Physician's Assistant

Are you interested in a rewarding career in medicine, but you don’t want to be a physician? Currently, the physician assistant profession is one of the fastest growing healthcare careers nationwide. Physician assistants (PAs) are becoming integral to the provision of healthcare, especially in the areas of primary care.

PAs provide health services under the supervision of physicians, and are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare services. Working as members of the healthcare team, they take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x-rays, make diagnoses, and prescribe medications. They also treat minor injuries, by suturing, splinting, and casting. PAs record progress notes, instruct and counsel patients, and order or carry out therapy. In 47 States and the District of Columbia, physician assistants may prescribe medications. In many rural and inner city areas, PAs practice independently with supervision from a physician 1-2 days per week.

Degrees
After two years, students graduate with a Master’s of Physician Assistant Studies. Before a PA can begin practicing, he or she must pass the Physician Assistants National Certifying Examination, administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and open to graduates of accredited PA education programs.

PA programs are two years in length and are full time. PA education includes classroom instruction in biochemistry, pathology, human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, clinical pharmacology, clinical medicine, geriatric and home healthcare, disease prevention, and medical ethics. Students obtain supervised clinical training by participating in several rotations, including primary care medicine, inpatient medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, geriatrics, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and pediatrics. PA's can become specialized in these areas as well.

Cornell Courses and Other Requirements
If you are interested in pursuing a career as a physician assistant, Cornell can provide excellent preparation for physician assistant programs. PA program prerequisites often include the following:

1. Successful undergraduate education as shown by a baccalaureate degree and GPA. Competitive GPA is 3.5 or higher. Many pre-PA students major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Psychology.
2. Introductory and advanced courses in the sciences including but not limited to: principles of chemistry, organic chemistry, general statistics, biochemistry, biology, human anatomy, exercise physiology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, and cell biology.
3. Three or more upper level courses are recommended. Many programs require Biochemistry and Abnormal Psychology, so you need to make sure to take the prerequisites to take these courses at Cornell.
4. GRE scores. Competitive composite score of 1000 or higher.
5. Healthcare and research experience (six months or more). Job shadowing of a PA is often required as is a letter of recommendation from a PA.
6. A variety of technical standards as declared by the institution (for example: University of Iowa Physician Assistant Program Technical Standards
   

*One semester of both anatomy and physiology are required. As this is a two-block series at Cornell, both courses must be taken. However, some KIN courses in physiology will count as the one semester of physiology.
**Not a specific requirement for PA programs, but a prerequisite to Biochemistry at Cornell.
***Usually only one organic chemistry is required for PA, however, organic lab is a prerequisite to Biochemistry at Cornell.

Timeline (minimum each year to be on track)

For additional information, see:
American Academy of Physician Assistants
Physician Assistant Education Association
Central Application Service for Physician Assistants

For contact information, admissions deadlines, entrance requirements, credentials awarded, tuition fees, financial aid, clinical affiliations, and other information:

http://www.paeaonline.org/directory/index.htm

The Dimensions Resource Center has additional resources that can assist you such as GRE test preparation texts, PA program comparisons, and books to help you during the application process.