Welcome message from Kristy Altongy-Magee, MPAS, PA-C, Program Director.
Congratulations on your acceptance and decision to attend the Physician Assistant Studies program at MCPHS. We’re excited that you’ll be joining us in the spring. Before the program begins there are some next steps you’ll need to take to get ready. On this page you will find important information and forms that you will need to begin your studies.
Next steps for incoming Physician Assistant Studies students.
White coats and name tags will be ordered for each student by the Physician Assistant Studies department. Sizes should be based on blazers or jackets that you wear over other clothing. Students entering in Spring 2020 can complete the White Coat Form here. The deadline to complete this form is November 15.
The Spring 2021 white coat order form will be available in Fall 2020.
The equipment package that each student will need for the PA didactic and clinical years will be purchased in bulk through Heine/MK Associates. Each student will receive a portable ophthalmoscope and otoscope, stethoscopes, reflex hammer, EKG caliper, tape measure, and 2 different tuning forks. The cost of this equipment package will be included as a line item in your tuition bill as this has an advantage in that you may receive financial aid for your equipment purchase. The bulk purchase rate allows us to save you hundreds of dollars on the price in comparison to purchasing each item individually. This also ensures that all students will have high quality professional equipment and your equipment will be ready for you to use at the beginning of the program. You will have the option of upgrading your stethoscope for an additional cost.
By having items like an ophthalmoscope and otoscope, it also means that students can practice their physical examination skills at home without coming into the patient assessment lab. All of us on the faculty are currently, or have practiced in the clinical setting, and we know from our own experience that once you begin clinical rotations and clinical jobs as practicing PAs the ophthalmoscope/otoscope kits you purchased for the program will come in handy. We are providing you with quality sets. The ophthalmoscope is a valuable diagnostic tool, and the knowledge and skill set learned from using this equipment is invaluable in becoming a competent PA. We know that our students are pleased with their equipment, and we have taken the guess work out of trying to decide what to purchase in an area in which you may not be very familiar. Further equipment details will be provided at Orientation.
Each student should also be sure to have a wrist watch with a sweep second hand. Cell phones are not an option. It must be a wrist watch.
Students may order customized equipment for additional fees. The equipment ordering form for Spring 2020 students is now available.
The Accelerated Physician Assistant Studies Program uses ExamSoft (electronic testing software) in all first-year courses. All students are required to bring a laptop or iPad meeting the minimum specifications below in order for you to be able to sit for exams.
Each student will be required to purchase a Privacy Screen or Privacy Filter that fits on their PC, MAC or tablet. Minimum technology requirements are listed below.
PC Requirements
Mac Requirements
Ipad Requirements
A BLS for Healthcare Providers through the American Heart Association must be completed by all students and maintained for the duration of the program. Online BLS training is not accepted; a face-to-face/hands-on training course must be completed prior to matriculation. Please send a copy of your certification to the admission office at admissions.worcester@mcphs.
All students in the PA program will be required to take a medical terminology competency test on the first day of classes. The competency test will be a combination of true/false, matching, and multiple choice questions. In order to prepare for this test, review and study the text Medical Terminology: An Illustrated Guide, 8th Edition through Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, which will be used throughout your time in the program.
Students must score of 80% or greater to successfully pass the competency test. If a student scores less than 80%, they must meet with their assigned advisor for remediation within the first week of classes and will be required to retake the examination within the first 2 weeks of classes and receive a score of 80% or greater on the retake exam. This competency is required to pass your MPA-530 Clinical Medicine course.
If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Maclary at stephanie.maclary@mcphs.edu.
The schedule for students matriculating in Spring 2020 is
now available.
The book list for students matriculating in Spring 2020 students is now available. Students matriculating in Spring 2021 will receive their book list in late 2020.