ARC-PA 6th ed Standard A3.11f
The GWU PA student is responsible for various expenses that may arise during the clinical year, and an overview can be found here.
Attendance at all assigned SCPEs is an aspect of professional responsibility and personal dependability. Supervised clinical practice experience days, callback days, OSCEs, EOR exams, and Summative Assessment attendance are essential to student success and are mandatory for all GWU PA students. While on SCPEs, the student functions as part of a healthcare team and must frequently prioritize the team’s and patient’s needs ahead of personal interests.
During the clinical phase, all GWU PA students are expected to attend every day of their SCPE and follow the schedule assigned by their preceptor. However, absences or tardiness due to unexpected medical or personal issues are unavoidable. Therefore, two (2) absences are allowed per semester. Every absence must be reported to the clinical team within two (2) business days by completing a Clinical Year Absence Reporting Form (link in Blackboard). However, should circumstances arise that require a clinical PA student to miss a scheduled SCPE day unexpectedly, the student must immediately notify the SCPE preceptor and email the clinical team at [email protected]. Failure to report an absence within two business days by submitting the Absence Reporting Form may result in a referral to APC for consideration of a professionalism violation (see Part II, section 14).
Should the student be required to make up time due to absence(s), this time may be scheduled during the remainder of the specific SCPE (if allowed by the preceptor) or during designated “Weeks of Opportunity” or remediation periods reserved within the clinical year. The site/preceptor to whom a student is assigned for missed SCPE makeup will be determined by the DCE and may not be with the initially assigned preceptor/site.
Student absences may result in significant progression delays within the PA program, hinder course sequencing, and delay graduation.
Important Points to Remember:
Punctuality is a professional trait expected of PA students and healthcare practitioners. Therefore, GWU PA clinical students must arrive at the SCPE site on time, preferably 5-10 minutes early, and must not arrive late to the SCPE or leave early without the preceptor’s permission.
SCPE schedules will differ based on each assignment but are expected to average approximately 35-40 hours per week on-site in patient-related care. Some SCPEs may involve slightly shorter (no less than 30) or longer hours (no more than 84 hours per week). Therefore, the student’s SCPE schedule will be determined by the preceptor (or designee). The PA student is expected to mirror the preceptor’s schedule. Specific hours/shifts may vary, and preceptor expectations may include on-call responsibilities, evenings, nights, weekends, or holidays (e.g., surgery, emergency medicine, etc.). Students are strongly encouraged to remain flexible – the best clinical experiences may come at the least convenient times.
GWU PA students must adhere to the SCPE schedule and complete all assignments provided by the preceptor and program. Should the preceptor’s schedule not allow the student to meet the recommended hours, the student must inquire about additional clinical opportunities within the clinical site. If other options are not available, the student must notify the clinical team of any potential deficiencies as soon as possible via email notification to [email protected]. Students may be assigned contingency work by the DCE or the preceptor. It is important to note that time spent in clinical practice does not equate to clinical competence. Students are required to demonstrate competency on SCPE-specific assignments and assessments.
Gardner-Webb Department of PA Studies abides by the American College for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) – Clinical Experience and Education and Work Hours.
By Federal law, here are the regulations regarding duty hours of any/all students in the hospital setting (residents, interns, medical students, and PA students):
The Inclement Weather Policy is in the GWU Department of PA Studies Student Handbook and Policy Manual. However, SCPE sites may be a considerable geographic distance from campus, with dramatically different weather conditions. Therefore, when inclement weather is imminent in the vicinity of an assigned SCPE site, the student should exercise reasonable judgment when traveling. If the student’s assigned SCPE site is closed or the conditions are unsafe for travel, the student must notify [email protected] of the situation.
If GWU is closed due to inclement weather, but the SCPE site is not expected to be affected, the student MUST attend SCPE as scheduled.
On-Campus activities, including Callback Days, EOR exams, OSCEs, Capstone, and Summative, may also be affected by inclement weather. In the event of inclement weather, the student should call 1.877.GWU.SNOW (1.877.498.7669) or check GWU’s main website, https://www.gardner-webb.edu/, for information regarding the postponement or cancellation of campus activities before traveling. For scheduled campus activities, the PA program abides by closings and announcements by GWU.
If the university is open and program activities are being held, the student should not travel under unsafe conditions or take unnecessary risks during inclement weather.
Notification must be made to [email protected] if the student cannot attend scheduled activities due to weather or another hazard, and the Clinical Year Absence form (in Blackboard) must be submitted.
