The document provides an overview of the role and history of Physician Assistants (PAs), detailing their educational requirements, certification process, and typical responsibilities in the medical field. It also outlines potential growth and salary information, as well as the prerequisite coursework and application process for PA programs. The author expresses personal motivation for pursuing a career as a PA and highlights their qualifications and experiences relevant to the field.

1. {
Physicians Assistant
Megan Pazdersky

2. WHAT IS A PA?
-Are health care providers
who practice medicine
-Can diagnose, treat and
prescribe medicine for
patients under the
supervision of a licensed
physician

3.  Began in the mid-1960’s once the shortage of primary care
physicians was recognized
 Eugene A. Stead JR., MD of the Duke University Medical Center, put
together the 1st class of PA’s in 1965. That graduated on Oct. 6th 1967
 The American Academy of Physicians Assistants was established
and incorporated in the state of North Carolina in 1968
 As of July 2007 there are 141 accredited PA programs throughout the
country
 Today PA’s can practice medicine in all 50 states
History of Physicians
Assistant’s

4.  Take’s your medical history
 Conduct physical exams
 Diagnose and treat illnesses
 Order and interpret tests
 Develop treatment plans
 Counsel you on preventative care
 Assist in surgery
 Write prescriptions
 Make rounds in hospitals and nursing homes
How does a Physicians
Assistant practice
medicine?

5.  Most programs are 26 months in length
 Most require the same prerequisites as medical school
 More than 2,000 hours of clinical rotations
 Students take basic courses in science, behavioral sciences
and clinical medicine
 Anatomy
 Pharmacology
 Microbiologuy
 ect
What are the educational
requirements of a PA?

6.  PA’s must graduate from an accredited
program
 Pass the Physician Assistant National
Certifying Exam
 Get licensed by the state
 In order to maintain the certification
 Complete a recertification exam every 10 years
 Complete 100 hours of continuing medical
education every 2 years
How are Physicians
Assistants certified and
licensed?

7.  Active listening
 Critical Thinking
 Speaking skills
 Service oriented
 Deductive reasoning
 Calm demeanor
 Energetic
 Patience
Skills That I Possess That
make A Great Choice for
Physician Assistant School

8.  Median annual salary in 2013 : 92,970
 Lowest 10 percent made about 62,030
 Median wages in 2014 : 46.07 hourly, 95,820 annually
 Projected growth (2012-2022) much faster than average (22
percent or higher)
Potential Growth/ Salary
Range

9. {
Getting into an
accredited PA
program
Schools I'm interested in
Prerequisite course work
Why I'm a good candidate

10.  General Microbiology with lab ( 4 credits)
 Anatomy and Physiology 1 with lab (4 credits)
 Anatomy and Physiology 2 with lab ( 4 credits)
 General Chemistry 1 with lab (4 credits)
 General Chemistry 2 with lab ( 4 credist)
 Organic Chemistry with lab OR Biochemistry
 Intro to Psychology
 Developmental Psychology
 Elementary Statistics
 Nutrition
 Genetics
General Prerequisite
Course Work (each PA
program can be different)

11.  Bachelors degree prior to admission
 Minimum 3.0 GPA
 Minimum of 800 ( 1600 preferred) documented hours in
patient contact or medical related experience
 Completion of prerequisite math and science courses with
a “ B” or better
 3.0 or higher science GPA
 GRE scores
 26-month program
 Estimated In-state tuition : 33,016.00
 Estimated In state ( in county) tuition:26,123.00
Towson University/ CCBC
( on accreditation
probation)

12.  Apply through the Central Application Service for Physician
Assistant
 Submit GRE scores ( no older than 5 years)
 Complete a Bachelors degree
 GPA higher than a 3.00
 Cumulative GPA higher than 2.8
 Criminal Background Check
 Minimum of 300 hours of health care experience, 40 hours
under the supervision of a certified PA
 No history of drug abuse or conviction of a felony
 Estimated Tuition for a Maryland resident : 28,960.00
 Application date November 1st
University of Maryland
Eastern Shore ( on
probation)

13.  I scored highest in Social,
Enterprising and Investigative in my
O*net report
 I current have above a 3.0 GPA
 I’m well on my way in terms of
logging hours and passing my
prerequisite course work
 I went on a medical mission trip to
Guatemala this summer where I
learned that I really enjoy hands on
interaction with patients
 Traits
 Detail oriented
 Compassionate
 Hard- working
 Interest in continual learning
 Critical thinking skills
Why should I
become a PA?

14.  I was originally drawn to PA school
after witnessing my cousin go
through medical school and
residency. I want to be able to have a
family and a career and I feel as if PA
school is best for me.
 I’ve known since I was a little girl
that I was going to do something in
the field of medicine when I grew
up.
 I plan to keep up my grades, log
more hours and finish my
prerequisite course work so that I am
able to apply to PA school and be a
competitive candidate
 I'm not sure which specialty I want
to go into. But I'm hoping to find that
out in the future.
What does my
future look like

15.  https://www.aacc.edu/physassist/file/2WebPrer
equisites2015.pdf
 https://www.aapa.org/become-a-pa/
 http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-
1071.00
 http://grad.towson.edu/program/master/past-
ms/files/ProgramInfoBooklet.pdf
Sources