Program Outcomes

PA Program Competencies

The School of PA Medicine has developed six program competency domains that all graduates must demonstrate proficiency at completion of the program. These competencies were developed following the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) Core Competencies for the New Physician Assistant Graduates (Core Competencies for New PA Graduates) and the Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession developed by the NCCPA, ARC-PA, AAPA, and PAEA (PA Competencies).  The six domains and competencies are tailored to align with the program mission, values, and goals of the PA program at Northwest University. 

Faith Integration:

FI-1    Identify various Biblical principles of the Christian faith that will prepare the PA graduate to carry the call of God through spiritual vitality, academic excellence, and empowered engagement with human need.                               

Medical Knowledge:

MK-1    Demonstrate an understanding of medical, behavioral, and social knowledge to effectively evaluate and manage patients across all ages and diverse patient populations in both primary care and specialty settings 

Interpersonal and Communication Skills:

ICS-1     Demonstrate the knowledge and application of effective listening, verbal, and written communication necessary to elicit an accurate medical history, explain and document appropriate diagnostics studies and an appropriate patient-centered treatment plan. 

ICS-2     Communicate the findings of a clinical encounter in written and oral forms to all members of the health care team

ICS-3     Engage with patients and family members to accurately deliver evidence-based patient education.    

Clinical and Technical Skills: 

CTS-1    Demonstrate the ability to perform a detailed focused physical examination relevant to the medical history of the patient.

CTS-2    Obtain informed consent and safely perform advanced clinical procedures common to general medical and surgical practices.

CTS-3    Order the appropriate diagnostic tests that assist in the evaluation of the patient condition and provide an accurate interpretation.

Professionalism and Ethics: 

PE-1      Demonstrate professionalism with strong ethical decision-making principles, sensitivity, and responsiveness to patients, their care teams, and all members of the healthcare team. 

Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving:

CRPS-1  Formulate a comprehensive differential diagnosis relevant to the patient condition and provide a detailed medical decision-making model.

CRPS-2  Develop an appropriate therapeutic management plan, either pharmacological or nonpharmacological, based on the patient’s medical history, physical exam, and diagnostic study findings.

CRPS-3  Make appropriately informed clinical decisions based on current evidence-based research and sound clinical judgement.