Matriculation Requirements | Physician Assistant Studies

Admission Process

Every incoming student must successfully complete the admissions process and the admissions criteria. In addition, the following areas will also be required and coordinated after admission. 

Required Immunization Documentation

Pacific University requires students provide proof of immunizations. Failure to comply with the School of PA Studies policy can affect a student’s admission, enrollment, or ability to continue in a health professions program in Pacific University. Students are required to have all current immunizations as recommended by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for health care providers.  Oregon Statute requires information about vaccine preventable diseases be given to all incoming university students. Please review this information at www.pacificu.edu/vaccineinfo.

Students are required to provide proof of:

  • Covid-19 immunization with proof of completed vaccination series.
  • Two immunizations for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) or reactive titer for each.
  • Current immunization for Tetanus, Diphtheria, and acellular Pertussis (TDaP)
  • Immunity to Hepatitis B (Hep B) which includes vaccination series and a positive/reactive quantitative titer:
    • Provide documentation of 2 (Hepislav-B) vaccines OR 3 doses of (Engerix-B or Recombivax HB) vaccines, and
    • Provide documentation of a quantitative positive antibody titer showing immunity to Hepatitis B.
    • Students without a positive/reactive titer and/or those who have not completed the vaccination series must be in the process of receiving the Hep B immunization series prior to matriculation.
  • Two immunizations for Varicella administered 4 weeks apart, a positive/reactive titer showing serologic proof of immunity, or diagnosis/verification of a history of Varicella or Herpes Zoster (shingles) by a health care provider.
    • If the titer provided is negative, the 2 shot series must be repeated. A second titer is not required.
  • Tuberculosis screening negative results within the last 12 months prior to matriculation by one of the following screening options: QuantiFERON-TB Gold Test (QFT), Tspot testing modality, or 2-step PPD TB skin test (2-step PPD requires 4 visits to the provider).
    • Students are required to remain in compliance throughout the course of their PA education.

Students are strongly encouraged to obtain COVID-19 booster(s) and immunization for Hepatitis A (Hep A). Students who will be participating in an international elective clinical course will be required to obtain immunization for Hep A.

  • The School of PA Studies does not accept immunization waivers, except in the case of a request for a medical waiver. These requests will be reviewed by Student and Employee Health Center clinicians on a case-by-case basis, and if granted, the student will be required to sign an attestation agreement which states they may not be able to complete the PA program and graduate, due to inability to participate in required supervised clinical practice experiences and/or program activities.
  • Students will not be able to participate in patient care activities during the program if students have not completed and maintained immunization requirements.

Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen

Upon acceptance and prior to matriculation, students will undergo a criminal background check (CBC) and a drug screen. A background check and drug screen are conditions of matriculation into the program. Legal offenses that are reflected in a criminal background check may preclude a student’s ability to enroll in the program or to participate in a rotation which would be a prerequisite to completion of the program. Because each jurisdiction has control over licensure of PAs, Pacific University is unable to provide its students with legal advice concerning license restrictions for any given jurisdiction related to results of a criminal background check or drug screen. Thus, mere admission into Pacific University’s School of Physician Assistant Studies is not to be interpreted as assurance of acceptance into a required clinical rotation or likelihood of subsequent licensure. For this reason, students who have been convicted of legal offenses are advised to obtain independent legal advice concerning related licensing issues.

Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification

Prior to matriculation, all students must be certified in Healthcare Provider BLS through the American Heart Association (AHA) with an in-person skills verification in order to participate in school activities. Students must maintain AHA BLS certification for the entire duration they are a student.

Health Insurance

Pacific University offers Student Health Insurance. All students are required to carry personal health insurance with coverage comparable to the plan offered by the University. Students currently enrolled in a health insurance plan that provides comparable coverage to the University sponsored plan and that will be in effect through the end of the school year, may be able to waive the automatic enrollment into the university-sponsored plan.

All questions regarding insurance, including questions about the waiver option, must be directed to the Business Office (cashiering@pacificu.edu), as School of PA Studies faculty and staff are not involved in the insurance process. 

