Courses
PA500 Introduction to the Profession (2)
This course is designed to aid the student in the transition into the medical profession and serves as an introduction to professional practice issues. Areas of discussion include the history of the physician assistant profession, the PA-Physician team, professional organizations, licensing and credentialing, malpractice, professionalism, health care delivery, reimbursement issues including Medicaid and Medicare, biomedical ethics, health literacy, diversity issues, domestic violence, and end of life issues.
PA 501 Clinical Medicine I (6)
This is the first in a series of courses designed to provide an intensive study of human diseases and disorders, using a lifespan approach from pediatrics to geriatrics, in the areas of clinical medicine including epidemiology, etiology, historical data, clinical manifestations, progression, therapeutic management, prevention, laboratory medicine, imaging, and prognosis. Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices and the emergency department following the NCCPA Blueprint, and the development of differential diagnoses and plans based upon the patient's clinical presentation. This course will be facilitated through lecture and problem-based learning.
PA 502 Clinical Medicine II (4)
This is the second in a series of courses designed to provide an intensive study of human diseases and disorders, using a lifespan approach from pediatrics to geriatrics, in the areas of clinical medicine including epidemiology, etiology, historical data, clinical manifestations, progression, therapeutic management, prevention, laboratory medicine, imaging and prognosis. Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices and the emergency department following the NCCPA Blueprint, and the development of differential diagnoses and plans based upon the patient's clinical presentation. This course will be facilitated through lecture and problem-based learning.
PA 503 Clinical Medicine III (6)
This is the third in a series of courses designed to provide an intensive study of human diseases and disorders, using a lifespan approach from pediatrics to geriatrics, in the areas of clinical medicine including epidemiology, etiology, historical data, clinical manifestations, progression, therapeutic management, prevention, laboratory medicine, imaging, and prognosis. Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices and the emergency department following the NCCPA Blueprint, and the development of differential diagnoses and plans based upon the patient's clinical presentation. This course will be facilitated through lecture and problem-based learning.
This is the first in a series of courses designed to develop an understanding of normal physiology, genetics, pathologic, and pathophysiologic concepts of diseases per organ system, and clinical anatomy with an emphasis on important anatomical landmarks required in physical evaluation of patients, anatomical relationships of structures to each other, and anatomical components of body systems.
This is the second in a series of courses designed to develop an understanding of normal physiology, genetics, pathologic, and pathophysiologic concepts of diseases per organ system, and clinical anatomy with an emphasis on important anatomical landmarks required in physical evaluation of patients, anatomical relationships of structures to each other, and anatomical components of body systems.
This is the third in a series of courses designed to develop an understanding of normal physiology, genetics, pathologic, and pathophysiologic concepts of diseases per organ system, and clinical anatomy with an emphasis on important anatomical landmarks required in physical evaluation of patients, anatomical relationships of structures to each other, and anatomical components of body systems
PA 507 Pharmacotherapeutics I (3)
This is the first in a series of courses designed to develop skills related to the principles of pharmacology as they pertain to therapeutic agents, prescription, and non-prescription medications. Discussion will include the principal mechanisms of action of the major classes of therapeutic agents, understanding of pharmacodynamics, uses, side effects, and toxicities.
PA 508 Pharmacotherapeutics II (3)
This is the second in a series of courses designed to develop skills related to the principles of pharmacology as they pertain to therapeutic agents, prescription, and non-prescription medications. Discussion will include the principal mechanisms of action of the major classes of therapeutic agents, understanding of pharmacodynamics, uses, side effects, and toxicities.
PA 509 Pharmacotherapeutics III (3)
This is the third in a series of courses designed to develop skills related to the principles of pharmacology as they pertain to therapeutic agents, prescription, and non-prescription medications. Discussion will include the principal mechanisms of action of the major classes of therapeutic agents, understanding of pharmacodynamics, uses, side effects, and toxicities.
PA 510 Patient Assessment I (3)
This is the first in a series of courses designed to develop the knowledge and skills required to obtain and record the complete medical history, use of appropriate equipment, proper techniques, and accurate medical terminology to document findings. This course will provide an overview of the medical record as well as development of writing and organizational skills for medical record keeping and oral presentation skills. Skills will be developed through lecture and structured laboratory exercises.
PA 511 Patient Assessment II (3)
This is the second in a series of courses designed to develop the knowledge and skills required to obtain and record the complete medical history, use of appropriate equipment, proper techniques, and accurate medical terminology to document findings. This course will provide an overview of the medical record as well as development of writing and organizational skills for medical record keeping and oral presentation skills. Skills will be developed through lecture and structured laboratory exercises.
PA 512 Patient Assessment III (3)
This is the third in a series of courses designed to develop the knowledge and skills required to obtain and record the complete medical history, use of appropriate equipment, proper techniques, and accurate medical terminology to document findings. This course will provide an overview of the medical record as well as development of writing and organizational skills for medical record keeping and oral presentation skills. Skills will be developed through lecture and structured laboratory exercises.
