General Guidelines

It is the operational policy of the program that no potential physician assistant student will be asked to join any class after the official fifth day of classes unless there is approval by the Program Director to permit a later start. 

Each PA class is a cohort and will follow the same course of study throughout the program. Accordingly, courses in the program’s curriculum are not eligible for withdrawal or drop.

This policy outlines the approved methods of communication between students and faculty/staff within the School of Physician Assistant Studies. The primary goal of this policy is to ensure effective and professional communication while maintaining the security and privacy of all parties involved.

Approved Communication Channels

Students are encouraged to communicate with faculty and staff primarily by using university-provided email addresses and official office phone numbers.

1. Email Communication:

   • Official communication between students and faculty/staff should be conducted through university email addresses, including inquiries, questions, and other academic matters. 

   • Email remains the preferred method of communication between students and faculty/staff.

   • Response times:

     1. To ensure that communication remains prompt and effective, students should respond to requests from faculty and staff within one (1) business day. 

     2. Faculty are not obligated to return emails after hours or on weekends/holidays. 

2. Office Phone Communication:

   • Verbal communication that is necessary or preferred can take place via office phone numbers.

   • It is important for both students and faculty/staff to ensure that office phone conversations are respectful, professional, and aligned with the institution's values.

3. Video Communication:

   • In certain circumstances, it is acceptable to use video conferencing when necessary or preferred by all parties.  

   • Video conferencing should be decided upon by all parties and scheduled according to the availability of all related participants at mutually agreed reasonable times.

   • Video conferences should not be used as a primary method of communication.

4. Alternative Communication:

   • In exigent circumstances, the utilization of cell phones by faculty and staff to contact students may become a necessity driven by location, time, and other such factors of one or both parties. However, the use of cell phones should be limited to only those situations where approved forms of communication are not possible, practical, or feasible. 

   • Voicemail

     1. Students are expected to have a working voicemail system on their phones to facilitate prompt communication and transmission of information when email or real-time conversations are not possible or practical.

     2. Students may leave messages on the faculty and staff voicemail systems. Voicemail audio files are pushed to faculty emails to encourage a prompt relay of information.

Prohibitions 

4. • The use of text messages, instant messaging applications, and chat platforms (such as Google Chat, WhatsApp, Messenger, and similar tools) for official communication between students and faculty/staff is strictly prohibited.

   • This prohibition also extends to any type of communication platform not provided or endorsed by the institution for official communication.

Data Privacy: 

4. • Both students and faculty/staff should exercise caution when discussing sensitive or private information via email or phone.

   • All parties are responsible for safeguarding personal and confidential information in accordance with applicable privacy regulations.

Upon admission to the program, the student will be assigned to a PA faculty member who will serve as their didactic mentor. The mentor provides professional guidance throughout the program's initial phase. The mentor will meet regularly with the student (according to the mentoring curriculum) to ensure the student’s best opportunity for success and offer support when needed. 

In the SCPE phase of the program, the formal mentoring role for each student will transition to the Director of Clinical Education (DCE). The didactic mentors will transition into an informal support role for students on an as-needed basis.  However, at the discretion of the DCE, referral for additional support and coaching may be made to engage didactic mentors for additional help and guidance.

Requirements

All PA students are required to have a tablet running Windows or iOS or laptop computer running Windows or macOS with wireless networking capability.  The minimum hardware requirements are determined by the ability of the device to run Examplify, the testing application used by the program for the administration of most exams and quizzes.  Examplify does not run on Chrome OS devices.

The program recommends using a tablet with a pen as the primary device.  Our students have found that a tablet facilitates hand-written, electronic note taking.  Many students use an iPad with an Apple Pencil in combination with the Notability app for note-taking.  Windows-based tablets also offer similar capabilities.

While the majority of exam administration with Examplify will occur on campus, there may be occasions when it is necessary to administer an exam remotely.  Examplify’s remote proctoring capabilities only work on Windows and macOS devices.  For this reason, the program recommends that students continue to maintain access to a Windows or macOS based laptop with built-in webcam if possible.

Additionally, PA students are required to have access to a smartphone or tablet for in-class polling and audience response purposes.  PA students will be required to routinely access Canvas to access course content, receive course announcements and notifications, download lecture slides and handouts, download and upload homework assignments, and complete in-class assessments and quizzes. PA students bear the responsibility for assuring that their device is properly charged in advance of the electronic utilization.  PA students are also responsible for complying with all logistical/procedural aspects of electronic utilization.

A removable privacy screen for your laptop or tablet is required for use during quizzes and exams. No particular brand is recommended - just ensure that it fits your screen properly and can be removed when not in use.

Software

Microsoft, Apple, Dell, and other companies offer special pricing for students. See the Discounts and Deals section of the university's Information Technology Services webpage.

