Physician Associate Program

• University of Oklahoma, Health Sciences Center

• College of Medicine

• Department of Family and Preventive Medicine

• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

History

• PA Profession began at Duke in 1965

• OUHSC-OKC PA Program was established in 1970

• 30-month program with graduates earning a Master of Health Science degree upon successful completion of the program.

• Accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)

Change in Accreditation Status

• At its September 2014 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has placed the University of Oklahoma Physician Assistant program sponsored by University of Oklahoma on Accreditation - Probation status until its next validation review in September 2016.

• Probation is a temporary status of accreditation conferred when a program does not meet the Standards and when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened.

• Once placed on probation, programs that still fail to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and/or risk having their accreditation withdrawn.

Change in Accreditation Status

• New PA Program Director July 2014

• Report will concentrate our efforts that are already in motion

• Highlights:

• Our 5-year first-time Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) rate is 99%, exceeding the national rate of 93%

• The latest US News and World Report ranked the University of Oklahoma Physician Associate Program 16th in the US

• We attract and admit the very best students that Oklahoma has to offer

• We will recruit and place a 2015 and 2016 class and they will qualify to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE)

• We are fully confident that we will be reinstated with full accreditation September 2016

• A reporting of the citations and our response to the citations will be posted on our website under the “Accreditation” tab or http://www.oumedicine.com/familymedicine/academic-information/pa-program---okc/accreditation

PANCE

Tulsa PA Program

• Established in 2008

• Part of the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine

• Tulsa and OKC PA programs independently accredited

• Tulsa PA Program has a separate application process

• CASPA application available at www.caspaonline.org

• Supplemental application through OUHSC

• Students applying to both programs MUST complete application and submit supplemental information (letters of recommendations, position statements, resumes, etc.) to BOTHprograms.

What is a PA?

•What can they do?

•Where do they work?

Physician Assistants are....• The AAPA defines a PA as,

“A physician assistant (or PA) is a nationally certified and state-licensed medical professional. PAs practice medicine on healthcare teams with physicians and other providers. They practice and prescribe medication in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and all U.S. territories, with the exception of Puerto Rico.”

• The Oklahoma Medical Board states,

“In the United States, a physician assistant (PA) is an advanced practice clinician licensed to practice medicine with the supervision of a licensed physician. “Health care services" means services which require training in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease, including the use and administration of drugs, and which are performed by physician assistants under the supervision and at the direction of physicians.”

Difference between PA & NP

• PA’s are trained as generalist

• NP’s choose a specialty training

• PA’s follow medical/physician model

• NP’s follow medical/nursing model

• Delegatory authority differs state to state

Physician Assistants may...

• Obtain medical histories

• Perform physical examinations

• Perform diagnostic tests (PAP smears, EKG, etc.)

• Order and interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests

• Diagnose and treat medical problems

Physician Assistants may…

• Prescribe medications

• Debride, suture and care for wounds

• Initiate and manage emergency treatment

• Assist in surgery

• Make hospital rounds

• Write medical orders in hospitals

Physician Assistants work...

• Anywhere physicians work such as:

• Private physician offices/clinics

• Public and private hospitals

• Emergency departments

• All branches of the armed forces

• Veterans affairs facilities

• Schools and industrialized settings

• Federal and state correctional institutions

OUHSC-OKC PA Program

• Classes begin early-June

• Graduation in November

• Curriculum is divided into two sections:

• Didactic Component

• Clinical Component

Didactic Curriculum

June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug

Anatomy Focuses Physiology Pharmacology Human Behavior

BiochemistryLab

MedicineClin Med I Radiology Clin Med II

Med TermNeuro-

anatomyPhysical Diagnosis Pathophysiology Clin Med III

Patient Management Skills

Curriculum has not changed. Some courses were merged,

others moved to more appropriate point in curriculum

Typical didactic weekly schedule

•Classes generally held 8-5, Monday - Friday

•Occasional Saturday and evening courses are required

Clinical Curriculum

Emergency Medicine

(2-Month Rotation)

Primary

Care

Primary Care

(2-Month Rotation)

Mental

HealthSurgery

Obstetrics,

GynecologyPediatrics Elective

Medicine I Medicine II Medicine IIIInternal

MedicinePreceptorship

Clinical Year Courses

Medical Practice Management

& Specialty Populations,

Literature Review

Clinical Rotation Information

Location• All rotations MUST be completed within

Oklahoma• Preceptorship may be done out-of-state

Board-Prep Exam Days• All students must return to OKC each

month for a board preparation written examination

• Clinical year courses as assigned

Rural Rotation Information

• Rural Rotations• All of your rotations may be scheduled in a rural setting.

