Academic Policies and Procedures:Physician Assistant Program

The physician assistant program is a 27-month, 126 semester hour course of study leading to a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree. 

The program must be completed within 5 years of initial entry/matriculation. Please navigate to the tab appropriate for your Academic Policies and Procedures (Class of 2027 or Class of 2028). 

Policies and procedures for progression in and completion of the program 

For students starting in January 2025

The policies, procedures, practices and processes for Bryant University’s Physician Assistant Program (BU PA program), Class of 2027 are listed below. This is in accordance with the Class of 2027 Physician Assistant Student Handbook.

POLICY No. PAS 001: ADMISSIONS POLICY

Although no specific preference in admission or enrollment is given to any specified individuals or groups, the follow agreements exist with the Bryant University School of Health Sciences and the Bryant University PA Program:

The Physician Assistant Studies program has agreed to reserve two seats in each new cohort of PA students for qualified Bryant undergraduate students. Bryant undergraduates who have applied to the PA program and who meet all published minimum criteria for admission to the PA program, will be extended a one-time offer to interview for a seat in the incoming PA class. Admission to the PA program is contingent upon a successful in-person interview and recommendation for admittance by the PA Admissions Committee.

This policy will be provided on the website and updated as necessary, however, no changes to this policy will take effect between the annual opening of each CASPA Cycle and 01 October of the same year.

After acceptance to the Bryant University PA program, it is expected that all matriculants complete BLS certification prior to enrollment. Students are responsible for maintaining BLS certification throughout their education in the BU PA program. A lapse in BLS certification may result in inability to progress through the program and/or delay in graduation.

The BU PA program does not offer advanced placement to any student.

POLICY No. PAS 002: ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONALISM POLICY

Students enrolled in the BU PA Program must maintain adherence to the program standard of academic performance and professionalism outlined in this policy. This policy addresses academic performance and requires academic standards, requirement for progression in the program, deceleration, remediation, probation, withdrawal, graduation requirements and policies for student grievances and appeals.

Policies and procedures for progression in and completion of the program

For students starting in January 2026

The policies, procedures, practices and processes for Bryant University’s Physician Assistant Program (BU PA program), Class of 2028 are listed below. This is in accordance with the Class of 2028 Physician Assistant Student Handbook.

Program Policies 

Program policies apply to all students, principal faculty and the program director regardless of location. The program informs students of program policies and practices by posting the PA Program Student Handbook to canvas.   

POLICY No. PAS 001: ADMISSIONS POLICY

Although no specific preference in admission or enrollment is given to any specified individuals or groups, the follow agreements exist with the Bryant University School of Health Sciences and the Bryant University PA Program:

The Physician Assistant Studies program has agreed to reserve two seats in each new cohort of PA students for qualified Bryant undergraduate students. Bryant undergraduates who have applied to the PA program and who meet all published minimum criteria for admission to the PA program, will be extended a one-time offer to interview for a seat in the incoming PA class. Admission to the PA program is contingent upon a successful in-person interview and recommendation for admittance by the PA Admissions Committee.

This policy will be provided on the website and updated as necessary, however, no changes to this policy will take effect between the annual opening of each CASPA Cycle and 01 October of the same year.

After acceptance to the Bryant University PA program, it is expected that all matriculants complete BLS certification prior to enrollment. Students are responsible for maintaining BLS certification throughout their education in the BU PA program. A lapse in BLS certification may result in inability to progress through the program and/or delay in graduation. 

The BU PA program does not offer advanced placement to any student.

POLICY No. PAS 002: ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONALISM POLICY

Students enrolled in the BU PA Program must maintain adherence to the program standard of academic performance and professionalism outlined in this policy. This policy addresses academic performance and required academic standards, requirement for progression in the program, deceleration, remediation, probation, withdrawal, graduation requirements and policies for student grievances and appeals.  

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

In order to graduate from the BU Physician Assistant Program and be awarded a Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies, a student must: 

1. Successfully complete all coursework according to program-defined academic standards within 5 years.  

2. Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at program completion. 

3. Successfully passed all components of the Summative Evaluation at the end of the clinical year, demonstrating all Student Learning Outcomes have been achieved.  

4. Be in good professional standing with the program. 

5. Complete the BU graduation application process.  

6. Complete payment of tuition, program fees, graduation fees and outstanding university fees or library charges. 

It is the responsibility of the student to make sure all degree requirements have been met to qualify for graduation. Graduating students must apply for their degree at the start of their final semester through the Registrar’s Office.  

GRADING CRITERIA 

A final score of 75% is required to pass all courses in the didactic and clinical years.  Grades will be assigned based on the following percentages: A (93-100%); A- (90-92%) B+ (87-89%); B (83-86%); B- (80-82%); C+ (77-79%); C (75-76%); F (<75%).

PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS 

Given the sequential nature of the curriculum, students are expected to complete each semester on time as a cohort. Progression will be a function of successfully passing all required course work in a unit, and the coursework for the unit will serve as the prerequisite requirement for the following unit. 

Students may be allowed to progress within the PA program if they are in good academic standing, defined as earning a semester GPA of 3.0 or above.

The ability to progress in the program is subject to the discretion of the Academic Support and Remediation Committee (ASRC) for the following circumstances: 

• A didactic student earning less than a semester GPA of 3.0 and is on academic probation. 

• Earning one (1) final course grade of “C” during the didactic phase.

• A clinical student who has earned a final course grade below “C” in the clinical phase.

• Receiving preceptor feedback from a SCPE that constitutes a professionalism or safety concern and/or violation.

A student is subject to academic dismissal from the program for the following reasons:

• Earning one (1) final course grade below “C” during the didactic phase. 

• Earning two (2) final course grades below “C” during the clinical phase. 

• Failing to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the end of the didactic phase (Term 5).

• Failing to pass one (1) or more elements of the Summative Examination in the clinical phase. 

• Earning two or more semesters of probation. 

1. If a student is remediating a course component, they may progress to the next term at the discretion of the ASRC.  

2. If a student receives disciplinary action per the professionalism policy, such status will be reviewed at the end of each academic term by the ASRC, which will determine if the student will be allowed to progress in the program.  

3. For a student to progress from the didactic phase into the clinical phase, he or she must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and be recommended for advancement by the ASRC. 

*A student receiving a negative progression decision may appeal such a decision by submitting a written letter of appeal to the Academic Support and Remediation Committee within seven (7) business days of receiving written notification of such decision. 

The program director is responsible for confirming the eligibility of a student to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) following graduation. Such eligibility is based on the successful completion of the program’s curricular requirements and the Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee’s positive recommendation on such student’s preparedness for the exam. 

PROBATION 

Probation is formal recognition of substandard performance in the program. It serves as an encouragement towards satisfactory performance, an official means to communicate the gravity of a student’s academic or professional situation, and a means of identifying students at risk of being dismissed from the program for failing to meet learning objectives, course outcomes, or program standards. Students may be placed on probation as determined by the progression requirements above. If a student has been placed on probation by the ASRC, the director of didactic education or director of clinical education will present the student with a letter indicating that the student has been formally placed on probation. A copy of this letter will be sent to the BU Registrar’s office, the program director, and the student’s academic advisor. As a result of being placed on probation: 

1. The academic advisor and the student will meet within the first week of the regularly scheduled class or SCPE after receipt of such a letter. Formal documentation will be entered into the student’s academic records noting status, expected outcomes, revised remediation plans, expected timelines, and clearly established consequences for the student’s failing to remediate probationary discrepancies. 

2. Every student will meet regularly with their academic advisor to monitor progress. The timing/frequency of such meetings will be determined at the sole discretion of the advisor.   

3. Every student will meet regularly with the course director of the course in which they are failing to meet academic success. The timing/frequency of such meetings will be determined at the sole discretion of the course director. 

4. Students must follow the steps outlined in the “Formal Remediation” section of this policy as applicable to the circumstance of academic probation. 

5. Academic and professionalism probation may be disclosed in any final verifications of training, employment letters, applications for state medical licensure, and any letters of reference from the BU PA program.  

6. An individual student’s academic advisor must approve the student’s involvement in extracurricular activities and campus events.   

A student may be removed from probation at the discretion of the ASRC under the following circumstances: 

1. The student successfully completes the subsequent grading period without earning any grades below a “B” while maintaining a cumulative GPA above 3.0 and/or 

2. The student successfully remediates, demonstrating significant improvement in professionalism discrepancies or substandard academic performance. 

If a student is removed from probation, the director of didactic education or the director of clinical education will present the student with a letter of formal notification that he or she has been removed from probation status. A copy of this letter will be sent to the BU Registrar’s office, the program director, and the student’s academic advisor. Should a student not satisfactorily improve through informal or formal remediation, they will be referred to the ASRC for consideration of dismissal from the program in accordance with the progression requirements established in this policy. 

EXAMINATIONS 

Grading policies and procedures are identified within the course syllabi for each course.  Exams must be taken at the scheduled time, and any student who fails to follow this policy will be assigned a zero (0) score for such an exam. In the event of a student’s excused absence (see Student Attendance Policy), the student must notify the course director before the scheduled examination or, if unable to do so, as soon as possible thereafter to request an alternate time to take the exam. Notifying the course director of an absence does not guarantee that the absence will be excused (see Student Attendance Policy). Examinations missed for unexcused reasons will receive a zero (“0”) score, are considered “failed,” and are not eligible for retake or remediation. Students will not request changes in the examination schedule. 

Time allocated for examinations will not be extended if a student arrives late. Should a student believe that their tardiness resulted from a legitimate unforeseen event, such a student has two choices:   

1. The student may proceed to the testing site and complete the exam in the remaining time allotted. 

2. The student may inform the course director about their tardiness or absence as soon as possible to determine if their tardiness is considered “excused.” If deemed unexcused, the student will be given a zero (0) score for the examination.  

Any allowed makeup exam for an excused absence must be taken within five (5) weekdays of the original exam date. The course director will determine the time and location of the makeup exam. Although makeup examinations will test the same knowledge content as the original examination, the style and type of questions may differ as determined by the course director. 

Every exam will have a proctor, and PA students must follow all the proctor’s instructions. Examinations must be completed within the allotted time given. No extensions will be granted. 

All personal items and electronic devices, including but not limited to headphones, earbuds, cellular phones, smart watches, laptop computers, or any other electronic devices, must be turned off and placed securely in a designated location before the examination. Failure to abide by this policy will result in the student being asked to leave the examination with a recorded zero (0). Exclusions may be granted based on necessary accommodations. 

