MSBS Technical Standards Requirement

Minimum Technical Standards for the MSBS Program

1. All applicants are required to comply with the Technical Standards for the CBHP- MSBS program.
2. The California Health Sciences University acknowledges Section 504 of the 1973 Vocational Rehabilitation Act and PL 11-336, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 19903, and requires minimum technical standards be present in students accepted into the MSBS program.
3. The program at CHSU is a rigorous and challenging academic program that requires students to possess specific characteristics and abilities within the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains, referred to here as technical standards. An applicant or student must be able to combine the functional use of visual, auditory and somatic senses to observe and demonstrate professional knowledge and skills presented in the classroom, laboratories and practice settings.
4. Conferring the MSBS degree to a student graduating from the CHSU indicates that each student has demonstrated that they have acquired and can apply the knowledge and professional skills essential to the roles and functions of their chosen career.
5. The acquisition and application of these skills ensure the safety of patients served by the student and physician. Therefore, each student must be able to demonstrate proficiency in these skills with or without reasonable accommodation. These skills are as set forth below in the following Technical Standards that each student must possess in order to successfully complete all of the academic/curricular requirements for the MSBS degree.
6. The University reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant who cannot meet the Technical Standards as set forth below, with reasonable accommodations, as determined by the application process, interview and student disclosure. Every applicant is considered without regard to disability. Applicants are not required to disclose the nature of their disability(ies), if any, to the GAC. Any applicant with questions about these Technical Standards is strongly encouraged to discuss their specific issue(s) with MSBS Student Affairs prior to the interview process. Once admitted to the MSBS program, students will be expected to maintain the Technical Standards and demonstrate them through their coursework, interaction with peers and faculty, and in their professional experiences throughout the program. Reasonable accommodation for persons with documented disabilities will be considered on an individual basis. Students who fail to demonstrate the Technical Standards while in the program will be evaluated and appropriate action (e.g., remediation, counseling, or dismissal) will be taken. Because this expectation is separate from academic achievement, simply maintaining a passing GPA is not sufficient to prevent a student from being dismissed from the program. Furthermore, the CBHP MSBS program reserves the right to dismiss any student from the program who either fails to disclose information relevant to their qualifications under the Technical Standards or falls out of compliance with the Technical Standards after admission to the program.

Observation

The student must be able to observe and interpret the information presented. Specific vision- related requirements include, but are not limited to the following abilities: visualizing and discriminating findings on monitoring tests; reading written and illustrated material; discriminating numbers and patterns associated with diagnostic and monitoring instruments and tests; observing the activities of technical staff operating under their supervision; reading information on a computer screen and small print on packages or package inserts; distinguishing shapes, colors, markings, and other characteristics of small objects (e.g. different dosage forms); and competently using instruments for monitoring drug response. Observation requires not only the functional use of the sense of vision, but other sensory modalities as well such as hearing and other somatic senses. For example, observation can be enhanced in some situations by the use of the sense of smell.

​​​​​Communication

Communication includes speech, reading, writing, and computer literacy in English. The student must be able to perceive and respond appropriately to all types of communication (verbal, nonverbal, written) with faculty, staff, peers, and the scientific community.

Specific requirements include, but are not limited to, the following abilities; reading, writing, speaking and comprehending English with sufficient mastery to accomplish didactic, clinical and laboratory curricular requirements in a timely, professional and accurate manner; and communicating complex findings in appropriate terms that are understood by layman, and scientific community. Each student must be able to read and record observations efficiently and accurately. Students must be able to prepare and communicate concise but complete summaries of individual activities, and decisions. Students must be able to complete forms and appropriately document activities according to directions in a complete and timely fashion.

Sensory and Motor Coordination and Function

​​​​​​MSBS students must have sufficient motor function to perform basic laboratory skills to accomplish basic science practice tasks utilizing both gross and fine motor skills. These include but are not limited to preparing buffers, pipetting, visualizing cells and tissues under a microscope, and using HoloLens. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, the ability to stand and equilibrium with the functional use of the senses of touch and vision.

Students must be able to lift a minimum of forty (40) lbs. and stand for a minimum of one hour. Students must be able to use computer-based information systems and have sufficient motor function and coordination required for manipulation of small and large objects. Lastly, students must exhibit the physical and mental stamina needed while standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time.

Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities

A student should possess sufficient intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities to complete a rigorous and intense didactic and experiential curriculum. These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, decision-making, judgment, information integration, and solution synthesis.

Students must be able to retain and recall critical information in an efficient and timely manner. Students must be able to identify and acknowledge the limits of their knowledge to others when appropriate and be able to recognize when the limits of their knowledge indicate further study or investigation before making a decision. Students must be able to interpret graphs or charts describing biological, economic or outcome relationships. They must be able to learn through a variety of modalities including, but not limited to, classroom instruction, small group activities, individual study, preparation and presentation of reports, and use of computer technology. Students are expected to be fully alert and attentive at all times in classroom and laboratory settings.

Behavioral and Social Attributes

Students must adapt to changing environments and possess coping mechanisms to respond appropriately to continue functioning in the face of uncertainties inherent in academic and clinical environments. Qualities and characteristics that will be assessed during the admission and education process are compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation. Students must recognize and display respect for differences in culture, values, and ethics among faculty, peers, and administrative staff and colleagues. Students must also be able to handle situations appropriately and professionally when those situations may be physically, emotionally, or intellectually stressful, including those situations that must be handled promptly and calmly. At times, this requires the ability to be aware of and appropriately react to one’s own immediate emotional responses and environment.

Ethical Values

An applicant and student must demonstrate a professional demeanor, conduct and behavior that are appropriate to his or her standing in the professional degree program.