Standards of Professionalism & Behavior

While upholding our mission of preparing students to deliver Christ-centered medical care, our program considers professionalism to be paramount.  In addition to medical knowledge, interpersonal skills, clinical and technical skills, clinical reasoning, and problem-solving skills, professional behaviors have a core role in physician assistant education. 

Professionalism can be defined as completing tasks with competence, integrity, accountability, respect for others, and courtesy. The items below are not exhaustive of examples of essential professional behavior, but provide insight into expected professional behaviors. In addition to the following, students should adhere to all standards within this and other applicable university handbooks. 

Appearance

• Maintain professionalism in appearance in all settings in accordance with the dress code in the student handbook.

Attention, Participation, and Preparation

• Attend all lectures, labs, and clinical duties with a display of active engagement and respect for faculty, instructors, staff, and peers.

• Be punctual for all commitments.

• Work collaboratively with faculty, staff, instructors, patients, clinical sites, and peers. 

• Complete all assignments prior to the assigned deadline.

• Demonstrate self-directed, active learning.

Communication

• Communicate professionally in both written and spoken communication with faculty, staff, instructors, patients, clinical sites, and peers. 

• Use appropriate verbal, non-verbal, and written interactions with faculty, staff, instructors, patients, clinical sites, and peers.  

• Respond to communication of any form within one business day.

Behavior, Attitude, and Respect

• Use social media responsibly, as noted in the aforementioned Social Media Policy.

• Respect cultural or personal differences when interacting with faculty, staff, instructors, patients, clinical sites, and peers. 

• Appropriately receive, critically reflect, and apply feedback from faculty and instructors. 

• Display the ability to self-reflect and implement self-improvement practices.

• Demonstrate honesty and integrity in all interactions.

• Respect appropriate boundaries.

• Demonstrate accountability to future patients by recognizing impairment of self or others as well as the duty to report impaired students or practitioners appropriately.

As a fundamental component of our commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment, all Physician Assistant (PA) students are subject to the Community Standards outlined in the Lipscomb University Graduate Student Handbook. These standards encompass a comprehensive Code of Conduct designed to uphold the values of professionalism, integrity, and respect within our academic community.

The Community Standards set forth expectations for behavior, communication, and ethical decision-making, ensuring that PA students contribute positively to the educational experience for themselves and their peers. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with these standards and adhere to the principles articulated therein.

Disciplinary procedures and actions are clearly outlined within the aforementioned handbook, providing a transparent and fair process for addressing violations of the Community Standards. It is imperative for PA students to be aware of the potential consequences associated with breaches of conduct and to take responsibility for their actions.

By embracing and upholding these Community Standards, PA students contribute to the creation of a collaborative, supportive, and respectful learning environment that reflects the professionalism required in the practice of healthcare. The institution is committed to enforcing these standards consistently and fairly, promoting the overall well-being and success of our PA student community.

This statement serves as a reminder of the shared responsibility we all bear in maintaining the highest standards of conduct and professionalism within our academic community.

The School of Physician Assistant Studies prioritizes a culture of respect, integrity, and professionalism, mandating strict adherence to professional standards and related codes of conduct. As such, this standard outlines the procedures for addressing behavioral and professionalism violations among our student population through formal disciplinary hearings. This policy will remain applicable to all students, regardless of where instruction occurs.

By adhering to these procedures, we aim to foster a respectful and professional environment while ensuring fair treatment and accountability for all individuals associated with our academic program.

Disciplinary Hearings are not required to adhere to formal rules of procedure or technical rules of evidence followed by courts of law and will be conducted according to the following guidelines:

Reporting Procedure 

When an alleged violation of an applicable student handbook policy occurs,  the student will be referred to the Progression and Accountability Council (PAC) via the Violation Reporting Form to initiate the formal disciplinary hearing process. 

Initial Disclosure

Prior to a disciplinary hearing, the accused student will be sent a written notification via email briefly summarizing the alleged violation, along with the date, time, and location of the hearing. 

Investigation

• Initial investigation: The student will be required to attend an initial investigation to review the allegations and have an opportunity to respond.

  •  If the accused student fails to appear at the hearing, the council may make a decision based on the available information. However, if the student can provide a compelling reason for the absence, a new date may be considered for the hearing.

• Ancillary investigation: This phase of discovery may also involve questioning of other individuals, such as participants, witnesses, reporting party(ies), acquaintances, and others. Ancillary investigation may be conducted without the student present.

• Procedures regarding investigations: All procedural questions are subject to the final decision of the chair. However, the general conditions below will apply:

  • The hearing will be conducted in private. Admission of any person to the hearing will be at the discretion of the chair. 

  • The chair may accommodate concerns for the personal safety, well-being, and/or fears of confrontation of the reporting party, accused student, and/or other witnesses during the hearing by providing separate facilities, and/or by permitting participation by telephone, video conferencing, written statement, or other means, where and as determined in the sole judgment of the chair to be appropriate.

Adjudication Process

Upon conclusion of the investigation, the PAC will meet and deliberate in private session to make a formal decision based on the preponderance of the evidence (e.g. whether it is more likely than not that the student has violated applicable policy). A determination as to whether or not a violation occurred will be made by majority vote. 

If the student is found to have violated any provision of an applicable handbook, the council will then make a recommendation on the appropriate sanctions, disciplinary actions,  and/or action plan as applicable. The PAC reserves the right to dismiss the student for any violations deemed egregious in number or substance in accordance with the Dismissal Policy.

Notification & Documentation 

The PAC will provide documentation to the student through the provision of a single written record of the disciplinary hearing. The record shall consist of, but not be limited to the following:

• Statement of the alleged misconduct

• Summary of the statement of the accused

• Summary of the information discovered in the hearing process

• Statement of the decision

• Sanctions or disciplinary actions issued, if applicable.

Said written record will become a permanent part of the student’s record. The hearing will not be transcribed or otherwise recorded. A student will not have the right to review or receive a copy of any written record or notes from the hearing other than the aforementioned written record.

Appeals

Individuals subjected to sanctions or disciplinary actions from the PAC have the right to appeal the decision through the defined Appeals & Grievances process. Appeals must be submitted in writing within the specified timeframe.

Individuals subjected to sanctions or disciplinary actions from within the greater university, yet outside the purview of the School of Physician Assistant Studies, will be subject to any appeals policy as described by the applicable ruling body.

Jurisdiction regarding Academic Integrity

The School of Physician Assistant Studies recognizes that violations of academic integrity (including but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, unauthorized collaboration, and academic dishonesty) represent serious breaches of professional behavior and ethical conduct. However, such matters fall under the jurisdiction of the University's Academic Integrity Policy and will be processed through the university's established procedures.