Most exams will be administered in the PA suite. Students are not permitted to leave the exam site at any time during an exam. Students who browse the web or look at any other resources during an exam will be considered in violation of the Academic Integrity Policy.  

Reproducing examination items in any manner (e.g., written, verbal, electronic, etc.) will be considered cheating and a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy. 

Test grades will not be reported to the class until all class members have taken the exam. 

At the discretion of each course director, a post-examination review may be performed only after every student has completed the examination, the examination has been statistically analyzed, and the scores validated and finalized. The post-examination review is only for informational purposes to provide feedback to students on highly missed exam items and clarification of measured objectives. The topic of grade changes will not be entertained at any post examination review session. For a more detailed post-examination review or feedback, students may individually schedule time with the course director within seven (7) business days of an examination. 

REMEDIATION 

Remediation refers to any additional training, supervision, or educational assistance beyond the required instruction and training provided to the cohort. The remediation process is designed to improve the student’s knowledge, skills, and professional attributes needed to meet or exceed the graduation requirements successfully. The goal of remediation is to promptly identify and address areas of academic, clinical, or professional deficiencies and collaborate with students for improved outcomes.  Remediation may be classified as either informal or formal, as delineated below. 

Informal Remediation: This first step in the remediation process begins when warning signs arise, signifying the potential for a student not to meet learning objectives or course outcomes related to knowledge, skill, or professional attributes. This informal remediation allows faculty and students a means to communicate outside regular class periods to improve student understanding and performance. Faculty involved in informal remediation are encouraged to document the student’s strengths, deficiencies, expectations for improvement,  observations, and progress. This documentation is not intended to become a permanent part of the student’s records unless satisfactory progress is not achieved and the student moves from informal to formal remediation. 

Formal Remediation: This step in the remediation process identifies students who are not successfully meeting the academic or professionalism standards established by the program, as listed below. Formal remediation will be initiated by the appropriate course director and coordinated through the director of didactic education, the director of clinical education, and the program director. This remediation process will be clearly documented to include the nature of such deficiency/deficiencies (e.g., medical knowledge; clinical skills; clinical reasoning and judgment; time management and organization; interpersonal skills and communication; professionalism; practice-based learning and improvement; systems-based practices; and/or mental well-being; etc.), the remediation plan, and the expected outcomes. During the remediation process, faculty will complete the Remediation Form, as described below. A clear timeline will be established for formal remediation monitoring and completion. Students who fail to progress towards successfully meeting the learning objectives, course outcomes, or program standards will be placed on academic probation and potentially dismissed from the program as applicable according to the established policies and procedures. 

Remediation During the Didactic Phase: 

1. An exam grade of less than 75% demonstrates programmatic concern about the mastery of content for the assessment, and the student will be required to participate in a formal remediation plan to be considered for continuation in the program. 

2. Formal remediation will, at a minimum, follow these steps:

   1. The course director will meet with the student to review and identify deficiencies from the assessment. 

   2. The course director will consult with the associate program director to develop a remediation plan. The remediation plan may include, but is not limited to: 

      1. Reading assignments 

      2. Review of lecture material

      3. Individual focused faculty-lead tutoring

      4. Mandated program-established tutoring programs 

   3. The course director will evaluate the student’s proficiency upon completing the remediation plan. The assessment of proficiency in remediated subjects is at the discretion of the course director with the approval of the associate program director.

      1. If the student is re-examined for a change in grade, the final grade on any remediated assessment may not exceed 75%. 

      2. There will be a maximum of one (1) grade replacement per term. All other remediations that occur due to grades of less than 75%, will not result in a grade replacement after the one (1) grade replacement has already occurred.  

   4. The course director will complete the Remediation Summary Form, which outlines the remediation process and outcome(s) of the remediation effort.  This documentation and any supporting documentation will become a part of the student’s official file. 

   5. The course director will notify the director of didactic education, the associate program director, and the ASRC of the remediation efforts and outcomes.

3. All formal remediation must be completed within the established time frame as documented on the Remediation Summary Form.

4. Should a student fail to remediate a midterm, final exam, OSCE, or lab practical successfully, the student will be referred to the ASRC for review and consideration of action. 

   1. Failure to successfully remediate a final exam in any course may result in the dismissal from the program at the discretion of the ASRC. 

   2. In the event of a recommendation for dismissal based on the failure to score above 75% on a remediation assessment, the student may file a formal appeal per the Academic Appeals Policy.  

Remediation for the Summative Evaluation: 

The BU PA program summative examinations include the end of curriculum examination and  summative OSCE delivered in the last 4 months of the curriculum.  

1. Students must earn a grade of greater than or equal to 75% on all elements of the summative evaluation. 

2. Students earning a grade of less than 75% on any assessment item must remediate and successfully meet the student learning outcome reassessment with 75% or higher to graduate from the program.

   1. Per PAEA guidelines, remediation of the end of curriculum examination may not occur any sooner than 60 days after initial failure. 

3. Students will have two (2) additional attempts to earn a grade greater than or equal to 75% on the summative evaluations. It is important to note that the timing of remediation for this process may delay graduation.

4. A student who fails to earn a grade above 75% after the maximum allocated attempts will be dismissed from the program. 

Remediation During the Clinical Phase:

EOR remediation 

1. An End of Rotation (EOR) exam grade of less than 75% demonstrates programmatic concern about the mastery of content for the assessment, and the student will be required to participate in a formal remediation plan to be considered for continuation in the program. 

2. Formal remediation will, at a minimum, follow these steps:

   1. The course director will meet with the student to review and identify deficiencies from the assessment. 

   2. The course director will develop a remediation plan that includes but is not limited to: 

3. Personalized study plan

4. EOR retake examination  

5. The course director will evaluate the student’s proficiency upon completing the remediation plan. The assessment of proficiency in the remediated course EOR is done by reviewing the repeat EOR grade. Receipt of a grade of 75% or higher constitutes successful EOR remediation. 

   1. The student’s remediated grade will become their final EOR grade. 

   2. There will be a maximum of one (1) EOR retake per term. All other remediations that occur due to grades of less than 75%, will not result in a grade replacement after the one (1) grade replacement has already occurred.  

6. The course director will complete the Remediation Summary Form, which outlines the remediation process and outcome(s) of the remediation effort.  This documentation and any supporting documentation will become a part of the student’s official file. 

7. The course director will notify the ASRC of the remediation efforts and outcomes.

3.    All formal remediation must be completed within the established time frame as       documented on the Remediation Summary Form.

1. Per PAEA guidelines, EOR remediations may not take place any sooner than 21 days after the first failed attempt. 

4.   Should a student fail to successfully remediate an EOR, the student will be referred to the ASRC for review and consideration of action.

1. Failure to successfully remediate an EOR in any course may result:

   1. Receipt of a failing grade for the associated SCPE

   2. Necessity to repeat SCPE

      1. SCPE repeat will take place after the completion of rotation 10. This will result in delayed graduation and financial costs associated with taking an additional 4-credit course after completion of the originally planned 27-month curriculum. 

      2. Clinical site and preceptor selection will be done at the discretion of the director of clinical education. 

   3. Placement on academic probation*

   4. Dismissal from the program if this failure constitutes a second SCPE failure in the clinical phase

SCPE remediation 

1. SCPE failures (grade of below 75%) may result from (1) 1st attempt EOR score of less than 75% and failed remediation EOR and/or (2) Preceptor grade of less than 75%. A SCPE course grade of less than 75% demonstrates programmatic concern about the mastery of content and the student will be required to participate in a formal remediation plan to be considered for continuation in the program. 

2. Formal remediation will, at a minimum, follow these steps:

   1. The director of clinical education will meet with the student to review and identify deficiencies from the clinical course

   2. The course director will develop a remediation plan that includes but is not limited to:

      1. Personalized performance feedback 

      2. SCPE repeat 

         1. SCPE repeat will take place after the completion of rotation 10. This will result in delayed graduation and financial costs associated with taking an additional 4-credit course after completion of the originally planned 27-month curriculum. 

         2. Clinical site and preceptor selection will be done at the discretion of the director of clinical education. 

   3. The course director will evaluate the student’s proficiency upon completing the remediation plan. The assessment of proficiency in the remediated course is done by reviewing the repeat preceptor grade and/or EOR grade (if not passed with 1st SCPE attempt). Receipt of a grade of 75% or higher on each graded element constitutes successful SCPE remediation. 

      1. The student’s remediated preceptor grade will be used to calculate the final SCPE grade. 

   4. The course director will complete the Remediation Summary Form, which outlines the remediation process and outcome(s) of the remediation effort. This documentation and any supporting documentation will become a part of the student’s official file. 

   5. The director of clinical education will notify the ASRC of the remediation efforts and outcomes.

3. All formal remediation must be completed within the established time frame as       documented on the Remediation Summary Form.

4. There will be a maximum of one (1) SCPE retake during the clinical phase. 

   1. For a 1st SCPE failure, the student will be placed on academic probation* for the remainder of the clinical phase. 

5. Should a student fail to successfully remediate a SCPE, the student will be referred to the ASRC for review and consideration of action.

   1. Failure to successfully remediate a SCPE will result in:

      1. Receipt of a failing grade for the associated SCPE

      2. Academic dismissal from the program 

*Students on academic and/or non-academic probation in the clinical phase of education, will be restricted from participating in any SCPEs outside of the continental USA. This measure is intended to ensure close monitoring of the students’ academic and professional performance for the remainder of the clinical year.

DECELERATION 

The BU PA Program curriculum is designed to be delivered on a full-time basis to students in a cohort. The program must be completed on a full-time basis and students are not eligible to opt into deceleration. Program policies may result in program-required deceleration for an approved leave of absence as outlined below. 

LEAVE OF ABSENCE  

Students seeking a leave of absence from the BU PA Program must submit a written request to the Academic Support and Remediation Committee and the program director to obtain permission. Acceptable leave of absence requests are considered for personal, financial, or medical reasons and are not typically granted for academic reasons.  

Didactic Phase: 

For students requesting a leave of absence during the didactic year, the ASRC will make a recommendation to the program director, who makes the final decision regarding whether the leave of absence should be approved and the contingencies of returning to the program if approved. Students will either be required to rejoin the program in January with the next cohort or after the semester they most successfully completed with the next cohort.  

Clinical Phase: 

For students requesting a leave of absence during the clinical year, the ASRC will make a recommendation to the program director, who makes the final decision regarding whether the leave of absence should be approved and the contingencies of returning to the program if approved. Students will return to the program within one (1) year from the date their leave of absence commenced.   

Additional Considerations: 

1. A leave of absence may be no more than one (1) year in length. Anyone requiring longer than one year will have to reapply for the program, and their application will be treated in the same manner as all other applicants at that time.

