Program Defined Competencies

Upon completion of the Salus University Physician Assistant Program, a student is expected to have achieved the following Program defined competencies:

   1) Knowledge for Practice 
  • Identify the signs and symptoms for commonly presenting disease processes. 
  • Construct a differential diagnosis for commonly presenting symptoms. 
  • Identify the indications for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures commonly utilized in outpatient and emergency medical settings. 
  • Recognize and treat common medical conditions. 
  • Identify indications, contraindications, side effects, and drug interactions for commonly used medications. 
  • Demonstrate adherence to the guidelines of universal precautions and sterile procedure when required. 
  • Approach the use of diagnostic studies and therapeutic management with a cost-effective perspective. 
   2) Interpersonal and Communication Skills
  • Provide accurate and appropriately formatted documentation for patient history and physical examinations.
  • Present the data gathered in patient encounters in a concise and accurate summary.
  • Establish rapport with patient and family, and demonstrate concern for patient’s welfare.
   3) Person-Centered Care
  • Obtain both a comprehensive and problem-focused history.
  • Perform both a comprehensive and problem-focused physical examination. 
  • Synthesize information acquired through all aspects of a patient encounter demonstrating appropriate progression of thought.
  • Manage, with clinician collaboration, conditions specific to the patient’s presentation.
  • Provide medical education at the patient and/or family’s level of comprehension while incorporating patient preferences to enhance shared decision-making. 
  • Provide appropriate referral for secondary evaluation, as well as community-based resources. 
   4) Professionalism and Ethics
  • Demonstrate awareness of appropriate professional behavior and insight regarding clinical practice limitations.
  • Demonstrate appropriate rapport with patients, nurses, residents, attending physicians, allied health professionals and ancillary hospital personnel.
  • Accept constructive criticism and demonstrate the ability to improve performance based on that feedback.
  • Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to diverse patient populations. 
  • Apply ethical principles as they relate to patient care. 
   5) Practice-Based Learning and Quality Improvement
  • Utilize current evidence-based medicine in the care and management of patients.
  • Demonstrate the ability to self-reflect on strengths and weaknesses of knowledge and practice and address deficiencies. 
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the effects of family/support systems and cultural influences upon disease and health outcomes.
   6) Interprofessional Collaboration 
  • Work and communicate effectively with other health professionals to provide collaborative, patient-centered care. 
   7) Society and Population Health 
  • Apply principles of epidemiology to identify health problems, risk factors, treatment strategies, resources, and disease prevention/health promotion efforts for individuals and populations.