2. Ñ Pa’s practice medicine on a team under the
supervision of physicians & surgeons
Ñ Can specialize in fields such as orthopedics &
pediatrics
What is a PA?
3. Ñ PA for the official orthopedic surgeon of an
NFL or MLB team
Ñ PA for an OBGYN in a private practice
Dream Jobs
4. Ñ 1965-‐‑ Dr. Eugene A. Stead-‐‑ Duke University
Ñ Due to medical shortage of doctors
Ñ Former US Navy Hospital Corpsmen
Ñ Now 141 accredited PA programs practiced
in all 50 states
History of the Profession
5. Ñ Take Medical History
Ñ Conduct Exams/Order Tests
Ñ Diagnose/Treat Illness
Ñ Treatment Plans
Ñ Assist in surgery
Ñ Write prescriptions
What can they do?
6. Ñ Hospitals
Ñ Physician Offices
Ñ Nursing Homes
Ñ School/University Based Facilities
Ñ Correctional Institutions
Where PA’s Can Work
7. Ñ Courses in basic sciences, behavior sciences, &
clinical medicine (anatomy, physiology,
pharmacology, chemistry, biology)
Ñ Health care experience-‐‑ medical assistant, EMT,
paramedic, Peace Corps volunteer, lab
assistant, RN, surgical tech, CAN
Ñ Bachelor’s degree & 3 years of healthcare
experience
Education-‐‑Undergraduate
8. Ñ Will earn a Master’s
Ñ Approx. 26 months in length
Ñ Heavy Science Coursework
Ñ 2000 hours of clinical rotation (family med,
internal med, obstetrics, pediatrics, general
surgery, emergency med, psychiatry)
PA Graduate School
9. Ñ Requirements
-‐‑Bachelor’s Degree
-‐‑Courses in genetics, chem, biochem, anatomy,
microbiology, stats, & medical terminology
-‐‑2-‐‑3 leeers of recommendation
-‐‑GRE 50th percentile
-‐‑At least 1,000 hours hands-‐‑on patient care
Ñ Tuition: $35,000/yr for 2 years
Wake Forest PA School
10. Ñ Must pass the PANCE (physician assistant
national certifying exam)
Ñ Complete recertification exam every 10 years
Ñ Complete 100 hours of continuing medical
education every 2 years
Certifications
11. Ñ 1. Get prereq’s and health care experience
Ñ Aeend an accredited PA program
Ñ Become certified
Ñ Obtain a state license
Ñ Maintain your certification
Basic Steps to Become a
PA
12. Ñ US 2013 Median Pay: $90,930/yr or $43.72/hr
Ñ SC 2013 Median Pay:$80-‐‑$89,000/yr varied
across the state
Ñ **SC is lower than national average
Ñ Job Outlook projected to grow 38%, much
higher than all occupations (older population,
widespread chronic disease, demand for
healthcare providers)
Income
13. Ñ Physically/Emotionally Demanding
Ñ Most time on feet, making rounds, operating
room
Ñ Can work full-‐‑time, in hospitals, on weekends/
weeknights/holidays, can be on call
Ñ Stressful but rewarding
PA Work
15. Ñ When completing the O*Net Profile, my
highest score was the Social category. This
category includes professionals who want to
empower people and motivate people.
Ñ Being a physician assistant are people who
empower people to make good health decisions
and motivate people to obtain their highest
obtainable health.
Ñ As a physician assistant, I would use these
social skills everyday when interacting with
patients during their treatment.
O*Net Profile
16. Ñ Education at a Top 20 University
Ñ Taken all of my prereqs
Ñ Currently working on CNA (Certified Nurse
Aide)
Ñ Excel in Microsoft Applications & Computer
Software
Ñ Good Social Skills-‐‑highest category
Ñ Responsible, Hardworking, Compassionate
Why I’m A Good
Candidate
17. Ñ Foust, J. B., Mirafzali, S., & Siegler, E. L. (2003). An Introduction
to Hospitals and Inpatient Care. New York: Springer Pub.
Ñ Institute for Career, R. (2001). Career As a Physician Assistant :
High Level Professionals Working Directly with Doctors in
Delivering Healthcare. [Chicago, Ill.]: Institute for Career
Research.
Ñ Lindh, W. Q. (1998). Delmar'ʹs Comprehensive Medical Assisting :
Administrative and Clinical Competencies. Albany, NY: Delmar
Publishers.
Ñ See, C. (2011). Succeed in Your Medical School Interview : The
Indispensable Guide That No Student Can Afford to Ignore. London:
Kogan Page Limited.
Ñ Wischniqer, S., & Wischniqer, E. (2000). Health-‐‑care Careers for
the 21st Century. Indianapolis, IN: Jist Pub.
References
