ethos of honesty, conscientiousness, trustworthiness and responsibility.

Service - to render care, provide information, and engage in community outreach and health advocacy.

Goal 1: To educate and prepare students with primary-care-based didactic curriculum and clinical experiences for entry-level practice as a physician associate.  

  • Goal 1 Outcome: Pending ongoing self-study after student matriculation.

Goal 2: To support faculty and students in service and advocacy within the profession and their communities.  

  • Goal 2 Outcome: Pending ongoing self-study after student matriculation.

Goal 3: To support Berry College's culture of diversity and belonging.  

  • Goal 3 Outcome: Pending ongoing self-study after student matriculation.

Goal 4: To achieve first-time PANCE pass rates at or above the national average. (A3.12c)

  • Goal 4 Outcome: Pending PANCE results from the first cohort, anticipated Spring 2028.

Learning outcomes are defined as “the medical knowledge; interpersonal, clinical and technical skills; professional behaviors; and clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities that have been attained by the student at the completion of a curricular component, course or program.” (ARC-PA, 2020). 

Competencies are defined as “the medical knowledge, interpersonal, clinical and technical skills, professional behaviors and clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities required for PA practice.” (ARC-PA, 2020). 

The Berry Physician Associate (PA) Program has established Program Learning Competencies—Upon completion of their PA program curriculum, students will have attained the necessary medical knowledge; interpersonal, clinical and technical skills; professional behaviors; and clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities required for competent entry-level PA practice. Berry PA students must demonstrate proficiency in the Program Learning Competencies prior to graduation.

1. Medical Knowledge

1.1: Demonstrate knowledge of medical sciences for common diseases and conditions across the life span for all major human organ systems in order to identify, diagnose, manage and provide effective patient-centered care.
1.2: Demonstrate general knowledge of the healthcare business and systems, including their impact on healthcare access and delivery.
1.3: Demonstrate knowledge of social-behavioral sciences, including population health, health policy and social determinants of health as they impact patient care.

2. Interpersonal & Communication Skills 

2.1: Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange and collaborative relationships with patients, families and healthcare delivery team members. 
2.2: Deliver effectively succinct and comprehensive oral communication pertaining to patient care. 
2.3: Demonstrate accurate and adequate written communication pertaining to patient care.  

3. Clinical & Technical Skills 

3.1: Safely demonstrate the appropriate and effective performance of history and physical examinations as indicated by the patient presentation and setting. 
3.2: Safely demonstrate the accurate performance of clinical skills common to general medical practice. 
3.3: Safely demonstrate the effective performance of clinical procedures common to general medical practice. 

4. Professional Behaviors 

4.1: Demonstration of professional behavior in all interactions with patients, families, colleagues and other health professionals and staff. 
4:2: Demonstrate understanding and commitment to adherence to the ethical principles that guide the PA profession. 
4.3: Demonstrate cultural humility and competency in an equitable manner across diverse patient populations. 
4.4: Demonstrate knowledge of PA profession requirements and regulations. 

5. Clinical Reasoning & Problem-solving Abilities 

5.1: Demonstration of an appropriate analytical approach to clinical situations, including investigation, evaluation, formulation of differential diagnoses, management and prevention. 
5.2: Demonstrate ability to investigate, evaluate and apply evidence-based practice. 

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) defines technical standards as “nonacademic requirements for participation in an educational program or activity. They include physical, cognitive and behavioral abilities required for satisfactory completion of all curriculum aspects and entry into the profession.” They are designed to ensure that students have the necessary knowledge, skills and attributes to meet the demands of medical practice and provide safe and effective patient care. These standards are prerequisites for entrance to, continuation within, and graduation from the Berry College Physician Associate (PA) Program. Importantly, they may also be prerequisites to licensure by state professional boards. Reasonable accommodation will be offered for persons with disabilities in conjunction with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The Accessibility Resources Office in the Academic Success Center evaluates all requests for academic accommodation at Berry College. Fulfilling the technical standards with reasonable accommodation does not guarantee that a program graduate can fulfill the technical standards for employment, residency/fellowship or certifying board. Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Accessibility Resources Office in the Academic Success Center early to discuss accommodation needs.  

Compliance with technical standards will be assessed regularly throughout the Program. By accepting the admissions offer, the student verifies they meet these Technical Standards. They must maintain them during their time as a Berry PA student. Students are obligated to alert the PA Program promptly of any change in their ability to meet the Technical Standards. Students are subject to dismissal if they do not remain in compliance with the minimum Technical Standards of the Berry PA Program during the entire course of study if they do not participate fully in all aspects of PA training, or if they do not meet minimum competencies for entry-level practice (with or without reasonable accommodation). The following are the Berry PA Program Technical Standards: 

  1. Observation and Sensory Functions: Students must demonstrate the ability to observe and assess patients accurately, including visual, auditory and tactile observations. This involves but is not limited to differentiating color changes, interpreting diagnostic images and perceiving non-verbal cues. 
  2. Communication: Effective communication skills, including speaking, writing and listening, are crucial for PAs. Students must be able to communicate clearly and sensitively. 
  3. Motor and Sensory Functions: Students must demonstrate the motor skills required to perform basic clinical procedures, such as physical examinations, diagnostic tests and therapeutic interventions. They must demonstrate the necessary coordination, dexterity and tactile sensitivity.  
  4. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities: Students must demonstrate strong intellectual and conceptual abilities to assimilate, analyze and synthesize information quickly and accurately.  
  5. Behavioral and Social Attributes: Students must demonstrate appropriate behavioral and social attributes as typically expected in the profession and as specifically outlined in course learning objectives throughout the program, including but not limited to emotional stability, empathy and professionalism, which are necessary for professional practice.  
  6. Ethical and Legal Standards: Students must adhere to high ethical principles and legal regulations governing healthcare practice.  
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