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History of PA Profession
Admission to PA Programs
Physician Assistant Program
Physician Assistant as a Career
Helpful Information
100
Why did they start the Physician Assistant profession?
There was a shortage in primary care physicians.
100

What is the minimum overall GPA and overall science GPA required (in most schools) to get considered for PA school?

A minimum bachelor's degree G.P.A. of 2.8-3.0 and a minimum 2.7-3.2 G.P.A. in all science prerequisite coursework is typically required. 

100
How long are PA programs usually?
24-30 months
100
What is the median salary of a PA-C?
$95, 820 (Source: http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/physician-assistant/salary)
100
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
Who were first trained to be Physician Assistants?
Navy corpsmen
200
What is the minimum number of hours usually required for direct patient care experience?
Around 1,000 hours
200

Name three ARC-PA accredited schools in Georgia. 

Augusta University PA Program, Emory University PA Program, Mercer University PA Program, South University PA Program.  

200
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)
200
What is the re-certification examination you need to take?
Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam (PANRE) --- By the end of the tenth year of the certification maintenance cycle, PA-C designees must have passed a recertification exam. Offered at testing centers throughout the U.S., the multiple choice Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam (PANRE) is designed to assess general medical and surgical knowledge. (Source: nccpa.net)
300
When did the Physician Assistant profession begin?
It started in the mid-1960s. The first PA class graduated on Oct. 6, 1967.
300

What is the online application service for PA schools? (50 bonus points if you can say what it stands for)

Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)

300
How does the first year in the PA program look like?
First-year students are in class approximately four days per week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This schedule is subject to change. (UCD PA Program, http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/nursing/education/FAQ.html)
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 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.
400
Which University did the first PA class graduate from?
Duke University
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 second year in a PA program look like?
Second-year students are in classes about one week per month on campus. The other weeks of the quarter students work in an assigned clinical setting. (UCD PA Program, http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/nursing/education/FAQ.html)
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 38 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm#tab-6)
500
What was the curriculum of the first class based on?
[Eugene A. Stead Jr., MD] based the curriculum of the PA program on his knowledge of the fast-track training of doctors during World War II. (www.aapa.org)
500
What is the standardized test that a lot of graduate schools, including some PA programs, require?
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
500

Who develops the laws that govern what a physician assistant can and cannot do?

Who is the state government

500
How does a supervising physician supervise a physician assistant?
http://www.pac.ca.gov/supervising_physicians/faqs.shtml ---- The supervising physician may choose one or more of the following four mechanisms to provide the supervision as required by Section 1399.545 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations. 1. The physician sees the patients the same day that they are treated by the PA. 2. The physician reviews, signs and dates the medical record of every patient treated by the physician assistant within thirty days of the treatment. 3. The physician adopts written protocols which specifically guide the actions of the PA. The physician must select, review, sign and date at least 5% of the medical records of patients treated by the physician assistant according to those protocols within 30 days. 4. Or, in special circumstances, the physician provides supervision through another mechanism approved in advance by the Board. ---- The supervising physician is not required to be on site but must be available in person or by electronic communication at all times when the PA is caring for patients.
500
What is needed to be done every two years as part of the certification maintenance process?
The 10-year certification maintenance process includes five two-year cycles during which all certified PAs must log 100 CME credits online and submit a *$130 certification maintenance fee by 11:59 p.m. PT, December 31 of your certification expiration year. (http://www.nccpa.net/ContinuingMedicalEducation)