Top Physician Assistant Programs

Finding the perfect physician assistant programs is never going to be easy. The thing you need to consider is that not all programs are equal, for example, there are some that might not teach the curriculum you need to be effective in your state. Meeting your state's expectations(we're looking at you Ohio) is a different matter altogether and you need to make sure you take a program that meets the requirements. A prior medical background is absolutely necessary if you want to get into the best physician assistant programs, though there are a few who do not need it. It would be in your best interest to work under the belief that you actually need it.

There are some physicians assistant programs in which you can earn your master's degree, though some are more limited. These are two things to keep in mind, and the length is also something to remember. There are in fact some programs that are intended to last two years, while others will last considerably longer.

Tuition is yet another thing to think about. There are some programs that are cheap, and others that cost upward of $20,000. This will depend highly on the state the program is administered in as well as the detail of the program.

Is the school you plan to attend actually accredited? Not every school is accredited, and this is something that you will need to think about. If you want to find employment after your schooling, you will need to make sure you have attended a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. If your institution is not accredited, then finding work will be impossible.

You should also think about program focus. The specialization youa re interested in will play a large part here, for example if you wanted to be an OB-GYN, you would have to ensure your program deals with it. Ask questions and make sure you're getting what you need.

Getting into the top physicians assistant program will not be a cakewalk. You will need to have a medical background, of course, and the will to keep going. Something to note is that in order to be accepted to a good physician's assistant program you will need to pass an inspection from the school board, and this isn't always simple. You need to demonstrate to them that you have passion, and that you have the ability to follow up on the newer innovations. 
 
If you want to become a physician assistant, then you have most definitely chosen a good career path that will allow you to help others. Before we talk about the specialties of a physician assistant however, it is important to discuss precisely what a physician assistant is.

The first thing you need to know is that a PA is similar to a physician, and often has the same responsibilities. A PA will need to work under the supervision of an actual doctor, which could be considered the biggest difference. This however does not entail that they will be babysat the entire time. They will often work alone and attend to patients in the manner of a true doctor. There are a few different physician assistant advancement to take into account, some of which are more exciting than others.

Emergency Medicine -- Only eight percent of all physician assistance work in this area due to the fast paced nature. You could find yourself dealing with trauma or even surgery.

Pediatrics -- When it comes to physician assistant specialties, this is a rare one. This will of course involve dealing with patients on the in-patient floor in addition to deliveries. They will assess newborns and even cover the ER when they need to.

Psychiatry -- In addition to patient evaluation, one would also recommend dosages. A psychiatry physician assistant will generally work in the hospital. 

Obstetrics -- There are a few different jobs in this field, for example an inpatient clinic or even a maternity ward. They would also help in the operating room, take care of patient counseling, and even receive women for prenatal appointments.

Internal Medicine -- There are many ways to describe this position, but it invomes cardiology, dermatology, and others. Making rounds with the chief resident is another duty that you will have in this position, and assessing lab results.

Surgery -- This is the most common of the physician assistant specialties and it claims twenty-two percent of all physicians assistants. There are several different duties in this specialty which include care before, during, and after surgery. They will also take patient history and perform physical exams.

What we have listed are the current primary responsibilities of a physician assistant, but there is a strong chance that it will begin to expand soon. This is a pretty new position in the medical field and the specialites will constantly change. Within the PA position, you will need to make sure that you review the newest material, the techniques, and of course the methods of treatment.

You will not be paid as much as a regular doctor, but it can be a stepping stone for the next phase of your career. If this is the experience you want in a career, then you should write your resume and prepare for the best. It is not going to be an easy position to enter, but it will be worthwhile. It is hard to tell where it may lead. 
 
Has the though of training as a physician's assistant ever crossed your mind? Though this position does not call for a PhD, it does deal with treating illness and other health care services. You will of course be working a physician's office under supervision, and in some cases acting as a physician. In addition to that you will be able to counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, write prescriptions, and even give medical orders. One of the best things about being a PA is the fact that many will opt to see the PA over the standard physician.

