Professional Conduct

Professional behavior is expressed through respect for instructors, PA Program faculty and staff, fellow students, patients, and colleagues. Professional behavior is evaluated throughout the course of study but is formally evaluated once a year during advisement sessions. Breeches in professionalism may result in appearing before the Committee on Course and Standing. The Committee on Course and Standing may mandate professional probation or dismissal from the Program. Some issues may arise that necessitate a referral to the Committee for Physician Health (CPH), a New York State Department of Health agency. While a referral to CPH will result in a very costly evaluation, meeting criteria mandated by them can facilitate licensure in individuals with professional issues, and who may otherwise be denied a license. Students from PA programs have been referred to CPH for chronic absences, anger management and bullying, as well as suspected drug and alcohol abuse. Failure to meet CPH criteria can lead to dismissal.

 Examples of unprofessional behavior include, but are not restricted to:

·         Poor attendance or tardiness

·         Plagiarism or cheating

·         Inability to accept constructive criticism

·         Lack of respect for the rights of patients to competent, confidential service

·         Failure to follow protocol, or directions of supervising physician, physician assistant or program faculty

·         Performing unauthorized procedures or administering services not permitted by the supervisor, the facility, or the program

·         Violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

·         Failure to perform all or part of assigned tasks and responsibilities

·         Leaving the clinical setting without permission of supervising physician or physician assistant

·         Performing any activity which is beyond the scope of the role of a student

·         Failure to identify as a physician assistant student

·         Failure to report all observed unethical conduct by other members of the health profession, including other students.

 Professionalism extends to behavior in the classroom. Therefore, the following behaviors will not be tolerated:

 ·         Engaging in conversation with others during a class or lecture

·         Leaving the classroom during lectures

·         Using personal e-mail or Facebook while in class

·         Neglecting to turn off cell phones

Utilizingtechnologyforreasonsotherthancurrentlecture