PA-sportation
What organization certifies PAs nationally? What test do they take to be certified? (Both answers required)
AAPA; PANCE
What does PCE stand for, and why is it crucial for applying to PA school?
Patient Care Experience; it’s essential because PA programs require it to ensure applicants have hands-on exposure to patients, which is a critical part of preparing for the role of a PA.
Translate the medical abbreviation:
Pt A&O x 3
Patient alert and oriented to person, place, and time.
What’s an effective way to answer the interview question, “Tell me about yourself”?
What is describing your academic background, healthcare experiences, and personal motivations for pursuing a career as a PA, focusing on how these experiences have shaped you?
When applying to PA school, how many hours of patient care experience (PCE) do most programs expect from applicants?
What is around 1,000 to 2,000 hours of patient care experience?
Define "lateral mobility" in the PA profession.
The ability to move between specialties at the same level.
What's the key difference between PCE and HCE in PA school applications?
PCE involves direct, hands-on patient care; HCE involves indirect roles, like admin work or scribing
Translate the medical abbreviation:
Pt c/o fatigue, denies CP, NAD
Patient complains of fatigue, denies chest pain, no apparent distress.
If asked, “Why do you want to be a PA instead of an MD or NP?” how should you frame your response?
What is explaining the unique role of a PA—working closely with patients in a team-based environment, the flexibility in specialties, and a focus on patient care?
Understanding basic medical terminology is important for PA school. What does "hypertension" mean?
What is high blood pressure?
A student applies to 10 programs. They meet the minimums, but don’t get interviews. List three common mistakes that could explain this outcome.
Personal statement was generic or unfocused
Weak letters of recommendation (not from PAs or lacked depth)
Didn’t tailor the app to each program’s mission or values
Applied late in the cycle
Poor interview prep (if they had one and didn’t move on)*
Which of the following counts as direct PCE:
A) Shadowing a PA
B) Volunteering at a hospital
C) Serving as a medical scribe
B) Volunteering at a hospital—providing hands-on patient care is direct PCE.
Translate the medical abbreviation:
Hx of HTN; takes meds BID; f/u 2 wks
History of hypertension, takes medications twice daily, follow-up in 2 weeks.
You’re asked, “How do you maintain work-life balance while pursuing such a demanding career as a PA?”
What is demonstrating your self-awareness by discussing your strategies for managing stress, maintaining hobbies or interests outside of medicine, staying connected with loved ones, and knowing when to seek help to avoid burnout?
In addition to clinical skills, this set of competencies is crucial for working effectively within the healthcare team, ensuring patient-centered care, and facilitating communication across different medical disciplines. It includes both verbal and non-verbal communication.
What is interpersonal communication or team collaboration skills?
What does CASPA stand for?
Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants
If you’re a medical volunteer and assist with taking vital signs but don’t directly provide treatment, can this experience count as PCE?
Yes, as long as you have direct interaction with patients, such as obtaining vital signs, helping with mobility, or providing basic care.
Translate the medical abbreviation (not including CT):
MVC. Pt has L arm pn, R/O fx, CT pending
After a motor vehicle collision/car crash, patient has left arm pain. Rule out fraction, CT pending.
“How would you handle a situation where your supervisor or a physician makes a decision that you disagree with, especially if it’s in the best interest of the patient?”
What is acknowledging the importance of teamwork and communication in a healthcare setting and explaining how you would address the issue professionally—through respectful dialogue, seeking clarification, and working collaboratively to resolve any concerns while prioritizing patient care?
After entering PA school, this type of education is necessary to keep a PA’s skills current and effective throughout their career. This education is referred to as:
What is continuing medical education (CME)?
Name two reasons why your PCE hours might not be accepted by a PA program, even if you’ve logged hundreds.
Home health aide = PCE (hands-on care); pharmacy tech = HCE (non-direct patient care).
You worked as a patient care coordinator in a doctor’s office for a year, scheduling appointments and verifying insurance. Can you log these hours as PCE?
No. Administrative roles like scheduling and insurance verification do not count as direct patient care and should not be logged as PCE. Only the hours spent in direct patient interaction (e.g., assisting with intake, guiding patients through the office, helping with medical exams) can count.
Translate the medical abbreviation:
Elderly pt w/ AMS, abd pn, ↑WBCs.
Elderly patient with altered mental status and abdominal pain. High white blood cell count.
“What’s your biggest weakness?”, how can you turn it into a strength during a PA school interview?
What is acknowledging a weakness, then showing how you are actively working to improve it? For example, discussing how you’ve worked on time management, stress management, or communication skills.
PA school is notoriously rigorous, with an intense curriculum and rotations. After completing basic science coursework, students enter clinical rotations, where they must demonstrate competency across various specialties. Which of the following is NOT typically a clinical rotation requirement for PA programs?
A. Surgery
B. Family medicine
C. Obstetrics/Gynecology
D. Anesthesiology
What is D. Anesthesiology?