Mission Statement
To provide educational opportunities and to foster a culture of wellness for students to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and resiliency necessary to function as primary care physician assistants, serving the medical needs of the Commonwealth of Virginia and society in general including rural and medically underserved areas.
Program Objectives
Detailed Overview of Program Goals, Objectives, & Outcomes
Objective #1: To provide a curriculum that balances basic sciences, clinical sciences, and supervised clinical experiences in a manner that prepares graduates with a solid foundation upon which to begin their career in medicine
Objective #2: To promote and demonstrate resiliency and professional practice that is patient-centered primary care in focus, culturally competent, interprofessional in approach, and service oriented.
Program Required Competencies
Upon completion of the JMU Physician Assistant Program, a student is expected to have achieved all the following Program-defined competencies within these five domains:
I. Medical Knowledge (MK)
MK-1 Applies foundational anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology
concepts across all organ systems to diagnose and manage medical conditions
MK-2 Interprets diagnostic studies accurately
MK-3 Integrates evidence-based guidelines into clinical decision-making
MK-4 Utilizes public heath principles to address risk reduction and health maintenance incare plans
II. Clinical and Technical Skills (CTS)
CTS-1 Performs comprehensive and focused medical histories and physical exams and distinguishes normal from abnormal findings
CTS-2 Develops and implements appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic management plans
CTS-3 Performs technical skills at a competence level appropriate for an entry level PA
CTS-4 Provides patient counseling that integrates disease education, medication instruction, lifestyle modification, and follow-up planning.
III. Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving (CRPS)
CRPS-1 Formulates accurate differential diagnoses based on patient presentation
CRPS-2 Develops and implements appropriate diagnostic and management plans by integrating evidence-based medicine, clinical reasoning, and problem-solving strategies
IV. Interpersonal Skills (IS)
IS-1 Communicates clearly, compassionately, and respectfully with patients and families
IS-2 Adapts communication to patient health literacy, culture, and needs
IS-3 Delivers oral and written clinical documentation accurately
IS-4 Communicates effectively within interprofessional teams
V. Professional Behaviors (PB)
PB-1 Demonstrates ethical decision-making and professional integrity
PB-2 Exhibits respect, empathy, and cultural humility
PB-3 Accepts responsibility, responds to feedback, and maintains professional boundaries
PB-4 Adheres to legal and regulatory standards of PA practice
MSC 4315
235 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
