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Atkinson Physician Assistant Education PA Assistant Education
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Clinical Concentration

Concentration, Elective or Selective Rotations (12 units)

The four 4-week concentration, elective or selective rotations allow learners to individualize their experience and explore areas of interest. Learners choose from a wide range of primary care, specialty, and subspecialty practices throughout the UC San Diego Health system and in other affiliated clinical training sites that are vetted by the PA program. Learners may select from already-established rotations or work with the Program’s clinical team to develop specific areas of interest. Selective rotations are designed specifically to meet the course learning outcomes for learners opting to pursue a clinical concentration in primary care, rural and border health, and specialty/subspecialty foci. One elective or selective rotation is protected for independent study.

Clinical Concentrations

Primary Care Concentration

Units
PAE 461 Primary Care Selective Rotation I 4
PAE 462 Primary Care Selective Rotation II 4
PAE 463 Primary Care Selective Rotation III 4

Specialty Care Concentration

Units
PAE 471 Specialty Care Selective Rotation I 4
PAE 472 Specialty Care Selective Rotation II 4
PAE 473 Specialty Care Selective Rotation III 4

Rural and Border Health Concentration

Units
PAE 481 Rural and Border Health Selective Rotation I 4
PAE 482 Rural and Border Health Selective Rotation II 4
PAE 483 Rural and Border Health Selective Rotation III 4

All Concentrations

 
PAE 489 Independent Study Rotation 4

* Selective Rotation series courses replace Clinical Elective Rotations and PAE 489 replaces PAE 454 to satisfy Clinical Concentration requirements.

Course Descriptions

PAE 461

Primary Care Selective Rotation I

This four-week supervised clinical practice experience is designed for learners with a commitment to a career in primary care. This experience places emphasis on continuity of care and the unique aspects of providing healthcare in a community and ambulatory setting.

PAE 462

Primary Care Selective Rotation II

This four-week supervised clinical practice experience is designed for learners with a commitment to a career in primary care. This experience places emphasis on continuity of care and the unique aspects of providing healthcare in a community and ambulatory setting. 

PAE 463

Primary Care Selective Rotation III

This four-week supervised clinical practice experience is designed for learners with a commitment to a career in primary care. This experience places emphasis on continuity of care and the unique aspects of providing healthcare in a community and ambulatory setting.   

PAE 471

Specialty Care Selective Rotation I

This four-week supervised clinical experience requires active participation in a specialty/sub-specialty setting. Learners choose clinical experiences with a common thread across three courses. This experience will enhance the learner’s understanding of the role of a physician assistant within the selected discipline.

PAE 472

Specialty Care Selective Rotation II

This four-week supervised clinical experience requires active participation in a specialty/sub-specialty setting. Learners choose clinical experiences with a common thread across three courses. This experience will enhance the learner’s understanding of the role of a physician assistant within the selected discipline.

PAE 473

Specialty Care Selective Rotation III

This four-week supervised clinical experience requires active participation in a specialty/sub-specialty setting. Learners choose clinical experiences with a common thread across three courses. This experience will enhance the learner’s understanding of the role of a physician assistant within the selected discipline.

PAE 481

Rural and Border Health Selective Rotation I

This four-week supervised clinical experience requires participation in a rural or border health setting. Learners choose clinical experiences with a common thread across three courses to enhance their understanding of the role of a physician assistant within the selected discipline.

PAE 482

Rural and Border Health Selective Rotation II

This four-week supervised clinical experience requires participation in a rural or border health setting. Learners choose clinical experiences with a common thread across three courses to enhance their understanding of the role of a physician assistant within the selected discipline.

PAE 483

Rural and Border Health Selective Rotation III

This four-week supervised clinical experience requires participation in a rural or border health setting. Learners choose clinical experiences with a common thread across three courses to enhance their understanding of the role of a physician assistant within the selected discipline.

PAE 489

Independent Study Rotation

This four-week non-clinical experience provides the learner with an opportunity to focus their efforts on completing their Capstone Project. This course also requires the learner to complete a self-directed learning plan to prepare for final written and practical summative assessments.