2. A leave of absence will delay program completion, graduation, and registration for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE).

3. If the leave of absence is granted, a date will be established by which the student must notify the program of their intent to resume the program.

   1. Any student granted a leave of absence for a medical reason should be prepared to provide supporting documentation to BU health services if asked. 

   2. A student with a leave of absence must handle all financial aid documents with the financial aid office and complete all documentation required by the bursar prior to starting their leave. 

4. The ability of a student to return to the program outside of a January start will be contingent on the approval of the ARC-PA. Should the ARC-PA deny the program’s application to exceed class size, the student will be unable to continue in the program.

Return From Leave of Absence:

Students returning from a leave of absence must do so within the allotted time frame discussed with the PA program director at the time of leave of absence request unless alternative arrangements have been made with the program director. Students must follow the BU policy of not exceeding 5 years to complete their graduate education. To return to the BU PA Program, students must:

1. E-mail the program director with an intent to return letter with expected return date

   1. The PA program director will respond with an acceptance of this intent letter or denial based on individual circumstances regarding the student leave of absence. 

   2. Returning students will be given an exact return date to align with term or SCPE rotation block start dates as well as a list of courses they should register for upon return. Audit courses may be included in this list as well. 

2. Once accepted for return the student should contact the university registrar to for a  Readmit/Reentry Application for Students. 

3. Once the BU registrar confirms with the student eligibility to register for classes, the student will provide the registrar with their return date and courses for which they intend to register and/or audit. 

4. The student should then contact the university bursar to handle tuition, fees and financial aid matters.

5. If the student is returning to the PA program during the clinical phase, they must additionally contact the director of clinical education to ensure they are still in compliance with clinical site documentation, background checks, drug screens and have proper ID access to clinical sites. 

PROFESSIONALISM  

One of the goals of the BU Physician Assistant Program is to graduate healthcare providers who are clinically sound and well-respected professionals within the medical community. Professional behavior is an essential tenet of medical practice and physician assistant medical education. The BU PA Program expects professional behavior from students in both the didactic and clinical phases of education. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) identifies professionalism as professional responsibilities, ethical principles, adherence, and sensitivity to a diverse patient population. Furthermore, because our graduates will be key healthcare team members, we acknowledge that professionalism within the medical training program will further develop providers who will communicate well and respect principles of honesty, confidentiality, and respect for others and the actions of others. Therefore, BU PA students must always exhibit professional behavior in all settings. Personal appearance and behavior are reflective of BU and the chosen profession of a physician assistant. 

The following professionalism expectations are used to evaluate every student in the PA program. The program considers breaches of professional conduct to be equally important as academic deficiencies, and violations and/or concerns will be reviewed by the Academic Support and Remediation Committee and may result in disciplinary action. 

Disciplinary action will proceed as follows: 

1. Written warning and counseling from the faculty. 

2. Written warning, counseling from the didactic or clinical director, and a student self-reflection. 

3. Academic probation or non-academic probation and counseling with the program director. 

4. Dismissal from the program. 

National PA Competencies for Professionalism 

Professionalism is the expression of positive values and ideals as care is delivered. Foremost, it involves prioritizing the interests of those being served above one’s own. Physician assistants must acknowledge their professional and personal limitations. Professionalism also requires that PAs practice without impairment from substance abuse, cognitive deficiency, and/or mental illness. Physician assistants must demonstrate a high level of responsibility, ethical practice, sensitivity to a diverse patient population, and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements. Physician assistants are expected to demonstrate the following: 

• Adhere to standards of care in the role of the PA in the health care team.

• Demonstrate compassion, integrity, and respect for others, including professional relationships with all other healthcare providers.

• Demonstrate responsiveness to patient needs that supersedes self-interest.

• Show accountability to patients, society, and the PA profession.

• Demonstrate cultural humility and responsiveness to a diverse patient population, including diversity in sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, culture, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, and abilities.

• Show commitment to ethical principles pertaining to the provision or withholding of care, confidentiality, patient autonomy, informed consent, business practices, and compliance with relevant laws, policies, and regulations.

• Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning and education of students and other healthcare professionals.

• Demonstrate commitment to personal wellness and self-care that supports the provision of quality patient care.

• Exercise good judgment and fiscal responsibility when utilizing resources.

• Demonstrate flexibility and professional civility when adapting to change.

• Demonstrate self-reflection, critical curiosity, and initiative.

• Implement leadership practices and principles.

• Demonstrate effective advocacy for the PA profession in the workplace and policymaking processes. 

This was developed using the NCCPA’s Competencies for the Physician Assistant (PA) Profession, and the BU PA program uses these guidelines as a part of the student’s professional behavior expectations. 

Professionalism violations may result in the student being removed from class, being removed from clinical rotation and/or dismissal from the program. 

COMMUNICATION

All BU PA students will be assigned a BU email address. Important programmatic information and correspondence with students will occur frequently through email. The Bryant University PA Program will only send email notifications to each student’s official Bryant University assigned email address.

Students are required to check their University email account at least once each morning and once each evening in both the didactic and clinical phases of the program, regardless of your geographic location. This is mandatory to ensure timely receipt of important Program updates.

PA Program Faculty and Staff respond to emails only between the hours of 8am-5pm. In the case of emergency, students are to contact program faculty or staff in person during regular hours, or via the phone numbers listed in Canvas outside of regular business hours.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE USE

The following are guidelines established by Bryant University and the PA program regarding social media and electronic device use: 

• Protect confidential, sensitive, and proprietary information. Do not post confidential or proprietary information about the university, staff, students, clinical facilities, patients/clients, or others with whom one has contact in the role of a BU P program student.

• Respect copyright and fair use. When posting, be mindful of the copyright and intellectual property rights of others and the university. For guidance, visit the University’s Library site or seek consultation through the Copyright Office, Libraries. 

• Do not use Bryant University or Physician Assistant Program marks, such as logos and graphics, on personal social media sites. Do not use Bryant University’s name to promote or disparage a product, cause, political party, or candidate for public office.

• It is expected that during lectures and clinical time, use of devices employed for social media will be used only as authorized by the faculty. If the device is combined with a cell phone, it is expected that the cell phone aspect of the device will be silenced. 

• No personal phone conversations or texting are allowed anytime in patient areas or the classroom. If the student needs to respond to an emergency text or phone call during class, the student is asked to leave the classroom and respond as deemed necessary. 

• Use of computers (iPads, Notebooks, etc.) during class shall be restricted to notetaking and classroom activities. Using these devices is distracting for the involved student and those in the immediate area/vicinity. 

• No student shall videotape and/or audiotape instructors or peers for personal or social media use without the express written permission of the faculty or fellow student. At NO time shall patients be videotaped or photographed without written permission of the patient/client and of the clinical preceptor. 

• Students must be aware of their association with Bryant University in online social networks. If identified as a student of the university, he/she must ensure their profile and related content are consistent with BU policies. Furthermore, consideration of how social media postings portray students to potential colleagues, clients, and potential employers is imperative. Any personal points of view must be identified as those of the student and clearly avoid implying or aligning those as belonging to Bryant University. 

• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines must be always observed. Identifiable information concerning patients/caregivers/clinical rotations must not be posted in any online forum, social media, or website. 

• Ultimately, the BUPA students have sole responsibility for what they post. Students must be wise about protecting themselves, others’ privacy, and confidential information. 

• Text messaging is not acceptable for communication with PA faculty or staff.  

• BU PA faculty and staff members are not permitted to extend or accept social media requests to/from PA Program students. All students are expected to review and conform to the social media policy outlined in the BU Student Handbook.

USE OF LIKENESS

Bryant University and PA Program maintain an active marketing campaign, a website, as well as a social media presence. This is beneficial to the program and helps keep our clinical partners actively aware of what we do. As part of this practice we frequently collect material relevant to the program for publication. This may involve Images of our students and faculty.

As part of the day-to-day operation of the PA Program students may be recorded on photograph, audio, or video. These images may be shared as part of the general marketing of the program. As part of attendance in the program students grant Bryant University, The PA Program, its directors, officers, employees, agents, and designees (collectively “PA Program”) non-revocable permission to capture images and likenesses in photographs, videotapes, motion pictures, recordings, or any other media (collectively “Images”).

Students acknowledge that the PA Program will own such Images and further grant the PA Program permission to copyright, display, publish, distribute, use, modify, print and reprint such Images in any manner whatsoever related to the PA Program business, including without limitation, publications, advertisements, brochures, web sites, or other electronic displays and transmissions thereof. Students waive any right to inspect or approve the use of the Image by the PA Program prior to its use. Students forever release and hold the PA Program harmless from any and all liability arising out of the use of the Images in any manner or media whatsoever, and waive any and all claims and causes of action relating to use of the Images, including without limitation, claims for invasion of privacy rights or publicity.

Students may opt out of this agreement at any time by notifying the Program Manager. Once a student opts out, no Images of that student will appear in any material related to the PA Program

APPEARANCE AND ATTIRE 

Attire for the PA program is described as business casual. Clothing should allow for adequate movement and should not be tight, short, or low-cut or expose the torso with movement. This is expected in both the classroom and on clinical rotations. If the appearance standard for a clinical site is stricter than those outlined, herein, the student must adhere to that clinical site’s policy. Clothing should be clean, pressed, and in good condition without tears or holes. In addition, students should follow these guidelines:

• Hair - Hair should be neat, clean, and of a style that stays out of the face when giving patient care. Males may have beards and/or mustaches; however, these must be kept well-groomed and clean.

• Nails - Fingernails should be short enough so that they will not injure patients. For clinical settings, clear or light colored nail polish may be worn but must be kept neat in appearance. Artificial nails of any type are not allowed in clinical settings.

• Jewelry - Watches, wedding rings, and earrings are permissible. Students must avoid wearing excessive bracelets or necklaces that may be distracting in lectures or clinical settings.

• Odors - Perfumes, colognes, lotions, smoke, and deodorants with heavy scents are not permitted.

• Piercings & Tattoos - Ear and nostril piercings are acceptable during the didactic year. However, it should be left to the discretion of clinical sites to set appearance standards for piercings during the clinical year. No earlobe expanders are allowed.Tattoos should be covered with appropriate attire in the clinical setting when possible.

• Shoes/Socks - Acceptable shoe styles include oxfords, lace-ups, loafers, clogs, boots, flats, sandals, and moderate heels. Flashy athletic shoes, flip-flops, or slippers are not acceptable.

