Program Description

The Physician Assistant Program is a two year educational program consisting of 88 semester credits. During the first year at Miami Dade College, students will complete course work in basic sciences, general studies, clinical medicine, history, and physical examination techniques, and surgical and technical clinical skills. Many of these courses have both a lecture and a laboratory component. During the second year, students are provided with opportunities to develop medical skills and to expand their knowledge by participating in structured clinical experiences under the supervision of physician’s assistants, surgeons, and physicians. In order to provide students with a broad range of clinical experience, the program utilizes numerous hospitals, primary care centers, and free standing clinical settings within the State of Florida.

Who are Physician Assistants?

Physician assistants are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, the PA conducts physical exams, diagnoses and treats illnesses, orders and interprets tests, counsels on preventive health care, assists in surgery, and in virtually all states can write prescriptions. Within the physician-PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. A PA's practice may also include education, research, and administrative services.

Because of the close working relationship the PAs have with physicians, they are educated in the medical model designed to complement physician training. Upon graduation, physician assistants take a national certification examination developed by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants in conjunction with the National Board of Medical Examiners. To maintain their national certification, PAs must complete 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and sit for a recertification every six years. Graduation from an accredited physician assistant program and passage of the national certifying exam are required for state licensure.

Mission and Goals

The mission of Miami Dade College is to provide accessible, affordable, high-quality education by keeping student's needs at the center of decision-making in partnership with its dynamic, multicultural community.

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The mission of the Medical Center Campus is to provide students with affordable, accessible, quality education in health care careers. Faculty and staff strive to respond to the changing needs of students, health care providers, and health care consumers in the community at large through collaboration with health care and business communities. The Campus provides an environment that is conductive to learning by recognizing and responding to the diverse learning styles, cultures, and resources of its students.

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The mission of the Physician Assistant Program is to provide high quality education and training opportunities in primary care for students from diverse cultural backgrounds interested in providing health care services to the medically under-served residents in urban and rural communities, especially in Florida. Promote and maintain high academic and professional standards. Participate in professional activities and continuing education to promote life-long learning.
Prepare each graduate with a level of didactic and clinical competence that provides successful entry into the profession.

Requirements
Classes are admitted once a year and begin in late August. Deadline for application submission is January 15th of each year.

To be eligible for admission to the Physician Assistant Program at the Miami Dade College Medical Center Campus, you must meet these criteria:

• Complete admission application (College and Program) and submit all required documents.
• Pay the non-refundable application fee of $25.00, payable to Miami Dade College.
• Submit all official transcripts showing all courses taken at institutions of higher education and highest degree earned. If the transcripts are from institutions outside of the United States, it is the responsibility of the applicant to submit the following additional documentation prepared and certified by an approved foreign credential agency such as World Education Service (WES) or other approved equal:
•    Validation of advanced degree
•    Evaluation of transcripts showing equivalencies as well as grades of all courses for which transfer credits are
     being requested
•    English translation of transcripts, if the original official transcripts are not in English
• Complete the written essay requirement.
• Meet with the Interview Committee.

NOTE: After having been selected for the P.A. Program and prior to registering for the first semester of the program, all students must: agree in writing to adhere to the College’s Confidentially Statement, complete the Health Record which includes drug screening, and successfully complete a Level II background check.

Selection Criteria

Selection to the Physician Assistant Program is highly competitive; therefore, selection criteria have been established. Applicants who meet program requirements will be placed into the selection pool for interview. Selection priority will be granted according to the following:

1. Completion of the general education courses with GPA of 2.5 or higher.
2.  *Completion of the required natural sciences courses with GPA of 2.7 or above, taken within the last five years of application to the PA Program.
3. Previous health care career education and/or documented experience a plus.
4. English competency in oral and written communication skills.
5. Submission of 3 recommendation letters with at least one from a health professional.
6. Preference given to State of Florida residents.

*Applicants must complete all natural sciences and general education courses no later than the end of spring term of application year. All science courses taken more than five years ago must be repeated.

