Transcript Slide 1

University of Oklahoma
Physician Assistant
(Associate) Program
University of
Oklahoma
Health Sciences
Center
College of Medicine
Department of
Family and
Preventive Medicine
University of Oklahoma
Physician Assistants
Professional member of the health care team.
Direct extension of the physician used to improve access to high
quality health care.
Often works in similar capacity as physician but work is always
guided and supervised by a physician.
PA’s do NOT work independently (without physician supervision).
The Physician does not need to be physically present when the
Physician Assistant provides services.
The physician retains overall responsibility for the care of the
patient.
PAs work within the scope of practice of their supervising
physician
University of Oklahoma
Scope of Practice
Obtain a patient’s accurate
medical history
Perform a thorough physical
examination
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Scope of Practice
Ordering and analyzing
laboratory and diagnostic
tests
Performing routine diagnostic tests
such as PAP smears and EKG’s
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Scope of Practice
Diagnosing and treating
medical problems
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Scope of Practice
Prescribe
medications
Write medical orders in hospitals
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Scope of Practice
Make hospital rounds
Initiate and manage emergency treatment
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Scope of Practice
Assist in
surgery
Debride, suture
and care for
wounds
Cast and splint
fractures and
sprains
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Prerequisites
Minimum 90 hrs (most with degrees)
English Composition: 2 semesters
U.S. Government: 1 semester
History: 1 semester
Psychology: 1 semester
Psych Elective: 1 semester
College Algebra or higher: 1 semester
Microbiology: 1 semester
General Chemistry: 2 semesters
General Physics: 1 semester
Pathogenic Microbiology
Virology
Immunology
Human Physiology: 1 semester
Human Anatomy: 1 semester
Only need of one semester of one of
these three courses (not all three)
(or two semesters of A&P)
University of Oklahoma
Proposed Prerequisite Changes
Students are encouraged to pursue a degree
that requires these courses
Organic Chemistry
2 semesters
Biochemistry or Cell Biology
1 semester
Medical Terminology
1 semester
Cadaver dissection course
encouraged
Bachelor Degree
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Grade Point Averages
Minimum GPA for Consideration to the Program: 2.75
GPA - 3.69
75% - 3.87 or better
25% - 3.56-3.86
10% - 3.41 or lower
Maximum 4.0
Minimum 3.2
SCIENCE GPA – 3.69
75% - 3.81 or better
25% - 3.31-3.8
10% - 3.19 or lower
Maximum 4.0
Minimum 2.92
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Grade Point Averages
LAST 60 HOURS GPA - 3.73
75% - 3.89 or better
25% - 3.61-3.88
10% - 3.49 or lower
Maximum 4.0
Minimum 2.9
GRADUATE COURSE GPA: 3.70 with at least 42 hours
75% had >3.89 and > 49 hours
Maximum 3.94/81 hours
25% had 3.52-3.89 and > 27 hours
Minimum 3.27/11 hours
10% had <3.37 and < 17 hours
University of Oklahoma
Grade Point Averages
Poor GPA
If you can’t make the grades - stop and fix the problem
Last 60 hours important - “A’s”. Don't get discouraged if you
started out slowly in college – improving your GPA from
year to year counts for a lot. A less than stellar first two
years in college can be made up to some extent with a
good finish
If C’s in applied sciences (anatomy, physiology, micro, path, etc)
may need to repeat to get good grasp of the basics or take upper
level courses (biochem is better than taking gen chem again) –
make A’s
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Graduate Record Exam
GRE score average or better
(not a major factor unless you have a low GPA)
Written – 4.53
75% - 5.00 or better
25% - 4.00-5.00
10% - 3.95 or lower
Maximum 6.0
Minimum 3.5
Quantitative – 597
75% - 650 or better
25% - 550-640
10% - 498 or lower
Maximum 750
Minimum 390
Verbal – 467
75% - 520 or better
25% - 410-510
10% - 390 or lower
Maximum 620
Minimum 320
University of Oklahoma
Application
Deadline is October 1
Apply early (to make sure everything gets in) – we do not start
looking at applications until after the October 1 deadline
Check application status online to see if anything is missing or
incomplete – information is entered daily so check website (if it is
not on the website then we do not have it)
It is student’s responsibility to make sure everything is in by
October 1
Nothing submitted after October 1st will be accepted
Prerequisites do not have to be complete by the October 1st
deadline
If GRE scores are not in by October 1st that ok – we will accept