• Shirts - Unacceptable shirts include tee shirts, tank tops, spaghetti strap blouses, shirts exposing midriff, shirts with slogans, sweatshirts, and hoodies.

• Bottoms - Unacceptable bottoms include denim jeans, cargo pants, pants with holes or rips, shorts of any type, sweatpants, exercise pants, leggings without skirts or dresses, mini-skirts, skorts, and sundresses. Skirts and dresses should be no more than three inches above the knee.

• Identification - Students will be issued a BU Student ID, which must be worn and prominently displayed at all times in their role as a student of the PA program. This includes on and off-campus activities related to their training and education as a student.

• Scrubs – Students are allowed to wear BU PA program scrubs only on dates and times as assigned by course directors or the program director. These will be provided by the PA program. 

Clinical supervisors, preceptors, and/or physician assistant faculty reserve the right to dismiss any student they believe is not appropriately attired from a clinical or educational site. Such action will be reviewed by the Academic Support and Remediation Committee and may result in disciplinary action. The latter may result in requiring further professional, developmental training for the student and may also interfere with graduation in a timely manner or even completion of the program. 

Laboratory Settings 

Courses which include a laboratory component, such as Human Anatomy, Patient Assessment and Diagnostic Methods and Clinical Year Prep, will have specific guidelines for attire and appearance in their respective course syllabi. Such course requirements will have precedence over the policies noted above but not replace them. 

Clinical Settings 

Students must be clearly identified as Physician Assistant students in all clinical settings. They are to be clearly distinguished from other health profession students and practitioners. In medical settings, students must ALWAYS introduce themselves to patients, patient family members, clinical site staff, and others by stating their full name and position title – “Physician Assistant Student.”  Students will wear a short white lab coat embroidered with the Bryant University PA Program logo during all assigned rotation activities unless otherwise directed by the clinical preceptor. Students must also wear either their BU Student ID badge or a site-issued badge for each rotation.

STUDENT ATTENDANCE 

Consistent attendance, punctuality, and class participation also reflect a student’s professionalism and are considered academic standards. Attendance is required for all program lectures, activities, and clinical rotations for the PA Program at Bryant University. Repeated tardiness, excessive absences ( see below “Didactic Phase Attendance”)  and unreported absences may result in make-up days, failed or incomplete courses or rotations, a delay in completion of the program, or other disciplinary action which may include dismissal from the program. 

Didactic Phase Attendance

Students may accrue no more than one (1) pre-approved time off class day absence per term during the didactic phase of the program. Illness that results in missing more than one consecutive day (this includes missing a Friday followed by a Monday), must provide a clinician note indicating illness and excuse from school. Illness that results in more than one absence per term will not be considered excused unless accompanied by a clinician note. 

Pre-approved class day absences will NOT be granted for exam days, Objective Structured 

Clinical Examination (OSCE) days and mandatory program events. Religious and non-religious holidays are not exempt from this policy.  

All missed class material is the responsibility of the student and the student must work with each course instructor to ensure assignments, quizzes and exams are completed in a timely fashion.

In a single term, more than 2 days off (pre-approved time off and/or illness) and more than 5 unexcused absences in the didactic phase (terms 1-5) may result in non-academic probation, deceleration, or dismissal as determined by the program.

If it is anticipated that a medical condition may result in the need for more than 1 day off per term, it is the student’s responsibility to reach out to the Office of Accessibility to determine if accommodations are necessary. 

Clinical Phase Attendance

Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs) vary in start times, duration, end times, and call requirements. Students are expected to be present during all days and times a scheduled rotation is open, or as outlined by the preceptor. Students must attain at least an average of 30 hours per week of clinical time. Students should never decline to work outside of normal work times, weekends, nights, and on call if that is part of the rotation. There is no maximum number of hours a PA Student may work.

Students are prohibited from requesting time off from preceptors during a rotation. In the event a student will be absent from a program activity, they must notify the BU PA program coordinator or director of clinical education by phone or voicemail as soon as possible by calling (401)- 232-6556. The program will review all events of student absence to determine whether the absence will be excused.

Students may accrue no more than one (1) pre-approved rotation day absence per term during the clinical phase of the program. Illness that results in missing more than one consecutive day (this includes missing a Friday followed by a Monday), must provide a clinician note indicating illness and excuse from rotation. For the clinical phase, each term is composed of 3 rotation blocks.

Pre-approved rotation day absences will NOT be granted for EOR days, OSCE days and mandatory program events.

Missed rotation time is the responsibility of the student to make up prior to the completion of the rotation. If the student is unable to do so, then the requirements for SCPE completion have NOT been met and the student may be required to repeat the rotation.

More than 1 absence per term will result in a course professionalism grade reduction, mandatory remediation, nonacademic probation, deceleration, or dismissal as determined by the program.

If a student fails to meet the attendance requirements of the rotation, the student will be required to repeat the entire rotation. This will delay graduation and additional costs will be incurred by the student to account for the need of an additional rotation.  

Protocol for reporting an unexpected absence: 

• Any student missing a clinical day for unexpected events (e.g., illness) must notify the clinical preceptor of the absence as soon as possible on the day of absence. 

• The student will make every reasonable effort to contact the clinical preceptor or the clinical site to confirm the message is received and the expected return date. 

• The student must also notify the director of clinical education (DCE) on the day of absence. 

• An Absence Report Form must be submitted to the DCE within two (2) business days following the return from the unanticipated absence. 

Protocol for reporting an expected absence: 

• If aware of the absence in advance, students are required to notify the DCE at their earliest opportunity in advance of the absence by submitting an Absence Report Form.

• Once the DCE signs the Absence Report Form, the student must then take the form to their clinical preceptor for approval. 

• Once the preceptor signs, the student will return the form to the DCE, where it will be placed in the student’s file. 

Consequences for non-compliance: 

1. First failure to notify the director of clinical education and/or preceptor of absence: * 

   1. A written professionalism warning will be issued. 

   2. Counseling session with the DCE to address concerns and develop strategies for improvement.  

2. Subsequent failures to notify the director of clinical education and/or preceptor of absence: * 

   1. Academic probation status will be assigned. 

   2. Counseling session with the program director to discuss the implications of academic probation and develop a plan for improvement. 

3. Failure to attend Call-Back Days (CBD), exam days, OSCEs or Summative Evaluation: * 

   1. Extenuating circumstances that may warrant an absence from CBDs, exam days, OSCEs or summative evaluation will be considered by the director of didactic education or the director of clinical education and program director on a case-by-case basis. 

   2. If a student is absent without extenuating circumstances, or the circumstances are not approved, the student will receive a zero (0) for the activity, non-academic probation, and consideration for dismissal from the PA program by the ASRC. The decision for dismissal will be made after a thorough review by the ASRC, considering the student’s overall academic performance, professional conduct, and efforts to remedy attendance issues. 

* Additional work may be required to meet specific time requirements for the rotation. Students may be required to make up shifts due to absences, which may delay graduation. 

Process: 

1. Documentation:

   1. The preceptor evaluation of the student encourages preceptors to document any absence of the PA student during a rotation. 

   2. Instances of non-compliance with the attendance policy will be documented and communicated to the DCE. 

2. Notification:

   1. Students will be promptly notified of attendance concerns, warnings, and the initiation of academic probation.

3. Counseling:

   1. Counseling sessions will be conducted with the aim of understanding the root causes of attendance issues and collaboratively developing strategies for improvement. 

Inclement Weather  

In severe weather conditions, students should listen to local radio and television news for closing announcements. This information is also posted on the BU website. The BU Emergency Alert System is also used to notify all students, faculty, and staff of university emergencies, including weather-related incidents. The PA program abides by university closing decisions made by BU administrators. Official school holidays and campus closures for inclement weather do not apply to students on supervised clinical education experiences (SCPEs). The attendance needs of the SCPE site supersede the traditional school holiday schedule. If the SCPE site is open and the preceptor is working during school holidays or days that the school is closed for inclement weather, the student is expected to report to the site unless other arrangements have been made with the director of clinical education. 

Students in the clinical phase of the program should exercise reasonable judgment, especially given the potential for considerable geographic distance from campus with dramatically different circumstances. If the facility the student is assigned for the specific rotation is closed, the student will not report to that site for the day(s) closed and must, on the same date as the closing, notify the director of clinical education of the business closing.

ADVERSE ACADEMIC ACTIONS 

Incomplete Grades 

The temporary grade of “I” can only be awarded in cases where a student has completed and passed the majority of the work required for a course but, for reasons beyond the student’s control, the entirety of the coursework cannot be completed in the timeframe of the term enrolled.

Incomplete grades are awarded at the discretion of the course director. Incomplete grades should only be assigned when, in the course director’s judgment, it is feasible for the student to complete the coursework while not enrolled and without attending additional class meetings to complete course requirements. The course director will determine the length of time a student will have to complete the required coursework, not to exceed 30 business days. An Incomplete will not be given as a substitute for a failing grade or because a student failed to complete assignments over the course of the academic term. To award a grade of “Incomplete,” a course director corresponds with the Office of the Registrar to assign this grade. 

A grade of "I" will be factored into a student's grade point average with hours carried and no quality points. If the student fails to complete the required coursework in the time allotted, the grade of “I” will convert to an “F” and will be on the transcript permanently. Failing a course is grounds for program dismissal. 

Withdrawal by Request of the Student  

Students may initiate a voluntary withdrawal from the program at any time by writing a formal letter of resignation to the program director.  It is recommended that students meet with their academic advisor and program director before initiating the withdrawal process. 

To officially withdraw from BU, a Withdrawal Form must be completed online. The form is found in the student section of the banner along with instructions for submission of the form. The Office of the Registrar will process the withdrawal and remove the student from any current and/or future enrollments once the appropriate paperwork is fully executed and submitted. Such students are responsible for tuition and fees according to the Tuition and Fees Policy, which can be found on the BU PA program website. Note that all financial and university property obligations must be satisfied to prevent “holds” from being placed against the student’s academic records. Such holds normally prevent transcript requests from being processed and can prevent future registration for classes.  

BU will request student input regarding reasons for withdrawal, including any problems that may have caused the withdrawal decision. Students may be contacted as part of an effort to improve student services. Due to the nature of the PA program, withdrawal from an individual course will not be permitted because it does not meet the program's outlined progression requirements described above. 

Withdrawal by Request of the Program 

Bryant University reserves the right to require the withdrawal of a student whose conduct, general attitude, and/or influence is considered harmful to the university. Such administrative withdrawals or suspensions are handled through the program director, the Directors of the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, and the Provost. 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY 

“Academic Dishonesty” is the transfer, receipt, or use of academic information, or the attempted transfer, receipt, or use of academic information in a manner not authorized by the instructor or by university rules. It includes, but is not limited to, cheating and plagiarism as well as aiding or encouraging another to commit academic dishonesty.  

