Welcome to the Graduate Physician Assistant (PA) Program! We are part of the James Madison University (JMU) Graduate School and the Department of Health Professions within the College of Health and Behavioral Studies. Our Program is 28-months long and is divided into a 16-month didactic phase and a 12-month clinical phase.
This policy guide is a supplement to, but does not replace, university, department, and graduate school student policies and handbooks. This policy guide serves to clarify the logistic and administrative aspects of both the didactic and clinical phases of the Program. Students are highly encouraged to carefully read these policies in their entirety. An additional Clinical Phase Handbook will be provided during your orientation week for the clinical year.
Your journey ahead will no doubt be very challenging yet rewarding. We look forward to guiding your studies and path to becoming successful physician assistants.
All students enrolled in graduate degree programs must enroll each regular semester for a minimum of one graduate credit hour. This registration must continue with no breaks from enrollment in the first graduate program course to graduation. This policy does not include summer sessions.
It is preferable that students enroll in courses relevant to their graduate program to facilitate timely completion. If it is not possible to do so, however, The Graduate School has established a one-credit continuous enrollment course, GRAD597. The tuition for this course is $50.00. No grade will be assigned for this course.
The PA Program does not accept courses taken at other institutions as substitutes for courses required in the MPAS curriculum. The required courses must be taken at JMU.
All but two courses in the PA Program curriculum are available to enrolled PA students only. The two exceptions are BIO 513 Gross Human Anatomy with Clinical Applications and BIO 516 Physiology & Pathophysiology. Either of these may be taken by graduate students within the biology department. If a student has taken either of these courses at JMU prior to enrollment in the PA program, and has earned a grade of “B” (3.0) or better in the course, the student does not have to retake the course. Other than this exception, the PA Program DOES NOT offer advanced placement.
No credit is granted for experiential learning attained prior to entry into the program.
Specific work hours for each SCPE are determined by the preceptor. Students should expect to work some nights, weekends, and holidays, as well as be ‘on-call’ at times. In general, expect to be involved for a minimum of 40 – 50 hours per week. Preceptors are not obligated to give days off on weekdays, weekends, or holidays nor will they honor an outside work schedule. The student is expected to follow the schedule of the preceptor that they are assigned to, not the typical JMU schedule at the time.
Follow provided instructions for reporting on the first day of a SCPE. Please notify the program of any errors or
Habitual tardiness will be referred to the faculty member in charge of the SCPE and will affect a student’s final course rotation grade. It may also factor into the decision on whether a student has successfully completed a SCPE or not.
Absenteeism
Adherence to scheduled clinical rotation hours and attendance at end‑of‑rotation courses and activities is mandatory. Failure to fulfill this requirement will be considered in the course evaluation. This may negatively affect academic performance, including the potential for course failure and dismissal from the program.
If a student has a compelling reason to be absent from a SCPE, both the clinical preceptor and the Director of Clinical Education MUST be notified as soon as possible, but never later than 9:00 am on the day of the absence. If the appropriate party cannot be reached, leave a number where you can be reached.
Valid reasons for excused absences include incapacitating illness, injury requiring bed rest, and unexpected family emergencies. Business appointments, job interviews, weddings, graduations, and other social events are NOT valid reasons for an excused absence. These will be considered unexcused absences. Absences for unapproved reasons must be discussed and approved by the clinical preceptor and the Director of Clinical Education. Requests for planned absences must be made at least 7 days in advance, and such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Absences of up to one day per two full weeks of rotation (e.g., 2 days for a 4-week rotation, 4 days for an 8-week rotation) due to an excused absence must be made-up within the affected clinical rotation period. Failure to make-up time missed due to an excused absence will be reflected in the course grade or can result in a repeat of the rotation.
Background & Purpose: Due to the rigorous nature of PA education and the need to generate graduates who are competent medical providers, all academic activities are considered important educational opportunities. Consistent attendance, punctuality, and active participation are components of professional behavior and are expected of students for all classes, laboratories, skills workshops, and exams. These expectations reflect a student’s dedication to serving as healthcare professionals. However, extenuating circumstances where students are unable to attend required academic activities do occur. This policy defines associated expectations for attendance, punctuality, and class participation.
Policy:
Multiple modalities are utilized by the program to ensure program outcomes are being met. To maximize learning, students must actively participate in all learning activities, such as required readings and other preparations needed before class, class discussions, class assignments, team-based case studies, and laboratory skill sessions. Failure to actively participate in program requirements is considered unprofessional behavior.
