What is a Physician Assistant?
A physician assistant is a certified healthcare provider that diagnoses and treats patients in a wide variety of settings. A physician Assistant (PA) can speicalize in any aspect of medicine from family practice, orthopdeics, surgery womens health to psychiatry.
the PA profession arose in the late 1960's responding to an increased need for physicians across the United States. It wouldn't be uncommon for a physician to have 50 patient appointments in one day. The PA, working under the supervision of a physician, will see the majority of these patients in place of the physician. This being a great benefit to the physician, the facilty, the PA and the patient.
How can I become a PA?
The University of Kentucky offers a graduate program from the college of health sciences for the Physician Assistant Program. The program is a 29 month, intense master's level degree program that offers instruction both in a classroom setting and lab setting for the first year and a half.
The last year consists of clinical (rotation) portion where the student will actually learn in clinics and hospital settings provided by the University of Kentucky with a joint effort from the Area Health Education Center (AHEC). These clinical rotations give the graduate students an opportunity to provide care and treatment to patients with direct supervision and guidance from their preceptors.
After Graduation
A PA will make a starting salary around $80,000 per year after passing licensure. they can work anywhere that a physician works. Many PA's choose to work in clinics where the patient flow is more avereage with hours normally 8-5.
Where can I attend a PA Program?
There are many PA Programs located across the country. In the state of Kentucky, there is only one program through the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky.
the University of Kentucky has a satelite program however, that is located in Morehead, KY at Morehead State University Campus. On site they offer UK PA Program professors and support staff in addition to the satelite classrooms. No matter which campus that you will attend as a PA student, you will graduate from the University of Kentucky.
For more information
Contact: Staci Mynhier
Student Services Coordinator
University of Kentucky Physician Assistant Program at Morehead State University
150 University Blvd
Reed Hall 430
Morehead, Ky 40351
606.783.2636.
smynh2@uky.edu
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