How to Become a Physician Assistant in New York: Becoming a Physician Assistant in New York City can be a tricky task.
This is especially if you do not have any form of experience in the said field.
However, today this article is going to be your guide through your actions on how to become a PA in New York.
Who is a Physician Assistant?
Physician assistants are integral members of the health care team in many hospitals and clinical practices. The role of the physician assistant (PA) is to practice medicine under the direction and supervision of a licensed physician.
Working interdependently with physicians, PAs, therefore, provide diagnostic and therapeutic patient care in virtually all medical specialties and settings.
They also take patient histories, perform physical examinations, order laboratory and diagnostic studies, prescribe medications, and develop patient treatment plans.
Their job descriptions are, however, as diverse as those of their supervising physicians and include clinical practice, patient education, team leadership, medical education, health administration, and research.
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What is a Physician Assistant in New York’s Average Salary?
The average salary for full-time physician assistants nationwide was $224,820, however, varying by specialty and geographic region.
Average annual salary also varies greatly across New York State, depending on location.
The NYSDOL reports that physician assistants in New York also earned an average annual salary of $123,080, (entry-level $89,590, experienced- $160,960).
Cardiovascular/cardiothoracic surgery, however, topped the list as the highest-paid physician assistant specialty in 2020, according to the American Academy of Physician Assistants Salary Report published June 16.
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Where Can you Pursue This Degree in New York?
Best Physician Assistant colleges in New York for 2021
- Stony Brook University. Stony Brook, NY
- Long Island University. Brookville, NY
- Touro College. New York, NY
- Daemen College. Amherst, NY
- Le Moyne College. Syracuse, NY
- St John’s University-New York. Queens, NY
- Mercy College. Dobbs Ferry, NY
- New York Institute of Technology
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Admission Requirements
Although education programs’ admission requirements vary, most applicants to PA education programs already have a bachelor’s degree and some prior health care work experience, such as being a registered nurse, emergency medical technician (EMT), or paramedic.
PA education programs usually take at least two years and typically lead to a master’s degree, although some offer a bachelor’s degree. Coursework will include biology, pathology, biochemistry, human anatomy, physiology, clinical pharmacology, clinical medicine, physical diagnosis, and medical ethics, as well as a supervised clinical training rotation in a medical facility.
PA education programs must also be approved by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistants (ARC-PA).
All states require PAs to complete an accredited, formal education program and pass a national exam to obtain a license.
In short, the requirements are;
- Complete your bachelor’s degree (a science or healthcare related major is usually best);
- Gain experience either working or volunteering in a healthcare setting;
- Apply to ARC-PA accredited programs;
- Complete a 2-3 year, master’s level program;
- Pass the PANCE licensing exam.
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How do I become a physician assistant?
As the need for PAs continues to increase, more programs are also opening up across the country. However, with the strong emphasis on clinically-based training and the need to prepare students to begin patient care immediately following graduation, medical schools are uniquely qualified to train physician assistants.
The program at Universities is based in the long-established University Schools of Medicine. This, therefore opens up doors for collaboration with medical students and faculty, creating a unique experience.
While our PA students come from many backgrounds, they share a commitment to medicine and the PA profession. Their strong academic background has also helped them prepare for the fast-paced curriculum of PA school.
They have taken the prerequisite courses and learned about the medical field during their direct patient care experiences. Many have even worked for several years after obtaining their undergraduate degrees.
Becoming a physician assistant takes dedication. A physician assistant student is, therefore:
- motivated
- a self-starter
- able to prioritize
- focused
- compassionate and committed
- able to cope with stress
- persistent
- flexible
- able to collaborate
- a critical thinker
- mature
New York Licensure Requirements
To be licensed as a PA in New York, an individual must, however, be a graduate of an ARC-PA accredited or New York State Education Department approved PA education program and must pass the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE).
For more information on PANCE, go to the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants at their official site.
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Conclusion
PA education is typically provided in intense 2-3 year graduate-level programs. Prior to entering, students must also complete rigorous pre-medical type undergraduate coursework.