Physician Assistant Competencies
In early 2020, the Northwestern University (NU) Physician Assistant (PA) Program Curriculum Committee developed competencies for program graduates. These competencies were created in response to, and modeled after, the PAEA Core Competencies for New Physician Assistant Graduates.
In May 2026, the NU PA Program published an updated competency framework. These revised competencies reflect the continuum of knowledge, skills, and behaviors expected of all graduates of the Northwestern University PA Program. The framework also incorporates the competency domains defined by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), including Clinical Skills (CTS-CS), Technical Skills (CTS-TS), Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving (CR/PS), Interpersonal Skills (IP), Medical Knowledge (MK), and Professional Behaviors (P).
1. Medical Knowledge and Clinical Reasoning
1.1 Apply clinical and biomedical science knowledge to recognize states of health and disease. (MK, CR/PS)
1.2 Apply diagnostic reasoning to formulate a comprehensive differential diagnosis and differentiate between acute, chronic, and emergent disease states. (MK, CR/PS, CTS-CS)
1.3 Interpret clinical data from the patient history, physical examination, and diagnostic test results to formulate a diagnosis. (MK, CR/PS, CTS-CS)
2. Patient-Centered Care
2.1 Elicit a complete medical history and accurately perform a physical exam using a hypothesis-driven approach. (CTS-CS, IP, CR/PS)
2.2 Perform core clinical procedures safely and effectively. (CTS-TS)
2.3 Demonstrate knowledge of when to incorporate the services of other members of the health care team. (CR/PS, CTS-CS)
2.4 Create comprehensive treatment plans that are evidence-based and patient-centered. (MK, CR/PS, CTS-CS)
2.5 Evaluate patient responses to interventions and modify care plans accordingly. (MK, CR/PS, CTS-CS)
3. Communication and Interpersonal Skills
3.1 Analyze psychosocial and health literacy factors affecting patient interactions. (CR/PS, IP)
3.2 Apply effective communication techniques to establish rapport and therapeutic relationships. (IP, P)
4. Professionalism and Ethical Behavior
4.1 Demonstrate compassion and respect for others. (IP, P)
4.2 Apply principles of confidentiality and ethical practice in clinical settings. (P)
4.3 Evaluate one’s own professional behavior and respond constructively to feedback. (IP, P)
5. Systems-Based Practice and Population Health
5.1 Apply knowledge of healthcare systems, financing, and epidemiology to patient care. (MK)
5.2 Analyze how social drivers of health and systemic barriers influence population health outcomes. (MK, CR/PS)