WORK POLICY FOR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES

Successful completion of the PA Program requires a full-time, year-round commitment.  The following policy will provide students with important information to enhance your success. 

  • Outside activities and working are not considered to be valid excuses for poor academic performance or lack of attendance at required PA program activities.
  • PA students cannot ever work for the Program and may never substitute for or function as instructional faculty.
  • Students are strongly discouraged from working in any capacity while enrolled in the PA program.  It is especially important during the clinical rotations phase of the program that students be available to their preceptors on short notice for special learning opportunities outside of regular office hours. Failure to fully participate in all clinical-related activities is considered abandonment and will result in failure of the rotation unless it is an excused absence per program guidelines.
  • Students enrolled in the PA program cannot substitute for practicing physician assistants or provide unsupervised services common to a certified PA while at any learning site while enrolled in the program.
  • PA students must never work as a substitute for clinical or administrative staff during supervised clinical practice experiences.

If students are unable to participate fully in program activities due to outside employment, they will be referred to the Promotions and Professional Conduct Committee.  The committee will conduct an investigation, and after completion may recommend actions ranging from counseling and non-academic probation to dismissal from the program.