BioHealth Programs, Certificates and Degrees

Primary Care Associate Program     (2005-2006)
The Primary Care Associate Program, cooperatively administered by the Stanford University School of Medicine and Foothill College, prepares physician assistants and family nurse practitioners to work mainly with primary care physicians who care for underserved populations. The curriculum also includes limited training in hospitals and subspecialties. The program is 15 months in length and leads to a Career Certificate and can also lead to an Associate in Science degree. The core curriculum is presented in 5 quarters, with a possibility of extending into a 6th quarter for additional training. Physician assistants and family nurse practitioners (PAs / FNPs) work with physicians as part of a health-care team. They help improve the quality of and access to primary care for areas and populations designated as being underserved. The Program’s curriculum emphasizes the skills necessary to recognize and treat common primary care problems that include acute, chronic, emergent or surgical conditions in patients of all ages. Our students are trained to: ü Evaluate the health status of patients ü Diagnose and treat common illnesses ü Manage stable chronic diseases ü Deliver preventive care ü Counsel individuals on family, psychosocial, and health-related problems. After completing the entire curriculum, a Certificate of Clinical Proficiency is awarded to successful students at graduation. The Program trains all students for practice as physician assistants. In addition, registered nurses who graduate from the Program are eligible to practice as family nurse practitioners in California. Brochures and applications may be obtained July through September by contacting the Primary Care Associate Program at: PCA Program, 1215 Welch Road, Modular G, Stanford, CA 94305-5408; telephone: 650-725-6959; web site: http://pcap.stanford.edu; e-mail: pcap-information@lists.stanford.edu; fax: 650-723-9692.
Units required for Major: 84
Units required for Certificate: 84
Program Type(s):
	AS = Associate in Science Degree.
	CP = Certificate of Proficiency.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 1st Prerequisites All applicants must complete the following courses at a regionally accredited institution in the United States with a grade of “C” or better: • Human Anatomy with lab • Human Physiology with lab • Microbiology with lab • Intermediate Algebra - One year of high school or One college course or equivalent • Introductory Chemistry - One year of high school or One college course • English Composition – English 1A or equivalent • Introduction to Sociology or Introduction to Cultural Anthropology • General Psychology. • Clinical Prerequisite - A minimum of 3,000 hours of direct patient care experience must be completed by the application deadline. NOTE: Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology must be completed by application date. General Education (GE): Applicants expecting to receive an Associate’s degree from Foothill College must complete coursework for the following GE requirements with a grade of “C” or better prior to the end of the Spring term of the application year (this does not apply to applicants with an Associate’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution in the United States): Intermediate Algebra – an equivalent college course (Math 105) or taking the Foothill College Placement Test and placing into Math 51 • Humanities – One course in Arts or Letters • Communication and Analytical Thinking • American Cultures and Communities • Lifelong Understanding – Four or more quarter units from two different academic departments. Note: High school coursework and upper-division classes are not acceptable for these prerequisites. COUNSELING: Questions regarding General Education (GE) and Prerequisite requirements can be answered by Sandi Urabe in the Counseling office. To schedule an appointment with Ms. Urabe call (650) 949-7423. Applicants needing to obtain a degree from Foothill College must meet Foothill’s general education requirements. Courses from other colleges must be comparable to those listed in the catalog and be accepted by Foothill in order to satisfy specific GE requirements. NOTE: Background screening and drug testing may be required by clinical facilities. Positive results could impact a student’s chances of attending clinics, completing the program requirements or gaining a license to practice upon graduation. The cost of the required screenings and test will be paid by the student. Clinical Prerequisite A minimum of 3,000 hours of direct patient care experience must be completed by the application deadline. This requirement can be met with 18 months of full-time work experience or equivalent part-time hours. Both paid and volunteer hours are acceptable. Hours accrued as a student in a training program cannot be used to meet clinical prerequisites. The amount of direct patient contact, level of patient care responsibility and understanding of the physician assistant or family nurse practitioner roles are considered when evaluating prior medical experience. Students have entered training from a variety of clinical backgrounds, including but not limited to: Medical Assistant (Back Office), Military Medical Corpsman, Nurse (RN or LVN), Paramedic, Radiologic Technician, Physical Therapist, Respiratory Therapist. Other clinical experiences involving direct patient care are evaluated on an individual basis. Preceptorship The Primary Care Associate Program offers a curriculum that emphasizes community-based clinical training in combination with a didactic program. Much of the training takes place in the office of a preceptor - a practicing physician who teaches the student during the course of his/her regular practice. Locating a preceptor is a difficult task. The Program offers guidance in finding a preceptor but expects that the student will seek out an optimal site. It is important to find someone that is compatible and willing to teach you because the preceptorship is a crucial part of our training model. During this preceptorship, the Program retains responsibility for student training and evaluation. The commitment of a general or family physician to serve as the student’s preceptor is not an admission requirement. However, once a person is admitted to the program, they are required to have an approved preceptor by August 21st or risk forfeiting their place in the class. Preceptorships occur in a variety of clinical settings throughout California. Applicants from the community satellites, if accepted, must locate preceptors in their designated satellite county.
Core Courses: (84 units)
CURRICULUM The program is 15 months in length and leads to a Career Certificate and can also lead to an Associate in Science degree. The core curriculum is presented in 5 quarters, with a possibility of extending into a 6th quarter for additional training. Fall Quarter PC 80 Family Medicine Didactic (14 Units) PC 80P Family Medicine Clinical (5 Units) Students attend classes at Stanford Monday through Thursday. Fridays are spent in preceptorships. Winter Quarter PC 81 Family Medicine Didactic (8 Units) PC 81P Family Medicine Clinical (8 Units) Students are in preceptorships for 12 days per month and attend classes Monday-Friday the first week of each month. Spring Quarter PC 82 Family Medicine Didactic (8 Units) PC 82P Family Medicine Clinical (9 Units) Students will spend 14 days per month in preceptorships and attend classes Monday- Friday the first week of each month. Summer Quarter PC 83 Family Medicine Didactic (6 Units) PC 83P Family Medicine Clinical (9 Units) Students will spend 14 days per month in their preceptorship and attend classes Monday-Friday the first week of each month. Fall Quarter (5th Quarter) PC 84 Family Medicine Didactic (8 Units) PC 84P Family Medicine Clinical (9 Units) Students will continue didactic and preceptorship activities (14 days/month).
Supplemental courses offered only by special arrangement. PC 85 Special Clinical Projects (4 Units) PC 85X Special Clinical Projects (5 Units) PC 85Y Special Clinical Projects (6 Units) PC 86 Special Didactic Projects (4 Units) PC 86X Special Didactic Projects (5 Units) PC 86Y Special Didactic Projects (6 Units)
Academic Year: 2005-2006
Status: Approved
Date Modified: 2005-08-11 09:44:52
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