examinations. Students must have the ability to (1) observe patient conditions and responses to health and illness, (2) assess
and monitor health needs, (3) translate data into abstract concepts, and (4) understand evidence-based reasoning.
§ Integrating Knowledge to Establish Clinical Judgment: Students must demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving and
decision making ability needed to care for individuals, families and/or communities across the health continuum. They must
demonstrate clinical competency and the ability to participate in clinical experiences. Students must possess sensory
capacity and motor function to gather patient data, perform patient assessment and implement therapeutic interventions.
§ Incorporating Professional Attitudes and Behaviors into Practice: Students must demonstrate cross cultural competency,
integrity, moral reasoning, ethical behaviors and concern for others. They must have the ability to acquire interpersonal skills
for professional interactions with diverse individuals, families and/or communities. They must be able to work cooperatively
with intra and inter professional teams, adapt to changing environments inherent in clinical practice, and function effectively
under stress.
The University of Saint Francis is committed to providing equal access to all students, including those students with disabilities. Once
students are admitted to a health sciences program, they should contact Academic and Career Development Center at (260) 399-
7700 x6075 if they believe that they may require reasonable accommodation to fulfill the Health Science Technical Standards. A
copy of this form in its entirety is readily accessible on the College of Health Sciences SharePoint site and will additionally be made
available upon request to the director of didactic education.
4.4 ENROLLMENT
To be qualified for enrollment in the USF PA Program, candidates must be able to meet the COHS Technical Standards (A3.13e), with
or without reasonable accommodations.
4.4.1 ENROLLMENT PROCESS
Students admitted to the USF PA Program are responsible for following appropriate enrollment procedures and deadlines. The
program’s administrative assistant and director of didactic education handle student registration and provide oversight for the
enrollment process, ensuring compliance with requirements and maintenance of accurate and complete student records and files.
4.4.2 ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS
All students admitted to the USF PA Program must complete a series of steps to finish the enrollment process. These steps are
detailed on the Enrollment Packet Checklist and Programmatic Expectations document that is emailed to all admitted students in the
semester preceding matriculation. As stated on the checklist, students are required to complete the following:
1. Read the PA Student Handbook in its entirety and return the Acknowledgement of the PA Student Handbook Form (see
section 9.0).
2. Order and submit a background check.
– The USF PA Program requires individuals who have been accepted to the program to complete a background check
prior to programmatic enrollment to meet requirements of clinical training affiliates. Evidence of positive drug
screens; DUIs or driving violations/penalties; crimes including battery, assault, theft, or embezzlement; and drug or
other substance abuse related crimes may make students ineligible to participate in clinical experiences. The
background check includes a required driving history check.
– All students who have held a driver’s license must include their driver’s license information in the online background
check application. Generally minor traffic violations will not typically prevent clinical participation. However,
individuals who have been convicted of misdemeanors within the past 3-5 years and/or felony convictions within 7-
10 years are typically excluded from clinical participation and cannot be admitted until the specified time has passed
and the individual has been reviewed and approved for clinical participation by university clinical affiliates.
– Individuals who have been convicted of crimes of abuse, sexual assault, dishonesty (any theft), crimes against a
person (e.g., assault, battery, kidnapping, manslaughter, murder), or are a registered sex-offender will never be
eligible for clinical participation and will not be admitted to the USF PA Program.
– If infringements exclude an individual from clinical experiences, the student may not enroll in or continue with the
USF PA Program. If infringements are revealed by the background check and were not listed on the COHS Clinical,
Field, and Internship Requirements and Technical Standards Disclosure Form, this lack of disclosure may be
considered a breach of academic honesty and professionalism and may exclude a student from enrollment.
3. Complete the signed health form required by the COHS and return it in a sealed, separate envelope.
4. Sign and return the Clinical, Field, and Internship Requirements and Technical Standards Disclosure Form.