Knoxville – Technical Standards and Policies

Candidates for the Physician Assistant profession must have somatic sensation and the functional use of the senses of vision and hearing. Candidate’s diagnostic skills will also be lessened without the functional use of the senses of equilibrium, smell, and taste. Additionally, they must have sufficient exteroceptive sense (touch, pain, and temperature) and motor function to permit them to carry out the activities described in the sections that follow. They must be able to integrate all information received by whatever sense(s) employed, consistently, quickly, and accurately, and they must have the intellectual ability to learn, integrate, analyze, and synthesize data. A candidate for the Physician Assistant profession must have abilities and skills of six varieties, which are observation, communication, motor, conceptual, integrative/quantitative, and behavioral/social. Technological compensation can be made for some handicaps in certain of these areas, but such a candidate should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.

The student is expected to possess functional use of the senses of vision, touch, hearing, taste, and smell. All data received by the senses must be integrated, analyzed, and synthesized in a consistent and accurate manner. In addition, the individual is expected to possess the ability to perceive pain, pressure, temperature, position, equilibrium, and movement.

The student is expected to participate in and observe demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences including but not limited to physiologic and pharmacological demonstrations in animals, microbiological cultures, and microscopic study of organisms and tissues in normal and pathologic states. The student is expected to observe the patient accurately at a distance and close at hand and accurately assess health/illness alteration. Inherent in this observation process is the use of the senses and sufficient motor capability to carry out the necessary assessment activities.

The student is expected to be able to effectively communicate verbally and non-verbally and to observe patients in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity, and postures, and to perceive nonverbal communications. This requires the ability to read, write, and effectively utilize the English language. The student must be able to communicate effectively with patients and other professionals.

The student is expected to be able to perform gross and fine motor movements required to perform a complete physical examination. The student is expected to have the psychomotor skills necessary to perform or assist with procedures, treatments, administration of medication, managing of equipment, and emergency intervention. The student is expected to be able to maintain consciousness, equilibrium, and stamina to perform satisfactorily in clinical experiences.

The student should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion and other diagnostic maneuvers. The student must be able to do laboratory tests and work with scientific and other instruments and machinery utilized in practice as a Physician Assistant.

The student is expected to have the ability to develop and refine problem-solving skills. This includes the ability to measure, calculate, analyze, and synthesize objective as well as subjective data and make decisions that reflect consistent and thoughtful deliberation and clinical judgment. In addition, the student should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationships of structures.

The student is expected to have the emotional stability required to exercise sound judgment and complete assessment and intervention activities. The student is expected to establish rapport and maintain sensitive, interpersonal relationships with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. The student is expected to have the flexibility to function effectively under stress. Concern for others, integrity, accountability, interest, and motivation are necessary personal qualities.

A student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients. The student must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. The student must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of the uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. Compassion, integrity, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the admission and education process.

Candidates with further questions or concerns regarding these technical standards should contact the Physician Assistant Program at 865-251-1800. Candidates with questions about Disability Services should contact the Student Affairs Coordinator at 865-251-1822 in Knoxville or the Director of Student Success in Atlanta, 470-322-1212.

All PA students are required to carry health insurance (including hospitalization) throughout the entire program. It is the responsibility of the student to purchase health insurance and provide proof of insurance. Health concerns should be addressed with your primary care provider. South College does not have student health facilities, but we do have an agreement with Cherokee Health Systems to provide services to our students. Students are financially responsible for any services rendered by Cherokee. Once matriculated into the Physician Assistant Program, students must show compliance with the health policy including personal health insurance coverage within one month of the start of classes. Failure to do so may result in being liable for dismissal from the program. Students must re-certify their health status (including proof of health insurance) prior to beginning the clinical phase of the program. Students may not engage in clinical activities until compliance has been met.

Prior to entering the South College Physician Assistant Program, students must submit health provider proof of a health examination and updated information of immunization health certificate indicating TB testing results and HBV immunization series.

Healthcare and other clinical facilities may have unique vaccination/immunization and/or health insurance requirements. Students in programs with clinical rotations may be unable to obtain or complete required clinical training due to their vaccination/insured status, thereby delaying or preventing program completion.

