Selecting the Best from More Than One Hundred Accredited Physician Assistant Programs
A physician assistant is a popular transition for many nurses or paramedics. The requirements for the physician assistant degree program are 4 years of medical experience as well as a bachelor’s degree. Most physician assistant schools are looking for a hard working individual that would enjoy a career in medicine. But for specific requirements, the student should refer to the school of their interest. The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant has recognized about 130-140 physician assistant schools today.
Working so closely with doctors, a physician assistant program is very difficult and strongly based on medical studies. Meaning that they are trained in a similar fashion as a physician as far as diagnosing and treating patients. With this training, the physician assistant can therefore be an ideal counterpart for a doctor. There are no different principles amongst physicians assistant program, and you can expect it will take about 2 years to complete it. Classroom and lab work make up the curriculum as is the case with most medical programs. Students will train in anatomy, pathophysiology, pharmacology, clinical practice and physical diagnosis. A test must be passed every 6 years after becoming a certified physician assistant, so you must continue to study to maintain your education, fulfilling a required 100 hours every 2 years.
