PA's in Pediatrics

[doglvr]

Does anyone know the job availability for PA's in Pediatrics? From what I understand, peds is more dominated by NP's than PA's. I am interested in going to PA school and would like to someday work in adolescent pediatrics, but am wondering if NP would be a better route to take.

I would prefer to become a PA over NP; I have a b.s. already and PA school would be less time (2 years vs. 3 for a direct-entry NP program). Of course I have other reasons for prefering this career, but for this post I am concerned with the pediatric issue. Thanks for you input!

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[Monika]

We are out here! I am a PA working in a pediatric hospital and can tell you that our numbers are growing. Looking at raw numbers there are definitely more NPs in peds than PAs. That trend is changing though and physicians are utilizing PAs in clinics and peds hospitals all over the country.

Peds inpatient and outpatient opportunites are out there and my best advice to you is to start making contacts now before PA school. Keep those contacts and make more while you are in the PA program during rotations so that you will have ample opportunities available to you after graduation. Several of my classmates easily found general peds positions after graduation. There are also PA residencies out there in Peds Surgery, Neonatology, and Pediatrics (inpatient/outpatients settings) if you decide to get more specialized training after graduation. PA residencies are optional but are a great way to get specialized training and prepare you to 'hit the ground running' as a brand new PA.

There is a PA program in Colorado that has a emphasis in pediatrics: UCHSC-Child Health Associate/PA Program

If you want more info you can check out The PA Forum and you will see that there is a forum there dedicated to the field of Pediatrics with plenty of information.

Society for Physician Assistants in Pediatrics

Physician Assistants in Pediatrics

AAPA

Best wishes. 🙂

 

[guetzow]

Just talked to an associate about a PA peds job in TX paying 55$/Hr.