Savannah Perry Interview Guide

You are in surgery and the anesthesiologist begins to make inappropriate comments about the patient once they are asleep. What do you do in this situation?

I would talk directly to the surgeon, and let them know I feel uncomfortable.

Patients deserve respect at all times, even under anesthesia.

I would then inform a supervisor about the situation.

Is there a specific speciality or ideal job you envision yourself as a PA?

I would like to specialize in either Orthopedics due to my experience of being an Orthopedic MA and having gone through scoliosis surgery.

I would also be interested in Neurosurgery and Pediatrics because of my experience having surgery for a cerebral AVM at such a young age.

After becoming a PA, I hope to be skilled and well-respected among my peers.

I want to volunteer at health fairs and clinics around my community, lecture at PACT meetings to inspire and teach other pre-PA students, and allow PACT students to shadow me since shadowing opportunities are hard to come by.

Why do you want to be a PA?

When I was around 12 years old, I had surgery for a cerebral AVM. The hospital staff was amazing and inspired me to pursue a career in the medical field.

About 5 years later, I had scoliosis surgery and my surgeon told me about the growing PA profession.

While working at SOCO, I got connected with Yi Bu, an Orthopedic PA who went to

Western.

While shadowing Yi Bu, I remember an instance where he consulted a pediatric patient with Duchenne's that recently suffered a femur fracture. He alleviated the anxiety of the patient's family with his calm demeanor and vast medical knowledge.

I noticed the amount of face-to-face interaction that he had with patients, compared to medical doctors, which stood out to me.

As a former patient myself, being the main point of contact for patient care is the most appealing part of being a PA.

What is a PA?

PAs are advanced practice providers that diagnose diseases, evaluate and treat patients, and prescribe medications under physician supervision.

After shadowing Yi Bu, who went to Western, I have seen him consult with patients regarding their diagnosis and treatment plan, discuss surgical plans with his supervising physician, and assist or perform surgery under physician supervision.

I have seen Yi Bu place a rod into a patient’s femur which showed me firsthand that PAs are not as limited in their scope as people might think.

Why do you want to attend our PA program?

This is my top choice.

My family is located in California and I would want to continue working as a PA in California

My two priorities in life are providing underresourced communities with affordable healthcare services and spending quality time with friends and family

I appreciate that Western teaches students about healthcare disparities via the WesternU Patient Care Center and encourages students to participate in community outreach events.

I am also interested in taking your Pediatrics course due to my experience as a pediatric patient having gone through surgeries for scoliosis and a cerebral AVM.

After shadowing Yi Bu, who went to Western, I was told great things about this program from him. Such as the faculty having a close relationship with the students.

When did the PA profession start?

Founded by Eugene Stead (MD) in 1965

At Duke University

What's happening in the world of PAs?

The PA Licensure Compact allows licensed PAs to work in any state that joins the compact. At the moment, 7 states are required to essentially "buy in" to the compact.

This decreases the burden for PAs to maintain multiple licenses, expands employment opportunities into new markets, and improves continuity of care when patients or providers relocate.

How have you gotten to this point of pursuing the PA profession?

When I was around 12 years old, I had surgery for a cerebral AVM. The hospital staff was amazing and inspired me to pursue a career in the medical field.

About 5 years later, I had scoliosis surgery and my surgeon told me about the growing PA profession.

I decided to join a pre-PA club during my undergrad years at Cal State Fullerton called PACT

While working as an MA at SOCO, I got connected with Yi Bu, who went to Western.

While shadowing Yi, I remember an instance where he consulted a pediatric patient with Duchenne's that recently suffered a femur fracture. He alleviated the anxiety of the patient's family with his calm demeanor and vast medical knowledge.

I noticed the amount of face-to-face interaction that he had with patients, compared to a doctor, which stood out to me.

As a former patient myself, being the main point of contact for patient care is the most appealing part of being a PA, which cemented my decision to become a PA.

Sacrificed time with friends and family to get to this point, but I am glad to have their support along the way.

What personal healthcare experiences have you had?

