sfine Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 After my interviews for this last cycle I realized that I struggled with articulating what a PA is. Which was a shock to me since I have worked with PA's for 14 years as a medical assistant, in which I have assisted them in procedures (lacerations, applying splints), looking over their shoulders as they read xrays, or review patients labs and watch them complete their chart notes and so on. But for some reason during my interviews when asked what a PA does I simply say "they treat, and diagnose patients under the direct supervision of a physician" which comes across as I don't have a clue what they really do, but in reality that is not the case. Any advice on how you have tackled this question would be great!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiggySRNA Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 When I was asked what a PA is during my interviews, I simply answered; "from my understanding and experiences working alongside PAs, they are medical professionals who evaluate, treat, and collaborate with physicians, depending on the setting." I think I might've thrown in that majority of today's PAs earned a masters degree in medical sciences. Don't over think and get tripped up. Stay confident :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfine Posted April 29, 2017 Author Share Posted April 29, 2017 Thank you! I received feedback from one of the schools that I interviewed at, and one of the comments was that I lacked understanding of what a PA is. Confidence is definitely a big key, and my over excitement, sheesh...again thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katera Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 I generally refer to us as "Trunk Monkeys". We do the dirty work.... :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted May 21, 2017 Moderator Share Posted May 21, 2017 direct supervision has not been true for > 30 years for most PAs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfine Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 direct supervision has not been true for > 30 years for most PAs yes I'm learning that this is true for "most" PA's. However the urgent care clinic that I worked for, for 8 1/2 yrs, the medical director (MD) did chart reviews, had monthly meetings, and micromanaged the PA's and NP's, including the MA's and nurses. So when I had my first interviews, the term "direct supervision" was what I have experienced. I am scheduled to shadow PAs outside of this clinic to get a different perspective. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizzyJ Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 Stating the basic facts about evaluating, ordering/interpreting tests, diagnosis and treatment is what a PA does. They want to hear your understanding of the "team" approach. That you could be a PA working solo in an ED or pre-rounding on patients before the surgeon then also rounds on those patients (or presenting every patient to an attending who also sees the patient). The comment above about "masters in medical sciences" isn't exactly true as there are an array of master's degrees one can get upon graduate. Remember we are taught at the master's level (and medical model), but many PAs still in practice don't have a master's. As EMEDPA said, "direct supervision" is a term of the past. The future is determining collaboration needed at the practice level. Understanding that collaboration for a new grad is different from being in practice a decade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.