Preceptor Resources

PAS 6510 Primary Care A - Learning Outcomes
ARC-PA Standards: B3.03a, b, c; B3.04c; B3.07a, e, f
Method of Assessment: Preceptor Evaluation, Student Evaluation

Competency Domain: Clinical Knowledge for Practice

• Demonstrates knowledge of disease states specific to women and children across the lifespan
• Demonstrates knowledge of up-to-date care and treatment of disease states in outpatient primary care
• Demonstrates knowledge of preventive care measures based on patient demographics
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate exam techniques and procedures in the outpatient primary care setting

Competency Domain: Patient Care

• Ability to synthesize knowledge of disease states as applicable to individual patients in an acute care setting
• Ability to perform focused history and physical exam
• Recommend preventive care measures based on patient demographics
• Ability to perform clinical procedures and discern when they are indicated or contraindicated

Competency Domain: Professionalism

• Collaborates effectively with the healthcare team in an outpatient primary care setting
• Effectively utilizes point of care resources to contribute to patient care
• Demonstrates professional behavior in punctuality, communication, and personal appearance
• Completes clinical tasks comprehensively and in a timely manner

Competency Domain: Interpersonal Skills and Communication

• Interacts effectively with patients, families, colleagues, other health care professionals
• Adjusts communication effectively (i.e., speaking, body language, reading, writing, listening) for varied audiences and purposes
• Displays enthusiasm, curiosity, and a mature attitude

Competency Domain: Respect for Patient

• Incorporates cultural competence into patient care in a primary care setting
• Adhereance to patient privacy laws and demonstration of ethical behavior

Demonstrate sufficient understanding of Family Medicine by preparing for and passing the PAEA Family Medicine EOR exam. 

Other Generic Abilities Assessed on Rotation
These tasks and behaviors are core components of competent PA Practice

• Demonstrates organized and prioritized gathering of information
• Demonstrates organized and prioritized presentation of information
• Formulates most likely diagnosis and differential diagnoses with clinically based rationale
• Demonstrates compliance with institutional/rotation policy
• Demonstrates situational awareness in diverse clinical environments

Learning Outcomes - PAS 6520 Primary Care B
ARC-PA Standards: B3.03a, b; B3.04c; B3.07a
Method of Assessment: Preceptor Evaluation, Student Evaluation

Competency Domain: Clinical Knowledge for Practice

• Demonstrates knowledge of disease states specific to adults and elderly across the lifespan
• Demonstrates knowledge of up-to-date care and treatment of acute and chronic disease states in outpatient primary care
• Demonstrates knowledge of preventive care measures based on patient demographics
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate exam techniques and procedures in the outpatient primary care setting

Competency Domain: Patient Care

• Ability to synthesize knowledge of disease states as applicable to individual patients in a primary care setting
• Ability to perform focused history and physical exam
• Recommend preventive care measures based on patient demographics
• Ability to perform clinical procedures and discern when they are indicated or contraindicated

Competency Domain: Professionalism

• Collaborates effectively with the healthcare team in an outpatient primary care setting
• Effectively utilizes point of care resources to contribute to patient care
• Demonstrates professional behavior in punctuality, communication, and personal appearance
• Completes clinical tasks comprehensively and in a timely manner

Competency Domain: Interpersonal Skills and Communication

• Interacts effectively with patients, families, colleagues, other health care professionals
• Adjusts communication effectively (i.e., speaking, body language, reading, writing, listening) for varied audiences and purposes
• Displays enthusiasm, curiosity, and a mature attitude 

• Incorporates cultural competence into patient care
• Adhereance to patient privacy laws and demonstration of ethical behavior

Demonstrate sufficient understanding of Family Medicine by preparing for and passing the PAEA Family Medicine EOR exam. 

