Technical Standards for Admission to VCOM and Continued Enrollment
The requirements to succeed at VCOM are those required to successfully complete the curriculum and, if applicable to the students desire and ability to gain admission to the D.O. program, to ultimately practice osteopathic medicine with full practice rights. Students must be able to function in a variety of learning and clinical settings and to quickly, accurately, and consistently learn and process data (refer to Section IV).
Students who gain admission and complete the Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Med program at VCOM are not guaranteed admission to the D.O. program (or other affiliated graduate programs), but are eligible to apply to these programs. Post‐baccalaureate students are required to meet the same technical standards as D.O. candidates as outlined within this document, because the Post‐Baccalaureate Program includes clinical exposure and preparation for potential careers as medical students and future physicians.
Osteopathic physicians utilize touching as part of the osteopathic approach to treatment. As part of the educational process, VCOM students in the Post‐Baccalaureate program must be able to tolerate being touched and touching others in a professional and appropriate manner. Acquiring the skills to palpate and examine patients requires a student to examine disrobed patients of both genders and this is mandatory to successful completion of the curriculum at VCOM. In physical diagnosis and osteopathic manipulative medicine laboratory experience, as well as other clinical laboratories where skills are acquired, students are required to participate in the examination of fellow students of both genders who may be partially disrobed. Students will need to wear attire such as shorts and to partially disrobe for certain laboratory experiences. These are requirements of all students, regardless of cultural beliefs, in order for the students to acquire the skills necessary to practice medicine. Students who have any concerns should discuss them with the Assistant Vice President for Student Services prior to applying.
In addition, the applicant must possess the abilities and skills in the following five areas:
I. Observation
The student must be able to visually observe laboratory demonstrations, microscopic tissue with the aid of the microscope, and computer based pictures used in laboratory demonstrations. The student must be able to visually and accurately observe physical signs and symptoms of a patient used in diagnosis and management. The use of a trained intermediary in such cases would compromise performance, as it would be mediated by another individual's power of selection, observation, and experience. Observation requires the functional use of vision and somatic sensations and is enhanced by the sense of smell.
II. Communication
The student must be able to communicate effectively in English as the curriculum and clinical experiences are offered in English. The student is encouraged to learn other languages for medical communication, however all curriculum and assessment is given in English. VCOM requires the functional ability to speak, hear, and observe patients in order to elicit accurate information. The student must be able both to describe changes in mood, activity, posture, and other physical characteristics and to perceive nonverbal communication. The student must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in verbal and in written form. The student must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with the patient and with all members of the health care team in order to successfully complete the curriculum.
III. Motor
Each candidate must have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, percussion, and other diagnostic measures. The candidate must have sufficient motor function to carry out maneuvers of general and emergency care and of osteopathic manipulation. Examples of emergent motor functions are cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administration of intravenous fluids and intravenous medications, management of an obstructed airway, hemorrhage control, closure by suturing of wounds, and obstetrical deliveries. In addition, the delivery of osteopathic manipulation requires the use of extremities in palpation, positioning, and carrying out maneuvers of manipulation. These actions require fine and gross motor and sensory function, as well as the senses of touch and adequate vision for inspection.
IV. Intellectual
The candidate must have the ability to reason, calculate, analyze, measure, and synthesize information. The candidate must be able to comprehend, memorize, synthesize, and recall a large amount of information without assistance, to successfully complete the curriculum. The candidate must be able to comprehend three‐dimensional relationships and to understand spatial relationships to succeed in school and to administer medical care. The candidate must be able to gain knowledge through all types of learning materials that the VCOM curriculum offers and must be able to perform pattern identification, memorization, recall information, and to identify and discriminate important information, to problem solve, and to calculate and make decisions in timed situations and in the presence of noise and distraction. The above intellectual abilities are necessary to successfully complete the medical curriculum, and will be required to perform pattern identification, immediate recall of memorized material, identification and discrimination to elicit important information, problem solving, and decision‐making as to emergent diagnosis and treatment of patients. The student must be able to recall important information for diagnosis and to calculate therapeutic management of emergent conditions. This type of demonstrated intellectual ability must be performed in a rapid and time‐efficient manner so as not to place patients in emergent conditions at risk. It is common in medicine for emergent situations to occur in the presence of visually distracting and noisy environments. Such emergent situations include, but are not limited to, cardiopulmonary compromise, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, obstetrical and neonatal emergencies, trauma presentations, poisonings and toxic exposures, shock, and hemorrhage.
V. Behavioral and Social Attributes
The candidate must have the emotional health needed for full use of his/her intellectual capabilities at all times. The emotional health required for effective communication and for professional, mature, sensitive, and compassionate patient/physician or patient/student relationships must be present. Candidates must be able to function effectively under stress and with physically taxing workloads. Candidates must have the emotional health to be able to function without the aid of medications that are known to affect intellectual abilities and judgment. The candidate must have the emotional stability and motivation to deliver patient care and to make emergent decisions at all times. The ability to adapt to changing environments and stressful situations and to display compassion and integrity, while maintaining the necessary intellectual capacity to care for patients is one that is observed during the interview process and throughout the progress in medical school. Inability to demonstrate the emotional health necessary for the delivery of quality and safe medical care is mandatory throughout medical school. VCOM considers addiction or the participation in substance abuse as a risk for unsafe medical care.
