This course provides a foundation of clinical skills and diagnostic procedures that are commonly performed in patient care. Instruction for selected procedures and diagnostic tools will be presented to the student by various methods including theory discussion, rationale for procedure, identification of necessary equipment, principles of appropriate skill technique, demonstration of skill when applicable, skill practice time, identification of special clinical considerations and precautions, documentation aspects and recommended elements of patient education. Opportunities to observe certain procedures and diagnostic tools will be correlated when possible. Topics include methods of wound care and closure, burns, hyper/hypothermia, assessment of pulmonary function, arterial blood gases, ENT procedures, bioterrorism, and radiology. The laboratory component of this course will allow the student to practice the skills and procedures common to PA practice.