Consistent punctual attendance is a component of professional behavior. As such, in-person attendance is expected for all academic activities.
The program also realizes that sometimes family responsibilities and unexpected life events may occur. Therefore, during the Didactic phase (fall, spring, summer, fall) each student is allowed two days per semester for which they may miss class with no questions asked. The student is responsible for notifying the program using the procedures outlined below.
Failure to report an absence is considered unprofessional and may result in professionalism consequences as determined by the Student Progress Committee.
Students should use professional judgment when taking absences. Students who accrue three or more absences in a single semester will be referred to the Student Progress Committee, who may initiate discussions with the student about their ability to progress in the program.
Often, but not always, course lectures are recorded – this is at the discretion of the instructor. The purpose of such recordings is for the student to have the opportunity to review class material again. However, recorded lectures do not take the place of attending class in-person. Therefore, the expectation is that a class recording is not to be used as an excuse to miss class in-person.
Many courses contain “unrepeatable components” such as skills workshops, IPE events, labs, group case studies, etc. If missed, these cannot be made-up.
If an exam is missed, it cannot be re-scheduled. The student’s final exam grade will be substituted in for the missed exam grade. If a final exam is missed, the student will earn a zero on that exam. However, some courses may have exam attendance requirements that differ from this. In these cases, it will be clear on the course syllabus that it supersedes this policy.
This policy does not apply to illnesses or other medical related reasons for being absent. The faculty will continue to be flexible and accommodating in response to these student absences, especially related to communicable diseases where avoiding contact with others is advisable.Examples of occurrences when absences may be excused:
- Personal illness or injury - some examples include but are not limited to fever at or above 100.3F, diarrhea, vomiting, migraine HA, and productive cough.
- Family emergencies
- Medical appointment that must be scheduled during a typical class time
- Death of a close loved one
- Observance of a religious holiday
- Examples of occurrences when absences may be unexcused:Social functions
- Employment
- Family obligations
- Personal travel
Procedures:
In all cases of absence (tardies, missing partial days, leaving class early, and/or missing full days), students are expected to notify the program prior to being absent (or as soon as possible in the case of an emergency) via the form that is posted on the cohort’s Google site.
- The student will receive a receipt of form submission and course instructor(s) will be notified.
- The student is responsible for acquiring and making up any missed material on their own.
- In cases of emergency, notify the program by calling 540-568-2395 (leave a voicemail, if necessary)
For all students to benefit, everyone must behave in a mature, professional manner.
All cell phones and pagers must be turned to vibrate or silent during class time. If a student feels it necessary to answer a phone or open a text during class time, that student must exit the classroom to do so. The instructor of the class will determine if a student’s pattern of responding to a phone or text is becoming problematic.
Laptop/tablet use during class is for class-related activities only. If a student is caught not using his/her laptop for class-related activities, then the student will no longer be able to use his/her laptop during class time.
In addition, JMU has a Disruption of Class policy.
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This policy defines “disruptive behavior” as the following: inappropriate student behavior that a reasonable faculty member would view as interfering with the ability of instructors to teach and students to learn. It may constitute a violation of law, a violation of the student conduct code or a violation of an instructor’s established rules of conduct for a particular class. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Verbal or physical threats or harassment
- Physical violence
- Refusal to comply with reasonable faculty member instructions
- Interrupting other speakers, speaking out without being recognized or engaging in personal insults
- Unruly or disorderly behavior that distracts other students or obstructs the learning environment
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Civil expression, disagreement, or debate as permitted within the class by a faculty member is not disruptive behavior. Each student has a right to the freedom of thought and expression, including a right to reasoned dissent, in his or her classes. A student’s right to exercise academic freedom carries with it concomitant responsibilities. These responsibilities are owed to other students, faculty members and the institution. Failure to live up to these responsibilities carries with it the possibility of sanctions, up to and including removal from a class, removal from a program and/or removal from the university.
- Class sessions may only be recorded by the instructor.
- Students are prohibited from unauthorized recording and are prohibited from downloading recordings.
- Only the instructor can initiate a virtual component of the course (i.e., Zoom, WebEx, etc.).
- Any recordings will only be available to the students enrolled in the class during that particular class term.
- Students who have concerns about being recorded should contact the instructor privately and prior to the first recorded session to share those concerns or to request an alternate assessment option(s).
- Only students enrolled in the class may be given instructor permission to record (this includes the use of Zoom, WebEx, etc.). Instructors’ permission to record a class may include limitations on which portions of class may be recorded, and which may not be recorded. Instructors’ may revoke permission for a student to record at any time.