• Either the 2-month Primary Care or the 2-month ER must be done in a rural setting.

• Housing• As a courtesy, the program provides housing at some rural clinic sites.

Any rotation that is 50 miles or less from the OUHSC campus is considered a “drivable” rotation and housing will not be provided.

• Students may be required to commute 30 minutes or more to certain rotations.

Admission Information

• Application Deadline OCTOBER 1

Application Criteria

• Requirements• Application

• Credit Hours

• Prerequisites

• Grade Point Averages and GRE

• Resume

• Personal Statement

• Letters of Recommendations

• Personal Interview

Application• Deadline is OCTOBER 1

• It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure ALL application materials are received by October 1. Failure to have all materials postmarked by October 1st will result in an incomplete application. Incomplete applications are not considered for interviews.

• Apply early, allows time to submit missing or incomplete information

• Check Application Status

• All application materials received will be posted on the admissions website http://www.ouhsc.edu/admissions/Home.aspx

• If it is not posted to your application check list, we do not have it

Prerequisites

• Non-Science

English Composition IEnglish Composition IIUS HistoryGovernment Algebra (or higher)PsychologyPsychology Elective (NOT sociology)

• English, History, Government are waived if Bachelor degree will have been awarded prior to the start date of PA courses

Prerequisites

• ScienceGeneral Chemistry IGeneral Chemistry IIPhysics Human AnatomyPhysiology MicrobiologyPathogenic Microbiology, Immunology, or Virology (Genetics may not be substituted for one of theses 3 prerequisites)

• One semester of Anatomy and one semester of Physiology OR two semesters of a combined anatomy and physiology course (A&P)

• There is no preference for one course over another for pathogenic microbiology, immunology, or virology

College credit outside the US

• Additional paperwork needed

• Transcripts evaluated by WES

• TOEFL if needed – Born outside the US

• Minimum Score of 100

• Handout with specific stepshttp://www.oumedicine.com/familymedicine/academic-information/pa-program---okc/prospective-students/international-students-international-graduates

GRADE POINT AVERAGES GRE SCORES

GPA – 3.68 GRE WRITING – 3.92SCIENCE GPA – 3.59 GRE QUANTATIVE – 151.07LAST 60 HOURS GPA - 3.75 GRE VERBAL – 152.04GRADUATE HOUR GPA – 3.79

DEGREE INFORMATION

number of students earning Associate’s Degree – 0number of students earning Bachelor’s Degree – 43number of students earning Master’s Degree – 5number of students earning degree higher than Master’s Degree – 2

UPPER LEVEL SCIENCE

Average number of upper-level science courses taken (or will be taking) beyond the prerequisite requirements – 8

PREVIOUS APPLICANTS

Accepted applicants that have previously applied to the program – 22 of 50

GRADE POINT AVERAGE & GRE SCORES

Poor Grades

• Fix the Problem

• Last 60 Hours are Important

• Good indicator of your current academic status

• Science Hours are Important

• It is recommended to take a higher level course in the same field when science course grade is poor

Resume

• NO standard resume format is required

• Focus on:

• Involvement in pre-PA organizations

• Work experience

• Volunteerism

• Leadership experience

• Involvement in professional clubs/organizations/sororities/fraternities

• Shadowing experiences (list PA, specialty and time spent with PA)

• List students that you have talked with and any PA classes you may have attended

Personal Statement

• One-page statement on why you want to be a PA

• Allows us to evaluate your writing style

• Gives the interviewers a chance to learn something about you prior to the interview

Letters of Recommendation

• Recommend professional references (not personal)

• Make sure letters have your first and last name on them

• Give references self-addressed, stamped envelopes

• Tell them they need to be submitted early to ensure the deadline is satisfied

Personal Interview• Occurs in early January

• Allows us to get to know you personally, not just what is on paper

• We are mostly interested in what kind of person you are and how you would fit into our program

Recommendations:• Make eye contact, smile, relax!

