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Physician Assistant
DESCRIPTION |
Physician Assistants (PAs) are health professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Within the physician/PA relationship, PAs exercise autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. Physician Assistants are trained in such tasks as screening patients, taking histories, performing physical exams, performing developmental screening exams for children, managing emergencies, etc. A physician willing to accept responsibility may assign more complicated therapeutic procedures to the PA who has demonstrated ability.
Financial Aid Information
Information About PAs and the PA Profession
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) 24-Month Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program for Qualified Clark Students
Medical College of Georgia Closer-Look Tours (info on Physician Assistant Program), December 4, 2009; January 8, February 5, March 5, April 2, May 14, June 4, July 9, August 6, September 10, October 1, November 5, and December 3, 2010
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
Physician Assistant Career Overview
Physician Assistant Foundation Scholarship Program
Physician Assistant History Center
Physician Assistant Information
Physician Assistant Salaries
Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Assistants
Wayne State U. Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Information Meetings on Physician Assistant Program (first Tuesday of every month)
Western University of Health Sciences Physician Assistant Program Information Session, December 9, 2009
What Is a PA?
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DEGREE | P.A.
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PROGRAM LENGTH |
2-3 years
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PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS' ORGANIZATION |
AAPA (American Academy of Physician Assistants)
PAEA (Physician Assistant Education Association)
Physician Assistant Graduate School Programs
Physician Assistant Programs
Postgraduate PA Program Listings
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APPLICATION SERVICE |
CASPA (Central Application Service for Physician Assistants)
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ACADEMIC ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS | Varies with school but may include two semesters each: Biology, Chemistry (some Organic/Biochemistry), Microbiology, Anatomy, and Physiology; one semester Math. Also Psychology.
Prerequisites
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ADMISSION EXAM |
GRE (most) or MCAT
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PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES & EXPERIENCES |
Most PA programs require health care experience of applicants (e.g., EMT, volunteering in a hospital, orderly, nurse's aide, nurse, etc.). The Red Cross Phlebotomy Training Program can be a good way to begin acquiring the necessary health care experience. MOST programs expect life experience as well as medical experience.
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RECOMMENDATION LETTERS | No standard form. |
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