All candidates and graduates must possess the necessary intellectual ability and skills in observation, communication, motor, and behavior to enter and successfully complete the program.
Technical Standards, as distinguished from academic standards, refer to physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities required for satisfactory completion of the curriculum.
Observation
Required for visual presentations in the classroom and laboratory and at the patient bedside.
Must be able to observe patients closely and at a distance to observe the patient’s condition and complete a patient exam.
Immediately comprehend and respond to auditory instructions or requests.
Communication
Candidates and graduates must be able to speak, hear and observe patients to obtain pertinent information.
Candidates and graduates must be able to communicate in a clear and effective manner with patients and their families both orally and in writing, using appropriate grammar, spelling, and vocabulary.
Candidates and graduates must possess the skills of sensitivity and confidentiality in patient communication. They must abide by the HIPAA policy.
Candidates and graduates must be able to communicate with the health care team effectively and efficiently.
Motor Skills
Candidates and graduates must be able to elicit information on patient exam by palpation, auscultation, and percussion as well as carry out diagnostic maneuvers.
Candidates and graduates must be able to examine and treat patients with coordination of muscular movements, equilibrium, and sensation.
Candidates and graduates must be able to manipulate equipment and instruments for basic laboratory tests and procedures such as airway management, suturing, needle placement & IV, stethoscope & ophthalmoscope, tongue blades, gynecologic speculum and scalpel.
Candidates and graduates must be able to transport themselves from room to room and location to location in an efficient manner to see patients.
Candidates and graduates must have the physical stamina to complete both the didactic and clinical portions of the training program which includes sitting, standing, and moving from classroom to laboratory to hospital.
Intellectual Ability
Candidates and graduates must possess problem solving ability, think critically with sound judgment, emotional stability, maturity, empathy.
Candidates and graduates must be able to collect, measure, organize, prioritize, analyze and assimilate data in a limited time frame. Information presented in lecture must be successfully applied in the clinical setting by the candidate.
Candidates and graduates must be able to read and understand the medical literature and use this knowledge in problem solving and patient care.
Candidates and graduates must be able to interpret x-rays and EKG readings.
Behavior
Candidates must be able to use their intellectual ability and exercise good judgment in completing their responsibilities for the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
Candidates and graduates must have the capacity to respond to emergencies in a calm and reasoned manner.
Candidates and graduates must be able to develop rapport with patients and their families and their colleagues.
Candidates and graduates must be able to handle physical, mental and emotional stress while functioning effectively.
Candidates and graduates must demonstrate compassion, motivation, integrity, flexibility and a consciousness of social values.
Candidates and graduates must be able to interact with a diverse population.
Candidates and graduates must be able to accept criticism and modify behavior and practice as needed.
Candidates and graduates must work cooperatively preserving relationships with other members of the health care team.
Candidates and graduates must understand and apply ethical standards in practice.
Candidates and graduates must demonstrate emotional stability at a level necessary to deliver sound patient care in all settings and to interact with interdisciplinary health care teams.
