NLU PA Program — Didactic Year Handbook
Appendix G: Confidentiality, Privacy, HIPAA, and Protected Information Policy
Program: Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Effective Date: November 1, 2026
Last Reviewed: November 1, 2026
Review Cycle: Annually
Responsible Offices: PA Program Director, Director of Clinical Education, PA Faculty, and NLU Office of Student Affairs/appropriate University offices
Related ARC-PA Standards: A3.01, A3.04, A3.05, A3.06, A3.08, A3.14, B2.13–B2.19, C1.01, C1.02
Related University Policies: NLU Student Guidebook, University Catalog, FERPA requirements, NLU information/privacy policies, Student Email Policy, applicable information-security policies, and clinical- affiliate policies.
1. Purpose
The National Louis University (NLU) Physician Assistant (PA) Program is committed to protecting the confidentiality, privacy, dignity, and security of patients, students, faculty, staff, clinical preceptors, clinical affiliates, and members of the University community. This policy establishes expectations for the collection, use, access, storage, transmission, discussion, documentation, and disclosure of confidential and protected information throughout the PA curriculum, including didactic coursework, laboratory and simulation activities, standardized patient encounters, interprofessional education, community engagement, health fairs, service-learning, Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs), clinical-site and Program-sponsored activities, and any non-clinical activity where students possess or access confidential or protected information. The policy applies regardless of whether information is communicated verbally, electronically, visually, photographically, in writing, or through another medium.
2. Policy Statement
All NLU PA students are expected to protect confidential and protected information and to comply with applicable federal and state privacy laws; HIPAA and its implementing regulations, when applicable; FERPA and University requirements governing educational records; National Louis University and PA Program policies; clinical-affiliate privacy and confidentiality requirements; professional ethical standards; and applicable patient-care and information-security requirements. When multiple requirements apply, students must comply with the most restrictive applicable confidentiality, privacy, security, or clinical-site requirement. Nothing in this policy limits or replaces an applicable law, University policy, or clinical-affiliate requirement.
3. NLU University Policy Alignment
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