Other Generic Abilities Assessed on Rotation
These tasks and behaviors are core components of competent PA Practice

• Demonstrates organized and prioritized gathering of information.
• Demonstrates organized and prioritized presentation of information.
• Formulates most likely diagnosis and differential diagnoses with clinically based rationale.
• Demonstrates compliance with institutional/rotation policy.
• Demonstrates situational awareness in diverse clinical environments

Learning Outcomes - PAS 6530 General surgery
ARC-PA Standards: B3.03a, b, d; B3.04b, d; B3.07d
Method of Assessment: Preceptor Evaluation, Student Evaluation

Competency Domain: Clinical Knowledge for Practice

• Demonstrates knowledge of disease states specific to general surgical complaints
• Demonstrates knowledge of up-to-date care and treatment of disease states in general surgery
• Demonstrates knowledge of perioperative management based on patient demographics and current medical status
• Demonstrates knowledge of operating room procedure and sterile technique/consciousness

Competency Domain: Patient Care

• Synthesizes knowledge of the surgical diagnosis, procedure, and likely complications to develop a management plan
• Ability to perform focused history and physical exam in a preoperative and postoperative care setting
• Appropriately adapts to changes in the planned surgical procedure or responds to changes in the patient's condition in the operating room environment
• Ability to perform and assist with surgical procedures and discern when they are indicated or contraindicated

Competency Domain: Professionalism

• Collaborates effectively with the healthcare team in an inpatient general surgical setting
• Effectively utilizes point of care resources to contribute to perioperative patient care
• Demonstrates professional behavior in punctuality, communication, and personal appearance
• Completes clinical tasks comprehensively and in a timely manner

Competency Domain: Interpersonal Skills and Communication

• Interacts effectively with patients, families, colleagues, other health care professionals
• Adjusts communication effectively (i.e. speaking, body language, reading, writing, listening) for varied audiences and purposes
• Displays enthusiasm, curiosity, and a mature attitude

Competency Domain: Respect for Patient

• Incorporates cultural competence into patient care
• Adhereance to patient privacy laws and demonstration of ethical behavior

Demonstrate sufficient understanding of core knowledge pertinent to General Surgery by preparing for and passing the PAEA General Surgery EOR exam. 

Other Generic Abilities Assessed on Rotation
These tasks and behaviors are core components of competent PA Practice

• Demonstrates organized and prioritized gathering of information
• Demonstrates organized and prioritized presentation of information.
• Formulates most likely diagnosis and differential diagnoses with clinically based rationale
• Demonstrates compliance with institutional/rotation policy
• Demonstrates situational awareness in diverse clinical environments

Learning Outcomes - PAS 6540 Emergency Medicine
ARC-PA Standards: B3.03a, b, c; B3.04a; B3.07b, f, e
Method of Assessment: Preceptor Evaluation, Student Evaluation

Competency Domain: Clinical Knowledge for Practice

• Demonstrates knowledge of emergent disease state presentations across the lifespan
• Demonstrates knowledge of up-to-date care and treatment of disease states in emergency medicine
• Demonstrates knowledge of care continuation recommendations following an emergency department visit
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate exam techniques and procedures in the emergency department setting

Competency Domain: Patient Care

• Ability to synthesize knowledge of disease states as applicable to individual patients in an emergent care setting
• Ability to perform focused history and physical exam in an emergent care setting
• Ability to outline the approach to patient care from an emergency medicine perspective
• Ability to perform clinical procedures and discern when they are indicated or contraindicated

Competency Domain: Professionalism

• Collaborates effectively with the healthcare team in an emergent care situation
• Effectively utilizes point of care resources to contribute to patient care in the emergency department setting
• Demonstrates professional behavior in punctuality, communication, and personal appearance
• Completes clinical tasks comprehensively and in a timely manner

Competency Domain: Interpersonal Skills and Communication

• Interacts effectively with patients, families, colleagues, other health care professionals
• Adjusts communication effectively (i.e., speaking, body language, reading, writing, listening) for varied audiences and purposes
• Displays enthusiasm, curiosity, and a mature attitude

Competency Domain: Respect for Patient

• Incorporates cultural competence into patient care in a emergency department setting
• Adherence to patient privacy laws and demonstration of ethical behavior

Demonstrate sufficient understanding of Emergency Medicine by preparing for and passing the PAEA Emergency Medicine EOR exam. 

