Psych PA- Categories

[annemarreb]

Hi there! I wanted to know what are the various categories under the Psychiatry PA (ie drug addiction, etc). I want to see which category I will be highly interested. If someone can list them that will be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks,

Anne Marre

[cinntsp]

Do a few google searches for types of psychology/psychiatry practice and those will be the areas that a PA can practice in.

[alleycat]

Anne, I've only been in the psych business for four years, and in general, jobs are posted asking for : inpt, outpt, both

adult only, child & adolescent only, or combo of adult, child. teens. I was able to pick up the knowledge of adults, but worked with a few docs that did see the kids. I personally think that if you want to work with child & adolescents, a post-graduate program would be best. or a doc that is willing to take you under her wing, one-on-one as she sees the patients. kids brains are still developing, and medicating them carries a higher degree of risk than with adults. anyway, IMHO. There are also some jobs that will specify working with MR/DD (mental retardation/developemental delays), or as you asked, addiction medicine. I'm happy to hear that you are interested in psychiatry, we need more PACs in this field. alleycat

[annemarreb]

Anne, I've only been in the psych business for four years, and in general, jobs are posted asking for : inpt, outpt, both

adult only, child & adolescent only, or combo of adult, child. teens. I was able to pick up the knowledge of adults, but worked with a few docs that did see the kids. I personally think that if you want to work with child & adolescents, a post-graduate program would be best. or a doc that is willing to take you under her wing, one-on-one as she sees the patients. kids brains are still developing, and medicating them carries a higher degree of risk than with adults. anyway, IMHO. There are also some jobs that will specify working with MR/DD (mental retardation/developemental delays), or as you asked, addiction medicine. I'm happy to hear that you are interested in psychiatry, we need more PACs in this field. alleycat

 

Currently, I am a psychology major working on my pre-pa requirements at the same time so I want to incorporate these two. So far, I am interested with surgery, primary care (undeserved areas), and of course psychiatry. I am hoping to find a PA to work within the Psychiatry Department that is why I would like to know which area I will mostly want to concentrate and learn from. Thank you so much! But, also wondering, is there anything that focus on elderly (ie Alzheimer)? Alzheimer disease's progression, causes, etc never stop to amaze me!

[alleycat]

Anne, yes there are some specialty positions dealing with Alzheimer (aka 'geriatric' pts). often the jobs specifying Adult pts will also include the gero folks. I did a 2 year stint of nursing home psych-dx pts. the hospital also had a seperate gero ward, so I was fortunate to interact with several presentations of dementia. there is also an annual Dementia Congress that you might attend...very good info on current research. you said you are a psych major....undergrad, grad or PhD candidate??

[annemarreb]

I'm actually an undergrad. I had some experience with Alzheimer patients before during my nursing aide years... but now, its more interesting because I am studying it. Great to hear that there's an area for me to learn more about this condition. Thank you so much for the feedback. I will now look for internship that will cover this area.