Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) and Remediation
The purpose of a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) and remediation process is to provide students with a structured opportunity to address identified academic, clinical, professional, or administrative deficiencies and to demonstrate satisfactory improvement. Performance improvement is intended to support student success, professional development, and progression in the program while maintaining the standards expected of doctoral-level education and clinical practice.
A PIP may be initiated when a student's performance, conduct, or professional behaviors do not meet program expectations and additional intervention is necessary to promote compliance with School policies, program requirements, Standards of Conduct, and established procedures.
A PIP may be implemented for concerns including, but not limited to:
Deficiencies in academic performance;
Deficiencies in clinical performance or competency attainment;
Professionalism concerns;
Failure to meet program, clinical, or administrative requirements;
Repeated noncompliance with verbal counseling or written warnings; or
Other concerns identified by faculty or program administration that adversely affect student success, professional development, patient safety, or program integrity.
Examples of behaviors or performance concerns that may warrant a PIP include, but are not limited to:
Inability or unwillingness to acquire and integrate academic, clinical, or professional standards into one's conduct and professional practice;
Inability or unwillingness to develop the knowledge, skills, or competencies required for successful progression in the program;
Inability or unwillingness to respond appropriately to feedback, coaching, or corrective guidance;
Difficulty managing personal circumstances, stress, emotional responses, or other factors that interfere with academic, clinical, or professional functioning;
Failure to achieve required program outcomes, competencies, or benchmarks;
Performance that is consistently below program expectations;
Repeated concerns occurring across multiple areas of academic, clinical, administrative, or professional functioning;
Conduct requiring a disproportionate amount of faculty, staff, or administrative intervention;
Unsafe clinical practice, unprofessional conduct, or behaviors that could negatively affect patients, clinical partners, the School, or the profession; or
Failure to demonstrate meaningful improvement following prior interventions.
The Program Administrator, Assistant Program Administrators, or Director of Simulation may develop and implement a PIP in consultation with appropriate faculty and administrative personnel. Notification shall be provided to the student's faculty advisor and appropriate administrative personnel, as applicable.
The PIP shall:
Identify the specific area(s) of concern;
Describe the expected standards of performance or conduct;
Outline required corrective actions and remediation activities;
Establish measurable goals and outcomes;
Specify timelines and deadlines for completion;
Define methods for monitoring progress and evaluating improvement; and
Identify potential consequences for failure to meet the requirements of the plan.
The student shall be provided a copy of the PIP and afforded an opportunity to review and discuss its contents. The PIP shall be signed by the student, the Program Administrator and/or another designee to acknowledge receipt and understanding of the plan. A student's refusal to sign the PIP does not invalidate the plan or prevent its implementation. The PIP shall become part of the student's permanent record.
Successful completion of a PIP indicates that the student has demonstrated satisfactory improvement in the identified area(s) and may continue in the program without further disciplinary action related to the remediated concern.
Failure to comply with the requirements of a PIP, failure to demonstrate satisfactory improvement, or the emergence of additional concerns may result in referral to the Progressions Committee in accordance with the Disciplinary Protocol.
The Progressions Committee may recommend or impose additional actions, including but not limited to:
Additional remediation requirements;
Probation;
Suspension;
Loss of privileges; or
Other corrective or disciplinary actions deemed appropriate under School policies and procedures.