Thoughts on getting my first job as a PA

[NationalPAEducation]

Hey guys, I wrote a bit about the process of getting my very first position as a PA. I was really worried at first because I didn't get any offers from my rotations. Check out my blog post about it here: http://www.physicianassistantstudyguide.com/ObtainingMyFirst.html

[Nonlegit]

Is the job market really that strong that employers genuinely think this?

 

"I realized that employers know that if someone is professional and intelligent enough to earn the title of physician assistant, then they will almost assuredly be a good worker."

[True Anomaly]

Is the job market really that strong that employers genuinely think this?

 

"I realized that employers know that if someone is professional and intelligent enough to earn the title of physician assistant, then they will almost assuredly be a good worker."

 

You may be given the benefit of the doubt until you show that you're not reliable/professional/competent/etc.  And woe be to those who demonstrate this on their first job- it sets up a pattern of undesirable jobs in the future, if any.

[PACdan]

I think a big elephant in the room is how much your first job is going to invest in training you from day one. I see a disturbing trend of new grads getting themselves hired at places that seem to think they're ready to see big pt. loads with minimal oversight, right out of the gate. 12 months of rotations does not make one ready for this. Just like an intern, we need to convince employers that the first couple of years REQUIRE the same graduated responsibility and training as a resident. At the end of my IM rotation I was much more comfortable seeing pts. and working on their tx plans myself. Yet I was also constantly presenting to and consulting with my senior resident and attending. Sometimes I was good to go, other times I needed correction. I can't imagine not having that type of support in the years immediately after school.

 

So to all the senior PAs on here, how does one differentiate between a job that is going to be invested in our continued training and one that just sees a revenue generator? Is this an appropriate line of questions to ask during an interview? e.g., "How do you plan to structure my training? How will the support system of experienced providers work? etc."

[whoRyou]

This gives me hope as I have struggled with my BS in psychology. 

[True Anomaly]

 

 

So to all the senior PAs on here, how does one differentiate between a job that is going to be invested in our continued training and one that just sees a revenue generator? Is this an appropriate line of questions to ask during an interview? e.g., "How do you plan to structure my training? How will the support system of experienced providers work? etc."

 

Although my situation was different because my first job out of school was a formalized, structured residency program, I would recommend word-of-mouth when trying to figure out how supportive a work environment will be for you as a new grad.  This is where making connections with PAs in your area, whether at a conference or local PA society meeting, is very helpful.  If you're going to work in the same geographical location as your PA program, talking to prior grads can be helpful too.  And I don't see any issue with asking those questions during an interview.  Anyone else who's gone through this as a new grad, please chime in

[marktheshark89]

Just accepted my first job and asked similar questions. How many patients per day initially do you expect me to see? What is the goal? How long until I get there? Will I be left alone to work to start? Do you precept students? Etc

[NationalPAEducation]

This gives me hope as I have struggled with my BS in psychology. 

 

Glad to hear :)