Developing a career in medicine is among the most rewarding and secure opportunities available. Clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, educational facilities, health departments and numerous other practices face a shortage in this arena and are constantly in need of Physician’s Assistants to round out their primary and specialty care staffs. Though entering this field requires a great deal of study and dedication, a Physician Assistance Program in Texas can help prepare you for the various openings awaiting skilled personnel.
In most cases, obtaining a PA degree entails between two and two and a half years of education. The first leg of this journey is typically spent in the classroom learning the basics of the positions to be held after joining the workforce. Core classes revolve around knowledge needed in a clinical atmosphere. These include, but are not limited to:
* Anatomy and Physiology
* Medical Terminology
* Psychology
* Medical Transcription
* Biology
* Pathology
* Chemistry
* Genetics
Students will also be involved in an Introduction to Health Care course. During this class, medical trainees will learn ethics, compassion, CPR, cleaning and disposal of bodily fluids, safe disposal of sharps, proper donning of personal protective equipment, how to take and record vital signs, wound dressing and basic techniques for interacting with patients among other ideals. From there, education takes on a more hands-on approach.
Following classroom training, students of a Physician Assistance Program in Texas will proceed to either more involved classroom experiences or an actual medical facility depending on the program in which they are involved. This involves learning to draw blood, meeting with patients, administering immunizations and other critical points. Then, clinical rotations begin.
Students will begin working in various medical facilities under the guidance of certified PA’s or the physicians themselves. For four to eight week stints, those in training with a Physician Assistance Program in Texas will rotate around to required fields such as pediatrics, family, internal and emergency medicine and operating rooms. This helps prepare students for different fields in which they may gain employment.
In addition to being required to pass written tests and skill assessments, students must maintain a certain grade point average in order to remain enrolled in medical programs. After passing individual classes, they also have to pass state certification evaluations before being employed in a medical facility. If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve been hoping for, contact UAMS to begin your journey into the medical field.