“Cheating” is defined as wrongfully giving, taking, or presenting any information or material borrowed from another source, including the Internet, by a student with the intent of aiding himself/herself or another in academic work. This includes, but is not limited to a test, examination, presentation, experiment, or any written assignment which is considered in any way in the determination of the final grade. 

“Plagiarism” is the taking or attempted taking of an idea, a writing, a graphic, music composition, art or datum of another without giving proper credit and presenting or attempting to present it as one’s own. It is also taking written materials of one’s own that have been used for a previous course assignment and using it without reference to it in its original form. 

Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism include but is not limited to:

• Submitting an assignment that has been wholly or partially created by another person.

• Presenting as your own work, the ideas, representations, research, or words of another person without proper acknowledgement (citation) of sources.

• Use of generative artificial intelligence such as ChatGPT without explicit permission of instructor

• Knowingly permitting your work to be submitted by another student as if it were her or his own work.

• Submitting identically, or substantially, the same assignment to fulfill the requirements of two separate courses.

• Copying from another student's examination, term paper, homework, or lab report.

• Misappropriation of examination materials or information.

• Unauthorized communication with another student during or about quizzes.

• Unauthorized access to or the use of the computerized work of others.

• Falsification of data for research projects.

• Turning in another student’s name on an assignment when the student failed to contribute

Violations of this policy will result in academic discipline, up to and including expulsion from the University. Since physician assistant students will be making decisions as future licensed professionals that affect their patients’ lives, foundational ethical integrity is a core principle of the program. The BU PA program is committed to a zero-tolerance policy for any academic dishonesty and/or ethical infractions. 

When a problem related to the above cannot be resolved at the program level, the Program Director will determine if the offense should be forwarded to the University Provost, Department of Public Safety or other applicable department for investigation. The student will also be referred to the Academic Support and Remediation Committee (ASRC). This office will review the case and make a determination that could include probation, suspension, or dismissal from the program and university. Probation, suspension or dismissal decisions may be appealed to the Office of the Provost.

Procedure for Reporting an Academic Integrity Violation: 

1. It is the responsibility of the course director to certify that academic assignments are independently mastered sufficiently to merit course credit. The responsibility of the student is to independently master academic assignments, refrain from acts of academic dishonesty, and refuse to aid or tolerate the academic dishonesty of others.  

2. If an instructor or course director determines that the student is guilty of academic dishonesty, the course director must discuss the matter with the student. The course director then completes the Academic Violation Form, which should include evidence and other necessary documentation, and submits it to the Academic Support and Remediation Committee (ASRC). The ASRC will determine the appropriate penalty: either a grade of zero (0) on the assignment in question, academic probation status assigned or a grade of F in the course, which would result in dismissal from the PA program. The student will designate whether he/she accepts the penalty for the violation of the dishonesty policy or wishes to appeal the instructor's decision. If a student elects to appeal, the appeal due date line must be completed on the Academic Violation Form. (See the Appeals section below for more information regarding the appeals process).  

3. Upon completion of the academic integrity violation investigation, the course director forwards the Academic Violation Form to the Registrar's Office for placement in the student's permanent record. The student is then permanently disbarred from membership in any honorary society and is permanently ineligible for any BU honor list, pi alpha induction and international rotations. The Registrar will forward copies of the Academic Violation Form to the student, the faculty member, the program director, and the Director of the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences. Not appealing when the form is first completed or by the appeal due date will be taken as an admission of guilt, except under compelling circumstances to be determined at the sole discretion of the Provost.  

4. A second violation of the Academic Integrity Policy will result in dismissal from the program. There is no appeal process for a second violation of this policy. 

The PA Program follows the BU policies for academic integrity.

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONALISM GRIEVANCES 

Procedures for PA Students Appealing Course Grades

Didactic Grades  

1. The first level of appeal for a student who is dissatisfied with a grade received is to the course director assigning the grade. The student should contact the course director to explain the basis of dissatisfaction, and the instructor should explain the basis for the grade. This meeting should be face-to-face; however, the course director may allow other forms of communication (via telephone or email). The student must request this interview in writing to the course director within two (2) days of the posting of the final grade. Once the faculty member has received the request, the interview (or other communication) must be scheduled within seven (7) days of the student’s request. 

   1. Failure by the faculty member to respond to the student's request within the established time will be considered a violation of the university policy.

   2. Failure of the student to appear at the scheduled interview ends the appeals procedure. 

   3. If the student has not been contacted by the course director within 30 days of mailing the appeal, the student should file the appeal directly with the director of didactic education or the director of clinical education.  

2. If the student wishing to appeal a final course grade is still dissatisfied after an interview (or other agreed-upon communication) with the professor, the student should then submit a written statement to the program director within two (2) days of the interview. This should contain the reasons for dissatisfaction and the specific changes the student regards as fair and desirable.The burden of proof lies with the student in such a case to show that an error or malfeasance has occurred. 

   1. Within seven (7) days of receiving the written appeal, the program director will notify the professor, the student, and the Registrar of the program director’s decision. 

   2. When, in the opinion of the program director, the student fails to show reasonable cause for further investigation, the program director may deny the appeal and promptly notify the student without taking further action. 

   3. When, in the opinion of the program director, a student's appeal raises reasonable doubt as to whether a mistake or malfeasance has occurred, the program director shall appoint, within seven (7) days, an ad hoc review committee of three (3) faculty members whom the program director considers most nearly competent in the subject matter. This committee will meet and issue a decision in writing to the program director, professor, and student within seven (7) days of the request. Both the course director and student should be asked to bind themselves in advance to accept the committee's decision. 

3. If the student files the initial request at a time other than during a major term and if the course director or program director is not available during that time, all the foregoing time requirements will begin with the first day of class in the next major term. In extreme or unusual circumstances regarding the timeliness of the appeals process, the Director of the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences will make the final determination.

All documentation regarding appeals will be maintained in the student’s academic file. 

Clinical Grades 

Clinical year grades consist of EOR grades, preceptor grades on student performance and SCPE deliverables. This section on clinical year grades discusses the appeal process for preceptor grade of student performance on SCPEs. EOR grades are not subject to appeal since these are standardized tests developed by PAEA and utilized by PA programs nationally. There is no appeal process for failing SCPE deliverable grades. 

It is important to note that students may receive a clinical course (SCPE) failing grade due to failing preceptor score and/or failing EOR score. Both can result in clinical course failure. The following appeal process applies to SCPE course failures as a result of receipt of a failing preceptor grade. 

1. The first level of appeal for a student who receives a failing SCPE grade is the Automatic Review by the Director of Clinical Education on behalf of the student. 

   1. The Director of Clinical Education will:

      1. Immediately initiate contact with the preceptor to review the evaluation and appeal the grade on the student's behalf. This includes requesting clarification or reconsideration of the grade based on available documentation, student performance data, and rotation feedback.

      2. If the preceptor is unwilling to amend the grade, the original failing evaluation will remain in place.

      3. At the completion of the Automatic Review, the student will be scheduled for a formal meeting where they will be asked to sign a written notification of the failing grade.

      4. During the Automatic Review process, the student will be expected to take their associated SCPE EOR and progress in the program until informed otherwise by the ASRC. 

      5. The student has the option to accept the final grade as a result of the Automatic Review process or move forward with a Student Initiated Appeal.

2. The second level of appeal for students dissatisfied with the Automatic Review process is the Student-Initiated Appeal. 

   1. The student should submit a written statement to the ASRC program within two (2) days of receipt of the results of the Automatic Review process results if intending to appeal the grade. 

      1. The written appeal must include:

         1. Student’s full name, Banner ID#, email address, and phone number

         2. A detailed explanation of the concern with the preceptor evaluation. This should contain the reasons for dissatisfaction and the specific changes the student regards as fair and desirable.The burden of proof lies with the student in such a case to show that an error or malfeasance has occurred. 

         3. Any supporting documentation relevant to the appeal

      2. Once the ASRC has received the appeal request, the appeal decision must be determined within seven (7) business days of the student’s request. 

   2. Failure by the faculty member to respond to the student's request within the established time will be considered a violation of the university policy.

   3. Failure of the student to submit an appeal in the allocated time ends the appeals procedure. 

   4. At the conclusion of the appeal process, the student may choose to accept the grade with associated recommendation plans from the ASRC, (which may include SCPE repeat or academic dismissal from the program) or proceed to the Final Appeal process. 

3. A Final Appeal may be filed at the discretion of the student if they are dissatisfied with the results of the Student-Initiated Appeal. 

   1. In advance of this appeal, the student and the ASRC both agree to bind themselves to accept the final appeal decision by the program director and SHBS directors and this will serve as the final course and/or grade appeal. 

   2. The student should submit a written statement to the program director and directors of SHBS within two (2) days of receipt of the results of the Student-Initiated appeal results if intending to appeal the grade. 

      1. The written appeal must include:

         1. Student’s full name, Banner ID#, email address, and phone number

         2. A detailed explanation of the concern with the preceptor evaluation. This should contain the reasons for dissatisfaction and the specific changes the student regards as fair and desirable.The burden of proof lies with the student in such a case to show that an error or malfeasance has occurred. 

         3. Any supporting documentation relevant to the appeal

   3. The program director/SHBS directors will review the appeal and supporting materials, which may include:

      1. Student’s formal written appeal 

      2. Student’s rotation evaluations

      3. Communication records

      4. Feedback from the preceptor and Director of Clinical Education 

      5. Appeal decisions from the Automatic Review process and the Student-Initiated appeal. 

   4. Once the program director and SHBS directors have received the appeal request, the appeal decision must be determined within seven (7) business days of the student’s request. 

   5. The student will be informed of the final appeal decision within one (1) business day of the final decision. No further appeals will be granted. The student must then accept the grade with associated recommendations by the ASRC, (which may include SCPE repeat or academic dismissal from the program). 

4. If the student files the initial request at a time other than during a major term and if the course director or program director is not available during that time, all the foregoing time requirements will begin with the first day of class in the next major term. In extreme or unusual circumstances regarding the timeliness of the appeals process, the Director of the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences will make the final determination.

Students must continue to fulfill all clinical responsibilities during the appeal process. Participation in clinical activities during the appeal does not imply reinstatement or reversal of academic standing. If the appeal is denied, the student’s clinical course failure will be applied retroactively. Any missed time or duties will be addressed according to the program's clinical attendance and professionalism policies.

