Physician Assistant Studies Handbook

Table of Contents

• Department Contact Information
• Welcome to the Gardner-Webb Physician Assistant Studies Program
• Statement on Accreditation

Part I – Introduction & Overview

• Curriculum Overview
• Expectations of the PA Student
• Overview of the Department of PA Studies
• PA Graduate Competencies
• PA Professional Oath
• Mission, Values, and Goals
• Structure & Reporting Pathways
• Technical Standards

Part II – Academic Policies & Procedures

• Academic Advising
• Academic Integrity, Ethics, and Conduct
• Academic Honesty
• Academic Grievance & Appeals
• Academic Standing
• Dismissal Appeal
• Academic Progression
• Attendance
• Deceleration
• Deferment
• Examination & Assessment Policies & Procedures
• Graduation Requirements & Application
• Remediation
• Standards of Conduct
• Student Evaluation & Grading
• Withdrawal
• Parental Leave Policy
• Virtual Class Etiquette Policy

Part III – Non-Academic Policies & Procedures

• Arrest or Conviction Disclosure
• Background Check & Drug/Alcohol Screening
• Email Communication
• Confidentiality
• PA Student Employment
• Independent Clinical Training
• Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Healthcare Insurance
• Faculty Healthcare Provider
• Identification
• Immunization Requirements
• Improper Use of Materials
• Inclement Weather
• Malpractice Liability Insurance
• Non-Academic Grievances & Appeals
• Pathogen Exposure & Infection Control Protocol
• Policy on Use of Students with Prior Knowledge, Experience, or Skills
• Sexual Misconduct and Harassment
• Social Media Policy
• Standards of Dress & Appearance
• Student Evaluation of Courses
• Weapons Policy

Part IV – Student Resources

• Health Sciences Building Overview
• Disability Accommodations
• Important Dates & Deadlines
• Library Services
• Mental Health & Counseling Services
• Department of PA Studies Committees
• Professional Associations & Activities
• Student Society & Governance
• Supplies & Medical Equipment
• Textbook Requirements

Part V – Safety & Security Policy

• University Police Department
• Emergency Communication
• Emergency Situations
• Medical Emergency
• Identify & Manage a Mental Health Crisis
• Fire Plan

Part VI – Clinical Year Overview

• Introduction to the Clinical Year
• Purpose
• Clinical Orientation
• Clinical Year Curriculum
• Principles of SCPEs

Part VII – Clinical Year Policies & Procedures

• Clinical Year Communication
• Policy for Scheduling Preceptor/SCPE Sites
• Policy for Utilization of PA Students at SCPE sites
• SCPE Housing, Travel & Transportation
• Clinical Year Expenses Policy
• Clinical Year Attendance Policy
• Clinical Year Site Visits Policy
• Clinical Year Policy on Safety & Security
• Policy on Impairment
• Policy on Scope of Practice
• Policy on Clinical Year Standards of Conduct
• Policy for SCPE Standards of Dress & Appearance
• Prescription-Writing Policy
• Confidentiality Policy & HIPAA
• Policy for Providing Care for Faculty/Staff/Family Members
• Policy for Use of Electronics at SCPEs
• Policy for SCPE Injury or Exposure Incident Reporting in the Clinical Year
• Universal COVID-19 PPE Policy
• Clinical Year Grading Plan
• SCPE Grade Calculations
• Summative Evaluation

The Gardner-Webb University Department of PA Studies reserves the right to amend this manual by changing or deleting any existing rule, policy, or procedure or adding new rules, policies, and procedures at any time and without prior notice.

The student will be notified of all updates by GWU email, Microsoft Teams notifications, and/or Blackboard announcements.

Because of the unique characteristics of healthcare educational programs, whenever a conflict exists between university policy and the Department of PA Studies policy, the program policy takes precedence.
ARC-PA 6^th ed Standards A3.01