Physician Assistant Policies

Doctors Talking

Carroll College PA Program Policies

Program policies and procedures apply to all PA students, faculty, and staff in both on-campus and clinical settings. In cases where program policies exceed institutional policies, the program’s policies take precedence. If a Supervised Clinical Practice Experience (SCPE) supersedes the program's policies and procedures, the clinical site policies and procedures take precedence. Policies are reviewed annually, published in the program handbook, and communicated to students during the didactic and clinical orientations and through institutional email.

Policies coming soon.

Overview
The Carroll College Physician Assistant Program is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive environment in which all students can thrive both personally and professionally. Consistent with the mission of Carroll College and ARC-PA Standards A1,02g and A3.14g, the program maintains zero tolerance for mistreatment and upholds the dignity of every individual in the educational setting.
Mistreatment is defined as behavior that shows disrespect for learners and interferes with their professional development. This may include, but is not limited to:

  • Discrimination or harassment based on race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or other protected characteristics;
  • Sexual harassment, including unwelcome advances, inappropriate comments, or physical contact;
  • Abuse of authority, including grading or evaluation based on personal bias;
  • Intimidation, threats, or public humiliation;
  • Unprofessional relationships or boundary violations;
  • Excessive or unjustified criticism, particularly when delivered in a demeaning or non-constructive manner.

Expectations for Conduct
All members of the program—including faculty, staff, preceptors, students, and others involved in PA education—are expected to model professionalism, compassion, and mutual respect. Students are likewise encouraged to reflect on the conditions and context of interpersonal interactions when assessing potential mistreatment.

Reporting Mistreatment
Students who believe they have experienced or witnessed mistreatment are encouraged to speak up as soon as possible so that timely, supportive action may be taken. Reports may be made verbally or in writing, and confidentiality will be maintained to the greatest extent possible.
Students may report concerns to any of the following individuals:

  • A faculty or staff member in the PA program
  • The Director of Clinical Education
  • The Program Director
  • The Medical Director

The Program Director will notify the Office of Academic Affairs of the incident if it occurs during the Didactic Phase of the program. Students who experience mistreatment during a clinical rotation are encouraged to report the incident to the Director of Clinical Education as soon as possible so that timely, supportive action may be taken. The Director of Clinical Education will report the incident to the PA Program Director and the Office of Academic Affairs. If the program cannot resolve the issue, it would be communicated to the AVPAA or SVPAA.

Resolution Process
Whenever possible and appropriate, the program seeks informal resolution of concerns through dialogue, mediation, or corrective feedback. The Program Director or Clinical Director may engage in this process in collaboration with Carroll College’s Office of Academic Affairs.

If informal resolution is not successful or if the concern warrants further review, students may initiate a formal complaint through the college’s Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs or Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs to guide the student through the appropriate procedures.

Protection from Retaliation
Students who report mistreatment in good faith are protected from retaliation. Any retaliation against individuals who file a report, participate in an investigation, or assist in resolving a concern will be regarded as a serious violation of professional conduct.

Environmental and Infectious Exposure Policy

Student Employment

The requirements of program completion are rigorous, with an estimated 30-40 hours of instruction per week except on vacations. This does not include time needed to study or gain additional practice with certain skills. In order for students to have the greatest opportunities for success, working while enrolled in the program is strongly discouraged during the didactic year.  Students are not allowed to work during the clinical year.

Students enrolled in the PA program will not be employed by the program, nor substituted for or function as instructional faculty, clinical staff, or administrative staff. 

All students must identify themselves as a Physician Assistant student (PA-S) during the didactic and clinical phases of the program.  Students are not permitted to use previous titles earned before entering the PA program (e.g., RN, RT, AT-C) when representing the program.  Students are also not allowed to identify themselves as a PA graduate, resident or medical student. Students are issued name badges that they will be required to wear on and off campus anytime they are representing the program.  The badge will identify them as a Carroll College PA student.  Students may be required to wear an additional badge while at a Supervised Clinical Practice Experience (SCPE).

Housing during all parts of the program, including during the clinical year, are the sole responsibility of the student.  Given the rural nature of Montana, students should expect that 90% or more of the SCPEs will occur greater than a 50-mile radius of Helena.  Whenever possible, students are placed in rotations that are near a centralized “hub” to minimize disruptions to both housing and travel. Although some SCPEs will have housing options available, all arrangements must be made directly by the student. Failure to secure housing will not excuse a student from full participation in assigned SCPEs.

It is expected that students will have a reliable means of transportation to be present for the agreed-upon schedule set by the Preceptor of Record.  Please review the Inclement Weather policy for further details.  Any tardiness or absence from this schedule must be communicated to the Preceptor of Record and the DCE.

Costs associated with housing, meals, and transportation are the sole responsibility of the student throughout the didactic and clinical phases of the program.

Program Director, Medical Director and Principal Faculty Cannot be Used as Student Healthcare Providers

It is the policy of Carroll College, and required by the ARC-PA, that students MUST NOT utilize the Program Director, Medical Director, or any Principal Faculty as health care providers except in the event of an emergency.

Students are not required to provide clinical preceptors/sites.  All preceptors and clinical sites will be evaluated by a consistent process to ensure the highest quality of clinical training possible. This process will be conducted under the supervision of the Director of Clinical Education and/or the Program Director.

Any student requesting placement with a particular preceptor/site is welcome to provide contact information to the Director of Clinical Education.  This is NOT a guarantee that the student will be able to complete a clinical rotation with a particular preceptor/site, as the vetting process must be applied consistently to all preceptors/sites.

Students enrolled in the program must maintain health insurance throughout both the didactic and clinical phases of the program and provide evidence of health insurance coverage prior to matriculation and prior to Supervised Clinical Practical Experiences (SCPEs).  Clinical affiliates require that students have their own health insurance.  

SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND SEXUAL MISCONDUCT/TITLE IX

The Physician Assistant (PA) Program is committed to maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and safe learning environment for all students. Mistreatment, harassment, and discrimination undermine professional development and will not be tolerated in the classroom, clinical settings, or any program-related activities.

PA students who believe they have experienced or witnessed mistreatment, harassment, discrimination, or other unprofessional behavior are encouraged to report concerns promptly. Reports may be made to any of the following:

  • PA Program Director or faculty member
  • Carroll College Office of the Dean of Students
  • Title IX Coordinator (for matters involving sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, or discrimination)

Students also have the right to file a formal complaint through the College’s student conduct process, which outlines procedures for investigations, hearings, and appeals. Supportive measures or interim actions may be implemented at any stage of the process to help ensure student safety and well-being.

For additional information regarding reporting procedures, investigations, and student rights during conduct proceedings, please refer to the Carroll College Student Code of Conduct Procedures.

All complaints will be handled with appropriate respect for privacy, and retaliation against individuals who report concerns in good faith is strictly prohibited.

Additional Resources
Carroll College Title IX Policy
Title IX Grievance Procedures
Incident Reporting Forms and Title IX Coordinator Contact Information
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