Policies
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Withdrawal Policies
Student Employment Policies
Advanced Standing
Student Grievance Polices
Expected Student Competencies
Graduation Requirements
Withdrawal Policies
Refunds
Drop/withdraw within the deadline (first two weeks of the fall, winter, or spring quarters, or within the first week of the summer session). Refunds must be requested in writing to the cashier between the third and sixth week during fall, winter, and spring quarters. During summer session they must be requested the second and third weeks. Allow two to three weeks processing time.
Refunds: Out of state or foreign tuition
Summer Session
Classes meeting six weeks or longer:
- 100 percent for class dropped the first week and canceled classes; 50 percent for classes dropped the second week; no refunds after the second week.
Classes meeting less than six weeks:
- 100 percent for classes dropped before the second class meeting and for canceled classes. No refund after date of the second class meeting.
Fall, Winter & Spring Quarters
- 100 percent for classes dropped during the first week and for canceled classes; 75 percent for classes dropped during the second week; 50 percent for classes dropped during the third week; 25 percent for classes dropped during the fourth week; no refund after fourth week.
Year round
Classes meeting one time only:
- 100 percent for classes dropped before the date of the class meeting. No refund for drops the date of the class meeting or later.
Refunds: In State tuition
Drop/withdraw within the deadline (first two weeks of the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters or within the first week of the Summer Session).
- Basic fees: 100 percent refund if class is canceled or student drops prior to deadline.
- Enrollment fees: 100 percent refund for classes dropped prior to deadline, less service fee.
- Parking fee: 100 percent refund if all the student's classes are canceled or student drops prior to drop deadline.
- Requesting refunds: Refunds must be requested in writing from the cashier between the third and sixth week during Fall, Winter & Spring quarters. During Summer Session they must be requested the second and third weeks. Allow two to three weeks processing time.
Note: The forfeiture date on all unclaimed refunds is the 21st day of the summer session and the 42nd day of the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters.
Student Employment Policies
- Students are discouraged from seeking or maintaining employment while enrolled in the program.
- Students are not required to work for the program. The program may hire work-study students, but PCA students cannot hold these positions.
- During clinical experiences, students must not be used to substitute for clinical or administrative staff at clinical sites.
Advanced Standing
The program does not offer advanced standing.
Student Grievance and Appeal Process
A student who believes he or she has been treated improperly by the Program is entitled to a review of that action under this grievance and appeal procedure. The rights protected under this procedure include, but are not limited to, those guaranteed by the established rules and regulations of the Foothill DeAnza Community College District, Foothill College, the Education Code of the State of California, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964. For a student in the Program, this procedure described below will be applicable and stand in place of any grievance or appeal procedure of Foothill College to contest such act, unless the Program refers the student to a Foothill College procedure.
A student who believes that he or she has been treated improperly by an action of the Program must make a reasonable, good faith attempt to resolve the matter on an informal basis. Any appropriate administrator, faculty member, or staff member may be invited to participate and assist in achieving an amicable resolution, as described above in the section on Conflict Resolution.
If the student is not satisfied with the results of the conflict resolution process, and the student believes that s/he has been treated improperly by the Program, the student may file an appeal. The action being appealed must arise from an action taken by an individual faculty member or administrator of the Program or a committee charged with administering a part of the Program. A grievance is not valid which pertains to complaints about a Program policy of general application to all students.
The first step in filing an appeal is to make a written request for an informal hearing with the Director of the Program. Such an appeal request must be filed within 30 days of the date of the action being appealed . The request must be in writing, filed with the Director of the Program, and state the action that is being appealed and the basis for the appeal.
Informal Hearing
Upon receipt of the student's request for an informal hearing, the Program Director meets with the student in a timely manner. The Program Director hears the student's appeal, engages in fact-finding, and makes a decision. The Program Director's decision may consist of granting the student's appeal (all or in part), rejecting the student's appeal (all or in part) or referral of the student's appeal back to the Student Progress Committee for further consideration.
Formal Hearing
If the student is unable to resolve the matter through the informal hearing process, the student may initiate a formal hearing through a written request to the Director of the Program. The request should state the action which the student is appealing and the reasons for the appeal. This written request must be submitted within 30 days of the conclusion of the informal hearing or within 30 days of the action, whichever occurs first .
The Program Director assembles a hearing panel consisting of at least three of the following:
- one academic dean and other representative from Foothill College
- one dean from the Stanford Office of Student Affairs, or designee
- one practicing physician assistant or nurse practitioner Program graduate
- one community-based physician who is an approved PA supervisor and preceptor
The Program Director appoints one of the members as chair.
The Chair shall establish the procedures for the hearing and assure that the student:
a. is allowed to inspect and copy his or her entire Program file, including any materials relating to the action being contested
b. is permitted an advisor or support person (but not an attorney) at the hearing but that advisor may not participate directly in the hearing
c. has the right to be present during the presentation of evidence (but not the deliberations),
d. has the opportunity to question any witness who presents evidence against him/her at the hearing and to rebut the evidence against him/ her
e. has the opportunity to present supporting evidence and witnesses, including the opportunity to present his/her version of the situation.
A representative of the Program will also have the opportunity to present evidence and statements to the hearing panel. The findings and disposition of the hearing panel will be communicated to the student and the Program Director in writing.
Competencies of Program Graduates
- Gather accurate historical data, perform competent physical examinations, diagnose physical and psychosocial health problems, and develop management plans for patient's problems across the life span and in acute, chronic, emergent and long-term care settings
- Apply basic medical science concepts to the practice of medicine
- Practice disease prevention and health care maintenance with effective patient education skills
- Develop effective listening and communication skills with patients, peers, and supervisors
- Accurately document patient records in verbal and written format
- Develop skills for information literacy and lifelong learning
- Function effectively with physicians and other health care professionals as part of a health care team
- Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to each patient, and recognize the influence of culture, age, gender, and abilities in each patient interaction
- Integrate ethical behavior and professionalism into the practice of medicine
- Demonstrate intelligence, sound judgment, respect for self and others, and intellectual honesty
- Demonstrate awareness of the health care system and advocate for quality patient care
- Provide service to the community and the profession
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate from the Primary Care Associate Program, a student must complete the following requirements:
- Passing grade ("C" or better) in each required course in the curriculum
- Successful completion of the Summative Evaluation, which includes:
- Comprehensive Written Examination (knowledge)
- 5 th Quarter Practicum (clinical skills and professional behavior)
- Professional Behavior Assessment (summary of assessments of professional behavior by core faculty, site visitor and clinical preceptors made throughout the curriculum)
- Complete payment of all tuition, fees and library charges