Other Generic Abilities Assessed on Rotation
These tasks and behaviors are core components of competent PA Practice

• Demonstrates organized and prioritized gathering of information
• Demonstrates organized and prioritized presentation of information.
• Formulates most likely diagnosis and differential diagnoses with clinically based rationale
• Demonstrates compliance with institutional/rotation policy
• Demonstrates situational awareness in diverse clinical environments

PAS 6550 Internal Medicine - Learning Outcomes
ARC-PA Standards: B3.03a, b; B3.04c; B3.07c
Method of Assessment: Preceptor Evaluation, Student Evaluation

Competency Domain: Clinical Knowledge for Practice

• Demonstrates knowledge of disease states specific to adult and elderly across the lifespan
• Demonstrates knowledge of up-to-date care and treatment of chronic disease states in outpatient or inpatient internal medicine setting
• Demonstrates knowledge of preventive care measures based on patient demographics
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate exam techniques and procedures in the internal medicine setting

Competency Domain: Patient Care

• Ability to synthesize knowledge of disease states as applicable to individual patients in a chronic care setting
• Ability to perform focused history and physical exam in a chronic care setting
• Recommend preventive care measures based on patient demographics
• Ability to identify and effectively manage an acute presentation of chronic disease states

Competency Domain: Professionalism

• Collaborates effectively with the healthcare team in an internal medicine setting
• Effectively utilizes point of care resources to contribute to patient care
• Demonstrates professional behavior in punctuality, communication, and personal appearance
• Completes clinical tasks comprehensively and in a timely manner

Competency Domain: Interpersonal Skills and Communication

• Interacts effectively with patients, families, colleagues, other health care professionals
• Adjusts communication effectively (i.e., speaking, body language, reading, writing, listening) for varied audiences and purposes
• Displays enthusiasm, curiosity, and a mature attitude

Competency Domain: Respect for Patient

• Incorporates cultural competence into patient care in an internal medicine setting
• Adherence to patient privacy laws and demonstration of ethical behavior

Demonstrate sufficient understanding of concepts pertinent to Internal Medicine by preparing for and passing the PAEA Internal Medicine EOR exam.

Other Generic Abilities Assessed on Rotation
These tasks and behaviors are core components of competent PA Practice

• Demonstrates organized and prioritized gathering of information
• Demonstrates organized and prioritized presentation of information
• Formulates most likely diagnosis and differential diagnoses with clinically based rationale
• Demonstrates compliance with institutional/rotation policy
• Demonstrates situational awareness in diverse clinical environments

PAS 6560 Mental Health - Learning Outcomes
ARC-PA Standards: B3.03e; B3.07g
Method of Assessment: Preceptor Evaluation, Student Evaluation

Competency Domain: Clinical Knowledge for Practice

• Demonstrates knowledge of behavioral and mental health conditions encountered across the lifespan
• Describes the role of the interprofessional team in care of patients with behavioral and mental illnesses
• Discusses indications for pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities in behavioral and mental health care
• Demonstrates knowledge of interview and examination techniques in the behavioral and mental health care settings

Competency Domain: Patient Care

• Ability to synthesize knowledge of disease states and behavioral and mental health diagnoses and apply to the patient presentation
• Ability to perform focused history and physical exam in a behavioral or mental health care setting
• Recommend comprehensive treatment plan for the patient presenting with acute behavioral and mental health illness
• Develop a plan for follow-up management or transfer of care in the behavioral and mental health care setting

Competency Domain: Professionalism

• Collaborates effectively with the healthcare team in a behavioral or mental health care setting
• Effectively utilizes point of care resources to contribute to patient care
• Demonstrates professional behavior in punctuality, communication, and personal appearance
• Completes clinical tasks comprehensively and in a timely manner

Competency Domain: Interpersonal Skills and Communication

• Interacts effectively with patients, families, colleagues, other health care professionals
• Adjusts communication effectively (i.e., speaking, body language, reading, writing, listening) for varied audiences and purposes
• Displays enthusiasm, curiosity, and a mature attitude

Competency Domain: Respect for Patient

• Incorporates cultural competence into patient care in a mental health care setting
• Adherence to patient privacy laws and demonstration of ethical behavior

Demonstrate sufficient understanding of concepts pertinent to behavioral and mental health care by preparing for and passing the PAEA Psychiatry EOR exam.

