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Becoming a physician assistant can be somewhat challenging but once the education and training is finished it’s a very rewarding career. All physician assistants are required to complete a uniform curriculum so that they are all similarly qualified to fulfill their duties. Here is a quick look at the details for physician assistant education and training.
A small percentage of people believe that physician assistants are actually want-to-be doctors who just couldn’t cut it in medical school. Of course, this isn’t true.
| The physician assistant education and training is very challenging and is not to be taken lightly. Physician assistants are highly qualified and intelligent individuals. Those who become physician assistants chose that specific profession for personal reasons, they did not dream of becoming a doctor and settle for being a physician assistant. |
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Most people who enter a physician assistant program have some type of prior healthcare experience. Usually applicants to these programs have worked in nursing or as EMTs or paramedics. Also, a bachelor’s degree is usually required for a person to even be considered to enter a program to become a physician assistant.
Every physician assistant program in the United States is overseen by an independent organization. This organization is partially sponsored by the American Medical Association. Every physician assistant program must make sure they adhere to the guidelines set forth by this independent organization.
The first year of physician assistant education and training includes a student taking anatomy, biochemistry, pathology, physiology, pharmacology, and disease prevention. Students are required to complete classes that are lectures and that are labs.
The second year of physician assistant education and training includes mostly clinical training. This clinical training includes pediatrics, internal medicine, primary care medicine, impatient medicine, emergency medicine, geriatrics, gynecology, and psychiatry.
There are actually two different types of physician assistants. One is a physician assistant and the other is a physician assistant – C. Physician assistant – C is usually referred to as simply PA-C.
The “C” stands for “Certification”. It means the physician assistant has been certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physical Assistants (NCCPA). The NCCPA is an independent organization that’s separate from the normal organization that oversees physician assistants.
To qualify to be a PA-C a student must graduate from a college that is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, also known as the ARC-PA. The student must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam, also known as PANCE.
To continue to be a PA-C a physician assistant must log 100 extra hours of medical training every two years and pass the recertification exam every six years. A PA-C can also be recertified by putting together learning experience and a take home exam.
Becoming a physician assistant is not easy and should not be taken lightly. The physician assistant training and education is very challenging and produces great physician assistants who do many of the same things doctors do. Becoming a physician assistant is a noble and rewarding career choice.
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