Technical standards

1. Students are expected to comply with all NAU student codes of conduct.
2. Students must be able to observe and participate in all demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences, including computer assisted instruction.
3. Students must be able to participate in high fidelity, simulated, virtual, electronic, and online environments and learning experiences in both synchronous and asynchronous delivery methods and systems.
4. Students must be able to learn to analyze, synthesize, problem solve, and reach diagnostic and therapeutic judgments.
5. Students must be able to demonstrate the ability to perform inspection, palpation, auscultation and percussion.
6. Students must be able to examine patients from all levels of society, ethnic backgrounds, belief systems, and gender identity.
7. Students must be able to relate to patients and establish an empathetic, professional and effective relationship with patients.
8. Students are expected to be able to communicate the results of the examination to the patient and to their colleagues with accuracy, clarity, and efficiency.
9. Students are expected to possess the ability to work collaboratively with all members of the health care team.
10. Students are expected to be able to learn and perform laboratory tests and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
11. Students are expected to be able to display appropriate judgment in the assessment and treatment of patients. In addition, students must be able to learn and demonstrate the ability to recognize limitations in their knowledge, skills and abilities and to seek appropriate assistance with their identified limitations.
12. Students must be able to learn to respond with precise, quick, and appropriate action in emergency situations.
13. Students are expected to be able to accept criticism and adopt appropriate modifications in their behavior.
14. Students are expected to possess the ability to work collaboratively with all members of the health care team. Physician assistant students must be able to develop mature, sensitive, professional, and effective relationships with patients, colleagues, faculty, and staff despite commonly increased levels of mental stress in PA education.
15. Students must have the emotional stability to function effectively under stress and adapt to an environment, which may change rapidly without warning, and/or in unpredictable ways. Long and irregular hours of both study and performance beyond the required and assigned times are often necessary to acquire mastery of knowledge, skills, and/or behaviors.
16. Students must have a high level of compassion for others, motivation to serve, integrity, and a consciousness of social values. A student must possess sufficient interpersonal skills to interact positively with people from all levels of society, ethnic backgrounds, belief systems, and gender identity. Additionally, students are expected to work with individuals exhibiting a broad spectrum of personality traits.
17. Students are expected to work in classroom and clinical environments with possible exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, ionizing radiation, medicinal preparations, and other such conditions common to the medical and surgical fields.
18. Students are expected to travel to and live in remote, rural, and/or distance locations from their home base to complete clinical experiences. Transportation and housing arrangements are the responsibility of the PA student.
19. Students are expected to possess perseverance, diligence, and consistency to complete the physician assistant curriculum and enter into the practice of medicine as a certified and licensed physician assistant.

Students must provide evidence of: recent physical examination, up-to-date immunization status (including annual tuberculosis screening and annual flu shot), criminal background check, and drug screen(s).

Any student who takes an extended leave of absence (≥ 12 months) from the PA curriculum for any reason, must resubmit evidence of recent physical examination and up-to-date immunization status (including annual tuberculosis screening and annual flu shot). Students may also need to resubmit criminal background checks and drug screen(s).

If you have a documented disability, you can request accommodations by contacting Disability Resources (DR) at 523-8773 (voice) or 523-6906 (TTY), dr@nau.edu (e-mail) or 928-523-8747 (fax). Once eligibility has been determined, students are required to register with DR every semester to activate their accommodations. Although you may request an accommodation at any time, in order for DR to best meet your individual needs, you are urged to submit a self-identification form and necessary documentation at least 4 weeks prior to the time you wish to receive accommodations. DR is strongly committed to the needs of students with disabilities and the promotion of Universal Design. Concerns or questions related to the accessibility of programs and facilities at NAU may be brought to the attention of DR or the Equity and Access Office (523-3312 or
equityandaccess@nau.edu). The university ADA Coordinator/504 Compliance Officer is DR Director, Jamie Axelrod. He may be reached at Jamie.Axelrod@nau.edu.

Please view the complete list of technical standards.