Admission to PA Programs
Physician Assistant Program
Physician Assistant as a Career
Helpful Information
Mixed Trivia
100
What is the minimum overall GPA and overall science GPA required to get considered for PA school?
A minimum bachelor's-degree G.P.A. of 3.0 A minimum 3.0 G.P.A. in all science prerequisite coursework is required
100
How long are PA programs usually?
24-30 months
100
What is the median salary of a PA-C?
$130,020 per year
100
How many shadowing hours are recommended before applying for PA programs?
On average, applicants are expected to have about 40 hours of shadowing experience. Top applicants often have over 100 hours of shadowing
100
Are PAs assistants to the physician?
NO! PAs are not “physician’s assistants” -- they are Physician Assistants
200
What is the minimum number of hours usually required for direct patient care experience?
Around 1,000 hours
200
Name a PA school in Georgia.
Philadelphia College of Medicine (Suwanee, GA)
South College (Atlanta, GA)
Emory University (Atlanta, GA)
Mercer University (Atlanta, GA)
Morehouse School of Medicine (Atlanta, GA)
Augusta University (Augusta, GA)
200
List three PA specialties
Dermatology
Pediatrics
Family Medicine
Cardiology
Psychiatry
Orthopedics
Emergency Medicine
Oncology
Urology
200
What exam must you pass to become a certified PA?
Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) To become a certified PA, you must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), a computer-based, multiple-choice test comprising questions that assess general medical and surgical knowledge. (Source: nccpa.net)
200
What state has the largest number of PAs
New York
300
What is the online application service for PA schools?
Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)
300
List 2 common prerequisite courses required for PA school
General biology
Anatomy and physiology
Microbiology
General chemistry
Biochemistry or organic chemistry
General psychology
Statistics or bio statistics
Medical Terminology
300
Name two settings where you would be able to find a physician assistant.
Most PAs work in medical offices, followed by hospitals. But they can also work in assisted living facilities, educational services, etc.
300
What is the re-certification examination you need to take?
Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam (PANRE)
By the end of the 10th year of the certification maintenance cycle, PA-C designees must have passed a recertification exam
300
What is the name of the device used to measure blood pressure, composed of an inflatable cuff to collapse and then release the artery under the cuff in a controlled manner? Also known as a blood pressure cuff
sphygmomanometer
400
List some experiences that fulfill direct patient care hours.
Nursing (RN, LVN, CNA), Emergency Services (EMT, Paramedic, EMS), Physical Therapist (Aide), Medical Assistant, etc.
400
How does the first year in the PA program look like?
The first year of a Physician Assistant (PA) program is primarily focused on classroom learning, or the didactic year
400
What career is closely related to Physician Assistants?
Nurse Practitioner
400
What is the employment outlook for Physician Assistants?
Employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 28% from 2023 - 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.
400
What does AAPA stand for?
American Academy of Physician Assistants
500
What is the standardized test that a lot of graduate schools, including some PA programs, require?
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
500
How does the second year in a PA program look like?
The second year of a Physician Assistant (PA) program is primarily made up of clinical rotations, where students work in real-world healthcare settings to apply their knowledge and develop skills
500
What are some duties of Physician Assistants?
Physician assistants are trained to perform medical histories and physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, formulate diagnoses and management plans, write prescriptions, counsel patients and assist in surgery.
(Source: http://www.pace.edu/physician-assistant/frequently-asked-questions)
500
What is needed to be done every two years as part of the certification maintenance process?
100 hours of continuing medical education
500
What does the C stand for in PA-C?
It means "Certified". The "PA-C" designation can only be used by PAs who have current certification.