PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

CAREER POWERPOINT

HEALTH 419- HEALTH INTERNSHIP PREP

INSTRUCTOR: MRS. KATHLEEN MEYER

DATE: TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

CREATED BY: HOPE JUNIOUS

INTRODUCTION

If there is one thing that is sure about the world we live in is that people are always going to get sick and have a decline in their health. This causes for an increase in knowledgeable and skilled health professionals. The more patients there are to see, the heavier the job load gets.

For many years, the healthcare field has been in high demand of medical physicians, especially in the United States. To this very day, this is still true. With so many patients coming in to health facilities for proper health care and quality health services and treatment.

To better assist patients and provide optimum healthcare to patients, one of the newest health occupations that has grown in size and has helped physicians make better use of their time is a Physician Assistant.

History of Physician Assistant Career

 The first educational program for physician assistants began in 1965 in response to a perceived shortage and maldistribution of physicians

At the same time, many corpsmen were returning from the Vietnam War, who were well trained to address trauma and surgical conditions.

Dr. Eugene Stead, chairman of the Department of Medicine at Duke University, established a two-year program to formally educate “physician assistants” in order to address the health care delivery issues of the time. The education model was based in part on his experience of fast-track training of doctors during World War II and on his work developing a new curriculum for undergraduate medical education.  In the fall of 1965, four ex-Navy corpsmen began their education at Duke University under Dr. Stead’s direction. 

The physician assistant, who was initially viewed as a physician substitute, was trained to provide medical care to rural and other medically underserved populations with physician supervision.

What is a Physician Assistant (PA)?

According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), a Physician Assistant is defined as …. "a health professional who practices medicine with the supervision of a licensed physician.”

a nationally certified and state-licensed medical professional

One who practices medicine on healthcare teams with physicians and other providers

The PA is distinguished from other health care professionals by his education as a generalist, by the breadth of his clinical knowledge, by the extent to which he is given decision-making authority regarding patient care, diagnosis, and treatment, and by the depth of his clinical experience.

HOW IS A PA DIFFERENT FROM A PHYSICIAN

PHYSICIAN

More time invested in schooling and training (typically about 12+ yrs)

Higher Salary (The average doctor’s salary can range from about $200,000 to $300,000 a year)

Duties: required to become proficient in diagnosing ailments, determining the appropriate treatment options and prescribing the medication.

Major surgeries, “head boss”

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT Less time invested in schooling and training

(ranges 5-7 yrs)

High salary, lower than Physician ( The average salary can range from about $86,410 to more than $100,000 a year)

Duties: duties include examining patients, diagnosing illnesses, taking the patient’s history, developing and carrying out treatment plans, counseling patients on healthcare plans and suturing wounds

Basically everything a Physician does EXCEPT performing surgeries themselves, works under the Physician

Why a Physician Assistant and not a Physician?

ADVANTAGES Shorter time in school, therefore, less cost

As a PA you can change specialty whenever you want without having to go back to school, whereas a Physician cannot

More flexible time schedule/ Not as much pressure and responsibility

Can begin practicing and having a job in what I want to do and what I love in a much quick For Physicians, from ages 22 to 30, your life is school, your friends are people from school, you

have no family, your family are your classmates... These prime times of your life you cannot get back and enjoy

Malpractice insurance varies (not as high and you don’t have to worry too much about that)

Will be around physicians, so if I want to go back to medical school later, I still can. Going straight off to medical school, I would not have that prior insight

Post-Undergraduate Career Options

Option A Undergraduate Bachelor’s

Degree from Clemson University in Health Science (Pre-Professional Studies)

Take a year off taking a few more health/science courses for PA school and apply as a medical scribe

GRE/MCAT

Apply for Dual Program of Public Health/PA schools/Accepted>> PA

Medical School…?

Option C

Undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree from Clemson University in Health Science (Pre-Professional Studies)

Apply for Graduates School to pursue Master’s in Pubic Health

Job/Classes

Apply for PA school>> PA

Option B

Undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree from Clemson University in Health Science (Pre-Professional Studies)

Job/Graduate School (Public Health/Health Administration)

Apply for PA schools/Accepted>> PA

POTENTIAL PA PROGRAMS/SCHOOLS

Our Vision: To enhance access to high quality health care throughout South Carolina and beyond.