Other Generic Abilities Assessed on Rotation
These tasks and behaviors are core components of competent PA Practice

• Demonstrates organized and prioritized gathering of information
• Demonstrates organized and prioritized presentation of information
• Formulates most likely diagnosis and differential diagnoses with clinically based rationale
• Demonstrates compliance with institutional/rotation policy
• Demonstrates situational awareness in diverse clinical environments

PAS 6590 - Clinical Elective 1 - Learning Outcomes
ARC-PA Standards: B3.03*, B3.04*, B3.07 (as applicable to field of medicine for preceptor and clinical site)
Method of Assessment: Preceptor Evaluation, Student Evaluation

Competency Domain: Clinical Knowledge for Practice

• Demonstrates knowledge of disease states specific to field of practice
• Demonstrates knowledge of up-to-date care and treatment of disease states specific to field of practice
• Demonstrates knowledge of preventive care measures and/or patient education specific to field of practice
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate exam techniques and procedures specific to field of practice

Competency Domain: Patient Care

• Ability to synthesize knowledge of disease states as applicable to individual patients in field of practice
• Ability to perform focused history and physical exam appropriate to field of practice
• Recommend preventive care measures and/or patient education based on patient demographics
• Ability to perform clinical procedures and discern when they are indicated

Competency Domain: Professionalism

• Collaborates effectively with the healthcare team in field of practice
• Effectively utilizes point of care resources to contribute to patient care
• Demonstrates professional behavior in punctuality, communication, and personal appearance
• Completes clinical tasks comprehensively and in a timely manner

Competency Domain: Interpersonal Skills and Communication

• Interacts effectively with patients, families, colleagues, other health care professionals
• Adjusts communication effectively (i.e., speaking, body language, reading, writing, listening) for varied audiences and purposes
• Displays enthusiasm, curiosity, and a mature attitude

Competency Domain: Respect for Patient

• Incorporates cultural competence into patient care
• Adherence to patient privacy laws and demonstration of ethical behavior

Demonstrate sufficient understanding of Pediatric care by preparing for and passing the PAEA Pediatric EOR exam.

Other Generic Abilities Assessed on Rotation
These tasks and behaviors are core components of competent PA Practice

• Demonstrates organized and prioritized gathering of information
• Demonstrates organized and prioritized presentation of information
• Formulates most likely diagnosis and differential diagnoses with clinically based rationale
• Demonstrates compliance with institutional/rotation policy
• Demonstrates situational awareness in diverse clinical environments

PAS 6600 - Clinical Elective 2 - Learning Outcomes
ARC-PA Standards: B3.03*, B3.04*, B3.07 (as applicable to field of medicine for preceptor and clinical site)
Method of Assessment: Preceptor Evaluation, Student Evaluation

Competency Domain: Clinical Knowledge for Practice

• Demonstrates knowledge of disease states specific to field of practice
• Demonstrates knowledge of up-to-date care and treatment of disease states specific to field of practice
• Demonstrates knowledge of preventive care measures and/or patient education specific to field of practice
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate exam techniques and procedures specific to field of practice

Competency Domain: Patient Care

• Ability to synthesize knowledge of disease states as applicable to individual patients in field of practice
• Ability to perform focused history and physical exam appropriate to field of practice
• Recommend preventive care measures and/or patient education based on patient demographics
• Ability to perform clinical procedures and discern when they are indicated or contraindicated

Competency Domain: Professionalism

• Collaborates effectively with the healthcare team in field of practice
• Effectively utilizes point of care resources to contribute to patient care
• Demonstrates professional behavior in punctuality, communication, and personal appearance
• Completes clinical tasks comprehensively and in a timely manner

Competency Domain: Interpersonal Skills and Communication

• Interacts effectively with patients, families, colleagues, other health care professionals
• Adjusts communication effectively (i.e., speaking, body language, reading, writing, listening) for varied audiences and purposes
• Displays enthusiasm, curiosity, and a mature attitude

Competency Domain: Respect for Patient

• Incorporates cultural competence into patient care
• Adherence to patient privacy laws and demonstration of ethical behavior

Demonstrate sufficient understanding of concepts pertinent to Women's Health by preparing for and passing the PAEA Women's Health EOR exam.

