Addendum to Technical Standards
for Admissions to WFUSM PA Program

In addition to the existing text incorporated within the Essential Functions Required for Admission, Continuation and Graduation, there are specific needs that are relevant to successful completion of curriculum requirements.  This addendum provides specific examples to enhance the interpretation of the Technical Standards, particularly within the “Motor” and “Behavioral and Social Attributes” categories.

During the pre-clinical year, students are required to master the skills of a complete physical examination.  They must complete BCLS and ACLS instruction and certification processes.  They are required to attend a variety of clinical observational sessions that may involve some patient interaction.  These sessions are scheduled at a variety of times and days not limited to 8:00 -5:00 Monday through Friday.  They must be available to meet when sessions are available for the mastery of the curriculum objectives. This includes evening and weekend obligations.

During the clinical year, several mandatory rotations, such as Surgery, OB/Gyn, Emergency Medicine and Inpatient Medicine require extended hours, with start times as early as 5:00 a.m. Evening, night and weekend shifts are common and can usually extend into 12-14 hour days. Specifically, the OB/Gyn rotation necessitates daytime and over-night shifts (totaling 24 or more hours) to expose the student to the full spectrum of care for patients in the Labor and Delivery suites. As a result, students must be able to physically and psychologically perform capably and competently with moderate degrees of sleep deprivation.  Physical needs within the surgical rotations are fairly strenuous, particularly with respect to responsibilities in the Operating Room or Suite. Many surgical procedures last for 3-5 hours or more and a student may be required to stand in one place for that entire time period with minimal rest or breaks. In emergency situations, patients may need to be moved, turned, or resuscitated and the PA student may be in situations that necessitate short periods of bending, lifting or partial lifting, reaching, squatting or straining. In hospital rotations, students may be required to cover large areas of space (different patient-care floors, different wings or sections within institutional building structures.) They must be able to transport themselves from one location to another in a timely fashion in order to facilitate patient care responsibilities and to receive educational training (such as in morning rounds.)