During the appeal process, students are strictly prohibited from initiating contact with their preceptor regarding a grade dispute. Doing so will be considered a breach of professional conduct and may result in disciplinary action and/or automatic dismissal from the program.

All documentation regarding appeals will be maintained in the student’s academic file. 

Procedures for Appealing Academic Integrity Violation 

1. The student who wishes to appeal an academic integrity violation should submit his/her appeal in writing to the program director by the appeal due date indicated on the Academic Violation Form, which is within two (2) regularly scheduled class days after the completion date of the Academic Violation Form. This statement should contain the reasons for which the student is appealing to the professor who completed the form’s decision. The burden of proof lies with the student in such a case to show that an error or malfeasance has occurred. Within seven (7) regularly scheduled class days of receiving the written appeal, the program director will notify in writing both the professor and the student of the decision. If the program director is the one who files the Academic Violation Form, then the student must appeal to the Director of the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences.  

2. When, in the opinion of the program director, the student fails to show reasonable cause for further investigation, the program director may deny the appeal without taking further action. When, in the opinion of the program director, a student's appeal raises a reasonable doubt as to whether a mistake or malfeasance has occurred, the program director will meet with the professor and with the student and render a decision within seven (7) regularly scheduled class days of the receipt of the appeal. If the decision favors granting the student's appeal, the program director may request that the Registrar remove the Academic Violation Form from the student's record.The program director will notify both the student and the professor of this action.  

3. Any student who has exhausted the remedies under the procedures outlined above may appeal the entire matter to the Academic Integrity Board in writing within two (2) regularly scheduled class days of receiving the response from the program director. 

   1. Upon receipt of the appeal, the Academic Integrity Board will review the matter and issue a decision. The Academic Integrity Board has the authority to sustain the instructor’s decision, overturn the instructor’s finding of Academic Integrity violation and/or penalty or impose additional sanctions beyond those imposed by the instructor, including, but not limited to, placing the student on probationary status, or recommending to the Provost that the student be suspended or dismissed from the university.

   2. A decision reached at an Academic Integrity Board hearing may be appealed by the student(s) to the Provost within five (5) business days of the decision. Such appeals shall be in writing. 

      1. Unless the appeal is on the basis of new information, an appeal shall be limited to a review of the hearing and supporting documents for one or more of the following purposes:

         1. To determine whether the Academic Integrity Board Hearing was conducted fairly in light of the violations and information presented, and in conformity with prescribed procedures. Deviations from designated procedures will not be a basis for sustaining an appeal unless significant prejudice results.

         2. To determine whether the sanction(s) imposed were appropriate for the academic integrity violation which the student was found to have committed.

         3. To consider new information, sufficient to alter a decision or other relevant facts not brought out in the original hearing, because such information and/or facts were not known to the person appealing at the time of the original hearing.

      2. If an appeal is granted by the Provost, he or she has the right to make the following decisions based on the appeal hearing:

         1. to accept and enforce the original sanction given to the accused student

         2. to make the original sanction more stringent

         3. to lower or lessen the original sanctions

         4. order a new hearing for the accused

      3. The Provost shall notify the student and the Academic Integrity Board in writing of his or her final decision within five (5) business days of receiving the student appeal request unless special circumstances make that impossible.

Procedures for Appealing a Professionalism Violation 

Didactic phase 

1. The student who wishes to appeal a professionalism violation should submit his/her appeal in writing to the program director within two (2) regularly scheduled class days.This statement should contain the reason(s) why the student is appealing the professionalism violation.The burden of proof lies with the student in such a case to show that an error or malfeasance has occurred. Within seven (7) regularly scheduled class days of receiving the written appeal, the program director will notify both the instructor and the student of the decision in writing. If the program director is the one who issues the violation, then the student must appeal to the Director of the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences.   

1. When, in the sole opinion of the program director, the student fails to show reasonable cause for further investigation, the program director may deny the appeal without taking further action. When, in the opinion of the program director, a student's appeal raises a reasonable doubt as to whether a mistake or malfeasance has occurred, the program director will meet with the instructor and with the student and render a decision within seven (7) regularly scheduled class days of the receipt of the appeal. If the decision favors granting the student's appeal, the program director may request that the violation be removed from the student's record. The program director will notify both the student and the professor of this action.  

Clinical Phase 

1. The student who wishes to appeal a professionalism violation should submit his/her appeal in writing to the program director and director of clinical education within two (2) regularly scheduled class days.This statement should contain the reason(s) why the student is appealing the professionalism violation.The burden of proof lies with the student in such a case to show that an error or malfeasance has occurred. Within seven (7) regularly scheduled class days of receiving the written appeal, the program director will notify both the instructor and the student of the decision in writing. If the program director is the one who issues the violation, then the student must appeal to the Director of the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences.   

1. When, in the sole opinion of the program director, the student fails to show reasonable cause for further investigation, the program director may deny the appeal without taking further action. When, in the opinion of the program director, a student's appeal raises a reasonable doubt as to whether a mistake or malfeasance has occurred, the program director will meet with the preceptor, director of clinical education and with the student and render a decision within seven (7) regularly scheduled class days of the receipt of the appeal. If the decision favors granting the student's appeal, the program director may request that the violation be removed from the student's record. The program director will notify both the student and the director of clinical education of this action.  

Note: During the appeals process, the student may continue to attend the class in which the violation occurred.

POLICY No. PAS 003: ADVISEMENT POLICY  

Because the PA program curriculum is delivered in a lock-step fashion, the role of the advisor will not involve helping students design their educational plan in the academic year. All BU PA students are assigned an academic advisor on the first day of enrollment. The advisor is a PA program faculty member. A formal advising session between a student and their advisor must occur at least once during each term of the didactic curriculum and at least twice during the clinical phase.The focus of the faculty advisor is to support the student’s academic and professional success and personal well-being. Topics of discussion at formal advising sessions should include but are not limited to the student’s academic progress, overall GPA, and test-taking issues. Faculty advisors are to be available outside regularly scheduled meeting times when student needs arise that may affect their academic performance. Faculty advisors must complete the Student Advising Form for formal individual advising sessions. Academic advising is an ongoing educational process that connects the student to the university. Academic advisors serve as mentors who represent and interpret university policies and procedures for students while helping them navigate the academic and organizational paths of the institution.

POLICY No. PAS 004: STUDENT EMPLOYMENT POLICY 

The Bryant University Physician Assistant program does not allow students to work for the PA program in a paid or volunteer capacity under any circumstances.The PA program does not allow students to substitute for or function as instructional faculty, regardless of their prior knowledge, education, and/or experience(s). 

Students are not to be the primary instructor or instructor of record for any component of the curriculum under any circumstances. During clinical rotations, students will not be used to substitute for regular clinical or administrative staff under any circumstances. If a student is asked to substitute for a staff person on a clinical rotation, he or she must contact the director of clinical education within one (1) calendar day of the event. Information collected will be presented to the Curriculum Committee and/or the program director to determine the suitability of continued use of the site/preceptor. This committee may consider the following actions if a concern arises: conduct a site visit prior to the next student experience at the site or with the preceptor, conduct a site visit in conjunction with the next student placement, communicate with the preceptor and/or office manager, or remove the clinical site or preceptor from program use. 

The assignment of preceptors will be modified as necessary to ensure the expected learning outcomes will be met by each student by program completion. The PA Program strongly discourages any form of employment while enrolled as a PA student. This intensive graduate level training requires full-time attendance during the didactic and clinical years. Outside work obligations will not be considered an acceptable excuse for poor performance or absence from any scheduled course activities. 

POLICY No. PAS 005: STUDENT EXPOSURE TO INFECTIOUS AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS POLICY 

The policy of the Bryant University Physician Assistant Program is to follow guidelines made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding exposure to infectious and environmental hazards. The policy below describes preventive measures, the procedure for care after exposure and financial responsibility of the student.  

Procedures for care and treatment after exposure

Exposure to bloodborne pathogens and hazardous substances is a risk accepted by all healthcare providers and students training to become healthcare providers.The program will provide specific training on infectious and environmental hazards before any educational activities that would place students at risk for potential exposure. During the clinical phase, students will familiarize themselves with each clinical site’s specific policies regarding standard precautions. When injury or hazardous exposure to chemical agents, blood, or body fluids occurs, either in the laboratory or in the clinical setting, the incident must be immediately reported to the appropriate person following the completion of initial first aid safety procedures. Failure to report an accident or injury promptly may be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the program. 

On Campus 

• If an incident occurs in the laboratory or classroom setting, the affected student(s) will immediately notify the instructor.  

• The affected student(s) should go to the nearest urgent care or emergency room to receive an appropriate evaluation and treatment of injury, if appropriate. Associated medical triage and care not covered by the BU health insurance plan is the financial responsibility of the affected student(s). 

• All exposure incidents should subsequently be reported to the director of didactic education by submitting an Incident Report Form within 48 hours of the event.  

Off-Campus 

• If an incident occurs at a clinical training site, the affected student(s) will notify the designated clinical preceptor immediately. 

• The student will follow each clinical site’s exposure protocol and seek evaluation and treatment based on that site’s protocol for dealing with injuries and/or exposures. 

• If the clinical site lacks such protocol, treatment should be sought in the nearest emergency department determined by the student and clinical preceptor to receive an appropriate evaluation and treatment of injury if appropriate. Associated medical triage and care not covered by the BU health insurance plan is the financial responsibility of the affected student(s). 

• Subsequently, the student must report all incidents to the director of clinical education by submitting an Incident Report Form within 48 hours of the event.

In the case of an emergency, call 911 for rapid treatment and transport to the nearest emergency room whether the incident occurred on or off campus.

PREVENTION - STANDARD PRECAUTIONS 

Standard precaution practices are designed to protect healthcare professionals and reduce the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and hazardous substances from recognized and unrecognized sources. Such precautions apply to all patient care and laboratory or clinical training experiences. The use of standard universal precautions is a mark of professionalism, and all faculty and students will utilize them in all activities that present potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens and hazardous substances. Failure to do so may be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the program. PA students should behave like any patient may have a potentially contagious disease. In doing so, a student should avoid direct contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes, non-intact skin, possibly contaminated articles, and/or any other reasonable hazard source. A student should avoid direct contact with an injury from all sharps and dispose of them in designated puncture resistant containers directly after use. 

