Medic looking at PA path

[Gatewayhoward]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I'm a paramedic who's just began to major in biology to get into med school. Sounds crazy but I had a dream that told me to research the PA path before I completely write it off. Can anyone summarize the process to become a PA, and I know what the job entails but could someone elaborate on it?

 

[Jengirl18]

With your background, you are the perfect candidate for PA school. PAs are licensed to practice medicine under the "supervision" of a doctor. That does not mean he/she is over your shoulder, it's more of a collaborative effort. I would direct you to the best PA website out there: www.physicianassistant.net. ER PAs can make a lot (100K plus). The process is through CASPA....you submit letters of rec, a personal statement, transcripts, details of your medical experiences, grades, etc. I believe you can start the application process every May. It's a very competitive process, much like med school, and sometimes actually harder given the small class sizes. But, your previous medical experience is a big plus. Please go to the PA website b/c you will learn so much!

Jenny
PA-S

 

[Gatewayhoward]

Sounds good, I'll check out those forums.

 

[paraPA]

I'm a paramedic who's just began to major in biology to get into med school. Sounds crazy but I had a dream that told me to research the PA path before I completely write it off. Can anyone summarize the process to become a PA, and I know what the job entails but could someone elaborate on it?

That's the path I took. You have the medical background. Get a bachelors degree - any topic - but health related is best and you will need the obligatory chem series (gag), bio, and A/P. Applying has mostly beome centralized like med schools, where you will submit one application, pay fees, and apply to the schools you want. Keep your GPA up there (I had a 3.4). I went back to school with 4 kids - so I chose PA instead of MD due to time constraints (I didn't expect my wife to rasie our kids alone while I went to school) and I knew after a 20 year medic career (I am really not that old though...late 30's)
.... but I also believe God likes to talk to us in dreams...it's about the only time we are not distracted and He can get a word in.

Good luck
PA-C, MPAS, LP