PA 513 The Patient and the PA I (1)
This is the first in a series of courses designed to develop skills in the area of patient communication, patient counseling, patient education, and cultural diversity and how they influence all aspects of medical practice. Instruction is focused on the detection and application of preventive measures and treatment of health risk behaviors including stress, abuse and violence, substance abuse, sexuality, end of life issues, and reaction to illness. The course will also include discussions on medical ethics.
PA 514 The Patient and the PA II (1)
This is the second in a series of courses designed to develop skills in the area of patient communication, patient counseling, patient education, and cultural diversity and how they influence all aspects of medical practice. Instruction is focused on the detection and application of preventive measures and treatment of health risk behaviors including stress, abuse and violence, substance abuse, sexuality, end of life issues, and reaction to illness. The course will also include discussions on medical ethics.
PA 515 The Patient and the PA III (1)
This is the third in a series of courses designed to develop skills in the area of patient communication, patient counseling, patient education, and cultural diversity and how they influence all aspects of medical practice. Instruction is focused on the detection and application of preventive measures and treatment of health risk behaviors including stress, abuse and violence, substance abuse, sexuality, end of life issues, and reaction to illness. The course will also include discussions on medical ethics.
PA 516 Medical Informatics (2)
This course will cover the importance of evidence-based medicine and review basic statistics, research methods, and ethical standards in research. It will also cover the interpretation of medical literature and application of various types of clinical articles in answering clinical questions. It will also include the basics of medical writing to provide added guidance for upcoming projects.
PA 517 Clinical Procedures (2)
This course will prepare the student for the upcoming clinical year. The focus will be on procedures, such as bedside and surgical procedures including aseptic technique, air and blood-borne pathogen transmission prevention, phlebotomy, IV placement, foley catheter insertion, lumbar puncture, injections, surgical techniques, suturing, and casting.
PA 600 Supervised Practice - Ambulatory Medicine (3)
This 5 week clinical course will be within a Family Medicine clinic setting. This course provides the PA student with experience in the outpatient evaluation and treatment of pediatric and adult patients, including preventive medicine, acute and chronic illness, and patient education.
PA 601 Supervised Practice - Internal Medicine (3)
This 5 week clinical course will be within an Internal Medicine practice. It will include a substantial inpatient experience for the PA student to gain knowledge of the evaluation and treatment of the multiple diseases and conditions of the adult population requiring hospitalization.
PA 602 Supervised Practice - General Surgery (3)
This 5 week clinical course will be within a surgical practice. PA students will participate in Operating Room (OR) cases and hospital consultations as well as clinic based cases and visits in caring for conditions that require surgical management. This will include pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative care.
PA 603 Supervised Practice - Emergency Medicine (3)
This 5 week clinical course will be within a hospital Emergency Department. PA students will gain knowledge and learn skills relevant to the triage, stabilization, diagnosis, and management of acute, life-threatening injuries and illnesses as well as the care of less threatening conditions.
PA 604 Supervised Practice – Pediatrics (3)
This 5 week clinical course will provide the PA student with experience in outpatient and/or in-patient management of pediatric patients. The student will have the opportunity to perform well child exams, problem oriented exams, evaluate common pediatric illnesses, and the care of the newborn and children.
PA 605 Supervised Practice - Women’s Health (3)
This 5 week clinical course provides the PA student with experience in managing common gynecologic disorders. The obstetric experience will include routine prenatal and postpartum care. It will include labor & delivery when possible.
PA 606 Supervised Practice - Behavioral Health (3)
This 5 week clinical course will provide the PA student with a behavioral medicine experience in caring for ambulatory and/or hospitalized patients with psychiatric disorders. The student will perform basic psychiatric evaluations, monitor medications, and support the clinical management plan for patients after psychiatric evaluation and treatment.
PA 607 Supervised Practice - Elective I (3)
This 5 week clinical course will provide the PA student the opportunity to practice in any available medical setting of the student’s choice. This may be used to augment a previous clinical experience or explore an area of interest or potential future employment.
PA 608 Supervised Practice – Elective II (3)
This 5 week clinical course will provide the PA student the opportunity to practice in any available medical setting of the student’s choice. This may be used to augment a previous clinical experience or explore an area of interest or potential future employment.
PA 609 Clinical Research Elective (3)
This 5 week course allows the PA student to participate in research in any medical area of interest in preparation for the student’s Master’s Project. The student may engage the multiple academic departments of Clarkson University outside of PA Studies for this research. Topics for research must be approved by the Department Chair and must be approved by the appropriate university review board. As an alternative, the student may perform a service learning project during this time as part of the Master’s Project.
This course, presented near the end of the clinical year, will include intensive board review in preparation for the PANCE, review for clinical skills testing, CV preparation, and interviewing skills. It also includes a final clinical skills exam as well as a cumulative written test, both of which must be successfully passed to graduate from the program.
This course is a follow up to Medical Informatics and the Research elective. It is designed to allow the PA student to complete a master's degree project under the guidance of Clarkson faculty or a community advisor. Students may identify an area of medicine, disease process or condition, conduct research, and produce a paper worthy of publication. The student may also perform a learning service project resulting in a publishable paper or product for use in the community. The student will prepare and present an oral presentation on their topic at the conclusion of the year.
