All students on rotation have met the following criteria:

• Successful completion of all didactic course work.

• Successful completion of each previous rotation.

• Completion of all required immunizations and testing (MMR, DPT, varicella, Hepatitis B, two-step PPD, urine drug screening).

• TB testing within past 12 months while on rotation.

While on your clinical rotation, PA students function as an integral part of your medical team. They

• perform histories and physicals, assess assigned patients, assist in formulating management plans, perform various procedures, and otherwise participate significantly in patient care as determined by you, their supervising preceptor.

• monitor patient progress, report to you, and implement your plans.

• are required to attend lectures, read articles, and give case presentations you may assign.

Students should be given as much hands-on experience as you  believe they are capable of handling. Because of their medical background and previous work experiences, some students may be more clinically prepared than others. 

All Jefferson College of Health Sciences PA students are aware of the following rules:

• Physician assistant students on clinical rotation must work under the direct supervision of a licensed physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or nurse midwife who is supervised by a licensed physician. 

• Students must wear a Jefferson College of Health Sciences patch on their lab coats and a visible name tag designating student status, and they must identify themselves as physician assistant students.
• Students will not see patients, make a diagnosis, or carry out any procedure or treatment plan without the explicit prior approval of the preceptor or the preceptor's designee.
• Students will never work without a clearly identified on-site supervisor. If the preceptor is absent, he or she will identify an alternate preceptor for the student. The student will notify the program of any unexpected preceptor change lasting more than one day.
• All charts and written orders must be signed with the student's name clearly written followed by the designation "PA-S" unless told otherwise by the rotation site. At no time may the student use other professional titles (e.g. RN, EMT) while on clinical rotation.
• All chart entries and written orders must be countersigned in accordance with rotation site policy.
• Students will not consent to assess any patient or perform any procedure that is beyond their abilities.
• Students will observe the highest level of patient confidentiality at all times.

Rotation work hours are determined by you and may include nights, weekends, and holidays as well as an on-call schedule.  

In the event of an absence, the student will notify both you and the Clinical Coordinator no later than 9:00 am on the day of the absence. Reasons for excused absences include incapacitating illness, injury requiring bed rest, and unexpected family emergency. The student must make a request for a planned absence in writing at least 14 days in advance; such requests will be considered case by case, and if approved, may require the student to make up time missed.

Students will formally evaluate each of their clinical rotations, using an online form. 

At the end of each clinical rotation students take an examination that tests their knowledge of the rotation's clinical subject matter and medical procedures usually encountered in such a rotation. Students have study guides to help direct study during the rotation. Although a clinical rotation may not provide experience on all medical procedures and topics listed, the student is still expected to know the material.

Our Program faculty will conduct regular site visits, both announced and unannounced, and may interview you and the student. The student may be asked to present a case to the visiting faculty, review actual chart work, comment on a case presented by a colleague, and/or perform a monitored history and physical on a patient. The visiting faculty member will evaluate the student's clinical performance; this will become part of the rotation grade.

All clinical students are covered under JCHS's professional liability policy while at scheduled rotations. (See sample of our insurance policy.) Carilion will send an official certificate to you before the rotation. All incidents involving students and patients should be reported immediately by phone and in writing to the Physician Assistant Program.