Specific Related Requirements Include:

Prior to Entering the Clinical Phase of the Program, Students Must Again Update Their Immunization and Health Certificate and Provide Proof of the Following:

For more information about immunization of Health Care Workers, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/

Criminal background checks are becoming mandatory at medical institutions as a requirement of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). In order to ensure patient safety and security, South College requires a criminal background check prior to any applicant being admitted. Applicants should be aware that a prior criminal background could restrict the ability to obtain professional state licensure. Acceptance into a South College program does not imply or guarantee that a student will be able to obtain such licensure.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply to the program. However, it is the responsibility of the student to notify South College, specific Physician Assistant program/campus, in writing with medical documentation from their provider, and verbally if there is any reason why the abilities and/or expectations described cannot be met. Students will be presented with the technical standards when they are in the final stage of admission to the program. At that time, they will review these standards with the program faculty and sign this form. Students who indicate verbally and in writing (with medical documentation) that they cannot meet one or more of these requirements will be reviewed by South College to determine what, if any reasonable accommodations might be possible to facilitate successful completion of the degree requirements if are admitted to the program.

Candidates with further questions or concerns regarding these technical standards should contact the Physician Assistant Program at 865-251-1800. Candidates with questions about Disability Services should contact the Student Affairs Coordinator at 865-251-1822 in Knoxville or the Director of Student Success in Atlanta, 470-322-1212.

Fair Practices

All aspects of the Physician Assistant Program at South College are accurately reflected in its brochures, bulletins, catalogs, student handbooks, and all other forms of information and advertising published by or endorsed by South College.  South College is committed to equal opportunity for all and does not discriminate in admission, access, treatment, or employment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, marital status, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, or handicap.  South College is committed to a program of affirmative action to ensure access equity, and fairness in educational programs, related activities, and employment for minorities, women, handicapped persons, disabled veterans, and veterans of our nation’s wars.  This policy and other policies involving sexual harassment, discrimination, and other issues are reiterated in the South College Catalog.  Academic regulations, including grievance procedures, can also be found in the South College Catalog.

The PA faculty believes that no student can attain the level of knowledge required to perform adequately as a Physician Assistant if they engage in outside employment during the PA Program. Full-time employment while in the didactic and/or clinical learning year of the program is prohibited. PA students are not required to work for the program; furthermore, they cannot serve, work, or perform duties as staff, faculty, or instructional faculty members. Students are not employed by preceptors or health care facilities during their clinical learning rotations.

Volunteer and Work Experiences

Students who are involved in or commence volunteer or paid work during their Physician Assistant training cannot use their affiliation with the Physician Assistant Program in any aspect of that job. Work outside the Physician Assistant Program undertaken by the student, independent of the Program, is not covered by the liability offered for clinical work associated with the educational experience.

Students who have other valid professional licenses/titles, such as Ph.D., Respiratory Therapist, Licensed Practical or Registered Nurse, or Laboratory Technician, may not function in those capacities nor utilize these titles in spoken or written communication while enrolled in the Physician Assistant Program.  Students shall not misrepresent their status as students by identifying themselves as anything other than a Physician Assistant Student, nor shall they allow their patients to identify them as a graduate Physician Assistant or Physician.

Military Assignment During Program

Military students and their spouses called to active duty or deployed from their home station will be allowed to withdraw from the currently enrolled term/payment period by providing a copy of military orders. Military service means service, whether voluntary or involuntary, in the Armed Forces (including National Guard or Reserve) on active duty, active duty for training, or full-time National Guard duty, or ordered to active duty. The length of absence (including all prior absences for military service) cannot exceed 5 years, and must include only the time the student served while on active duty in the military.

Students who have completed 75 percent of the current term/payment period may earn a grade at the discretion of their instructors. Students who fail to complete their coursework sufficiently will be withdrawn without incurring a grade penalty. Withdrawn courses must be repeated in their entirety. All tuition charges/payments related to the term/payment period that is interrupted will be refunded.

Reentering students should contact the Admissions department for the designated campus of enrollment, who will then guide the student through the re-enrollment process, including meeting with Financial Aid. Current tuition and policies (or policy revisions) for military students will apply to all returning students upon re-entry. Re-entry fees will be waived for all returning students.

Clinical learning rotation sites and preceptors are selected and evaluated by the PA Program’s Clinical Faculty. Students are not required to supply their own clinical sites or preceptors. However, students may recommend a clinical site/preceptor to the Director of Clinical Education at least 4 months prior to the start of the suggested clinical rotation. The Director of Clinical Education will approve or disapprove of the prospective site/preceptor following evaluation of the site and preceptor by the Clinical Faculty. Students are not permitted to independently initiate or formalize any clinical rotation arrangements with clinical sites or preceptors. All supervised clinical practice experiences must be coordinated through the Program. Students may submit site or preceptor recommendations to the Director of Clinical Education for consideration; however, final placement decisions rest solely with the Program. All clinical rotations are in the United States; the program does not offer international rotations.