Other Generic Abilities Assessed on Rotation
These tasks and behaviors are core components of competent PA Practice

• Demonstrates organized and prioritized gathering of information
• Demonstrates organized and prioritized presentation of information
• Formulates most likely diagnosis and differential diagnoses with clinically based rationale
• Demonstrates compliance with institutional/rotation policy
• Demonstrates situational awareness in diverse clinical environments

PAS 6610 Clinical Preceptorship - Learning Outcomes
ARC-PA Standards: B3.03*, B3.04*, B3.07 (as applicable to field of medicine for preceptor and clinical site)
Method of Assessment: Preceptor Evaluation, Student Evaluation

Competency Domain: Clinical Knowledge for Practice

• Demonstrates knowledge of disease states specific to field of practice
• Demonstrates knowledge of up-to-date care and treatment of disease states specific to field of practice
• Demonstrates knowledge of preventive care measures and/or patient education specific to field of practice
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate exam techniques and procedures specific to field of practice

Competency Domain: Patient Care

• Ability to synthesize knowledge of disease states as applicable to individual patients in field of practice
• Ability to perform focused history and physical exam appropriate to field of practice
• Recommend preventive care measures and/or patient education based on patient demographics
• Ability to perform clinical procedures and discern when they are indicated

Competency Domain: Professionalism

• Collaborates effectively with the healthcare team in field of practice
• Effectively utilizes point of care resources to contribute to patient care
• Demonstrates professional behavior in punctuality, communication, and personal appearance
• Completes clinical tasks comprehensively and in a timely manner

Competency Domain: Interpersonal Skills and Communication

• Interacts effectively with patients, families, colleagues, other health care professionals
• Adjusts communication effectively (i.e., speaking, body language, reading, writing, listening) for varied audiences and purposes
• Displays enthusiasm, curiosity, and a mature attitude

Competency Domain: Respect for Patient

• Incorporates cultural competence into patient care
• Adherence to patient privacy laws and demonstration of ethical behavior

Demonstrate sufficient understanding of Family Medicine by preparing for and passing the PAEA Family Medicine EOR exam.

Other Generic Abilities Assessed on Rotation
These tasks and behaviors are core components of competent PA Practice

• Demonstrates organized and prioritized gathering of information
• Demonstrates organized and prioritized presentation of information
• Formulates most likely diagnosis and differential diagnoses with clinically based rational
• Demonstrates compliance with institutional/rotation policy
• Demonstrates situational awareness in diverse clinical environments

Consistent with Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession adopted by the AAPA, the ARC-PA, the PAEA, and the NCCPA, students enrolled in the Harding University Physician Assistant program have been educated on, and demonstrated practical proficiency in, the following skills of patient assessment:

