Physician Assistant Program

Applicants for the Physician Assistant Program must have:

• Bachelor’s Degree: Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum GPA: Prospective applicants need to have a minimum cumulative GPA and a minimum science GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Patient Care Experience:  Although not required, prior healthcare experience is highly recommended. Higher consideration will be given to applicants who have a minimum of 1,000 hours of direct patient care experience. This can include registered nurse, paramedic, EMT, physical therapist, nursing assistant, medical assistant, or clinical research coordinator, health educator scribe. These hours must be completed by the time of submission of the application.
• Application through CASPA, which includes submission:

GRE (Graduate Record Examination).  PACAT is recommended but not required.

Patient Care Experience:  Although not required, prior healthcare experience is highly recommended. Higher consideration will be given to applicants who have a minimum of 1,000 hours of direct patient care experience. This can include registered nurse, paramedic, EMT, physical therapist, nursing assistant, medical assistant, or clinical research coordinator, health educator scribe. These hours must be completed by the time of submission of the application.

Professional References:  Applicants must submit 3 letters of recommendation. These should come from professionals who can speak to the applicant’s qualifications, such as healthcare professionals, (e.g. physician assistant, physician, nurse practitioner, registered nurse) professors, or supervisors. Recommendations submitted by relatives, personal healthcare providers, friends are not acceptable.

Personal Statement: Applicants are required to submit a personal statement in which the applicant explains their motivation for becoming a Physician Assistant, their understanding of the PA role, and their career goals.

•   Interview Process:  Qualified applicants who meet all the requirements will be invited to
    participate in an interview process.
• Additional Requirements:

Technical Standards: Applicants must meet the technical standards
required to complete the program, which include physical, cognitive, and
behavioral abilities.

Background Check and Drug Screening: Applicants that have been granted a seat in the
Larkin PA Program will be required to have a background check and drug
screening prior to admission.

Prerequisite Coursework: Applicants must have completed the following prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better:

1. Biological Sciences:
   • Human Physiology with lab (1 course) or combined Anatomy and Physiology courses with labs I and II (2 courses)
   • Human Anatomy with lab (1 course)
   • General Biology with lab I and II (2 courses)
2. Chemistry:
   • General Chemistry with lab I and II (2 courses)
   • Organic Chemistry with lab (1 course)
   • Biochemistry (1 course)
3. Microbiology:
   • Microbiology with lab (1 course)
4. Mathematics and Statistics:
   • College Math (1 course)
   • Statistics (1 course)

5. Humanities and Social Sciences: (1 course)

• • General Psychology
  • Additional Psychology courses (such as Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology) are recommended.
  • Anthropology

Sociology

These technical standards are intended to ensure that each candidate has the academic and physical ability to acquire competencies, as defined by the National Commission on Accreditation of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), the Accreditation Review Commission for Education of the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), the PA Education Association (PAEA), and the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA). 

The Physician Assistant Program is committed to preparing students and graduates that possess the necessary intellectual ability and skills required to successfully and safely provide medical care to patients. Technical Standards, as distinguished from academic standards, refer to physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities required for satisfactory completion of the curriculum. These standards ensure that graduates possess the intellectual, physical, and social competencies, including the ability to learn, integrate, analyze, and synthesize data, that cumulatively represents the essential functions of professional practice within health-related careers.  It is expected in this age of technology that students have sufficient computer skills and are comfortable with electronic communication and media to successfully and professionally function as a PA student. All candidates must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situations, and to render a wide spectrum of patient care as required by the curriculum. The students must meet these technical standards for enrollment, continuation, promotion, and graduation from the Program, and must be prepared to indicate their ability to meet these standards as a condition of acceptance and during registration for each semester. 

Larkin University PA Program is committed to creating a respectful, accessible, and inclusive learning environment for all students and does not discriminate based on race, sex, age, sexual preference, gender identity, ethnicity, handicap, or socioeconomic status. Out of that commitment, and in accordance with both the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Program offers support to those individuals who may require a disability accommodation. If a candidate states they are unable to meet the technical standards due to a diagnosed disability, Larkin University will determine whether the candidate can meet the technical standards with reasonable accommodation. This includes a review of whether the accommodations requested would jeopardize patient safety or the educational process of the student or the institution, including all coursework and clinical rotations deemed essential to graduation.