Clinical year students will be expected to travel to complete SCPEs (local area is defined as a 70-mile radius from campus). While the program makes every effort to consider student housing preferences, preceptor preferences, and availability as indicated on the clinical site survey, placement is determined by curricular needs, site availability, and accreditation requirements. Therefore, students should anticipate the program assigning at least 3 rotations outside our defined local area (this is program-assigned, not student-requested), which may include air travel and lodging.

All expenses for travel, housing, meals, and other costs associated with clinical placements are the student’s responsibility. The program does not guarantee placement within a specific geographic area. If site changes occur, students must be prepared to make necessary adjustments to their travel and housing plans.  The cost for distant sites is estimated on the tuition and fees page.

Remediation is based on the students’ knowledge or skill-based deficiency and will take the form of completing an additional assessment to enhance fundamental foundations or through review of a specific skill. The course director will determine specific remediation assignments and may include direction from the Director of Didactic Education. Assessments that require remediation include course exams, quizzes, midterms, final exams, skill evaluations or check-offs, EOR exams, assignments (specified by the course director), essay or manuscript assignments, and OSLERs (syllabus-dependent).

The student must contact the Course Director within 72 business hours once the grade is posted to receive the assignment(s) and the remediation form.

When a student earns a grade in the below ranges for a qualified assessment, the following steps for remediation will be implemented:

*If a course syllabus indicates a different remediation range, that syllabus language will supersede.

Deceleration is a modification of a student’s academic progression that requires the student to restart the Program from the beginning with the next cohort, subject to seat availability. Deceleration is permitted only in the didactic phase, only for students in good academic standing, and only when significant, documented, non‑academic extenuating circumstances prevent continued participation with the student’s original cohort.  Deceleration is intended to support student success without compromising academic standards or program integrity.

Deceleration may not be used to avoid academic dismissal, remediation, probation, or consequences of course or rotation failure. Students who have failed a course, failed a clinical rotation, or are otherwise subject to dismissal are not eligible for deceleration.

Students who must interrupt the program for reasons of prolonged illness or compelling personal reasons must withdraw from the Physician Assistant (PA) program. Requests for withdrawal must be submitted in writing to their faculty advisor, the Dean of the program, and the Registrar. Program reentry requests must be submitted in writing to the Dean and will be referred to the student progress committee for reentry consideration. There are no guarantees regarding reentry into the Physician Assistant program.

Reentry may be granted for a period of up to one year, pending the reason for the withdrawal (medical and/or personal). PA students will be required to repeat the didactic or clinical year course sequences in effect at the time of reentry, and the PA student must comply with all policies and requirements in effect at the time of reentry.

A withdrawal is considered official when a student notifies the program’s Dean. Students should discuss this process with their faculty advisor prior to this action. Students who do not officially withdraw will be considered enrolled in courses until an appropriate academic participation verification point. If it is determined a student is no longer academically participating at the regular check points, the student will be officially withdrawn by the College.

Students will be dismissed for failure to comply with academic, clinical, or professional standards. Students will be dismissed from the Physician Assistant Studies Program when:

A dismissal or disciplinary action decision of the Academic Standards and Student Progress Committee may be appealed. Students must complete a Dismissal and Disciplinary Action Appeal Form to submit their appeal.  The Dismissal and Disciplinary Action Appeal Form is found in the Student Portal under the Student Services tab.  The form must also be accompanied by a letter stating the nature of the circumstances to support their appeal.  NOTE: The same information, evidence, claims, position, or arguments must be submitted at each level of appeal.  

Students may be permitted to attend class during the appeal process if academic.  Students may not continue clinical rotations while appealing, unless approved based on the appeal’s outcome.  Students who are dismissed for unprofessional behavior or conduct may not be permitted to continue classes or clinical rotations, depending on how egregious the behavior or mistake is.  Once the appeal process has been exhausted, or if a student does not continue the appeal process, the student will no longer be eligible to continue didactic or clinical coursework within the Physician Assistant Program.

Every attempt will be made to resolve concerns at the lowest level possible in the chain of command.  Should there be grievance that cannot be satisfactorily resolved at the institutional level, a student may contact the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (Knoxville Campus), 404 James Robertson Parkway, Suite 1900, Nashville, TN 37243-3605; (615) 741-3605 or Georgia Non-public Post-Secondary Higher Education Commission (Atlanta Campus) 2082 East Exchange Place, Suite 220 Tucker, Georgia 30084-3309.

The student complaint and grievance policy falls under the institutional South College policy. Visit the Complaint and Grievance Process webpage.