Competencies

1. Medical Knowledge:

MK 1.1 Apply principles of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and genetics to explain disease and guide patient management across the lifespan. ^{(B2.02: a–e, B2.08a-f)}

MK 1.2 Develop a differential diagnosis using history and physical exam findings for medical and surgical conditions. ^{(B2.03, B2.07: a–c, B2.08a-f)}

MK 1.3 Incorporate epidemiologic trends and genetic risk factors to inform diagnostic and preventive care strategies. ^{(B2.05, B2.1b,e3, B2.15a,d, B2.08a-f)}

MK 1.4 Differentiate normal from abnormal findings using clinical, lab, and imaging data.^{(B2.07: a,b,d, B2.08a-f)}

2. Interpersonal Skills:

IPS 2.1 – Evaluate how cultural, socioeconomic, environmental, and behavioral factors influence patient health, and integrate this to guide care. ^{(B2.06; B2.15d)}

IPS 2.2 – Provide care that is equitable, understandable, respectful, and consistent with patients’ beliefs. ^{(B2.04; B2.06c-e, B2.11a-e, B2.12d)}

IPS 2.3 – Demonstrate effective verbal, nonverbal, and written communication with patients, in a person-centered communication style to encourage shared decision making. ^{(B2.04; B2.07g)}

IPS 2.4 – Collaborate effectively in interprofessional teams. ^{(B2.10a–c; B2.07g)}

IPS 2.5 – Identify when to refer and coordinate appropriate specialty care. ^{(B2.07g; B2.0a-f8)}

IPS 2.6 – Advocate for individual and community health needs by identifying and addressing health disparities, systemic barriers, and structural inequities that affect health outcomes.

^{(B2.06a–f; B2.14c, B2.15a–d)}

IPS 2.7 – Connect patients to community and public health resources.^{(B2.15b,c; B2.06f)}

3. Clinical Skills:

CS 3.1 – Illicit comprehensive and focused medical histories from patients across the lifespan.^{(B2.07a B2.08a-f)}

CS 3.2 – Perform age-appropriate, comprehensive, and problem-focused physical examinations.^{(B2.07b; B2.08a-f)}

CS 3.3 – Order and interpret appropriate laboratory and diagnostic tests to support clinical decision-making and management across the lifespan. ^{(B2.07d; 2.08a-f)}

CS 3.4 – Document the care provided in inpatient, outpatient, telehealth, and operative settings using professional, timely, and accurate medical records that support continuity of care and reimbursement requirements. ^{(B2.07e; B2.08b-f; B2.14a,b; B4.03a; B2.17c)}

4. Technical Skills

TS 4.1 – Safely and effectively perform entry-level diagnostic and therapeutic technical procedures in accordance with current professional practice standards.^(B2.09)

5. Professional Behaviors:

PB 5.1 – Engage in conversations with patients, families, and colleagues using patient-centered communication that reflects empathy and nonjudgmental language. ^{(B2.04; B2.11a-e; B2.12c,d)}

PB 5.2 – Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and reliability. ^(B2.19a–c)

PB 5.3 – Maintain confidentiality and respect while upholding HIPAA, and ethical communication standards in all interactions. ^{(B2.04; B2.18; B2.19c)}

PB 5.4 – Apply the four pillars of medical ethics to clinical decision making. ^{(B2.18; B2.19c)}

PB 5.5 – Demonstrate knowledge of licensure, certification, credentialing, scope of practice, history of the profession, healthcare law, and regulatory policies that govern PA practice.^{(B2.17ag; B2.14d)}

PB 5.6 – Apply concepts of billing, coding, and reimbursement to patient encounters. ^{(B2.14a–b; B2.17c)}

PB 5.7 – Analyze healthcare delivery models, insurance types, funding sources, and health policy related to their impact on patient care and access. ^{(B2.14c–d; B2.15b–d)}

PB 5.8 – Identify signs of burnout in self and others and use strategies that promote resilience, self-care, and professional sustainability. ^(B2.20a–c)

6. Clinical Reasoning and Problem Solving:

CRPS 6.1 – Differentiate between healthy, acutely ill, chronically ill, and at-risk patients across the lifespan. ^{(B2.05; B2.0a,b,d; B2.08a-f)}

CRPS 6.2 - Develop and prioritize a differential diagnosis based on the integration of history, physical exam findings, and diagnostic data for patients across the life span.^{(B2.05;B2.07c; B2.08a)}

CRPS 6.3 – Create individualized patient care plans using up-to-date clinical guidelines and shared decision-making to manage acute and chronic conditions across the lifespan.^{(B2.05;B2.07e; B2.12a,b; B2.13e)}

CRPS 6.4 – Apply preventive and health maintenance strategies across the lifespan. ^{(B2.07e, f; B2.0a,b,e,f; B2.15a)}

CRPS 6.5 – Evaluate and apply evidence-based medicine in clinical decisions and patient education. ^{(B2.05, B2.07f, B2.13a-e)}

CRPS 6.6 – Recognize opportunities for quality improvement, patient safety, prevention of medical errors, and minimization of risk in healthcare delivery. ^{(B2.05; B2.14c,d; B2.167a-d)}