- Students requesting the use of assistive technology, including recording, as a reasonable accommodation should direct their request to the Office of Disability Services.
- Permission to record is not a transfer of any copyrights in the recording.
Securing adequate housing during clinical rotations is the student’s responsibility. To assist students, the program maintains information on relevant housing options at many sites. Whenever the program gets new information on housing opportunities near clinical sites, it will share the information with students.
The program does not evaluate the condition or the safety of these housing options, nor does it endorse them. If students find these housing options inappropriate or unsuitable in any way, they should find suitable alternatives.
Students may need to pay for housing. The student may select from housing options provided or secure other options on his/her own. Students should secure housing at least one-month prior to the start of each clinical rotation.
Students are not required to find their own supervised clinical practice experiences.
The PA Program faculty determine the sites and the sequence of clinical rotations for each student. The Director of Clinical Education gathers input on site availability and on students’ educational and personal interests to assist and inform the decision-making process. Ultimately however, students are assigned to clinical rotation sites – students do not directly choose clinical rotation sites. The Program is under no obligation to meet any individual, specific, student requests.
The Program’s priority is to provide all students with optimal learning opportunities. This may include sending students to distant sites in states other than Virginia. Previously utilized clinical sites (that may be used again) have been in Michigan, Florida, Kentucky, California, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and more.
A student may suggest a potential preceptor. To do so, first gain permission from the Director of Clinical Education. The student may then contact the potential preceptor for the purpose of ascertaining preceptor interest. Do not pursue rotation arrangements or present yourself as representing the PA Program. Once a clinician indicates interest in exploring the possibility of becoming a preceptor, inform the Director of Clinical Education. The PA program will provide the prospective preceptor with additional information. Our goal is to establish ongoing relationships with preceptors who have a long-term interest in precepting PA students. Affiliations for one-time, one-student only SCPEs are discouraged but may be facilitated as program need requires. The suggestion of a potential preceptor or an indication of preceptor interest does not ensure that a rotation with that provider will occur.
Students may not contact other PA program faculty to inquire about possible clinical rotations. All contact with other PA programs is done by JMU PA faculty.
Two of the four-week rotation periods in the second year are electives. Students must follow the procedure for requesting and gaining approval of elective choice. However, the program may assume control of the choice of elective for educational purposes.
Change of assignment will not be considered once SCPE assignments have been confirmed with preceptors. However, unforeseen circumstances may arise with the preceptor, the student, or with the Program. Students should immediately inform the Director of Clinical Education of any serious problem with an assignment. Students should also be understanding of an unforeseen circumstance that may require the program to make an unexpected change in the student’s schedule.
Confidentiality is required during the entire PA Program - during all clinical activities involving patients. Patient confidentiality is of utmost importance especially when going to off-site establishments (i.e., clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, clinical rotation sites, etc.)
During initial Program orientation, all students are required to successfully complete an educational module on HIPAA which explains the principles of the federal regulations regarding confidentiality.
Students may be required to sign an additional confidentiality statement form at certain facilities.
The JMU PA Program is a graduate-level, clinical program. Based on Code of Virginia § 23.1-407.1, the James Madison University Physician Assistant (PA) Program will not deny admission to any applicant solely based on criminal history. However, for any applicant who has been admitted, but not yet enrolled, the PA Program may inquire about the applicant’s criminal history. The PA Program may then withdraw an offer of admission to anyone whom James Madison University determines “to have a criminal history that poses a threat to the institution’s community.”
Therefore, for each individual who has been offered admission to the JMU PA Program it is required that a criminal background and sexual offender check be completed. These must be completed prior to enrollment. Additional checks will be required later in the Program, just prior to the start of the clinical phase. The student must comply with these additional checks to remain a student in good standing within the Program and before clinical placement can take place. The cost of these background checks will be the sole responsibility of the student.
It is imperative to understand that if a background or sexual offender check reveals a criminal history, it is possible that the student may not be able to be placed at certain clinical sites. The program will do it’s best to place the student at alternative sites; however, it is possible that program completion would be in jeopardy if not all supervised clinical practice experiences can be completed.
Upon PA Program completion, in the vast majority of cases, a graduate must obtain national certification and state licensure before being eligible to practice medicine. Having a criminal record may impact a student’s ability to obtain a state license from a medical board in the future.
Deceleration is the term used to describe the scenario when a student stops taking courses, steps away from the Program for a period of time, and then rejoins the Program with the next cohort (the cohort ‘behind’ them). This is something that cohort-based programs with sequenced curricula may utilize since courses are typically only offered once per calendar year.
