Competencies
Upon completion of the UMES PA Program, graduates are expected to be competent in the following areas:
- develop ability to perform a complete a physical exam and to organize, integrate, interpret and present clinical data in a clear, concise manner;
- support effective and sensitive communication with patients;
- apply advanced critical thinking skills to evaluate sources of information;
- exhibit attributes of engaged citizenship, community service, and social justice;
- develop effective communication and teamwork skills with health care teams, working in teams and groups to facilitate conflict resolution;
- provide a comprehensive approach to normal human health and development, both physical and mental;
- provide explanation and demonstration of skills needed to assess core diseases encountered in primary care;
- integrate diagnostic assessment skills with knowledge of patient presentation, pharmacology and health care subspecialties to synthesize appropriate treatment plans;
- promote cross-cultural and socioeconomic sensitivity, confront prejudice, and support development of effective medical practice in a diverse society;
- exhibit competency practicing in clinical settings involving special needs patient populations;
- promote commitment to provide effective, accessible, continuous, comprehensive and personalized health care;
- emphasize fundamental importance of ethical behavior in medical practice;
- promote teaching of patients, community and colleagues;
- participate in generating new and evolving medical knowledge through research and intellectual inquiry;
- apply knowledge of study designs and statistical methods to the appraisal of clinical studies and other information on diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness and integrate evidence from scientific studies related to patients’ health problems;
- develop cutting edge knowledge of the PA profession with abilities to participate as leaders at the local, regional, state and national levels, shaping future policy and legislation to promote PA practice and advancement;
- apply knowledge of basic science concepts to facilitate understanding of medical sciences;
- demonstrate basic competency in basic clinical procedures performed by a graduate PA;
- upon graduation, be prepared to enter the workforce as a gainfully employed PA with excellent job search skills and knowledge to obtain and maintain licensure in any state as a practicing PA;
- collaborate effectively as a member of interprofessional health care teams; patients in emergency setting;
- exhibit the ability and skills to attend and care for patients in emergency settings; and
- exhibit competency while practicing in community health and population health settings.