When I was around 12 years old, I had surgery for a cerebral AVM. I was told that having a cerebral AVM is a one-in-a-million type occurrence. It was scary to go through numerous testing and have the actual surgery done, but the hospital staff around me was amazing and inspired me to pursue a career in the medical field.

5 years later, I was told by my PCP that I had scoliosis. I met with a pediatric orthopedic specialist about my condition and had to wear an uncomfortable back brace to sleep for several months. I ended up having to get surgery, but I learned about the PA profession from my surgeon.

As a child, I always thought why is this happening to me, but now I would not change a thing because those experiences have driven me to this point.

What are your goals as a PA?

I would like to specialize in either Orthopedics due to my experience of being an Orthopedic MA and having gone through a scoliosis surgery.

I would also be interested in Neurosurgery and Pediatrics because of my experience having surgery for a cerebral AVM at such a young age.

After becoming a PA, I hope to be skilled and well-respected among my peers.

I would also volunteer at health fairs and clinics around my community, lecture at PACT meetings to inspire and teach other pre-PA students, and allow PACT students to shadow me since shadowing opportunities are hard to come by.

Yi Bu has helped me tremendously in my pre-PA process and I want to emulate his willingness to mentor other pre-PA students as well.

How do you respond to a question that needs more time to respond?

That's an interesting question.

Let me think about it for one second.

How do you respond to a question that you do not know the answer?

That's an interesting question.

I have not thought about that before.

I'd like to do some research and learn more.

Tell me about yourself.

My name is Brandon Nguyen and I'm from Fountain Valley, California. Born and raised in Orange County.

I am 24 years old and I have an older sister, a mom, and a dad.

I went to Cal State Fullerton for my undergrad years where I majored in Health Science.

While there, I was involved in a pre-PA club called PACT to learn more about the profession.

I also met my girlfriend at Cal State Fullerton whom I love going to Disneyland and trying new restaurants.

I love listening to hip-hop & R&B, watching horror movies, and collecting sneakers and vinyl.

Currently, I work as a MA at an orthopedics office in Mission Viejo alongside a total joint specialist.

What have you done to prepare for PA school?

During my undergrad years at Cal State Fullerton, I was the VP of Activities for a pre-PA club called PACT. This leadership role taught me to work on a team with my fellow board members and collaborate with other organizations to schedule club events.

My volunteer experience at Lestonnac free clinic and St. Joseph Hospital improved my interpersonal communication skills and taught me the basics of patient safety while working alongside PAs.

Working as an EMT and a MA drastically improved my medical knowledge, clinical skills, and critical thinking skills since I encountered psychiatric patients and had numerous hectic clinic days.

Working in these various areas of healthcare. I understand how different healthcare workers intertwine and contribute to overall patient care

When did you decide to pursue PA school?

When I was around 12 years old, I had surgery for a cerebral AVM. The hospital staff was amazing and inspired me to pursue a career in the medical field.

About 5 years later, I had scoliosis surgery and my surgeon told me about the growing PA profession.

I decided to join a pre-PA club during my undergrad years at Cal State Fullerton called PACT

While working as an MA at SOCO, I got connected with Yi Bu, an Orthopedic PA at Providence Mission Hospital who went to Western.

While shadowing Yi, I remember an instance where he consulted a pediatric patient with Duchenne's that recently suffered a femur fracture. He alleviated the anxiety of the patient's family with his calm demeanor and vast medical knowledge.

The amount of face-to-face interaction that he had with patients, compared to medical doctors, stood out to me.

As a former patient myself, being the main point of contact for patient care is the most appealing part of being a PA, which cemented my decision to become a PA.

What is your biggest weakness?

Not asking for help.

When I just started at SOCO, I encountered a pediatric patient with a Monteggia fracture that had a splint on.

Since it was a hectic clinic day and everyone was busy, I decided to take off the splint and get x-rays since that was typical protocol when seeing someone with a splint.

However, I did not know that Monteggia fractures are very unstable and I was supposed to leave the splint on.

Luckily my actions did not result in any negative consequences, since the fracture was already severely displaced.

I spoke to my doctor immediately. He told me mistakes happen and to not beat myself up over them.

