Physician Assistant/Associate (PA) Studies Quick Facts
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Physician Assistant/Associate (PA) Studies Quick Facts

aug-2021-photoshoot-095.jpgWhat is a Physician Assistant/Associate (PA)?

  • Some responsibilities of a PA include:
    • Practices medicine under the supervision of a physician
    • Obtains patient histories
    • Conducts physical exams
    • Diagnoses and treats illness
    • Orders and interprets lab and diagnostic tests
    • Performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
    • Assists in surgical procedures
    • Prescribes medications
    • Counsels patients and families regarding health promotion and disease prevention
  • Practices medicine in all inpatient and outpatient settings, including but not limited to:
    • Hospitals
    • Clinics
    • Community health centers
  • Specialty practice within all medical and surgical areas of clinical practice:
    • Surgery
    • Neurology
    • Pediatrics
    • Oncology
    • Geriatrics 

PA Profession Outlook:

  • The PA profession is one of the fastest growing today: 
  • Based on the U.S. News & World Report 2024 rankings
    • The PA profession is #5 in the Best 100 Jobs List
    • #2 in Best Healthcare Jobs List 
    • #4 in Best STEM Jobs List

About the Salus University PA Studies Program

The University's PA Studies program is 25-months long, and upon completion, students would receive a Master of Medical Science degree (MMS).

PA students in classThe program offers:

  • A rigorous and comprehensive program of study
  • Full, on-site cadaver dissection lab
  • Early pre-clinical experiences during the first year of training
  • Direct patient care in emergency, internal, and family medicine, women’s health and prenatal care, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery 
  • Instruction in patient care with a holistic approach 
  • Innovative teaching through faculty-facilitated small group and case-based instruction in primary and specialty care

Becoming a PA:

To become a PA, students must:

  • Students are required to complete undergraduate coursework before entering the professional phase of training
    • Complete prerequisites in various studies (ex: anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry)
  • Graduate from an ARC-PA accredited entry-level PA program
  • Become certified bypassing the national board exam (PANCE)  
  • Obtain a state license before beginning practice in a given state(s)

To maintain certification, a PA must: 

  • Complete 100 hours of continuing medical education (CME) every two years
  • Pass the recertification exam every 10 years