Looking to Shadow PA in Houston, Texas

[lauren_prepa]

Hi all,

I found out recently I am unable to shadow the PA I am in contact with because the hospital will now allow it. Are there any PAs in the Houston area that are allowed and willing to have someone shadow them? I am looking to apply next cycle, and I would be forever grateful - finding PAs to shadow is particularly difficult it seems.

[OneDayAPA_Maybe]

Reach out to hospitals in the TMC. Usually they will allow you to shadow, but you go through volunteer services and they will put you in contact with an APP coordinator. However, I know that many of the hospitals have been overwhelmed by the number of people seeking shadowing opportunities. If you have friends or family members that work within healthcare, I would reach out to them as well.

[lauren_prepa]

Reach out to hospitals in the TMC. Usually they will allow you to shadow, but you go through volunteer services and they will put you in contact with an APP coordinator. However, I know that many of the hospitals have been overwhelmed by the number of people seeking shadowing opportunities. If you have friends or family members that work within healthcare, I would reach out to them as well.

Thank you so much for your response. The PA whose hospital will not allow me to shadow is actually a family member. I do not have any other family members in healthcare unfortunately. I have run into this problem three times so far: I meet someone who is or knows a PA but they work for a large hospital and I am not allowed to shadow them. I have not reached out to the volunteer services though, so at least I could try for that next. Otherwise I am going to start cold-calling some private practices and see if that works out.

[PA2019]

Hi lauren_prepa! I have recently been accepted into Texas Tech's PA program. I personally did not shadow a PA, but I did shadow MD's, and still got in. I used Texas AHEC East. They got me in contact with the Pediatric office where I shadowed. They are great!! They may be able to find a PA you can shadow.

[lauren_prepa]

Hi lauren_prepa! I have recently been accepted into Texas Tech's PA program. I personally did not shadow a PA, but I did shadow MD's, and still got in. I used Texas AHEC East. They got me in contact with the Pediatric office where I shadowed. They are great!! They may be able to find a PA you can shadow.

This is so helpful, thank you so much!

[AllisonPAC]

Hi, Lauren

I'm a PA in Houston, however I'm fairly new to the profession (started September). Don't know how much help I would be to you, but I can definitely recommend looking outside of the TMC since the major hospitals all have crazy requirements to shadow, or don't allow it at all. Independent clinics around Houston will probably be your best bet.

 

Allison

[Notfall]

It’s so hard to find not just a willing PA, but an authorizing hospital! When I lived in Fort Worth I went through the same process of cold calling every hospital, clinic, even tried chiropractors! Anything to show for my efforts. One education coordinator at a Fort Worth hospital off 35 even told me “it’s against hospital policy to shadow here, but once you get into a PA school you can shadow!” Thanks a lot. I ended up moving two hours to a rural community just for this oppourtunity, really crazy! Just goes to show when you find a willing PA and a hospital that won’t veto it, treat that PA like an angel bexause they are! I brought donuts every visit for the staff, kolaches etc. Good luck with your efforts!