Attendance Policy
Consistent attendance and punctuality are expected of all students during enrollment in the program due to the intensive nature of physician assistant education. All academic activities are considered to be an important part of the overall educational experience.
Pre-Clinical Year
In the event of absence from the program, students are to e-mail and/or call the Department of PA Studies Registrar (336)716-7068; paregistrar@wakehealth.edu. Notification of absence should be done prior to the anticipated absence or as soon as possible.
Excused Absences (Up to 72 Hours in Length) will be determined on a case by case basis. Valid reasons for requesting an excused absence include personal illness, family emergencies, bereavement (see table below), and the need to participate in the observance of religious holidays. Personal illness lasting longer than 3 days may require documentation by a medical provider. Please note that absence requests related to attending weddings, homecomings, the need to make an early flight for vacation, etc., will not be granted and if taken will be unexcused.
· The student is expected to make up any work missed.
· For excused absences that include missing an exam, refer to the Exam Policy.
Extended or accumulated excused or unexcused absences which affect the student’s ability to acquire the necessary knowledge to successfully advance in the program as determined by the faculty may result in referral to the Academic Affairs Committee for consideration of appropriate action including dismissal from the program.
Clinical Year
In the event of absence from a rotation, students are to e-mail and/or call the Department of PA Studies Registrar (336)716-7068; paregistrar@wakehealth.edu. Students must also notify their preceptor. Notification of absence should be done prior to the anticipated absence or as soon as possible.
You are expected to be in daily attendance unless prior arrangements have been made with your preceptor and the Director of Clinical Education. This includes attendance at all scheduled clinics, conferences, and rounds on the rotations. At times, this may include evening and weekend work or even some on-call sessions at the sites. You mustnotify the PA Department and your preceptor if you are going to be absent at any time or reasons that include but are not limited to: illness, personal or family emergencies, inclement weather conditions, and car or other transportation problems. Absences will be handled on an individual basis. Unexcused absence may jeopardize your ability to competently complete the rotation(s) or even your enrollment in the Program. All absences detract from your clinical experience and every effort should be made to make up for missed time. The Director of Clinical Education will make as assessment regarding the number of days missed and will determine whether a make-up period will be required to adequately complete a course. Also, an extended leave of absence may be appropriate and should be coordinated with the Director of Clinical Education and Program staff. Note that in almost all cases leaves of absence will delay completion of the Clinical Year and graduation.
· Each absence will be considered on a case by case basis.
· For excused absences that include missing an exam, refer to the Exam Policy
Pre-Clinical and Clinical Year
Death of: | Number of Excused Days |
Parent, Spouse, Child | up to 5 |
Brother or Sister (including half or step sibling), Grandparent, Grandchild, Step-Parent, Step-Child, Mother-in-Law, Father-in-Law, Sister-in-Law, Brother-in-Law, Son-in-Law, Daughter-in-Law | up to 3 |
Aunt, Uncle, Niece, Nephew | up to 1 |
All reports of absences will become a part of the student file. In the case of unexcused absences, faculty will make a note of the date(s) and nature of the absence and place such documentation in the student’s file.
Updated May 2011