Physician Assistant

1. PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
CAREER POWERPOINT
HEALTH 419- HEALTH INTERNSHIP PREP
INSTRUCTOR: MRS. KATHLEEN MEYER
DATE: TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015
CREATED BY: HOPE JUNIOUS

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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 courses
9
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

9. 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.

10. POTENTIAL PA PROGRAMS/SCHOOLS
Prerequisite Courses Semester Hours Minimum
Human 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 hours
Additional 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 hours
Recommended:
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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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!

14. 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

15. 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/