I recognize now that patient safety always comes first, no matter how busy the clinic may be, and to seek assistance if I am not fully confident in my actions.

In the future as a PA, I would attempt to fully understand a patient's diagnosis and how to proceed with treatment in order to avoid such pitfalls.

What is your biggest strength?

My compassion for others.

When I was an EMT, I had a patient named Miss Bagby who was getting dialysis treatment and had dementia.

I never once saw a family member after transporting her numerous times.

I always made sure she was tucked in with her blankets because she would get cold easily, I would conversate with her during transport and made sure she had food to eat at her skilled nursing facility.

My perspective as both a former patient and healthcare worker allows me to relate with patients and gain their trust, which helps me alleviate their anxiety.

Have you applied elsewhere?

Yes, I have applied elsewhere. However, this is my top choice.

Although I would love to attend this program, my ultimate goal is to become a physician assistant.

I applied to this program specifically because of your outstanding reputation, stellar faculty, large class size, and location

My family is close by and it is extremely important for me to have a strong support system while in this program.

Who is the most important member on a healthcare team?

The patient is the most important member of a healthcare team because only the patient truly knows how they feel.

Constant communication between the healthcare team and the patient ensures better outcomes and overall patient experience

Being a former patient myself, the hospital staff always told me to be honest about how I felt so they could better assist in my recovery process.

What is the biggest challenge facing PAs?

I believe the biggest challenge facing PAs is the fact that their scope of knowledge is limited by whatever their supervising physician wants to teach them.

If I do not complete a residency, I would be stuck providing low-level patient care in an ER, such as a patient that stubbed their toe.

However, if I completed a residency, I would be more trained and prepared to provide higher-level patient care in an ER, such as treating a patient with a toe fracture or heart attack.

What do you expect a typical week in PA school to look like?

I expect PA school to be like a full-time job, but having to study on the weekends

I expect to be fully immersed in my studies and have little free time.

Luckily, I have a strong support system of family and friends that understand the amount of dedication required to make it through a PA program.

Why do you think you would be successful in PA school?

After having to retake OCHEM during my undergrad years, I learned how to utilize outside resources in order to master coursework and improve my studying skills.

Being the VP of Activities for a pre-PA club called PACT. This leadership role taught me to work on a team with my fellow board members.

My volunteer experience at Lestonnac free clinic and St. Joseph Hospital improved my interpersonal communication skills and taught me the basics of patient safety alongside PAs.

Working as an EMT and a MA drastically improved my medical knowledge, clinical skills, and critical thinking skills since I encountered psychiatric patients and had numerous hectic clinic days.

What is your greatest challenge in completing PA school?

Limited free time to spend with family and friends, even though they understand.

Pharmacology course due to OCHEM, but its a challenge that I am excited to tackle.

How do you study best?

I study best through repetition

After getting a C- in OCHEM on my first try, I decided that I needed to change my studying habits.

I attended supplemental instruction classes which are essentially tutoring sessions led by a student that excelled in the subject, office hours with the professor to clear up any misunderstandings about lecture material, YouTube lecture videos for additional reinforcement, and practice problems each day of the week to keep the concepts fresh in my mind.

After making these changes I ended up getting a B+ on my second try.

The study skills I have learned while retaking OCHEM will help me excel in your PA program.

How do you handle blood and gore?

Multiple IVs and blood tests as a pediatric patient.

Talk about EMT & MA experience.

How will being a younger applicant affect your performance in the program?

More comfortable with modern technology.

Not far removed from undergraduate years, study habits are still fresh.

Tell me about your support system.

My father fully supports my goal to become a PA, but knows I will not be able to work since being a PA student is a full-time job.

My mother encouraged me to become a PA due to my history as a patient

My girlfriend and friends root for me constantly and have no doubt that I will become a PA.

What was the most challenging course of your undergraduate studies, and why?

During my undergrad years at CSUF, I took OCHEM on a heavy workload with another science course.

I have always struggled with chemistry in high school, but OCHEM was completely different and more challenging. It was difficult to understand and apply concepts, and I ended up receiving a C-. However, I was eager to retake the class and achieve an A.

