Welcome:
Welcome to the Widener University Institute for Physician Assistant Education clinical page. We are delighted that you chose to visit our page to gain valuable clinical insights. On the page you will find, clinical site information, evaluation forms, preceptor perks, contact information, clinical Syllabi, rotation objectives and learning outcomes, and our quarterly clinical newsletter “Auscultations.” Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Site intention: The intention of this site is provide information to preceptors and students about clinical rotation expectations.
Message to preceptors:
Thank you for choosing to educate the next generation of physician assistant students. You have embarked on an educational journey that will influence and inspire students for years to come. Students are eager and ready to learn in the clinical environment. They have spent the last 15 months in classrooms learning the fundamentals of medical education. Widener students have had opportunities to engage in the health and wellness of the community through our Chester Community Pro Bono Clinic and are eager to take that experience to you communities. The Widener University
As the designated preceptor, you are assume the responsibility of overseeing the student experience. We ask that the student be on site for a minimum of 35 hours a week but we understand that this may vary per site. Students must have access to patients. Students can be supervised by physician assistants, physicians (DO or MD), and other health care professionals. As the preceptor, you are responsible for evaluating the students’ performance. Should a problem arise at any time during the rotation, either professional or performance related, the expectation is that you will contact the program immediately so intervention can be initiated.
Once again, we consider it an honor and privilege to have you on our clinical education team. We value your time and expertise as you encourage our students on their clinical journey. Please reach out to the program at any time for questions or concerns.
Student Expectations:
The clinical phase of the physician assistant education mandates that students engage in an extensive level of self-directed learning. It is, therefore, imperative that students continue to seek out and take advantage of supplementary methods of augmenting their clinical education experiences. Opportunities to enhance medical knowledge, perfect clinical skills, and identify as a physician assistant will be tantamount to a successful clinical experience.
The student’s responsibility will extend beyond their acquired medical knowledge. In addition to maintaining a superior level of professionalism, respect and gratitude for the clinical staff, practice or hospital management, and providers, the student must bear in mind they are representing Widener University, the Institute for Physician Assistant Education and the physician assistant profession; first impressions are lasting impressions.
The student must always remember they may be a patient’s or preceptor’s initial introduction to the physician assistant profession. It is vital that each student strive to achieve these tasks.
Program Mission
The MPAS program at Widener University will graduate excellent health care
professionals to meet the growing need for patients to have access to medicine both
locally and globally. The MPAS program will educate highly effective healthcare
professionals equipped to provide patient-centered medical care to diverse populations
across the life span. Students will learn to be competent clinicians, culturally sensitive,
socially conscious health care providers able to work in collaboration with other
members of the healthcare team.
Vision
The physician assistant program at Widener University will be the leader in
physician assistant education by providing experiential and collaborative learning, and
interprofessional experiences through community and civic engagement, developing
leaders in health care and ultimately improving the lives of the patients they serve.
Core Values
1. Excellence in teaching
2. Commitment to service
3. Diversity and inclusion
4. Professionalism
5. Scholarship
6. Collaboration
7. Kindness and compassion
Widener University Institute for Physician Assistant Education has applied for Accreditation – Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Widener University Institute for Physician Assistant Education anticipates matriculating its first class in October 2022, pending achieving Accreditation – Provisional status at the June 2022 ARC-PA meeting. Accreditation – Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.
Implication for non-accreditation: Should the program have challenges in receiving accreditation that cannot be appealed and remediated, the accrediting body provides guidelines and requirements that programs must follow. This includes aiding students in transferring to another accredited program.
In the event that the program does not achieve accreditation all student who have deposited a seat in the program will receive a full refund. The program will not accept the class until which time provisional accreditation has been granted.