The student will receive a grade of ‘Incomplete’ in situations where any coursework is not finished. Incomplete grades will subsequently be replaced with the final earned course grade once the student completes all course requirements the following year. At the discretion of the Student Progress Committee, in consultation with the Program Director and Academic Unit Head, students may be asked to complete outstanding course requirements and/or repeat the course entirely.
While decelerated, the student will be required to enroll in GRAD 597 as a placeholder course so they are not unenrolled from the University. There is a standard $50 fee for this course. GRAD 597 is only required for the Fall or Spring semester (not the Summer session). The student must not withdraw from the Program/University otherwise they would be required to re-apply to the Program via the standard admissions process.
Only the Student Progress Committee, in consultation with the Program Director and Academic Unit Head, may recommend deceleration as a potential option for a student. It is generally reserved for extenuating circumstances only. Students may not request deceleration. Students may however, at any time pursue a ‘planned leave of absence’ for medical and/or personal reasons. This is done via The Graduate School in consultation with the Dean of Students.
To return to the PA Program, the student must demonstrate the capacity to acquire PA Program Technical Standards. The student will be required to undergo an evaluation and review by the Academic Unit Head and Dean, to determine whether the student may necessitate an evaluation by an external medical professional designated by JMU. If an external evaluation is required, it will be at the expense of the student.
JMU abides by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, which mandate reasonable accommodations be provided for students with documented disabilities.
The mission of the Office of Disability Services (ODS) is to assist the University in creating an accessible community where students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to fully participate in their educational experience. If you need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability, you should contact ODS. ODS will provide you with an Access Plan Letter that will verify your need for services and make recommendations for accommodations to be used in the classroom. ODS is located in the Student Success Center.
Development of ethical conduct and professional behavior is an essential part of becoming a PA. This responsibility begins not upon graduation from the Program, but rather at the inception of one’s PA education. An essential component of this is your appearance. Appearance gives a first impression to classmates, faculty, and potential future employers, colleagues, and patients. It also sets the tone for your interaction with them. Therefore, as students in a professional graduate program, you are expected to dress in a professional manner. The following guidelines must be followed:
Didactic Phase (traditional courses, first 4-semesters): Students should be aware that during lectures, skills workshops, and laboratory experiences, they will be engaged in activities that require bending, squatting, reaching overhead, leaning forward, and more. As such, clothing must always cover the front and back of the torso and buttocks. Clothing that is too tight or exceedingly form-fitting may be considered unprofessional. Undergarments must be completely covered by outer clothes. Appropriate clothing includes, but is not limited to, shirts with a closed back and shorts with an inseam > 3” (approximately). Students should also ensure that their grooming and hygiene promotes a professional appearance. Strong fragrances are discouraged, and deodorant should be used.
The follow exceptions exist regarding dress code:
- Lectures with Guest Clinicians: Business casual dress is required.
- Anatomy Wet Lab (BIO 513): Lab attire guidelines provided by Dr. Wunderlich.
- Physical Diagnosis Labs: Varies depending on the content; T-shirts & shorts may be appropriate at times. Instructors will clearly communicate dress expectations for specific labs.
- Skills Workshops: Varies depending on the content. T-shirts & shorts may be appropriate at times. Instructors will clearly communicate dress expectations for specific workshops.
- Class Presentations (PA 652): Business casual dress is required.
- Student-Engaged Medical Clinic: Business casual dress is required, plus your short white coat.
Violations of this policy may result in any of the following:
- A meeting with your faculty advisor.
- A meeting with the Student Progress Committee (with subsequent remediation plan).
- Being sent home to change, which will then result in an absence on your record (see Attendance Policy).
You are reminded that your attire is a sign of respect and courtesy to the clinicians from the community who are presenting various guest lectures. For many of them, their interaction with students during presentations provides the primary impression they have of the JMU PA Program and of students who may work with them in clinical settings.
Whenever students are in a patient-setting (clinics, hospitals, physicians' offices, etc.) they are required to dress professionally and to wear a short white coat with the PA Program patch and nametag/ID clearly visible. The patch should be sewn on the breast pocket. When in clinic situations, it behooves the student to remember he/she is a professional associating with various other professionals, and the appearance one presents to a patient and others is important in terms of how the student will be accepted and treated by others. Name badges and Program patches are available from the Program.
In order to comply with the requirements of clinical sites, students must submit to a urine drug screen testing prior to beginning clinical rotations in the second year. The Program will inform students of the necessary procedures and fees for this testing.