Our Mission: To educate highly competent physician assistants who are compassionate, culturally aware, and attuned to the primary health care needs of the people of SC and beyond. They will be prepared to:

provide quality, state-of-the-art, patient-centered care as integral members of physician-led health care teams;

contribute to the dissemination of new knowledge to improve physician assistant education and health care;

advocate for the physician assistant profession; and

help meet the health needs of the larger community through education and service

Our Values: Quality, safe, and accessible patient-centered healthcare, Responding compassionately and respectfully to the needs of the population served, Ethical and professional behavior, Diversity and inclusion, Confident life-long learners, Advancing medical knowledge, Virtuous leadership

Mathematics 3

Statistics or Biostatistics 3

General Chemistry - includes lab 8

Organic or Biochemistry 3

Biology - includes lab 4

Anatomy - includes lab 4

Physiology - includes lab 4

Microbiology - includes lab 4

Medical Terminology 1

Behavioral Sciences - General Psychology (required) plus six credits of Psychology

electives and/or Sociology courses9

Humanities - Choose from at least two areas: Examples are speech, foreign

language, literature, philosophy, economics, history, political science, ethics, and

geography.

12

English 6

Electives - Communication, Computer Science, Epidemiology and Genetics suggested. Courses must be liberal

arts/sciences and not professional or technical in nature.

30

Total 91

IN-STATE TUITION:~$20,000

POTENTIAL PA PROGRAMS/SCHOOLS

All prerequisite courses must be completed by December 2015 for the class entering in August 2016. Specific prerequisite requirements for the Master of Medical Science – Physician Assistant program are listed below.

A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants graduating from an international institution must have taken a minimum of 24 semester credits (36 quarter credits) as a full-time student at a US or Canadian regionally accredited institution.

A cumulative and science GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, Graduate Record Exam scores (GRE) taken within the last 5 years ( preferred: Verbal – 153; Quantitative 144; Analytical Writing 4.0).

Completed CASPA and Supplemental Applications including Supplemental Application Fee of $70.00.

In addition, all applicants must be able to meet the Emory PA Program Technical Standards.

A minimum of 2000 hours of direct patient care experience (not shadowing) at the time of application submission.

For all applicants for whom English is not their native language and/or their first degree is from a foreign institution, TOEFL is required.  Scores must be sent directly to the PA program from the Educational Testing Service. A minimum total score of 93 with a speaking score of 26 is required for consideration.

A minimum of 3 semester credits (5 quarter hours) of statistics We strongly recommend  courses in human anatomy, human physiology,

and microbiology in order to best prepare for the PA program curriculum. Two Semesters of Anatomy and Physiology (I and II 8 semester/10 quarter hours) will be required for the 2016-17 cycle

We require a minimum of 15 semester credits (22 quarter hours) of natural sciences:

Biology with lab  (4 semester/5 quarter hours) General Chemistry with lab(s) (8 semester/ 10 quarter hours) Organic or biochemistry, * (3 semester/5 quarter hours)

* survey courses not acceptable All courses taken to satisfy the requirements must be taken from a

regionally ( North American) accredited institution.  Each course must be completed at a grade level of “C” or better and must be completed prior to December 2015.  All courses are subject to approval by the Admissions Committee and cannot be taken on a Pass/Fail basis, as CLEP credit, or audited.

TUITION: ~54,853

Mission Statement

The Emory University School of Medicine is a leading institution with the highest standards in education, biomedical research, and patient care.

We are committed to recruiting and developing a diverse group of students and innovative leaders in biomedical science, public health, medical education, and clinical care.

We foster a culture that integrates leading edge basic, translational, and clinical research to further the ability to deliver quality health care, to predict illness and treat the sick, and to promote health of our patients and community.

Our mission encompasses the following objectives:

• Provide outstanding educational programs for medical and graduate students, and for training health care professionals.

• Develop outstanding clinicians and investigators who are lifelong learners, who will provide the highest quality compassionate care, and who will serve the needs of their community and the world in the best traditions of our profession.

• Conduct innovative and collaborative research and integrate this knowledge into the practice of medicine.

• Advance the early detection, treatment, and prevention of disease.• Ensure the highest ethical and professional standards in all of our

endeavors.

POTENTIAL PA PROGRAMS/SCHOOLS

Prerequisite Courses Semester Hours MinimumHuman Anatomy and Physiology – lecture and lab   

Students can fulfill this requirement one of four ways:**1) Taking one combined Anatomy and Physiology Course with lab component, earning a minimum of 4 semester hours. 2) Taking separate Anatomy with lab component (4 hours) and Physiology (3) courses for a minimum of 7 semester hours. 3) Anatomy and Physiology I and II, for a minimum of 6 semester hours.   Please note that if you take Anatomy and Physiology I, you are required to take Anatomy and Physiology II in order to be eligible to apply for our program.4) Successful completion of the Special Operations Combat Medic Course.

Microbiology 3 semester hoursAdditional  biological science courses 6-8 semester hours

This may be cell biology, embryology,  general  biology, histology, or immunology,

Chemistry 8 semester hours with lab. (Prefer Organic or Biochemistry/Biological Chemistry with lab)

Population Science:General Psychology or Intro to Sociology or Epidemiology

3 semester hours

Statistics or Biostatistics 3 semester hoursRecommended:   Genetics   Medical Terminology   Writing class

3 semester hours  each

Mission and Goals

The mission of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) Physician Assistant (PA) program is to promote high-quality, accessible, patient-centered health care for the people of North Carolina and the nation through excellence in education, scholarship, and clinical service. The UNC PA program is committed to the health care and workforce needs of North Carolinians and will use an inter-professional approach to prepare skilled and compassionate health care practitioners across the continuum of life.