Hand Hygiene According to the CDC, hand hygiene is a general term that includes handwashing, antiseptic handwash, alcohol-based hand rub, and/or surgical hand hygiene/antisepsis. Hand hygiene is crucial in reducing the risk of transmitting infectious agents. Students should practice hand hygiene frequently and thoroughly in all potential exposure situations, including but not limited to immediately before touching a patient, before performing an aseptic task, before moving from work on a soiled body site to a clean body site on the same patient; after touching a patient or the patient’s immediate environment; after contact with blood, body fluids or contaminated surfaces; and immediately after glove removal. Hand hygiene includes the use of soap and water as well as approved alcohol-based or chemical products for hand disinfection. CDC guidelines recommend using an alcohol-based hand rub for hand hygiene unless hands are visibly dirty, contaminated, or soiled when washing with soap and water are preferred. If hands are visibly soiled or come in direct contact with blood, bodily fluids, secretions, excretions, contaminated articles, or after caring for patients with known or suspected infectious diarrhea, soap and water should be used immediately. 

Personal Protective Equipment Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) should be put on before patient care whenever risk of exposure is present, depending on job duties. Protective apparel should not be worn from one patient or activity to another and should be properly removed and disposed of after each use, including between patients.The use of PPE is to protect skin and mucous membranes, especially the eyes, nose, and mouth.Types of PPE in healthcare include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Gloves – protect hands and allow efficient removal of organisms from hands.  

• Gowns and Aprons – protect skin and clothing. 

• Face masks – protect mucous membranes of mouth and nose. 

• Respirators – prevent inhalation of infectious material.  

• Goggles – protect eyes. 

• Face shields – protect mucous membranes of the face, mouth, nose, and eyes

Gloves should be used when handling potentially infectious materials, including but not limited to blood, bodily fluids, secretions, and/or excretions, and when touching mucous membranes, non-intact skin, body orifices, or contaminated articles or equipment. Gloves are to be removed and disposed of after each use. 

Masks, gowns or aprons, goggles, and/or face shields should be worn for procedures and patient-care activities reasonably likely to generate splashes or sprays of bodily fluids or other hazardous material exposure and when anticipated procedures and/or activities can be reasonably expected to potentially cause contact of provider clothing and/or exposed skin and/or mucous membranes with blood, bodily fluids, secretions,  excretions, and/or other potentially infectious materials. 

Immediately after removing PPE, such materials should be properly disposed of, and hand hygiene should be performed. 

Needles and Other Sharps 

• Do not recap, bend, or hand-manipulate used needles. 

• Use safety resources when available, such as self-sheathing needles and/or needleless systems. All needles and other sharps must be placed in a puncture-resistant container as soon as possible after use. 

Safe Handling of Possible Contaminated Articles or Surfaces 

• All patient-care equipment, textiles, and laundry should be handled in a manner that prevents the transfer of microorganisms to others and the environment; perform hand hygiene after handling. 

• Dispose of or clean all contaminated articles, equipment, and materials in a safe manner as prescribed by law and university and/or clinical site policy. 

• In all areas where patient care is performed, cleaning and disinfection will occur after every activity, especially but not limited to between patients.

Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette 

• When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or use the crook of the elbow.

• Use and dispose of tissues properly. 

• Perform hand hygiene directly after hands have contact with respiratory secretions. Consider using a mask or respirator to prevent aerosol spread. 

• Sit as far away from others as possible when coughing or sneezing. 

The standard precautions outlined above are based on standard guidelines provided by the CDC and OSHA.

POLICY No. PAS 006: STUDENT HEALTH POLICY 

Health insurance and financial responsibility  

The principal faculty, the program director, and the medical director WILL NOT participate as healthcare providers for students enrolled in the program except in an emergency. Bryant University offers student health insurance for PA students and students may elect to opt out of this insurance if they have alternative comparable health insurance. A waiver must be completed and submitted to University Health Plans. The financial burden of university provided health insurance is the sole responsibility of the student. Payment for medical evaluation, treatment, and care is the responsibility of the student and their insurance carrier for any exposure or injuries that may occur while in the program.

Student health records and immunizations 

The PA program will collaborate with BU Student Health Services to record and certify student health records required for the program, which includes, but is not limited to health screening forms and immunization status. BU Student Health Services will notify the program of the up-to-date status of each student’s immunizations. All forms and health records must be submitted by the student to BU Student Health Services and not to the BU PA program. The PA program requires students to sign a release form allowing BU to provide preceptors with the status or results of immunizations, TB screenings, drug screenings, background checks, and other necessary documentation.This release form and documentation that the student has met program health screening and immunization requirements will be maintained in the student’s file. This policy for students’ immunization and health screening requirements is based on the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for healthcare workers and specific state of Rhode Island mandates. 

Each student is required to complete the following immunization requirements listed below before enrollment. Failure to comply with the following requirements may delay entry into the program or prevent a student from progressing in the program. Students assume the sole responsibility for the cost of all healthcare services they may require while enrolled in the program, even when adhering to policy requirements.   

Immunizations & Tests: Proof of each immunization must be dated and signed or stamped by a healthcare professional or office before submission to the BU Student Health Services. 

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR):  

• The student must provide documentation of two (2) MMR vaccines given at least 28 days apart or a positive titer showing immunity (this can be from childhood).

• Students with two (2) documented doses of MMR are not recommended to be serologically tested for immunity. However, if serological testing is completed and the student has a negative titer, the student must repeat the 2-shot series. 

Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis:  

• The student must provide documentation of a single Tdap vaccination received within the last seven (7) years. If the last vaccination is outside of the 7-year window, an updated Tdap vaccine or Td booster within the last seven (7) years must be obtained and uploaded. 

Varicella (Chicken Pox):   

• The student must provide evidence of varicella immunity in one of the following ways:  

  • Documentation of two (2) doses of varicella vaccine given at least 28 days apart (this can be from childhood) OR 

  • Laboratory evidence of immunity through a qualitative titer. 

  • Verification of history of varicella or herpes zoster by a healthcare provider. 

NOTE: If the student has a negative titer, the student will need to get two (2) doses of varicella vaccine, four (4) weeks apart, and submit all documentation

Hepatitis B:   

• The student must provide documentation of the successful completion of a Hep B vaccine series or a quantitative antibody titer proving immunity. If the titer provided is negative, the student must repeat one of the CDC-recommended vaccine series and repeat the serological testing one (1) month after the second series.  

NOTE: If the student completes six (6) doses of Hep B and two (2) titers showing no immunity, they will be considered a “non-responder and should notify the admission coordinator or clinical coordinator for program documentation. 

2-Step TB Skin (PPD) Test:  

• Before enrollment, a 2-Step PPD skin test must be completed within three (3) months of program start date. The two PPDs must be performed between 7 and 21 days of each other. A negative QuantiFERON-TB Gold may be substituted for the two-step PPD if PPD testing is not clinically indicated or contraindicated.

• Before starting the clinical year, the student must complete a 2-Step PPD assigned with an expiration date a year from the date the second test was completed. 

  • Please NOTE that many clinical sites require PPDs completed no more than 30 days before the rotation start date, so students may be required to complete additional PPD testing. 

• If the student has a history of positive PPDs, a clear chest x-ray must be completed at the start of their clinical year and again in six (6) months per clinical site requirements.  

• A negative blood test – QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) or T-SPOT® TB test (T-Spot) – will be accepted in place of a 2-Step PPD.

NOTE:  The TB blood tests are preferred for anyone who has received the TB vaccine bacillus CalmetteGuerin (BCG) 40 

Influenza: 

• The student must provide documentation of an influenza vaccine administered during the current flu season. The renewal date will be set for one (1) year from the administered date of the vaccine. 

COVID-19:  

• The BU PA Program highly recommends the student receive and provide documentation of full vaccination per CDC guidelines. Most of our clinical partners require COVID-19 vaccination before student participation in clinical education at their facilities.  

EXEMPTION:  Some clinical partners currently allow medical or religious exemptions for COVID-19 vaccination. These exemptions are approved on a case-by-case basis, and clinical sites are not obligated to approve medical or religious exemptions. It is the student’s responsibility to pursue and be granted medical or religious exemptions if they so choose.  

NOTE:  Not being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may result in a student being unable to participate in clinical education activities at some clinical sites. There is no guarantee that alternative experiences will be found to accommodate non-vaccinated students, which will result in delayed graduation from the program or the inability to complete the program at all. 

**Students participating in International, Department of Defense, or Department of Public Health 

sponsored clinical rotation sites will be screened prior to departure to that rotation based on the requirements for that organization. Any further immunizations recommended by the CDC for International Travel or by the sponsoring agency must be completed and in alignment with CDC vaccine timeline recommendations before the student can attend the rotation. These immunizations will be documented in the student health record and on the Bryant University PA Program Certificate of Health Compliance.

Medical care during enrollment   

Principal faculty, the program director, and the medical director WILL NOT participate as healthcare providers for students enrolled in the program except in an emergency situation. 

Counseling services 

Faculty advisors can assist students in providing timely referrals to student services for addressing personal issues that may impact student progress in the PA Program. Faculty advisors cannot and will not act as medical providers or mental health counselors for students. BU Counseling Services provides professional mental health counseling to students through individual counseling for various issues. Counseling Services are available to all enrolled BU students free of charge. Information shared in counseling sessions is kept confidential according to the American Counseling Association standards. 

In the event a student needs help, they can self-refer to counseling services.

During normal school hours, students may contact Counseling Services. Office hours are Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments are preferred and can be made by calling 401-232-6045 or stop by the office on the second floor of the Unistructure diagonally across from Faculty Suite H. After school hours, students may utilize their mandatory health insurance to access mental health services available in the community. Referral can be made through Counseling Services, Health Services, or though the student’s Primary Care Provider.

In an acute situation, students can be referred urgently to Counseling Services through a peer or faculty member. During normal school hours, students may be escorted to Counseling Services on the second floor of the Unistructure diagonally across from Faculty Suite H. After school hours, students may be escorted to urgent mental health services available in the community.

In an Emergent situation (the student is at risk or self-harm, or harming others) a peer, bystander, or faculty member should intervene only to stabilize the situation or protect the student from self-harm. During normal school hours, anyone available should contact the Office of Public Safety emergency line at 401-232-6911.After school hours, the student or anyone available should contact 911.

Report a Student of Concern

If this is an emergency, please call x6911 on-campus or 911 off-campus. To report a behavior of concern, use the CARE Referral Form: (https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?BryantUniv&layout_id=2)

When the form is submitted, it is received by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs only. Questions can be directed to John Denio at jdenio@bryant.edu or 401-232-6046.

POLICY No. PAS 007: BACKGROUND CHECK AND URINE DRUG SCREEN POLICY 

The Bryant University Physician Assistant program requires a background check and urine drug screen of all conditionally admitted applicants and current students. The purpose of this testing is to enhance the health and safety of patients, students, faculty, and staff in academic and clinical environments. 