The student must comply to remain a student in good standing within the Program. The cost of such checks will be the responsibility of the students. Should a student necessitate subsequent testing to remain in the Program, the costs of all such testing remains the sole responsibility of the student.
In addition to the mandatory drug test described above, the PA program may choose to randomly drug test a PA student at any time, for any reason.
Be aware that although several states have legalized marijuana use (whether medical or recreational), it is still considered illegal on a federal level. Additionally, most (if not all) clinical sites still require a negative drug test to be a student at the site. If a student tests positive for marijuana, the PA Program will not be responsible for the potential repercussions, which may include not being able to begin or finish a clinical rotation, or not being able to complete the PA Program.
Some rotations may ask you to submit to a required drug screen that is in addition to the one you are required to complete for the program. These drug screens could be urine tests, oral tests, or blood tests. It is important to know that orally consumed CBD oil can trigger a positive test for marijuana on an oral drug test. Prior to using CBD oil, please consider getting a note from your primary care provider AND speaking with the PA Program Director and Director of Clinical Education to discuss how this could impact your education.
JMU Dukes Account
- Communication from the Program to PA students is primarily accomplished via email. Therefore, all students are required to use their JMU assigned e-mail account for the duration of the Program. All Program related correspondence will be sent to this account.
Privacy
- By agreeing to follow this policy manual, you consent to allow PA Program faculty to email the entire cohort as a group.
Expectations
- On business days (Monday-Friday), students must check their email at least once per day.
- Prompt responses to emails from faculty/staff are expected within 48-hours. Failure to respond in this timely manner may result in referral to the Student Progress Committee and a subsequent professionalism violation.
A student must earn a 70% or above to pass an EOR exam.
If a student earns less than 70%, he/she must meet with the course instructor for feedback, and then re-take a similar EOR exam. This must be completed by the conclusion of the EOR week.
If the student earns equal to or great than 70% on the re-take exam, he/she will be allowed to progress in the Program. However, the final, recorded EOR exam grade will remain a 70%.
If the student earns less than 70% on the re-take exam, the grade for the course will be a “C”. In addition, he/she MUST REPEAT THE CLINICAL ROTATION.In this case, the Director of Clinical Education will assign the student to an appropriate clinical rotation. This may necessitate having to register for additional credit hours and/or semester(s). It may also delay the student’s ability to graduate. All expenses including tuition, travel, housing, and other costs associated with any additional clinical rotation(s) will be the sole responsibility of the student.
If a student earns less than 70% on a third EOR exam, that student will be required to formally meet with the Progress Committee. At this point, the policy on page 38 applies whereby remediation could be recommended. Every subsequent EOR exam score less than 70% will activate this meeting as well.
When a student passes an EOR exam, for confidentiality reasons, he/she will not be allowed to review the exam itself. This is also because the sequence of clinical rotations is different for each student. Meeting with the course instructor for feedback is encouraged, however.
Once ALL SEVEN EOR exams have been completed by the ENTIRE COHORT, then they will be made available for review. This will be done on an individual basis with the instructional faculty member and by request only.
Any discussion about EOR exam content among students is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. This is an issue for academic integrity. Suspected violations will be referred to the Progress Committee and/or the JMU Honor Council.
James Madison University adheres to and annually informs students of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. For more detailed information concerning JMU’s records policy see: Policies and Procedures, Policy 2112, The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
Grading Scale for Non-Clinical Courses
- A 100% - 94%
- A- 90% - 93%
- B+ 87% - 89%
- B 83% - 86%
- B- 80% - 82%
- C 70% - 79%
- F 0% - 69%
Grading Scale for Clinical Courses (SCPEs)
- A 100% - 95%
- A- 92% - 94%
- B+ 86% - 91%
- B 81% - 85%
- B- 76% - 80%
- C 70% - 75%
- F 0% - 69%
Rounding: No grade will be “rounded up” to the next highest score. The grade earned is the grade that will be recorded. It would be unfair and unprofessional for a student to ask a faculty member to deviate from this policy.
Note: this policy only applies to courses taught with a PA course prefix. It does not apply to BIO 513 (Human Anatomy) or BIO 516 (Physiology & Pathophysiology).
- Have no more than two “C” (3.0) course grades.
- Have no “Unsatisfactory” course grades.
- Have an overall grade point average of greater than or equal to 3.0.
- Successfully complete (pass) each assigned SCPE (supervised clinical practice experience).
- Maintain appropriate professionalism/behavior (as assessed by advisor and/or Student Progress Committee).
