Are you interested in working in the medical field? If so, you should know that you don’t have to obtain a medical degree, nor do you have to go to nursing school. You could pursue a different type of position instead.
The demand for physician’s assistants is quite high, and it is expected to grow in the years to come. A PA is able to provide a lot of the things that a doctor does. They can perform exams, conduct lab tests, and even assist in surgery.
If you are interested in a career as a physician’s assistant, you will need to follow these simple steps.
Step One: Obtain Healthcare Experience
In order to become a physician’s assistant, you will have to be accepted into a PA school. However, these schools tend to be extremely competitive. If you want to get in to a good program, you’re going to need to have some experience behind your belt.
Consider working as a nurse’s assistant for a year or two. If you have something like this on your application, it will be much easier for you to get into school.
Step Two: Find The Programs That You Want To Apply For
It’s recommended that people start looking at PA schools as early as they can. There are a lot of programs out there, and you will want to make sure you qualify for the ones that you are interested in.
Different schools have different types of prerequisites. For example, some schools might be interested in students that have a degree in biology or chemistry. Find an excellent program that is well-suited to someone like you.
Step Three: Attend An Accredited Program
Once you have been accepted into a program, you will need to attend PA school and obtain your certification. These schools can be extremely demanding, and you will need to work hard in order to get the certification that you need.
Typically, a PA program takes about three years to complete. During this time, you will need to complete a number of clinical hours. You will spend time in a hospital working alongside doctors.
Upon graduation, you will be eligible to take the certification test. If you pass the test, you can move on to the next step of the process.
Step Four: Obtain A State License
Every state has its own licensing requirements for a PA. In many cases, you will have to pass a separate test in order to work in your state.
If you are going to be moving to a new state, you will need to obtain a new license. Find out what the licensing requirements are like in your area.
Becoming a physician’s assistant isn’t easy. You will need to complete a very difficult program and obtain several years of schooling. With that said, it can definitely be done. This is a very fulfilling career with excellent prospects. If you are interested in a career in medicine, this is a path you will want to consider.