• Be honest and forthright with your answers

• Know why you want to be a PA rather than any other profession

• Ask questions of the interviewers

Healthcare Experience

• We understand that it can be hard to get healthcare experience

• It is more important to find out the role of PAs in various settings

• Volunteering is encouraged

• Helping others is the foundation of medicine

• Shows compassion and empathy towards others

Student Interactions

• Come to class with our students

• Gives insight to what your life will be like if you are accepted into this program

• Focus on learning:• “Blood and guts” of

the program• Emotional

demands of PA student life

• Effects on personal time and family life

Financial Commitment

• Due to the intense nature of the program students are discouraged from working

• Student loans are available to cover not only the cost of tuition and fees, but also the costs of daily life expenses

• Average amount of student loans varies but usually ranges from $71,000-$81,000

Program Costs-Estimated Tuition and Fees for 2014-2015 Academic Year

• Total Resident Tuition, Mandatory, & College Fees-$35,359.20

o 1st year- $13,731.65

o 2nd year-$13,731.65

o College Fees-$530.00

o 3rd year-$7365.90

• Total Nonresident Tuition, Mandatory, & College Fees-$68,801.70

o 1st year Non-$27,108.65

o 2nd year Non-$27,108.65

o College Fees-$530.00

o 3rd year Non-$14,054.40

Program Costs-Estimated Additional Program Cost

• Total Estimated Additional Program Cost- $10,935.00

o Books/Supplies- $7396.00

o Computer- $2500.00

o Medical Equipment- $1039.00

If you need more information in regards to Financial Aid and/or Tuition and Fees please feel free to visit the websites for Financial Aid or the Bursar Services. You may also email us at infookc-pa@ouhsc.edu or visit our website.

Selection Letters• Mailed by the Office of Admissions in February

• Acceptance

• Alternate List

• Denial

Recommendations if not Selected

• Prepare for possibility of not being selected

• Enroll in spring courses

• Don’t get discouraged

• Many students are not accepted on their first application

• Applying a second time shows determination and commitment

• Seek advisement

• Personal one-on-one advisement with PA Program faculty is available to those not accepted

Recommendations if not Selected• General recommendations

• Follow PA Program Faculty recommendations

• Get degree, if not done already

• Gain more shadowing experience

• Take upper level science courses or graduate courses

• Healthcare experience

• Volunteering

Outlook on PA Profession

• PA profession is one of the fastest growing and highly regarded professions in the country and is critical to the future of cost-effective, quality healthcare delivery in the U.S.

• Demand for physician assistants has skyrocketed more than 300 percent in the last three years

• Ranked one of the 30 fastest growing occupations

• PA jobs are expected to increase 38% by 2022

PA profession ranks high in today’s economy

• Forbes.com ranked physician assistant first in its list of best masters

degrees for jobs

• CNNMoney.com ranked PA as number two on its best jobs in America list

• U.S. News & World Report ranked the PA profession as one of the 50 best

careers of 2011

• Kiplinger's named PA as one of its “great careers for your future”

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that PA will be the second fastest

growing health occupation between 2008 and 2018

Employment and Salary

• There is a need for PAs in Oklahoma

• PA Program keeps a job list that is available free-of-charge to PAs and PA students

• Many students have job contracts prior to graduation

• Average starting salary for new graduates ~ $90,000

• With experience (and depending on specialty area) many PA salaries exceed ~$100,000 annually

Final Recommendations

• Practice interview skills with an advisor/professor/boss

• Research our program and the PA profession prior to interview

• Visit our website @ www.ouhsc.edu/paprogram

• Talk to PAs and PA students

• Visit the AAPA and SAAAPA websites (http://www.aapa.org/

and www.saaapa.aapa.org)

• Outside resources…OAPA…NCCPA…OMLB…ARC-PA…PAEA

• Be knowledgeable of current events and medical issues

• Bring copy of latest transcript with you to the interview (official and unofficial)

More Information

• PA Program• www.ouhsc.edu/paprogram

• 405-271-2058

• Class and Students• PAstudents-OKC@ouhsc.edu

• Pre-PA Advisement Sessions• infoOKC-PA@ouhsc.edu

• Prerequisites and Course Transfer Information

• Office of Admissions

• 405-271-2359

• http://www.ouhsc.edu/admissions/Home.aspx

• Online Application • https://apps.ouhsc.edu/admissions/

http:/ / www.okpa.org/ http:/ / www.aapa.org/ http:/ / www.paeaonline.or

g/