Technical Standards for Applicants

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) is committed to the admission and matriculation of qualified students and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, creed or religion. Regarding individuals with a disability, the college will not discriminate against such individuals who are otherwise qualified, but the college will expect that minimal technical standards be met by all applicants and students as set forth herein, with or without reasonable accommodations. These standards reflect what we have determined are reasonable expectations from osteopathic medical students and physicians in performing common and important functions, keeping in mind the safety and welfare of fellow students and patients.

Students who accept an offer of admission from NYITCOM-Long Island (Old Westbury, N.Y.) or NYITCOM-Arkansas (Jonesboro, A.R.) will be required to sign an affirmation regarding compliance with the technical standards.

Technical Standards

An osteopathic physician must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care. In order to perform the activities described below, candidates for the D.O. degree must be able to quickly, accurately, and consistently learn, integrate, analyze, and synthesize data.

To facilitate the attainment of optimum care and safety, students at NYITCOM must:

1. Behave in a manner exhibiting high moral and behavioral standards reflecting the position and status of an osteopathic physician.
2. Demonstrate respect for individuals and groups with consideration to the diversity of race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, creed, and religion.
3. Meet minimal technical and ability standards. The practice of medicine in general, and osteopathic medicine in particular, requires the ability to learn, process, and utilize a great deal of knowledge and experience. Students must have the ability to see, hear, and touch independently to optimally assess the physical, mental, and emotional status of patients. Where a deficiency occurs, it must be compensated with the aid of prosthetics or other means to the extent that the student is able to meet the minimum technical standards. Reasonable adaptations are those that will enable the osteopathic student to function independently, and when necessary, in a team-like fashion with other health professionals in an unimpaired manner.

Observation

Candidates and students must have sufficient vision to be able to observe demonstrations, experiments, and laboratory exercises in the basic sciences. They must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and nearby.

It is essential to have adequate visual capabilities to assess structural asymmetries, range of motion, and tissue texture changes.

Communication

Candidates and students should be able to speak, hear, and observe patients in order to elicit information, examine patients, describe multiple patient characteristics, and perceive nonverbal communication. They must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients.

Communication includes the ability to read and write. One must be able to communicate both orally and in written form with other members of the healthcare team.

Motor

Candidates must have sufficient motor function to execute movements required in the general and emergency care of patients. Osteopathic physicians are required to be able to perform cardiovascular resuscitation, insert catheters, open obstructed airways, perform obstetrical maneuvers, and operate various diagnostic and therapeutic devices, as well as perform osteopathic manipulation, among other procedures.

All of these require both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and the use of touch and vision.

Sensory

Osteopathic students and physicians need enhanced tactile abilities. Should a candidate have significant tactile, sensory, or proprioceptive disabilities, he or she would have to be carefully evaluated prior to admission, to determine if they are otherwise qualified with or without reasonable accommodation. Problems might be present in individuals who have had previous burns, loss of sensation, scar formation, or malformations of the upper extremities.

Strength And Mobility

Osteopathic manipulative techniques often require upright posture with sufficient extremity and body strength. Mobility is required when attending to emergency codes and performing CPR. Individuals with limitations in these areas would have to be carefully evaluated prior to admission, to determine if they are otherwise qualified with or without reasonable accommodation.

Participation In Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Laboratory, Doctor-Patient Relationship (Clinical Skills), And Clinical Care Encounters

Osteopathic physicians, in particular, use touch as part of the osteopathic approach to diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, osteopathic medical students must be able to tolerate touching and being touched by others as part of the educational process for learning examination and treatment skills. This means that non-sexual body regions being examined and/or treated will need to be sufficiently exposed for observation, palpation, and treatment, regardless of age, sex, gender, nationality, religion, race, or body size. The examination and treatment will be conducted in a respectful and professional manner that fulfills the above requirements.

Behavior And Social Attributes

Candidates and students must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities; the exercise of good judgment; the prompt completion of responsibilities; and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients. Osteopathic education requires the ability to tolerate physically taxing workloads and adapt to changing environments. Candidates and students must display flexibility and a spirit of cooperation with faculty, classmates, and colleagues.

Students must demonstrate the mental capacities of receptive and expressive language, which are necessary to the practice of osteopathic medicine, as well as the ability to fully process information in written and verbal forms. If disabilities in any of these components occur, the student must demonstrate appropriate and accurate adaptive coping skills to overcome any deficit. The practice of medicine infers the protection and safety of patients, not just the ability to pass preparatory examinations. Physicians are responsible for those who place themselves into their care and must demonstrate the ability to rapidly process information, make decisions, and perform the appropriate interventions.

Certain personal characteristics are expected of a physician. These include integrity, compassion, interpersonal skills, and motivation.

Appropriate Dress

The dress code is outlined in the College of Osteopathic Medicine Student Handbook.

Reasonable Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and other applicable laws, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine provides reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified students with verified physical, psychological, and/or learning disabilities. An accommodation will not be provided if it would result in the fundamental alteration of the college’s programs, services, or activities, or if it would impose undue financial or administrative burdens on the college.

The intent of this policy is to provide each student with the opportunity to excel academically while creating an equitable environment conducive to learning. In doing so, however, the New York Tech College of Osteopathic Medicine must maintain the integrity of its curriculum and preserve those elements deemed essential to the acquisition of knowledge in all areas of osteopathic medicine, including the demonstration of basic skills required for the practice of osteopathic medicine. So, for example, technology-related accommodations may be made for disabled students in some of these areas, but a candidate must be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner. One or more trained intermediaries may be provided to assist the student during the educational program, but not under circumstances where the student’s judgment must be mediated by someone else’s power of selection and observation.

The full policy and procedures for students with disabilities are contained in the College of Osteopathic Medicine Student Handbook.

For further information, please contact

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM)
Office of Admissions
Hannah and Charles Serota Academic Center, Room 203
Northern Boulevard
P.O. Box 8000
Old Westbury, NY 11568-8000

Phone: 516.686.3997
Fax: 516.686.3831
Email: comadm@nyit.edu

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University (NYITCOM-Arkansas)
Office of Admissions
P.O. Box 119
State University, AR 72467

Phone: 870.680.8816
Fax: 870.680.8849
Email: comjbadmissions@nyit.edu