Applicants who are not selected are encouraged to consider the above criteria and reapply for admission the following year.

Completion of General Education and Science courses and grades attained will enter into the “selection process”. Since the program awards an associate's degree, it does not meet requirements for admission to medical school. Therefore, the program should not be considered a means of entry into a medical college. Students should review the College Catalog for specific course descriptions, including pre and co-requisite course requirements.

The following general education pre-requisite courses must be completed before enrollment in the PA program to obtain an A.S. degree in Physician Assistant:

What Are the Qualities of a Good Candidate?

Intelligence, the ability to relate to people, capacity for calm and reasoned judgment in encountering emergencies, and a demonstrated commitment to patients are qualities essential for the physician assistant. The ideal candidate has the academic ability, prior health care experience, and personal maturity to successfully complete the program and to insure a productive career as a physician assistant. The program's selections committee is seeking candidates who: (1) sincerely want a career as a physician assistant and have a good understanding of the role of the PA; (2) can successfully complete a college level program essentially heavy in basic sciences; (3) have experience in the delivery of health care; (4) have a thorough understanding of the role of a primary care practitioner; (5) have a thorough understanding and commitment to the team concept in health care; (6) can thrive in a service career providing help and care to other people; (7) have the maturity and tolerance to work calmly under stress; (8) can communicate effectively and efficiently both in writing and in speech; and (9) can demonstrate a commitment to community service.

Why Is Health Care Experience an Advantage?

The career as a Physician Assistant is primarily one of working with physician and other medical/allied health providers in delivering health care to people. The program is two years in duration and there is much to learn; therefore, prior health care experience, preferably within the last five years, (not including experience obtained as part of a training program), provides a head start in learning clinical approaches, procedures, and terminology. Prior clinical experience is also considered important because it implies a candidate has knowledge of the kinds of medical problems encountered, and can work with a variety of health care personnel. Moreover, a candidate exposed to health care has a better chance to understand the stresses involved in the delivery of health care as well as all aspects of the industry.

Is There a Residence Requirement?

The selections committee will accept applications from candidates residing in the United States but preference will be given to residents of the State of Florida when all other factors are deemed equal. The mission of the college includes meeting the educational needs of those residing in the state and local community.

To apply to the Physician Assistant Program at the Medical Center Campus, complete the following steps:

• If you have not been enrolled at Miami Dade College during the past 12 months, complete an Application for Admission or Readmission to College Credit Courses. Choose the Medical Center Campus as the “preferred” campus.
• Make an appointment to take the Computerized Placement Test (CPT) through Testing Services, Room 1303, Medical Center Campus, 305-237-4275, or through the testing center at any of the other MDC campuses. You should register at least one month in advance of taking the test, and you should take the test before the date that program application materials are due.
• If you have previously attended any other college or university, arrange for that institution to send official transcripts to the Registrar at the Medical Center Campus by the due date for program application materials.
• Complete the prerequisite courses.
• Submit an Application for Program Selection to the Physician Assistant Program Coordinator at the Medical Center Campus.

Where Do I Send My Application Materials?

You may send your MDC application to:

Miami Dade College
Medical Center Campus
New Student Center
950 NW 20 th Street
Miami, FL 33127

Applications for College admission may also be filled out on line at http://www.mdc.edu.
Note:  You have to be connected to the Internet to access this web site

You must also send the following:

• Application fee (check or money order – no cash)
• Send with your Application for Program Selection, professional documentation and letters of recommendations

(Don’t forget to send Official high school transcript and official college transcripts to the Office of the Registrar, located at the same address listed above)

ADA Standards (Americans with Disabilities Act)

In keeping with its mission and goals, and in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Medical Center Campus promotes an environment of respect and support for persons with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodations. The definition of individuals with disabilities are those who currently have, have a record of having, or are regarded as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. Major life activities include caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, breathing, and working.

