skip to main content
UTRGV

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Main Menu
Donate Now Directory myUTRGV

You are here:

About Program Competencies

Department of Physician Assistant Studies College of Health Professions

  • Home
  • About
    • Mission
    • Goals
    • Technical Standards
    • Program Competencies
    • Building Blocks
    • Policies
    • Accreditation
    • Cost of Attending
    • Faculty
    • Staff
  • Graduate Programs
    • Master in Physician Assistant Studies
    • Master in Physician Assistant Studies Bridge Program
      • Degree Plan (MPAS-BP)
      • Curriculum (MPAS-BP)
  • Admissions
    • Requirements
    • Application Process
    • Application Review
    • Statistics
    • Self-Appraisal Checklist
  • Student Engagement
    • RGV PA Society
    • Pre PA Society UTRGV
    • Upcoming Events
  • PACT
  • Student Resources
    • Career Opportunities
  • Featured News
    • News Archive
  • FAQS
  • Future Employers

About - Related Links

  • Mission
  • Goals
  • Technical Standards
  • Program Competencies
  • Building Blocks
  • Policies
  • Accreditation
  • Cost of Attending
  • Faculty
  • Staff

Contact Us

Physician Assistant Department
E-mail: pad@utrgv.edu

Admissions Coordinator
Keith Joseph
E-mail: keith.joseph@utrgv.edu 

Amanda Vargas
Administrative Assistant I
Phone: 956-665-5047
E-mail: amanda.vargas@utrgv.edu

Bridge Program Coordinator
Lisa Kuhn
Email: bridge@utrgv.edu

Physician Assistant Career Track Early Assurance Program (PACT)
Email: pact@utrgv.edu

Physician Assistant Studies
Haley Zamarripa
Administrative Assistant II
EHABE 2.144
Email: haley.zamarripa01@utrgv.edu
Phone: 956-665-2298
Phone Alt: 956-665-7049
Fax: 956-665-2438

facebook icontwitter icon

Quick Links

Department Homepage Graduate Programs (MPAS) Admissions FAQS UTRGV PA Program Cost of Attending Future Employers

Program Competencies

UTRGV Physician Assistant graduates are required to demonstrate successful mastery of the following seven (7) program competencies before graduation and entry into clinical practice. These program competencies include the effective and appropriate application of medical knowledge, interpersonal, clinical and technical skills, professional behaviors, clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities required for PA practice within each of the following seven program competencies:

  1. Successfully obtain a comprehensive patient medical history.
  2. Perform a focused and comprehensive physical exam on patients across the lifespan (infant, child, adolescent, adult, and elderly).
  3. Order and correctly interpret laboratory, radiologic and other diagnostic studies.
  4. Demonstrate higher order critical thinking and medical decision-making skills to develop a comprehensive list of differential diagnoses.
  5. Formulate a management/treatment plan that incorporates evidence-based medicine and current recommendation guidelines for acute, chronic, and preventive patient encounters.
  6. Provide patient education on the following topics:
    • Illness and disease
    • Treatment options
    • Health promotion and disease prevention
    • Lifestyle risk factors
  1. Demonstrate the following interpersonal skills and professional behaviors necessary for effective communication with peers, faculty, and patients:  professional responsibility, competence, maturity, and integrity.  
Jump to Top
Give to UTRGV

UTRGV

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • CARES, CRRSAA and ARP Reporting
  • Site Policies
  • Contact UTRGV
  • Required Links
  • Fraud Reporting
  • Senate Bill 18 Reporting
  • UTRGV Careers
  • Clery Act Reports
  • Web Accessibility
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Sexual Misconduct Policy
  • Reporting Sexual Misconduct