- Pass (greater than or equal to 70%) the summative/comprehensive exam.
Student grievances and/or concerns should be directed to the appropriate area:
All incoming students are required to watch a web-based video containing information about the JMU Honor Code. Students must then pass an exam that is based on that material. The exam must be completed by the end of the student's first semester at JMU. Watch the video and take the exam.
Accusations of cheating and all other matters related to academic dishonesty will be referred to the Honor Council.
Violations could result in any number of penalties, not excluding dismissal from the Program.
Based on University-wide policy, the University Health Center (UHC) must have a completed Health Record and Immunization Certification form on file before students register for classes. The forms are available from the UHC website. The forms must be sent to the UHC and will be stored there and remain confidential as part of a student’s medical record.
The PA Program faculty and staff do not have access to your medical records. However, each student is required to sign a release of information that permits the UHC to provide written assurance to the PA Program that the student’s health record includes proof of required immunizations/exposures and appropriate TB testing results. The PA Program forwards such assurances to clinical practice sites, agencies, and preceptors, as indicated.
In the list below, items 1-4 are required of all JMU students and numbers 5-7 are additional requirements for PA students specifically. All documentation should be sent to the UHC.
Tetanus and Diphtheria Vaccine (Td): last booster within 10 years OR a single dose of Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (TDaP)
Hepatitis B Vaccine: must receive 3 doses or provide titer report indicating positive immunity.
Two (2) MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) Vaccines administered after your first birthday AND after 1967.
OR Two (2) Measles vaccines plus one (1) Rubella plus one (1) Mumps vaccine. All must have been administered after your first birthday AND after 1967.
OR Titer report indicating MMR immunity is acceptable in place of vaccine documentation.
Meningococcal Vaccine: must receive vaccine or sign waiver on Health Record.
Influenza Vaccine: 1 dose of TIV or LAIV annually.
Varicella: must show proof of immunity by titer.
COVID-19 Vaccine: two doses of the Moderna/Pfizer vaccine OR a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
Tuberculosis Screening: each student must document TB screening prior to admission and annually thereafter. Current immunization can be documented in one of the following manners:
A two-step TB test OR A previous 2-step TB test AND a recent single test
OR If previous or new test result was positive, documentation of prior treatment AND a negative chest x-ray, and annual negative symptom screen.
Immunization Update Policy – when it comes time to update your immunizations during the clinical phase, the Operations Coordinator will inform you and provide a due date. This is typically a flu shot and/or PPD. They need to be updated in your JMU student health record and then this updated health record must be sent back to the Operations Coordinator. A failure to update immunizations in a timely manner may result in the student being withdrawn from the clinical site.For those students interested in any of the following international experiences, the most current CDC guidance should be followed:
- Elective Clinical Rotation – Trujillo, Peru
CDC Guidance for Peru - Elective Clinical Rotation – Shirati, Tanzania
CDC Guidance for Tanzania - Optional Spring Break Study Abroad – Antigua, Guatemala
CDC Guidance for Guatemala
All students are required to review an online lab safety tutorial and complete a post-test. Details regarding this will be sent to students during PA Program orientation.
The lab safety policies apply to any lab setting at JMU but primarily affect PA students for the Health Assessment Lab (HBS 4034) and the Practical Applications Lab (HBS 4005).
When engaged in clinical activities assigned by the Program as part of their education, students are covered by liability insurance provided by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Students may be required to purchase additional insurance, if, for instance, a clinical site were to require additional coverage. Details about amounts of coverage, cost (if any), and providers will be supplied to students by the program in advance of the need for such coverage.
Medical liability insurance applies only to learning opportunities to which a student has been assigned by the PA Program as part of the MPAS curriculum. Coverage is not in effect and does not cover student activities associated with employment, nor with volunteer or observational activities not required or assigned by the PA Program.
The PA Program has formal legal agreements with many physician practices, health agencies and hospitals that require notification of the site by the PA Program well in advance of any student activity at the site. To avoid confusion at these sites, students who may be working or otherwise engaged in any non-student activity at a clinical site must inform the PA Program and abide by any steps taken by the program to avoid confusion at the site(s).
James Madison University maintains professional liability insurance that covers all students during the clinical phase. It is expected that all incidents involving students and patients will be reported immediately to the Program Director and Director of Clinical Education.
If a student, with program permission, chooses to utilize a rotation site that requires additional professional liability insurance, obtaining the additional insurance is the student’s responsibility.
Websites where class notes can be bought and sold have raised serous questions about intellectual property rights. For intellectual property purposes, the notes that you personally take during class belong to you. You are free to do with these as you wish.
