Clinical Rotations

Clinical Rotations, also known as Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs) are a core component of the Physician Assistant Studies Manchester/Worcester—Accelerated program at MCPHS. In this phase of training, students actively apply and refine their clinical knowledge, patient assessment, and management skills in real-world healthcare settings. There are nine (9) required SCPEs, each five (5) weeks in length. In addition to SCPEs, students also participate in on-campus professional seminar during the clinical phase of training.

The program has clinical affiliations with a variety of clinical sites in the Northeast United States (New England and the Mid-Atlantic states). Additional national and international clinical sites are also available for students to choose from. Learning experiences occur in ambulatory and hospital-based settings and include rural, suburban, and urban clinical sites. Students are encouraged to choose rural health facilities for a portion of their clinical experience. The breadth of clinical settings offers the future physician assistant the ability to acquire skills and competencies to practice in a variety of settings.

Student Travel to Clinical Rotation Site, also known as Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs) Site

Any of the nine required SCPEs may take place within the Northeast region of the United States, including New England and the Mid-Atlantic states. This regional flexibility is necessary to ensure access to high-quality clinical sites and to provide students with a broad range of diverse learning experiences. Students are responsible for arranging and funding their own housing and transportation for all SCPE assignments, regardless of the distance from their home address or campus. Housing and travel expenses are separate from tuition and fees and can vary significantly depending on the rotation location and individual student preferences. No student will be required to travel more than 900 miles from the Manchester or Worcester campuses for a required rotation SCPE assignment.

Solicitation of Site/Preceptor

Physician Assistant students are not responsible for identifying or arranging their own clinical sites or preceptors. However the possibility exists for students to coordinate, with the program, a maximum of two out-of-network clinical sites. To ensure quality educational training the sites must be approved by the Physician Assistant Studies Program and University and proper protocol must be followed to arrange for out- of-network clinical rotations.

The School of Physician Assistant Studies reserves the right to make changes to all policies and procedures at any time.

Clinical Rotation Courses

The clinical rotation courses, also known as supervised clinical practice experiences, are primarily delivered in person, with the potential inclusion of telemedicine encounters under the supervision of preceptors. In some cases, Psychiatry rotations may be conducted primarily via telemedicine. Women's Health rotations will incorporate a simulation component as part of the clinical practice experience.