• Constructing and prioritizing a differential diagnosis
• Communication
  • Demonstrating interpersonal and active listening skills supporting development of rapport, taking a medical history and patient counseling.
  • Obtaining a complete medical history including: chief complaint, history of present illness, past medical history, social history, family history, and review of systems
  • Demonstrating proper consideration for concern for the patient's comfort, modesty, and safety when performing the physical examination.
  • Recognizing the impact of culture on health beliefs and practices.
• Physical Exam Techniques
  • General Observation
  • Vital Signs
    • Determining heart rate by palpation
    • Determining Respiratory rate by observation
    • Determining Blood pressure by auscultation and palpation
  • HEENT
    • Performing Otoscopy and Pneumatic otoscopy
    • Performing a Fundoscopic exam
    • Inspecting the mouth and oropharynx
    • Inspecting the anterior nasal cavity
  • Cardiovascular
    • Inspecting the anterior chest for masses and deformities
    • Auscultating sounds of normal and abnormal cardiac hemodynamics
    • Palpating chest wall for thrills
    • Auscultating temporal, carotid, abdominal aortic, and renal bruits
    • Palpating pretibial edema
    • Assessing for Hepatojugular reflux
    • Palpating peripheral pulses of the upper and lower extremities
  • Pulmonary
    • Inspecting the posterior chest for masses and deformities
    • Auscultating for breath sounds
    • Percussing lung fields for dullness or hyperresonance
    • Abdomen
    • Inspecting of the anterior trunk and flanks for scars, masses, or deformities
    • Auscultating for bowel sounds
    • Palpating the abdomen superficially and deeply for tenderness or masses
    • Percussing for shifting dullness
    • Percussing for Costovertebral angle tenderness
  • Lymphatics
    • Palpating  the lymph nodes of the head and neck
    • Palpating axillary and clavicular lymph nodes
    • Palpating the popliteal space for lymph nodes or masses
  • Integumentary
    • Inspecting of the hair distribution
    • Inspecting of the skin, nails, and scalp for lesions or signs of trauma
  •  Musculoskeletal
    • Evaluating of range of motion of large joints of the neck, spine, upper extremity, and lower extremity
    • Palpating of the major muscles for tone and symmetry
    • Evaluating the muscles of the rotator cuff
    • Assessing the capsular patterns of the shoulder and hip
    • Performing a sideline evaluation for concussion
    • Assessing knee and ankle injuries using Ottawa ankle rules
  • Neurological
    • Evaluating cranial nerves using standard tests
    • Assessing of peripheral sensory function and proprioception
    • Performing neurological special tests: Romberg, Kernig’s, Brudzinski’s, Lhermitte’s 
    • Assessing Deep tendon reflexes
    • Assessing frontal release reflexes
    • Assessing gait and station
    • Assessing cerebellar functioning
  • Psychiatric/Behavioral
    • Using standard tests for assessing depression and anxiety
    • Using the DSM for evaluation of psychiatric complaints
    • Assessing for risk of problem drinking
    • Assessing for risk of suicidal ideation 

• Students enrolled in the Harding University Physician Assistant program have been educated on, and demonstrated practical proficiency in, the following procedural skills.  HUPA utilizes realistic mannequins, standardized patients and student partners for hands-on learning.
  • Handwashing
  • Sterile gloving
  • Administering injections (SubQ, IM, ID)
  • Venipuncture
  • IV placement
  • Intubation
  • Surgical hand scrub
  • Application of gown and gloves in a surgical setting
  • Surgical knot tying
  • Placing a urinary catheter
  • Performing a knee aspiration and injection
  • Lumbar puncture
  • Performing a female pelvic exam and pap smear collection
  • Toe nail removal 
  • Wound closure with suture
    

• PAEA Incorporating Students into Patient Care/Workflow (pdf)
  
• PAEA Introducing/Orientating a PA Student to your Practice (pdf)

• Ask Tell Ask feedback model
  
• SNAPPS Approach to Clinical Teaching
  
• One Minute Preceptor
  
• Tailoring Clinical Teaching
• Harding Library Resources
  
  

If you would like access to the Harding Library Resources for medical practice, email paclinical@harding.edu for instructions on obtaining access. 

• PAs wishing to claim CME through AAPA need to complete this form
• PAs can claim up to 20 Category 1 CME credits per year
• Prior to the student beginning the rotation, review preceptor learning objectives for the specific rotation type
  • Primary Care
  • Internal Medicine
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Mental Health
  • Dermatology
  • Orthopedics
  • General Surgery or Surgical Specialty Elective
  • Infectious Disease
  • Interventional Radiology

• Family Physicians wishing to claim CME through AAFP need to complete this form.
• • The program will submit the information to the AAFP after receiving your form
  • Teaching health professions learners, can count for up to 60 AAFP prescribed credits for a live activity teaching health professions learners
  • If you are certified through a different organization and would like to claim CME, contact paclinical@harding.edu with the information!

• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board
• • A maximum of 120 preceptorship hours may be claimed for a maximum of 25 non-pharmacology CE credits
  • Visit Visit www.aanpcert.org and complete the Preceptorship form
  • Fill out this form for the PA Program and we will provide you a letter verifying your clinical teaching hours

If you are certified through a different organization and would like to claim CME, contact paclinical@harding.edu with the information!

• The TeachingPhysician.org is designed by the Society of Teachers for Family Medicine (STFM) as a resource for clinical education training
• Access the program account and gain CME + clinical training “point-of-need” instruction
  • Once the PA program registers your name and email with the Teaching Physician, you will be provided with the PA program username and password via email. Then you can start logging CME!
• Once you complete a module, you can complete the survey and claim the CME credit