Individuals applying for admission, progression to clinical courses and graduation from a program in Nursing and Allied Health Technologies must be able to meet the physical and emotional requirements of the academic program. In addition, students admitted to the programs in Nursing and Allied Health Technologies must possess the following qualities:

• The emotional maturity and stability to approach highly stressful human situations in a calm and rational manner.
• The ability to make clinical judgment using critical thinking.
• The ability to adhere to ethical standards of conduct as well as applicable state and federal laws.
• The ability to provide effective written, oral, nonverbal communication with patients and their families, colleagues, health care providers, and the public.

An individual who poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others or themselves may be denied admission, progression or graduation. The college's determination that a person poses a direct threat will be based on an individualized assessment that relies on current medical evidence or on the best available evidence to assess the nature, duration, and severity of the risk and the probability that the potential injury will actually occur.

In order to fulfill the requirements of the Physician Assistant Program at Miami Dade College, students must be able to meet the physical demands associated with the profession. Examples of these requirements include but are not limited to the following:

Code: F = frequently O = Occasionally NP = Not Present

For specific Performance Standards associated with the Physician Assistant Program, please contact the Program Coordinator.

*Because of the unique responsibilities involved in all Allied Health professions, each department reserves the right to require that the student who appears to be unsuited for any program therein withdraw from the program and be guided into another curriculum of study at the college.

Curriculum
The Physician Assistant Program is a two year educational experience consisting of 88 semester credits. During the first year at Miami Dade College, students will complete course work in basic sciences, general studies, clinical medicine, history, and physical examination techniques, and surgical and technical clinical skills. Many of these courses have both a lecture and a laboratory component. During the second year, students are provided with opportunities to develop medical skills and to expand their knowledge by participating in structured clinical experiences under the supervision of physician’s assistants, surgeons, and physicians. In order to provide students with a broad range of clinical experience, the program utilizes numerous hospitals, primary care centers, and free standing clinical settings within the State of Florida. The Physician Assistant Program does not grant advanced standing to students accepted in the program.

Transfer of Credit

Miami Dade College Transfer of Credit Policy only applies to pre-requisite or pre-professional courses required in the Physician Assistant Program. The P.A. Program uses the Miami Dade College policy as follows:

a. Transfer credits are only accepted from regionally accredited colleges and universities or nationally accredited institutions that participate in the Florida Course Numbering System unless a written agreement between Miami Dade and a specific post-secondary institution has been previously approved.
b. Courses from previous college(s) will be evaluated after the student has been admitted to MDC.
c. MDC will determine how many credits, if any, will apply toward a degree.
d. Students who have taken courses in non-English speaking countries must have an official certified translation made of their credits and submit this translation to the Admissions Office.
e. College courses completed more than 10 years prior to the date of enrollment at Miami Dade may require validation by examination.

Advanced Placement

The Miami Dade College Physician Assistant Program does not provide advance placement or credit to enrollees based upon experiential learning.

Applicants to the Miami Dade College Physician Assistant Program will not be considered for advanced placement unless they have been previously enrolled in an accredited Physician Assistant Program and have successfully completed all coursework (earned a grade of “C” or above) while enrolled in the P.A. Program. Individuals who have previously completed courses that are part of the P.A. Program’s current curriculum may request advanced placement if:

a. a grade of “C” or above has been earned in each course completed.
b. the course work being considered for advanced placement is no more than 5 years old from the time the student would enroll in the P.A. Program.
c. the applicant has completed all required program application materials and has been selected into program. All applicants must participate in a competitive admissions process.

Experiential Learning

No credit for experiential learning will be awarded to a student in the Miami Dade College Physician Assistant Program.

Employment while enrolled in the PA Program

The PA program is an intensive, demanding course of study that requires a full time commitment. For this reason, we strongly discourage students from working while in the program.

* This is not necessarily the order in which all students will complete the eight rotations. Most clinical rotations are offered every term to maximize the utilization of sites available to students. Students must meet the requirements of the clinical facility assigned.

Retention, promotion, and graduation are not automatically granted to students in this program.  The PA program director and faculty review performance records for each student at the end of every term.  Didactic grades and classroom work are evaluated as well as the student's clinical performance, patient interaction, professional behavior, and demeanor.

