Accreditation Standard A3.15e (4th ed.) requires that the PA programs must define, publish, and make readily available to prospective students admission related information to include any required technical standards for enrollment.

All applicants and enrolled students must meet or exceed the technical standards which describe the expectations and abilities considered essential in order to achieve the level of competency required for graduation and ultimately practice as a physician assistant. By clearly identifying these key attributes it is anticipated that persons with disabilities will have increased opportunities while maintaining the expectation that all students achieve the goals of the Program.

You may download an Adobe Acrobat-format (PDF) file containing the complete listing of the Technical Standards by following this link.

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List of Technical Standards (July 2011)

The abilities and skills which candidates and students should possess in order to complete the education and training associated with physician assistant education and subsequently enter clinical practice as a physician assistant are referred to as technical standards. These standards are prerequisites for entrance, continuation, and graduation from the MPA Program at The University of Findlay.

The technical standards listed reflect five categorical areas: observation, communication, critical reasoning (intellectual), motor and sensory, and behavioral/social and represent minimum competence levels. Each standard is defined below and is followed by examples of indicators of minimum competence in that area.

Standard I:
Demonstrate sufficient attention and accuracy in observation skills (visual, auditory, and tactile) in the lecture hall, the laboratory, the patient’s bedside and in the ambulatory care setting.

Indicators include but are not limited to these examples:

• Accurate observation of a patient near and at a distance; recognizing non-verbal and verbal signs.
• Accurate identification of changes in color of fluids, skin, and culture media.

Standard 2:
Demonstrate effective communication skills with all ages of patients, and various degrees and types of infirmities and of varying cultures as well as others.

Indicators include but are not limited to these examples:

• Clear, efficient and intelligible articulation of verbal language.
• Legible, efficient and intelligible written English language.  

Standard 3:
Demonstrate critical reasoning skills including but not limited to intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities. Indicators include but are not limited to these examples:

• Demonstrate ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate and synthesize information.
• Demonstrate the ability to acquire, retain, and apply new and learned information.  

Standard 4:
Demonstrate sufficient motor and sensory function to perform typical functions of physician assistants including but not limited to physical examinations, treatment interventions, and general care of patients.

Indicators include but are not limited to these examples:

• Functional and sufficient sensory capacity (visual, auditory, and tactile) to adequately perform a complete physical examination and elicit information gained from proper use of examination tools and procedures.
• Execute motor movements to assess patients, provide patient care, and participate in basic diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers and procedures.  

Standard 5:
Demonstrate the behavioral and social attributes vital to participation in a professional graduate level program and service as a practicing professional physician assistant.

Indicators include but are not limited to these examples:

• Possess the emotional health required for full utilization of mental faculties (judgment, orientation, affect and cognition).
• Ability to develop mature and effective professional relationships with patients, other members of the health care team, and the public.