However, any lecture that is copied verbatim, any recording of a lecture, or any handout or PowerPoint created by the instructor is the property of the instructor. These types of materials may not be handed out, copied, or posted anywhere without the prior written approval from the instructor.
Not adhering to this policy will be considered a violation of the JMU Honor Code (see page 34) and could also potentially be considered a violation of copyright law.
By participating in the courses, workshops, activities, and events of the JMU PA Program and the Physician Assistant Student Society (PASS), you consent to the use of photography and videography. The JMU PA Program has the right to use images in all forms for any printed or audiovisual materials, advertising, trade or commercial purpose, publications on websites and/or social media.
Your name or other contact information will neither be published along with the photo/video nor released to anyone who may inquire as such, without your expressed written consent first.
This policy is consistent with, and superseded by, the University policy.
- To identify the source of the student’s academic or professionalism/behavioral difficulty.
- To recommend remediation strategies by which the student can overcome the difficulties and succeed in the program. Recommendations of the SPC for remediation will be submitted by the Program Director to the Department Head for decision.
Remediation option, the timing, and the required level of performance will be determined by the SPC. Unless there are extraordinary circumstances, remediation is limited to the following options:
- Didactic Phase: Successfully completing a prescribed remediation exercise to be determined by the SPC. The timing and required level of success will also be defined by the SPC.
- Clinical Phase:
- Didactic courses in the clinical year will follow the same guidelines as didactic year courses.
- Remediation for deficiencies in knowledge, skill, or professional behavior will be corrected by repeating the rotation course, using an elective rotation as remediation, or successfully completing a remediation exercise designed by the SPC.
By policy of TGS, the original course grade of “C” or “2.0” is not removed by remediation or by repeating a course. The original grade remains on the student’s transcript, and all course grades are calculated as part of a student’s GPA. Graduation requires a cumulative GPA of “3.0” or above.
The Program Director will inform the student, in writing, of the recommendations, conclusions, and/or courses of action of the committee.
The Program Director will place a copy of the remediation plan in the student’s academic file.
Such conduct may result in disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, the following:- Written reprimand/warning in student’s academic record with expectations for improvement.
- Program probation with remediation, including re-taking exams, completing assignments, repeating clinical rotations, or other required educational activities (written paper, oral presentation, watching a video, journaling or self-reflection).
- Grade adjustment.
- Deceleratiom
- Program dismissal.
Students must follow OSHA regulations regarding self-protection from communicable diseases.
If a student is injured while on-site at a clinical rotation, the student must inform the preceptor, the facility, and the PA Program. On-site personnel will assure that the student receives appropriate treatment. The student is responsible for any costs associated with the treatment. This includes accidents and injuries such as blood exposures, needle sticks, etc.
Preceptors and clinical sites must apply the same personal safety measures to students as they would for an employee. If a student finds themselves in a situation that they deem to be unsafe, he or she should remove themselves from the situation and report it to the appropriate person at the clinical site and/or to the Director of Clinical Education so that the situation can be rectified.
The program is committed to student safety by minimizing the risk of exposure to infectious and environmental hazards and ensuring appropriate care following any exposure.
This policy applies to all PA students prior to and during participation in didactic, clinical, laboratory, and any supervised practice experiences that may pose exposure risk.
Prevention of Exposure
- Education and Training: Students receive instruction in infection control, standard precautions, hazard recognition, and safe practices prior to participation in risk-bearing activities.
- Required Health Measures: Students must meet program-defined health requirements (e.g., immunizations, screenings, and certifications such as OSHA or bloodborne pathogen training).
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Students are required to appropriately use PPE and adhere to site-specific safety protocols at all times.
- Compliance with Safety Standards: Students must follow all institutional, clinical site, and regulatory safety guidelines.
- Immediate Response: Students must promptly follow site-specific exposure protocols (e.g., wound care, reporting, decontamination).
- Reporting: All exposures must be reported immediately to the clinical preceptor, the Director of Clinical Education, & the Program Director.
- Preventive Requirements: Students are responsible for costs associated with required immunizations, health screenings, and personal health insurance unless otherwise specified.
- Post-Exposure Care: Students are responsible for costs related to evaluation and treatment following exposure, typically through their personal health insurance, unless covered by the clinical site.
Personal Health Insurance: Students are responsible for maintaining their personal health and are required to cover the cost of all outpatient and inpatient care they may need. Students are eligible for services at the University Health Center within the same parameters as any university student. However, PA students should realize that assignment to distant sites for clinical rotations might make use of the University Health Center services inconvenient or impractical. Students are required to take responsibility for their personal health and to pay for personal health care services.