VCOM is committed to making accommodations for the student with handicaps to achieve success in the program (and if applicable to the student’s desire and ability to gain admission to the D.O. program) and ultimately a successful career as an osteopathic physician. Reasonable accommodations do occur for all students; each student, however, is required to function with independence and all the skills described above that VCOM holds as mandatory. While VCOM is committed to making the accommodations that make a student successful, VCOM is also committed to patient safety and assuring a safe and effective environment that does not place patients, students, or others at risk. Students who do not meet the above technical standards should not apply to VCOM.
If a student has a question as to his/her ability to meet the minimal technical standards listed, the student must notify the Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Med Program Office of Admissions in advance so that reasonable testing may occur. Students must identify themselves to the Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Med Program Office of Admissions, all areas where there is question in meeting these technical standards.
Assistance with Disabilities
Notice of Non‐Discrimination: The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion or age. Students must meet certain minimal technical standards to be successful in the curriculum and to practice medicine safely and competently. Students who, with assistance, can meet the technical standards to be successful in the VCOM curriculum and to safely and competently practice medicine are considered for admission. VCOM recognizes that there are varying levels of disability and needs and is committed to supporting those with disabilities who, with assistance, can meet the technical standards. VCOM assures that no adverse view of the application will be made if accommodations are required. VCOM asks that each student provide the college with information in advance of matriculation so that assistance may be provided where necessary. Verification by a health professional of disabilities that require accommodations is required with assurance that the student can meet the standards when accommodation is made. VCOM may require additional professional testing, at the applicant’s expense, prior to matriculation, to assure the student meets technical standards with accommodations and that all appropriate accommodations can be made in a timely manner. Students who have had prior documented disabilities that required accommodation or that are in question of needing accommodation, must notify the Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Med Program Office of Admissions in advance so that these processes may be in place.
Requesting Assistance: Additional special learning needs should be discussed with the Associate Dean for Biomedical Academic Affairs. VCOM makes reasonable accommodations including seating arrangement adjustments, visual or auditory aids, and other classroom or learning needs. A letter from a health professional verifying the need is generally required. Examples of assistance include: Wireless auditory assists for each classroom; a curriculum that is provided visually online and verbally in the classroom so that various learning styles may be met; extended test taking times, up to twice the normal time for national board test items, for every exam; and monitored, quiet test taking environments so as to be free from distraction and noise. These are examples of how VCOM meets the needs of students; however, an individual student should meet with the Associate Dean for Biomedical Academic Affairs if he/she requires assistance with individualized needs.
If a student has a difficulty with the facility: The Chief Operating Officer should be contacted. The entire building was designed to accommodate those with disabilities and meets American with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. If a student requires special assistance not listed above, the students should meet with the Associate Vice President for Student Services. A contract exists with a primary care practice to assist with meeting health care needs and a minimum co‐pay is required for an appointment. The college holds a contract with an outside counseling service for free and confidential counseling. The Associate Vice President for Student Services will make arrangements with the best resources available to the student from the community or college resources.
All students who request accommodations or assistance due to a disability: Students must supply a verification of the disability from their health care professional and must provide a waiver that allows college administration and the health care provider to discuss the accommodations needed. In the case that the college requests a second opinion, students may be required to have an independent evaluation for the disability from an unbiased third party health provider. Students should be familiar with the technical standards of the college and the accommodations as provided. Students are not compared with other students in their performance within the college, but instead are evaluated as to the ability to gain the minimal amount of knowledge and perform the clinical skills necessary to practice safely and competently as a physician.
Any students who experience difficulty obtaining an accommodation for a disability: Students should first contact the Director for Human Resources with a specific request regarding an accommodation need that is not currently being met, or if they feel they are being discriminated against in any way, to begin the resolution process. Please refer to the Grievance Procedures section of VCOM’s website at www.vcom.vt.edu or Catalog/Handbook which describes the resolution and grievance procedure. The college seeks to accommodate those with a disability wherever possible. The college supports non‐discrimination on the basis of gender, age, religion, national origin, color, or race. VCOM is committed to resolving any difficulties through this process as they arise.
All individuals listed above may be contacted at
VCOM Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Med Program
309 N. Knollwood Dr.
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Phone: 540‐231‐4000
Fax: 540‐231‐5252
Health Requirements
Applicants accepted for admission are required to obtain and to provide the required documentation indicating that they do not have conditions that would endanger the health and well‐being of patients. Documentation includes: immunizations and titers for immunity, verification from a physician who has performed a medical history, physical examination as to the health of the student, and background checks for a legal history. Students are required to submit medical history and physical examination information on a VCOM form that has been completed and signed by a licensed physician, prior to matriculation. Students must maintain these health requirements throughout enrollment.
VCOM requires the following laboratory tests and immunizations:
Annual TB test (PPD)
Tetanus toxoid immunization
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
Measles (Rubeola), Rubella and Mumps
Varicella
Meningococcal Vaccine
Influenza
Specific information about the documentation required for each laboratory test and immunization can be found on VCOM’s website at www.vcom.vt.edu. Prior to matriculation, students must submit their medical history and physical examination and documentation about the listed laboratory tests and immunizations to the Registrar. Incomplete forms will prevent matriculation. Immunizations and documentation of such will be required each year while attending VCOM.
VCOM does not wave these requirements for religious reasons or personal preferences.
Required laboratory tests and immunizations may change annually based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the United States Prevention Task Force, and healthcare facilities. Students will be notified of any change.
Students' Involvement in Patient Care
Students must also be able to demonstrate that their health and abilities will enable them to meet the technical standards of the program. See Technical Standards for Admission to VCOM and Continued Enrollment, Health Requirements, Screening and Occupational Exposure of Students and Alcohol and Drug Testing in the college catalogue for more information.