Goals:

To produce didactically and clinically competent and contextually sensitive Physician Assistants by providing an educational environment that fosters learning and prepares students for a range of clinical practice settings.

To prepare generalist PA students for practice settings in rural or urban medically underserved areas through emphasis on health promotion, disease prevention, cultural competency, and primary care.

To develop and promote an interdisciplinary orientation to health care delivery.

To provide educational and training opportunities for non-traditional students, with attention to all veterans especially those who have served in medical military settings such as the special forces medics, for careers in medically underserved areas.

OUT-OF-STATE TUITION: $75,722-$78,222

Job Opportunity and Experience

Medical Scibe- eScribe:

Mission: To provide an affordable, efficient solution that removes the burden of physician documentation and provides relief to physicians in a challenging healthcare environment.

Vision: To establish sustainable “win-win” scribe programs with a positive ROI that become engrained in our partner’s practice management DNA.

The Job: Scribes are essentially a physician’s personal assistant, focused primarily on medical documentation and other important clerical tasks. The scribe is an invaluable tool for physicians. Many physicians call scribes their “Second Brain,” because the scribe and physician form close working relationships.  While scribes complete many clerical tasks for physicians, scribes do not participate in any form of direct patient care.

The Experience: The experience you will gain as a scribe will set you apart among your peers applying to medical school, PA school, and other clinical careers. You will work one-on-one with physicians and gain unrivaled exposure to a career in medicine. Students applying to medical school will have the opportunity to obtain recommendation letters for medical school that are grounded in close working relationships with physicians. Students applying to Physician’s Assistant school will have the opportunity to obtain clinical hours required to apply to school. Most importantly, you will recieve valuable training that will benefit you in your future career in medicine.

EXPECTATIONS: Advanced computer and typing skills, a passion for healthcare, Basic coursework in anatomy, physiology, and/or medical terminology preferred. We will train you extensively to be successful at the job, but a basic knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology is important before applying for the job, and applicants who possess similar characteristics to our Values Statement.

Commitment: If you are willing to work on a full-time basis (approximately 16-20 shifts per month), we ask that you commit to working with eScribe for at least one year.

If you are willing to work on a part-time basis (approximately 8-10 shifts per month), we ask that you commit to working with eScribe for at least two years.

We require that you commit to working your fair share of nights, weekends, and holidays, if needed.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Results from O* NET Interest Profiler:

Social-33

Artistic-31

Realistic-26

Enterprising-26

Investigative-22

Conventional-20

I’m a great Candidate for the escribe position due to the following:

I have a sincere passion for healthcare.

Bachelor Degree in Health Sciences

Background in Medical Terminology

Hospice Volunteer (experience with patient care and terms)

I have held several leadership positions throughout my undergraduate career that aligns with the values for this company

Ex: service-minded (I was the Service Director of the National Residency Hall Honorary Organization at Clemson University. My sole purpose were to initiate service learning projects for our team and make sure they were all carried out.

Ex: enthusiasm (I was the Historian of the Gospel Choir at Clemson University. Part of my position was welcoming new members, motivating old members and finding ways for the Choir to experience team building

CONCLUSION I have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge about the life and

qualifications of a Physician Assistant via this career exploration Career PowerPoint.

After careful consideration of career exploration, financial responsibility, patient responsibility, time commitments, and future investments, I believe that I have chosen the best health profession for me.

I still have time and a few options to consider as I continue throughout my health career, but I am looking forward to the journey of becoming a successful, Physician Assistant!

REFERENCES EScribe: Medical Scribe Company for Doctors. (n.d.). Retrieved May 17, 2015, from

http://www.md-scribes.com/about/

History of the Profession. (n.d.). Retrieved May 19, 2015, from https://medicine.yale.edu/pa/profession/history_profession.aspx

(n.d.). Retrieved May 17, 2015, from http://www.indeed.com/forum/job/physician-assistant/Advantages-PA-vs-Physician/t36557

Physician Assistant profession (PA): MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved May 18, 2015, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001935.htm

REFERENCES Proposed Physician Assistant Program. (n.d.). Retrieved May 17, 2015, from

https://www.med.unc.edu/ahs/unc-pa/admissions-information-2/prerequisite-courses

SOM - Physician Assistant Program Home. (n.d.). Retrieved May 18, 2015, from http://med.emory.edu/pa/

The Medical University of South Carolina. (n.d.). Retrieved May 17, 2015, from http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/musc/

What Is a PA? (n.d.). Retrieved May 18, 2015, from https://www.aapa.org/what-is-a-pa/