Faculty Involvement: PA faculty members serve as academic and career advisors to students. Therefore, PA faculty members, including the Program Director and the Medical Director, may not serve as providers of personal health care or mental health services for PA students, except for emergency situations.
All PA student health records are strictly confidential. Program faculty and staff do not have access to a PA student’s records that are retained within the University Health Center.
The PA Program does request the following documentation from students for inclusion in their program file and distribution to clinical sites when applicable:
- Immunization results
- Screening results
- Provider verification that the student passed a physical exam
These three components are maintained in the student’s electronic program file, within a password protected, university system. These three components are only placed in the student’s file after obtaining the student’s prior written consent; proof of which is also kept on file.
The PA Program is an intense curriculum that demands a great deal of time. It is also important that students remain well balanced by allowing sufficient time for recreation, and rest. Therefore, students are strongly advised to forego employment while in the Program. When work is deemed necessary by a student, it is advisable to only seek positions that will be flexible enough to fit the schedule of the curriculum. It may be wiser to borrow the needed funding and succeed in the program, than to overextend oneself with even part-time employment and weaken one’s academic performance, leading to academic probation, failure, or dismissal.
During the clinical phase of the program several factors make it nearly impossible to maintain even part-time employment. Students will be assigned to distant clinical sites. The schedule for clinical rotations, end of rotation testing, and breaks do not follow the typical university schedule. Student duties scheduled while on clinical rotations are determined by the clinical preceptor and are dependent on the timing of learning opportunities. Students may have responsibilities on weekdays, evenings, nights, and weekends. Students may be “on-call”.
While on clinical rotations, students may not provide services within the preceptor’s practice apart from those rendered for their educational value and as part of the clinical instruction experience. Further, students may not receive monetary compensation for work performed within the preceptor’s practice.
Students are not required to work for the PA Program and will not substitute for, or function as, instructional faculty and clinical or administrative staff.
In accordance with ARC-PA Standard B4.03, the program conducts and documents a summative evaluation of each student within the final four months of the program to verify that each student meets all program-defined competencies required to enter clinical practice.
This summative evaluation also serves to fulfill the requirement of the JMU Graduate School for a “comprehensive examination”.
Students must earn a score equal to or greater than 70% to pass.
Students are notified, in writing, of success or failure of the comprehensive examination. In accord with TGS policy, “In the event a student fails the comprehensive evaluation, the student may request a re-examination. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, the re-examination must occur within six months of the date of failure. Only one re-examination will be allowed.” (Although the Graduate School allows the re-examination to occur within six months, the PA Program mandates the re-examination be completed near the end of the student’s final semester in the Program).
This policy pertains to classes, meetings, and other program-required activities that are conducted over virtual platforms such as Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, etc. Components of the policy are divided among four key areas:
Preparation and Punctuality:
- Log on a few minutes early to test audio & video settings.
- Ensure your computer is fully charged or plugged-in to prevent unexpected shutdowns.
- Have necessary materials (textbooks, notes, etc.) ready.
- In some cases, students may attend virtual lectures from home, but other times, group attendance in the PA Classroom will be necessary. Faculty members will decide this and communicate the expectations to students.
Environment and Appearance:
- Choose a quiet, well-lit, and distraction-free space for your session.
- Dress professionally, as you would for an in-person class.
- Be mindful of what is behind you. A neutral background or virtual background is recommended to minimize distractions.
- Cameras must be on. Ensure your camera is positioned at eye level and that your face is clearly visible. Note: briefly and temporarily turning off a camera for a restroom break is permissible.
Active Participation:
- Mute your microphone when not speaking to minimize background noise.
- Depending on instructor preference, use the "raise hand" feature to indicate you have a question/comment OR unmute yourself to speak verbally.
- Use the chat function appropriately for class-related discussions.
- Avoid multitasking during the session.
- Be respectful of others' time and opinions.
Recording and Sharing:
- Virtual sessions can be recorded by the instructor for the purpose of student learning. However, students should obtain permission before recording any virtual sessions on their own.
- Do not share virtual session links with those not authorized to attend.
- Prior to arriving for PA Program orientation, students are asked to complete an online educational module on hazardous materials training, universal precautions, and blood-borne pathogens. View the training
- This training must be completed prior to start of the PA Program. Documentation is collected by the Office Manager and stored in each student’s file.
MSC 4315
235 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