The Requirements

As of right now, there are 149 different schools which can claim accreditation in the United States. The biggest problem at the moment of course is that it is impossible for anyone to agree on what the requirements actually are. Obviously you must have passion for your job, which is to be expected. If you don't have passion, how could you expect to do your job anyway?

Another important requirement of course is that of ensuring you have a working knowledge of physiology, anatomy, and biochemistry. If you have any trouble with these area, then you won't have an easy time of it in the PA field.

Before you can become a physician's assistant, you will need to attend a school, and the admissions committee will look at your credit hours, the credibility of your university, and even the difficulty of your coursework. If you want to be accepted, then you will additionally need at least four years of experience in the medical field. It is generally accepted that an individual should have experience in multiple sectors of healthcare including nursing, medical volunteerism, and of course, emergency services. There is a small possibility that you will be admitted to a program without meeting those basic guidelines, but it is not incredibly likely.

Medical experience alone is not enough -- you will need to make sure you have a GED or a high school diploma. Keep in mind that you will need to possess a certain level of maturity to do your job effectively, and with that being the case, you might want to assess yourself before you attempt to get into this field. You will need the ability to lead, which comes standard with being a PA.

Things are changing all the time in this job, which means you need to be flexible. Naturally this is going to involve reading the latest medical texts, and of course making sure you're ready as soon as a new medical technology comes out. This will include new pharmaceuticals of course, and while these items may not be common knowledge, but these updates are generally filed with the FDA and will be available for study. Bearing that in mind, you may realize that it's not all fun and games. It is hard, and it is often filled with study. This is a very demanding field, and if you meet the tough requirements, then you're definitely going to land a great job in the field. 
 
The medical world is an exciting place to start a profession. For some, becoming a physician assistant is the direction they have decided to go in their lives. They are ready to have a career that allows them to provide help to those in need. They want to devote their time to a team of professionals that are there to help comfort and heal people. The first thing that must be done once the career path has been chosen is to pick a school to take their classes at. The physician assistant programs in California that they have to choose from are many.

As you look through the websites that give details about the programs that are offered, play close attention to what you are reading. There are certain specialties in physician assisting and some programs are tailored for these specialties. They may have a specific focus on surgery and if this is not the direction you are looking in, look at other schools. If you really want to work in primary care, find a program that focuses on this are of the career.

Pay attention, also, to the time that it will take to achieve your certification. You may take your education level from an associates degree, through the bachelor's degree, and up to a master's degree in these programs. You can also receive certain certifications that come with graduation. Most of the programs will take about two years but others do have a longer time frame. There are some variations in the available physician assistant programs in California so be sure you are attentive.

There may be great concern placed on the price of the tuition for the programs for many people. The school that you attend could play a large part in the price for the program. There are low priced programs and those that seem to be charging a small fortune. You will find that the reputation of the school could raise the prices because the prestigious schools do tend to charge more to allow you to use their names on your certificate of graduation. The price increase could be very much needed for some people so they would be willing to pay the price for it.

When you are considering the prices, also pay attention to the resident versus nonresident pricing. You can find schools that will have much lower prices if you are a resident of the state. Others do not put much emphasis on this at all. They will not lower prices for anyone even if they are residents of the state. Make sure you are looking at the pricing scales at school before you make your final selection. Make sure that you have reviewed the pricing so that you can make the best decision on the school.

You also need to see if the school you are considering is accredited. The accreditation of the school could leave you without the ability to work in your state. In order to take the national certifying exam you must have studied at an accredited school. You could find that you cannot do the work that you have trained for and that you still have to pay off the loans for the education that you took.

There are many things to consider when you are trying to find the best physician assistant program in California. Be sure to do your homework before you make your selection and you are sure to make a choice that works well for your needs.