Technical Standards

DEFINITION 
Technical standards are defined by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) as “nonacademic requirements for participation in an educational program or  activity. They include physical, cognitive and behavioral abilities required for satisfactory completion of all aspects of the curriculum and for entry into the profession.” The following list of technical standards is illustrative and is not an all-inclusive listing of the abilities required to be a successful PA student and a safe and effective certified PA. 

PHYSICAL ABILITIES 
Sensory function sufficient to accurately and effectively perceive all information during delivery of educational instruction and in the course of caring for patients. 

  • Observe lectures and demonstrations
  • View information in an electronic format
  • Read displays on medical equipment and information in medical reports
  • Observe patients accurately both close and at a distance
  • Hear verbal instruction, verbal discussion, and audible alarms 
  • Perform auditory assessment of patients in the course of a physical examination
  • Perform tactile assessment of patients in the course of a physical examination 

Motor function sufficient to safely and effectively complete all required educational tasks during the  time in which they are scheduled and in a variety of settings.  

  • Participate in all learning activities for 40+ hours per week 
  • Attend all learning activities in accordance with the location and schedule
  • Travel for educational activities and clinical rotations within and outside of the state of Oregon
  • Maintain upright posture for prolonged periods of time 
  • Communicate verbally such that spoken word is clear and readily understandable
  • Navigate the physical setting where educational instruction and patient care take place
  • Manipulate tools and equipment used in patient care 
  • Coordinate motor function to elicit information through physical examination of patients
  • Perform therapeutic procedures 
  • Execute movements required to provide general and emergency care of patients • Create legible written and electronic documentation 

COGNITIVE ABILITIES 
Cognitive and intellectual function sufficient to accurately and effectively acquire knowledge and apply the knowledge in the course of caring for patients. 

  • Comprehend three dimensional and spatial relationships of structures 
  • Measure, calculate, analyze and logically present data 
  • Learn and apply large volumes of information in the areas of basic science, medical science and clinical medicine 
  • Collect, analyze and apply complex medical data under pressure and within time constraints  consistent with the clinical environment
  • Engage in complex reasoning, critical thinking and synthesis of information under pressure and within time constraints consistent with the clinical environment 
  • Make sound diagnostic and therapeutic judgements through collection and application of information from patients, patient medical records, diagnostic information, medical literature and other materials 
  • Understand and apply concepts related to professional practice and medical ethics 

BEHAVIORAL ABILITIES 
Student must be free of impairment from substances or other conditions in order to sufficiently utilize intellectual ability and exercise sound judgement.  

  • Cope with the mental and emotional challenges of demanding educational instruction • Function effectively under stress 
  • Adapt to rapidly changing environments 
  • Be flexible in the face of uncertainty 
  • Successfully fulfill obligations within established deadlines 
  • Develop and maintain professional relationships 
  • Interact appropriately and in a non-discriminatory manner with all individuals
  • Safely and effectively attend to patients 
  • Demonstrate compassion and integrity in educational and patient care activities
  • Accurately self-assess abilities 
  • Assume responsibility for adherence to academic and professional performance standards
  • Accept criticism and constructive feedback, and apply it to make behavioral changes 

ACCOMODATIONS 
The School of Physician Assistant Studies, as part of Pacific University and the College of Health Professions, is committed to the principle of equal opportunity. Pacific University School of Physician Assistant Studies does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, and or veteran status. When requested, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified students with disabilities.  However, the safety and welfare of patients shall never be put in jeopardy as a result of an effort to reasonably accommodate a student. 
Services and reasonable accommodations are available to students covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additional information is available on the Pacific University Office of Accessibility and Accommodation Services (OAA) webpages. Students who require accommodations are strongly encouraged to contact the OAA office at 503-352-2171 or email oaa@pacificu.edu. Students who  receive accommodations are strongly encouraged to discuss their needs with school administration, appropriate faculty and adjunct clinical faculty preceptors.