A candidate with a documented disability who wishes to request academic accommodation is encouraged to contact the University Student Affairs and Admissions Office, phone: 305-760-7508

All candidates, with or without reasonable accommodation, are required to meet the technical standards described herein; including patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and systems-based practice. These technical standards must be maintained from matriculation to graduation from the program.

Observation

Candidates must demonstrate sufficient attention and accuracy in observation skills (visual, auditory, and tactile) in the classroom, demonstrations, visual presentations, lectures, laboratory studies, patient’s bedside in the basic medical, clinical, and outpatient settings.  They must demonstrate adequate visual acuity to observe and interpret information from a distance and up close, including reading medical texts and charts, observing patient conditions, and recognizing physical signs and symptoms. They must possess the ability to perform physical assessments and interpret clinical data using auditory, tactile, and olfactory senses. This includes listening to heart and lung sounds, palpating body structures, and detecting abnormal odors.

Communication

Candidates must demonstrate effective verbal & non-verbal (hearing, observing, written) communication skills with peers, faculty, patients, families, and healthcare providers from different social & cultural backgrounds, varying degrees and types of infirmities, and various personalities with sensitivity. Students must effectively demonstrate the ability to communicate with patients with empathy, articulate medical information clearly, provide instructions and document patient interaction accurately, while handling sensitive and stressful situations professionally. When communication is limited, students must be able to communicate using written, computer, or telephonic formats to accurately obtain a medical history from the patient or their health care proxy.

Motor/Sensory Function

Candidates must have the motor and sensory function to perform typical clinical procedures, treatment interventions, and general care of patients required of physician assistants, including, but not limited to, fully participating in curriculum requirements in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings, performing physical examinations, conducting emergency interventions, and performing  procedures such as: suturing, Incision and drainage, inserting central or peripheral lines, and other procedures fundamental in medicine. Candidates must have good coordination of motor skills necessary to respond to emergencies quickly and appropriately. They must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads which may include prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and/or rapid ambulation. They must execute motor movements that demonstrate safety and efficiency in the various learning settings.

Cognitive/Intellectual Function

Candidates must demonstrate sound critical analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills required to undertake the full curriculum, achieve the level of competency required by the faculty, and meet the demands of total patient care.   They must possess the ability to recall and apply a significant amount of medical knowledge and skills. Students must be able to assimilate and learn large amounts of complex, technical information in the form of lectures, discussions, videos, handouts, and clinical exam demonstrations. They must be able to synthesize and apply concepts arising from various disciplines to create diagnostic and therapeutic plans. They must demonstrate accurate and efficient reading skills of the English language and the ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate, and synthesize information.  They must demonstrate appropriate judgment in patient assessment, diagnosis, monitoring, evaluation and intervention, planning, time management, and use of resources. They must perform problem-solving tasks quickly and efficiently in an environment that may change rapidly, without warning, and/or in unpredictable ways. Students must comprehend three-dimensional and spatial relationships.

 Behavioral and Social Attributes

Candidates must demonstrate professionalism and possess the emotional stability to exercise sound judgment, manage physical and emotional stress, exhibit sufficient interpersonal skills to interact with people at all levels in a culturally diverse society, and form compassionate relationships with patients while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.  They must adhere to ethical standards and demonstrate respect for confidentiality. They must possess the ability to handle emotional demands of patient care including dealing with life threatening conditions and patient suffering. They must demonstrate personal qualities that facilitate effective therapeutic interactions (e.g., compassion, empathy, integrity, honesty, benevolence, confidentiality).

Ethical and Legal Standards

Candidates must follow all ethical and legal standards pertaining to patient care including informed consent, patient privacy, and professional conduct as mandated by laws and regulations. They must meet all legal standards required for licensure as Physician Assistants. Upon admission to the Physician Assistant program, candidates must disclose in writing any legal offenses or criminal charges against them prior to their admission. During their tenure, students are required to disclose any legal offenses or criminal charges promptly to the Program Director. Such disclosures will be assessed to ensure they do not impede the student’s ability to provide safe, effective patient care and meet program requirements. Students must maintain a clear legal record and adhere to all applicable laws and regulations, as any legal issues may impact their standing in the Program and their ability for licensure and certification. Failure to disclose prior or new legal offenses can lead to disciplinary action including dismissal from the Program.

Students in the Larkin University Physician Assistant Program are expected to meet all Technical Standards essential for successful completion of the Program and for entrance into professional practice. Maintaining these standards is crucial for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of patient care and upholding the integrity of the PA profession. If a student fails to meet the Technical Standards they may be subject to dismissal from the Program.