Program Competencies

Upon completion of the Tarleton State University MMSc-PAM Program graduate will be able to demonstrate the following competencies required for PA practice:

Knowledge for Practice

The core competencies of Medical Knowledge seek to ensure that the Physician Assistant learner continually investigates, questions, and pursues new knowledge. 

  • KP1        Apply core knowledge about established and evolving biomedical and clinical sciences to patient care. (MK)
  • KP2        Apply clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills to assess, diagnose, and manage clinical presentations. (MK)
  • KP3        Integrate clinical knowledge across medical, surgical, and behavioral domains to manage patient care throughout the lifespan. (MK, CRPS)
  • KP3.1. Integrate history, physical findings, and diagnostic studies to formulate differential diagnoses. (MK, CRPS)
  • KP3.2.   Manage medical, behavioral, and surgical conditions by effectively utilizing both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment approaches. (MK, CRPS)
  • KP3.3.   Apply preventive care interventions and health promotion strategies to optimize patient outcomes (MK, CRPS)

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

The Interpersonal and Communication Skills core competencies enable the Physician Assistant learner to successfully receive and share information, establishing and maintaining a foundation of trust with all parties so that the environment is open and encouraging for honest dialogue.

  • ICS1       Demonstrate interpersonal and communication (verbal, nonverbal, written, and electronic) skills that result in effective information exchange and shared decision-making with patients, patients’ families, physicians, professional associates, and other individuals within the health care system. (IS)
  • ICS2       Accurately and adequately document information regarding care for medical, legal, quality, and financial purposes. (IS)

Patient-centered Care

The core competencies of Patient Centered Care seek to ensure that the Physician Assistant learner develops the ability to actively listen and attain medical histories, diagnose, properly inform, and educate, and prescribe and perform necessary procedures in a way that maximizes patient comfort.

  • PCC1      Obtain an accurate history and perform a focused and comprehensive physical exam. (CTS)
  • PCC2      Accurately diagnose and formulate appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment plans (CRPS)
  • PCC3 Appropriately select, perform, and interpret medical and surgical procedures common to primary care (CTS, CRPS)
  • PCC4      Provide health care services and education aimed at disease prevention and health maintenance (CTS)

Interprofessional Collaboration

Demonstrate the ability to engage with a variety of other healthcare professionals in a manner that optimizes safe, effective, patient- and population-centered care.

  • IPC1       Collaborate effectively with other health professionals to provide patient-centered care while maintaining a climate of mutual respect, dignity, ethical integrity, and trust. (PB, ICS, PCC)
  • IPC2       Recognize when to refer patients to other disciplines to ensure that patients receive optimal care at the right time and appropriate level. (CRPS)

Professionalism and Ethics

The Professionalism core competencies enable the Physician Assistant learner to treat all people with respect, compassion, and dignity. 

  • PE1        Demonstrate a high level of responsibility, ethical practice, and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements (PB)
  • PE2        Demonstrate sensitivity to individual patient needs by identifying and responding to socioeconomic, familial, psychological, environmental, and spiritual factors that impact patient care. (PB)
  • PE3 Provide patient advocacy and support within healthcare delivery systems maintaining focus on quality care and individual patient needs. (PB)

Practice-Based Learning and Improvement

The core competencies in Practice-Based Learning and Improvement seek to ensure that the Physician Assistant learner becomes a life-long learner, develops the skills necessary to evaluate medical research and its appropriate application to the practice of medicine.

  • PBLI1     Critically appraise the medical literature to use current practice guidelines and apply the principles of evidence-based medicine to patient care. (MK, CRPS)

Society and Population Health

Recognize and understand the influences of the ecosystem of person, family, population, environment, and policy on the health of patients and integrate knowledge of these determinants of health into patient care decisions.

  • SPH1     Analyze population health data and social determinants of health to understand community health patterns and healthcare access barriers. (PB)
  • SPH2     Demonstrate accountability, responsibility, and leadership for removing barriers to health. (PB)

*Key for ARC-PA defined Competency Domains: Medical knowledge (MK), Interpersonal skills (IS), Clinical and Technical skills (CTS), Professional behaviors (PB), Clinical reasoning and problem-solving (CRPS)

**Key for Competencies: Knowledge for Practice (KP), Interpersonal and Communication Skills (ICS), Patient Centered Care (PCC), Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC), Professionalism and Ethics (PE), Practice-based Learning and Improvement (PBLI), Society and Population Health (SPH)