The Ithaca College MS-PAS Program evaluates the following technical standards in all candidates for admission and graduation. The Program is committed to complying with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ascertains that all candidates must meet these minimal technical standards reasonably independently, regardless of whether or not they receive accommodations for documented disabilities. Any learner who has a question about whether they can meet these standards should contact the Program Director about their concerns.

The Dictionary of Occupational Titles defines the role of PAs in the healthcare delivery model and learners should be able to perform the listed tasks.

In addition, The O*NET Program is a national resource for occupational information including physician assistant profession. O*NET Program has specific tasks, technology skills and work activities.

All PA learners are expected to meet certain non-academic criteria in their training to become PAs.  

  1. Observation.  Use visual, auditory, and somatic skills to demonstrate comprehension of patients’ conditions.
  2. Communication. Communicate to gather information, assess non-verbal communication, and share culturally sensitive information with patients and others. Communication skills include speaking, reading, and writing.
  3. Motor. Gather information, palpate, auscultate, percuss, and perform other diagnostic maneuvers to provide care to patients.  
  4. Intellectual.  Measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize information to problem solve in a timely manner to respond to clinical situations.
  5. Behavioral and Social. Emotional health to make sound judgments. Utilize emotional intelligence during stressful situations. Engage in active learning. Tolerate workloads and changing environments.