Approximate Costs

The Physician Assistant curriculum consist of 56 credits; 34 in the didactic or first year and 22 in the clinical or second year. Effective August 2006, tuition for Florida residents is $68.94 per credit for non-residents it is $228.76 per credit. A special course fee of $280 per credit is charged for both resident and non-resident students. Consequently, the total cost of Physician Assistant tuition registration for Florida residents is $19,540.64; the total cost of registration for non-residents is $28,490.56. These fees are subject to change depending on legislative action.

A $25.00, one-time non-refundable Program application fee must be paid by any applicant seeking an A.S. degree from MDC PA Program.  Payment should be made to the Bursar's office and a Program Application Transaction Record form should be filled out.

Additional Program expenses include textbooks (between $60 and $300 per course), medical equipment and lab coats (approximately $800), liability insurance ($15/year), medical accident insurance ($10.50/year), annual physical examinations, and fees associated with courses other than the Physician Assistant courses. Students enrolled in PA courses must have a current ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) card and an OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration) certificate. These courses are provided by MDC for an additional fee.

 The nature of the application process for acceptance into the PA Program is highly competitive; therefore, effective January 5, 2003, an applicant officially accepted into the PA Program must provide a non-refundable Program acceptance deposit of $400.00 to guarantee an applicant's seat in the Program.  The deposit will be applied towards registration and tuition fees.  Fees are not refunded if an applicant fails to enroll, maintained eligibility for admission, or withdraws from the Program.

Financial Aid

All students at the Medical Center Campus should apply for financial aid, which includes the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Subsidized loans. The Campus also offers emergency short-term loans and a variety of scholarships.

Application can be made in the Financial Aid Office (Room 1201) on the Medical Center Campus. Those who apply before April 1st for the following academic year are given priority. Only courses in which students have registered before the 100 percent refund date qualify for financial aid. For additional information, call the Financial Aid personnel at 305-237-4160.

Accreditation

The Miami-Dade PA Program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission for the Education of the Physician Assistant, Inc., and currently holds a probationary status.  Specific questions regarding the program should be directed to 305-237-4124.

Licensure

Graduates earn an Associate of Science Degree in Physician Assistant, and are fully eligible to take the National Certifying Examination for Physician Assistants, and apply for registration with the Florida State Medical Board as Physician Assistants.

For further information, contact:

Florida Department of Health
Council of Physician Assistant

P.O. Box 6330
Tallahassee , FL 32399-3255
(850) 245-4131
http://www.doh.state.fl.us
Note:  You have to be connected to the Internet to access this web site

Important Phone Numbers

New Student Center		305-237-4141
Advisement Services		305-237-4238
Financial Aid		305-237-4160
Student Life		305-237-4213
Testing Services		305-237-4275

Faculty and Staff

	Jimmy Santana, PA-C Acting Program Director Associate Professor Clinic Coordinator Telephone: 305-237-4282 Office: 2223 Email: jsantana@mdc.edu
	Hidalgo Ausberto, MD. Medical Director Telephone: 305-237-4124
	Thomas E. Lynn III, PA-C Academic Coordinator Assistant Professor Telephone: 305-237-4420 Office: 2228 Email: tlynn@mdc.edu
	Pascale Gèhy-Andrè , PA -C Faculty Telephone: 305-237-4381 Office: 2221 Email: pgehyand@mdc.edu
	Charles Stringer, PA-C Assistant Professor Telephone: 305-237-4353 Office: 2220 Email: cstringe@mdc.edu
	Jacqueline Hernandez Student Service Asst. Telephone: 305-237-4124 Office: 2204 Email: jhernan7@mdc.edu

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Last revision done on May 1, 2006
 

The mission of the Medical Center Campus is to provide students with affordable, accessible, quality education in health care careers. Faculty and staff strive to respond to the changing needs of students, health care providers, and health care consumers in the community at large through collaboration with health care and business communities. The Campus provides and environment that is conducive to learning by recognizing and responding to the diverse learning styles, cultures, and resources of its students.