them from the testing center after the deadline as long as the
test has been taken by September 30
University of Oklahoma
Acceptance rates
• 256 applicants in 2008
• 144 called for interview
• 50 admitted
University of Oklahoma
Letters of Recomendation
Three PROFESSIONAL references or ORU committee letter
References should come from people able to provide an objective
evaluation of you
Physician, PA, professor, leadership sponsor, work manager,
volunteer supervisor are good
When asking for a letter do the following:
Give as much time as possible and give them a deadline
Ask them to write you a strong letter of recommendation (not just
an average one)
Give them information about
yourself (resume) so that they
can highlight your achievements
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Position Statement
“Why I want to be a PA”
No tears - cut to the chase
Why do you want to go into this profession?
Your motivation to become a PA will help shape the way you go
about achieving your goal
If you do it for the right reasons people will likely recognize that,
same thing applies if you are doing it for the wrong reasons
Sell yourself
Second time applicant…. What have you done to improve yourself?
Whatever your reasons for going to PA school just make sure they are
from the heart.
We want to see if you can communicate in writing
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Resume
Pre-Health Professions clubs are often good sources of information
Focus on work experience, volunteerism, leadership experience, and
involvement in professional clubs (clubs, sororities, fraternities,
diversity groups, etc)
List shadowing experiences
Document time spent
with PA students
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Health Care Experience
Can be hard to get health care
experience
More important to find out the
role of a PA
Volunteering
One of the best things you
can do to enrich yourself
is to perform volunteer
work - helping other
human beings is part of
what medicine is about
Part of what will set you
apart as an applicant are
those things that show
traits such as compassion
and caring
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Shadowing
Should be done for the reason of
learning about the function and
role of a PA
The experiences should not be
for the amount of time spent
with a PA, but for what was
learned during the time spent
with the PA (what does a PA
do?)
Ask questions of the PA on what
they like/dislike about the
profession, hot topics, the
future of the profession, etc.
Recommend one primary care
and two specialty areas
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Personal Interview
Occurs in early to mid-January
Allows use to get to know you up close and personal
We are mostly interested in what kind of person you are and how you
would fit into our program
During the interview itself make eye contact, smile and try to relax as
much as you can
Be honest and forthright with your answers
Come prepared for all the favorite interviewer questions such as: why
do you want to be a PA? Tell me about yourself. Tell me what you
know about our program, etc.
Know why you want to be a PA rather than any other profession
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PA Characteristics
Well-Rounded Personality
It takes a well rounded person with an ability to communicate accurately
and efficiently to become a successful Physician Associate. This includes
a person who has been willing to step beyond academia and correspond
with their community. Those “life experience” blend well with profession of
Physician Associate.
Team Player
The Physician and Physician Associate role is that of cooperation. The
ability to work in an environment that fits with both you and your
Supervising Physician’s beliefs is imperative. Your role within that
environment is constantly changing. Their may be times that you may
need to take the lead in a situation but always remembering the role of your
Physician. In addition, an incident my occur that requires you to play more
of a contributing member and not a leader.
Motivation
The medicine and health field is constantly changing with the discoveries to
improve health care. Therefore, as members of the health care field, you
must be motivated to stay current within this field.
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What if Not Selected?
Prepare for possibility of not being accepted
Don’t get discouraged
Many students do not get in the first time
Seek advisement
Get degree, if not done already
Spend more time shadowing PAs
Come to class and talk with students
Improve GPA (especially upper science)
Health care experience
Take graduate hours