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.
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.
Beginning January 2019, the Accelerated Physician Assistant Studies Program will be using 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
White coats and nametags will be ordered for each student by the PA department. The white coat order form will be available in early fall.
Sizes should be based on blazers or jackets that you wear over other clothing.
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, 7th Edition (or newer) through Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, which will be used throughout your time in the program.
Students will need to score of 80% or greater to successfully pass the competency test. If a student scores less than 80%, they will need to 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 Professor Rosanne Washington at rosanne.washington@mcphs.edu or call 603-314-1708
The equipment that each student will need for the PA didactic and clinical year will be purchased with a bulk purchase program through Heine. Each student will receive portable ophthalmoscopes and otoscopes, as well as stethoscopes, reflex hammer, EKG calipers, tape measure, and 2 different tuning forks. The cost of this equipment package will be included as a line item in your tuition bill and this has an advantage in that you may receive financial aid for your equipment purchase just like you do for your tuition. 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. Heine will still be able to offer you your choice of color for your stethoscope as well as engraving if you wish.
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 working PA’s the ophthalmoscope/otoscope kits you purchased in PA school will come in handy. We are providing you with quality kits. The ophthalmoscope is a valuable diagnostic tool and the knowledge and skill set learned from using this equipment is invaluable in becoming a practicing PA. We know that our students will be 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. We will have more details for you 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 form for Spring 2020 students will be available in Fall 2019.
The book list for Spring 2020 students will be available in the fall.