The use of any digital or electronic device capable of information capture, storage, retrieval, or processing, including computerized eyewear (e.g., Google Glass, etc.), or other wearable devices (e.g., Apple Watch, etc.) is expressly prohibited during any examination or assessment (e.g., quizzes, in-class assignments) unless explicitly permitted by the course instructor (or coordinator).  No audio device nor accessory (e.g., headphones, earbuds, etc.) can be used in the classroom unless explicitly permitted by the course instructor.  No aspect of the preceding device policy supersedes guidance related to the American Disability Act (ADA).  Due to privacy concerns, computerized eyewear cannot be used in any clinical practice setting unless instructed otherwise by the site preceptor. 

Courtesy

A general policy of respect for instructors and for fellow classmates should be followed in regard to the use of all electronic devices that may be a distraction to the individual PA student or to others in the classroom. 

Emergencies

Cell phones and other electronic devices registered with the Campus Safety Office to receive text messaging and e-mail alerts may be left in the “on” position but temporarily configured into a silent mode during program activities.

Participation in a professional organization as a PA student can lay the groundwork for career opportunities and giving back to the profession.  Membership in the national and state PA academies is often a good place to start.

American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) https://www.aapa.org/

Tennessee Academy of Physician Assistants (TAPA) http://www.tnpa.com/

The School of Physician Assitant Studies will provide membership to the TAPA. However, AAPA student membership remains at the sole discretion of each student.

Attendance

On occasion, it may be necessary or desirable for PA students to attend professional meetings for state and national professional organizations.  In such cases, each student must clear the absence with the appropriate faculty member and submit the completed  Student Absence Form to the Director of Student Affairs once all signatures have been obtained. Approval may depend upon the academic standing of the requesting student and will be taken on a case-by-case basis. In the event that the program provides release time for the entire cohort to attend an event, no form submission will be required. 

PA students who voluntarily withdraw from the program may be considered for readmission only if they remain in good standing with both the School of Physician Assistant Studies and Lipscomb University. Readmission will only be considered through submission of a new application in CASPA. Students seeking readmission will be evaluated as per the current admission requirements at time of re-application alongside all other applicants. 

Each PA class is a cohort and will follow the same course of study throughout the program. Students will register for the predetermined course of study prior to the beginning of each semester.

Use social media and networking sites legally and appropriately. Consider your personal obligation as a citizen of the University. Use proper conduct in your posts regarding the University, University faculty and staff, and fellow students.  Potential employers, admissions committees, and scholarship committees often search social networking sites to screen candidates. Your profile is part of how others perceive you. Classroom and clinical site training commitments should be respected. Students should not engage in social networking during in-class and on-site clinical time.  Do not post any confidential or sensitive information online.  For example, photos of patients, partial photos of patients such as a specific body area or part even if the patient’s face is not visible, photos of patient data such as lab results or imaging, generic or specific descriptions of a patient’s status, diagnosis, or any other information.

Pictures and information posted on the internet via social media outlets are public information.  Pictures or information that appear to document or describe behavior that violates University, College, or School policy will be subject to further investigation. If the investigation documents any policy violations, these will result in appropriate disciplinary action.

Except for rare circumstances, PA faculty members, staff, and clinical preceptors may not be connected on any social media or networking sites with current PA students. Professional networking sites such as LinkedIn are acceptable. 

Each cohort shall be required to form a student government association. The purpose of this organization will be multi-faceted,  both serving the student body and acting as a liaison between the cohort and the program. As a self-governing organization, the SGA will draft and adopt bylaws, determine the structure and function of the association, elect officers, and remain in place through graduation.  The intent of this activity is to promote class unity and offer a conduit to pursue matters that affect each class as a whole.  

Initial Development of the SGA

The program will assist in the initial phases of SGA development, which include nomination/election of a class president, presentation of sample bylaws, and early counseling with the class president-elect.  All subsequent actions will fall upon the class president and officers to be elected thereafter. Otherwise, the SGA must remain student-driven in form and function, except as noted in the requirements below.

Sample Bylaws

The program will provide sample bylaws and brief advice on best practices during the initial development process. 

Required Officers

At a minimum, the program requires there to be a president, state and national chapter student representative, chaplain, and faculty advisor. Other officers provided for in the sample bylaws are recommended to support good governance. The bylaws may include any other officer positions deemed necessary to manage the activities of the student government association.

Required Faculty Advisor

Each association must solicit a faculty advisor of its choosing. However, the faculty member must willingly accept the responsibility of such a role. The faculty advisor will serve in a consultative fashion to assist with SGA development and operations.  Furthermore, the faculty advisor must ensure that SGA operations do not conflict with university or program expectations and values.

Throughout the entire curriculum, certain educational activities may require travel off campus. Transportation to hospitals, clinics, and other community settings is the student’s responsibility. Clinical year students are responsible for transportation to all SCPE sites and to campus for end-of-rotation days.