RESEARCH ON PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANTLindsay Evans

WHY I WANT TO BE A PA• Want to have hands on experience with patients• Looking to always improve and learn new techniques• Solve problems and help improve overall health of patients

HISTORY• The first educational program began in 1965• Response to a shortage and poor distribution of physicians• Stemmed from corpsmen returning from Vietnam War

• Training in assessing trauma and familiarity of surgical conditions• First two-year program at Duke University

COMPETENCIES OF A PA• The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)

and three other PA organizations defined PA competencies to serve as guidelines for Physicians Assistants.

• These include overarching themes• Unwavering commitment to patient safety• Cultural competence• Quality health care• Lifelong learning• Professional growth

HOW I CAN CONTRIBUTE• Good communication skills• Enjoy challenges• Well organized• Enjoy face to face contact with patients• Will have knowledge of human body • Compassionate and caring

REQUIREMENTS OF PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANTS

• Three years healthcare experience prior to applying to PA school• A bachelor’s degree• Masters of Physicians Assistant

SCHOOLS I AM INTERESTED IN• MUSC

• Requires a GRE score in the 50th percentile• 3 reference letters• 500 hours minimum patient care• GPA minimum 3.0

• Georgia Regents University• GPA of at least 3.0• GRE minimum of 290• Minimum of 100 hours hands on health care• Minimum of 100 hours in a variety of PA clinical settings• Three references

ONET RESULTS• My results indicated highest in social, investigative and conventional

interests• PA’s are typically SIR• I have the social and investigative interests that correspond with this

particular job• Requires working with and communicating with people

• I find this to be one of my biggest strengths

ACADEMICS• When I graduate I will have completed

• Biology 1 and 2 with lab• Chemistry 1 and 2 with lab• Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2• Physics 1 and 2• Organic Chemistry• Microbiology

CAREER OUTLOOK• Average salary $95,820 per year• Increasing accreditation for schools and increasing employment• Projected increase of 30% more jobs by the year 2024• Projected increase of 50,000 job openings

CONCLUSION• In conclusion becoming a PA will take two to three more years• Steps to take to get there

• Working in a health environment• Studying and improving GRE scores• Have anywhere from 500-1000 hours of hands on experience.

SOURCES • "Appendix: Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession."

Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession (2008): 905-08. Yale University, 2012competencies for the physician assistant profession. Web. 18 Jan. 2016.

• "More Details at O*NET OnLine for Physician Assistants at My Next Move." More Details at O*NET OnLine for Physician Assistants at My Next Move. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.

• "PAEA Program Directory." PAEA Program Directory. Physician Assistant Education Association, 2016. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.

• "Summary." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.