The background check and urine drug screen are intended to identify potential incidents and/or behaviors in an applicant’s or student’s history that might pose a risk to patients and/or others.   

The fees and any financial burdens associated with such background checks and urine drug screens are the sole responsibility of the applicant or student and not the university or the program.   

Acceptance into the BU PA Program does not imply or guarantee that the student will be able to obtain state licensure upon graduation. 

Background and drug screen results 

The program director and director of admissions are responsible for reviewing background check results. Findings that are potentially detrimental to patients, students, faculty, and/or staff in the academic and/or clinical environments will be discussed by the program director, the Director of the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences and directly with the student. The decision on enrollment or retention of a student with unfavorable background and/or drug screen results is decided by the program director in association with the Director of the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences. All decisions are final, and applicants and students cannot appeal these decisions. Factors involved in the individual case review of background checks may include, but are not limited to: 

1. The nature, circumstances, and/or frequency of any reported offense(s), 

2. The length of time since the offense(s) occurred, 

3. Available information that addresses efforts at rehabilitation, 

4. The accuracy of the information provided by the student in their application materials, 

5. The relationship between the duties to be performed in the educational program and the offense committed. 

BU has a zero-tolerance policy for the use, possession, and/or distribution of illegal drugs on or off campus. 

The BU PA program reserves the right to dismiss any student who presents to campus or clinical site under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

Prior to Enrollment 

All admitted applicants to the BU PA program will be required to undergo a background check and urine drug screen. Students will be given step-by-step instructions on completing the background check and urine drug screen once they have paid their seat deposit for enrollment. The offer of admission is contingent upon the acceptable results of the background check and urine drug screen.  If an admitted applicant declines to undergo the background check and/or urine drug screen and/or if findings of a serious nature are revealed, the offer of admission may be revoked.  

Additional Testing

All BU PA program students will be required to undergo a background check and urine drug screening annually, or more frequently, at the sole discretion of the program. If a student declines to undergo an additional background check and/or urine drug screen and/or if findings of a serious nature are revealed, such may be grounds for dismissal from the program. 

Background checks and/or drug testing results that limit the program’s ability to secure a student’s clinical experiences may prevent them from progressing in their clinical phase of study and/or potentially being recommended for graduation. 

POLICY No. PAS 008: Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences

SUPERVISED CLINICAL PRACTICE EXPERIENCES POLICY

Students will not be required to provide or solicit preceptors or clinical sites for the program mandated SCPE component of the curriculum. Students may voluntarily submit to the director of clinical education the name(s) of potential preceptors and/or clinical sites not already affiliated with the BU PA Program by completing a Request for New Rotation Development Form. There is no direct or implied guarantee on the part of the program that the student will be assigned a rotation with any requested clinical site or preceptor, including those already affiliated with the program. It is ultimately up to the director of clinical education to decide whether the clinical site and preceptor are deemed appropriate for use in SCPEs. 

A student may request the development of a maximum of two new rotation sites by June 1st, prior to the start of the clinical year. The majority of clinical sites will be located within a 60-mile radius of the Smithfield, Rhode Island area. Students may be required to attend rotations at a site outside of this area and will be responsible for all expenses related to such assignments.

POLICY No. PAS 009: STUDENT GRIEVANCES AND ALLEGATIONS OF HARASSMENT AND MISTREATMENT POLICY

The BU Physician Assistant program has a policy for processing student allegations of harassment, allegations of mistreatment and for student grievances and appeals. The program informs students of program policies and practices by posting the PA Program Student Handbook to canvas. In addition, the program director and faculty review all BU PA program policies with the students at New Student Orientation.  

Student Grievances

The PA program abides by the Bryant University Policy for student grievances.   Students who believe they have been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability or have been denied access to services or accommodations required by law have the right to use the grievance procedure outlined in the BU Student Handbook. In addition, the BU PA program has developed the Academic and Professionalism Policy, which includes a section entitled Academic Grievances with procedures for appealing a course final grade and an academic integrity violation located within the BU PA student handbook. 

Allegations of Harassment

Bryant University is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming educational and working environment for all members of its campus community. Consistent with these values and applicable law, including Tile IX, the Clery Act and the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, the University maintains a comprehensive program designed to protect members of the University community from discrimination on the basis of sex or gender, which includes sexual misconduct such as sexual harassment and sexual assault, stalking and intimate partner violence. Reports of harassment will be met with appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the university. 

Any student who is a victim of harassment can request assistance from the Dean of Students. Any student who is a victim of sexual harassment can request assistance from the Title IX Coordinator. Other complaints of harassment should be addressed to the Dean of Students. Students who wish to lodge formal complaints regarding institutional policies and practices and other circumstances regarding student life should contact the Dean of Students Office.

After receiving a formal complaint, the designated Title IX investigator(s) will immediately begin to investigate and strive to reach a resolution within 60 days of notification; however, there are circumstances that may extend this resolution timeline (e.g., gathering witness information, scheduling). Incidents resulting in an administrative review/hearing are typically conducted within fifteen days of the accused student being formally notified of the actual alleged violations. Regular updates as to the progress of the investigation will be provided to the complainant and the accused student by the investigator(s). Both the complainant and the accused student will be notified in writing of the outcome within 24 hours of the conclusion of the investigation or administrative review/hearing, whichever is later. Either party may request an appeal by submitting a request in writing within five (5)  business days of notification. Appeals are limited to a review of the process as outlined in The Student Code of Conduct.

The university recognizes the sensitive and confidential nature of many student complaints, so documentation and correspondence about written student complaints are kept confidential. Such information is shared with other departments and/or BU officials only on a need-to-know basis. 

Allegations of mistreatment/Bias

The BU PA program is founded on the principles of respect, dignity, and inclusion and is therefore committed to ensuring all students are free from mistreatment during their medical training. Mistreatment is defined as any behavior and/or action that may be interpreted as being inappropriate and/or inconsiderate of a person’s well-being. Reports of mistreatment will be met with appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the university. 

Bryant University is committed to challenging and stopping acts of discrimination and hate.The Bias Incident Committee was established to monitor such incidents when they occur and ensure that they are investigated thoroughly. The committee also makes recommendations for educational programs and standards for action.

Any student who is a victim of mistreatment or bias or has witnessed such a situation, is encouraged to the BU department of public safety (DPS) immediately. Incidents may be reported through any of the following channels:

• 24-hour Bias Incident Hotline at 401-232-6920.

• Complete the electronic Bias Incident Form available at web.bryant.edu/bias

• To report an incident in person, go to the Public Safety Office (lower level Unistructure on the Administration Hall side)

All reports will be investigated by the appropriate offices, and individuals involved will be notified of actions taken. Due to confidentiality laws, the University may not be able to reveal all the information related to the investigation.

Resources available for incidents of harassment, mistreatment and assault

Advocacy Helpline (confidential) – (401) 258-4209: A 24/7 support network of Bryant staff members who are trained to assist victims of sexual assault. The network provides support, information, and assistance in obtaining medical attention. When you get support, you do not have to pursue any specific course of action and no action will be taken unless you choose to do so.

Office of Counseling Services (confidential) – (401) 232-6045: Clinicians provide confidential crisis support and follow-up appointments for Bryant students. All conversations are kept confidential within professional and legal guidelines.

Health Services (confidential) – (401) 232-6220: Clinicians provide on-site medical care, testing and treatment for Bryant students. All medical information and treatment are kept confidential within professional and legal guidelines.

Department of Public Safety (not confidential) – emergency response (401) 232-6991: Emergency response available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You may also direct complaints to Public Safety's administrative number, (401) 232-6001.

Office of Campus Ministries (confidential) – (401) 232-6045: Chaplains are available for counseling and support. Call to make an appointment.

Gertrude Meth Hochberg Women's Center (not confidential) – (401) 232-6854: Provides support, information, and education for the Bryant campus community.

Local Hospitals and Emergency Rooms (confidential)

• Women & Infants Hospital (401) 274-1100, 101 Dudley Street, Providence

• Rhode Island Hospital (401) 444-5411, 593 Eddy Street, Providence

Local Law Enforcement (not confidential)

• Emergency Response dial 911

• Smithfield Police Department (401) 231-2500

Counseling, Advocacy, Support (confidential)

• Day One Resource Center – 1-800-494-8100: Provides 24/7 support and information to survivors of sexual assault

• Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) – 1-800-656-HOPE: National hotline for victims of sexual assault. Free counseling and support 24 hours a day from anywhere in the country. A survivor who calls is connected to the nearest local rape crisis center through a unique computer routing system that maintains the caller's confidentiality.

• Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-494-8100: 24-hour hotline if you need help because of a sexual assault or an abusive relationship. Counselor-advocates provide support and are available to accompany victims of sexual assault to the hospital and police station. Ongoing counseling and support groups available. (This hotline is specific to Rhode Island. Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE if you need help in another state.)

POLICY No. PAS 010: CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY 

The BU PA program understands the federal regulations addressing patient healthcare confidentiality as described in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Students receive HIPAA training as part of their annual updates and as specified by the agencies in which they are assigned as students. Records of the training are maintained in their student files. 

1. A PA student will hold in confidence all personal client information and agency information entrusted to them. 

2. Confidential clinical information and research data (written or oral) given to a PA student is considered privileged within the context of the learning site and/or the enrolled course. 

3. A PA student will limit his or her discussion of client, family, and/or agency to structured learning situations, such as but not limited to conferences and/or clinical learning experiences. At no time are patients, clients, families, and/or agencies to be discussed in any public setting, such as but not limited to lunch tables, clinical or university dining facilities, elevators, dormitories, etc.  

4. Failure to comply with the above policy represents unethical conduct for a PA student and may result in failure of the course in which the incident occurs and will result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the program. 

CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT 

All PA students are required to sign a confidentiality statement at the time of enrollment in the program. The student is expected to comply with the terms of such a statement throughout their enrollment in the program. A copy of the signed statement is maintained in the student’s file. The statement reads: 

I,__________________, acknowledge my responsibility to abide by applicable federal law and theBU PA Program Confidentiality Policy to keep confidential any information regarding a patient, client, and/or agency. By signing below, I agree not to reveal to any person and/or persons except specifically authorized agency staff and associated personnel any specific information regarding any patient, client, and/or agency. I further agree not to reveal to any third party any confidential information of an agency except as required by law or as properly authorized by such agency. I further understand that any unauthorized disclosure of confidential information may result in failure of the course in which the incident occurs and will result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the program.