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UF Health University of Florida
School of Physician Assistant Studies UF College of Medicine
Student Support Overview

Readiness to Return

The UF College of Medicine School of Physician Assistant Studies (COM SPAS) wants to ensure that any student who has had a leave of absence for medical reasons or an extended leave of absence for educational or disciplinary reasons is evaluated for their readiness to return to registration. Students will be required to provide documentation of their readiness to return or will be required to have an evaluation from a 3rd party that specifically addresses their ability to return successfully to the COM SPAS curriculum. The most common scenarios, but not all, in which a student would have to provide documentation for their readiness to return include:

  1. A situation in which a student is unable to perform essential functions of a PA student because of a physical illness (short term or long term).
  2. A situation where a student cannot perform essential functions of a PA student due to a mental health diagnosis.
  3. A situation in which a student is unable to perform essential functions of a PA student because of addiction.
  4. A situation in which a student may pose a direct threat of harm to self or others due to a physical or psychological condition.
  5. A situation in which a student’s ability to perform essential functions may be impaired by the duration of time they spent away from the PA school curriculum.

For situations 1-4, a fitness for duty evaluation will be required. This may come in the form of a complete evaluation of the student’s stressors, abilities, and accommodation requirements (e.g., after a diagnosis). Completion of an Individualized Readiness Plan as assigned by the PSPC may be required for any student as documentation for supporting readiness to return.

Medical Leave of Absence

A. non-cognitive or physical impairment (Situation #1 above)

Return to registration approvals and documentation will be required for students who have both short term and long-term absences

  1. Documentation should describe the following:
    1. When the student is able to return to registration
    1. Whether there are limitations to their return
      1. The student will have to apply through the DRC for accommodations if they are recommended by their treating physician, and those accommodations will be determined to be appropriate, or not, based on the written technical standards of the COM SPAS. 
    1. The need for on-going appointments/supports and their duration.
  1. In some cases, a fitness for duty evaluation will be required that can also assess the student’s medical situation in the context of the stressors of the COM SPAS curriculum. Please refer to the PA Student Fitness for Duty Policy
    1. This may be due to time away from the curriculum or other concerns including, but not limited to, previous academic difficulties.
    1. This determination will be made by the Professional Standards and Promotion Committee (PSPC).

B. Cognitive Impairment (Situation #2,3,4)

I. Mental Health Diagnosis

a. Return to registration approvals and documentation of appropriate treatment will be required for any student who has taken a short-term medical leave of absence (less than 2 weeks) and who has not had prior academic or professionalism concerns.

b. Documentation from the treating physician should describe the following:

  1. When the student is able to return to registration
  1. Whether there are limitations to their return
  1. If yes, then the student will have to apply through the DRC for accommodations if they are recommended by their treating physician. Those accommodations will be determined to be appropriate, or not, based on the written technical standards of the COM SPAS.

     iii. The need for on-going appointments/supports and the duration of those

 c. Return to registration for a student who has taken a leave of absence that exceeds 2 weeks or has had prior academic, or professionalism concerns may require a fitness for duty evaluation (Please refer to the PA Student Fitness for Duty Policy). The need for this evaluation and type of reentry program will be determined by the PSPC.

  • Options for a fitness for duty evaluation include
    • Physician Resource Network (PRN)
    •  Private Forensic Psychologist or Psychiatrist who provides fitness for duty evaluations

e. Any student who takes repeated short or long-term absences for any cognitive impairment will require a fitness for duty evaluation after the second leave in order to return to registration

     C. Addiction

i. Any student who is suspected of having a drug or alcohol addiction will be given the option of self-referring to PRN. If the student refuses to self-refer, he/she will be referred by the COM PRN liaison.

ii. In addition, if the student is considered to be impaired, they will be immediately removed from any patient interaction until after their PRN assessment is completed.

iii. Any student who is deemed by PRN to require a contract and monitoring will be required to adhere to the recommendations of PRN prior to their return to registration

iv. Any student not compliant with their monitoring contract will be subject to dismissal from the COM SPAS.

Academic Leave of Absence

Any student who is on an academic leave of absence that exceeds 2 weeks to include deceleration or delay will be required to complete a return to readiness program. This program may take the form of a formal intensive course or the development of an individualized readiness plan.  The details of the return plan will be dependent upon the student’s prior academic history, the phase in which they will return, and the duration of time away from the COM SPAS.  The PSPC will determine what type of re-entry program is indicated. Additional action may be taken as the UFSPAS deems it necessary.

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