I decided that, on my second try, I needed to change my studying habits.

I attended supplemental instruction classes which are essentially tutoring sessions led by a student that excelled in the subject, office hours with the professor to clear up any misunderstandings about lecture material, YouTube lecture videos for additional reinforcement, and practice problems each day of the week to keep the concepts fresh in my mind.

After making my coursework the utmost priority, I learned how to multitask and improved my studying skills.

I received a B+ on my second try.

The challenges that I faced during OCHEM have prepared me for the rigors of a difficult PA program and the study skills I have learned will help me excel in your program.

How are your time management skills?

I believe that I have good time management skills because I was able to juggle working as an EMT, planning club events as a PACT board member, and being a full-time student at CSUF.

Working at SOCO has improved my time management skills even more. Since we constantly have to double-book patients because numerous patients request to be seen by Dr. Park, I need to make each appointment as efficient as possible to maximize time. Such as knowing which types of appointments take longer than others and understanding which treatment option my doctor would utilize for specific patients.

What has been the highlight of your undergrad years?

The highlight of my undergrad years was taking an EMT and Anatomy course simultaneously over the summer. In my opinion, this was the instance I pushed myself the hardest.

The EMT course was accelerated being 3 months long and the class time was from 6-10pm.

On top of that, I took an Anatomy course at a community college.

I spent countless late nights studying and had no free time that summer.

It all paid off because I passed the EMT course and received an A in the Anatomy course as well.

Can you explain your C- in OCHEM?

I took OCHEM on a heavy workload with another science course.

I have always struggled with chemistry in high school, but OCHEM was completely different and more challenging. It was difficult to understand and apply concepts, and I ended up receiving a C-. However, I was eager to retake the class and achieve an A.

I decided that, on my second try, I needed to change my studying habits.

I attended supplemental instruction classes which are essentially tutoring sessions led by a student that excelled in the subject, office hours with the professor to clear up any misunderstandings about lecture material, YouTube lecture videos for additional reinforcement, and practice problems each day of the week to keep the concepts fresh in my mind.

After making my coursework the utmost priority, I learned how to multitask and improved my studying skills.

I received a B+ on my second try.

The challenges that I faced during OCHEM have prepared me for the rigors of a difficult PA program and the study skills I have learned will help me excel in your program.

What are you looking for in a PA program?

Large class size

Stellar reputation

Friendly faculty

Location in California

My family is close by and it is extremely important for me to have a strong support system while attending a PA program.

What are your plans if not accepted to a PA program this year?

I would reach out to programs and find out what I could improve about my application.

I believe a good place to start would be to:

1. Take more classes to increase my science and overall GPA

2. Diversify my PCE with more hours or a new setting

3. Obtain more shadowing hours

4. Take the GRE

5. Find more volunteer opportunities

6. Attain more advanced certifications

What is the difference in the medical model and the nursing model?

Medical model:

A provider's goal is to diagnose and treat. In a medical program, you learn based on disease and determine patient care accordingly with the goal of patient improvement.

Nursing model:

A holistic approach to the patient in order to meet their daily needs. Significant decisions about patient care are made by the primary provider (NPs, MDs, PAs).

What qualities make a successful PA?

While working as an MA at SOCO, I l got connected with Yi Bu, an Orthopedic PA at Providence Mission Hospital who went to Western

While shadowing Yi, I remember an instance where he consulted a pediatric patient with Duchenne's that recently suffered a femur fracture. He alleviated the anxiety of the patient's family with his calm demeanor and vast medical knowledge, giving a concise, simplified breakdown of the surgery and recovery process.

I aim to be a PA like Yi who is well-respected, skilled, compassionate, and professional in every patient interaction.

Describe your volunteer experience?

I began volunteering at Lestonnac free clinic to expose myself to hands-on patient care for the first time and learn basic clinical skills alongside PAs.

Being a COPE Health Scholar at St. Joseph Hospital showed me how a hospital operates, improved my interpersonal communication skills, and how different PAs in different specialties work.

As the VP of Activities for PACT, I learned how to work as a team with my fellow board members and familiarized myself with the PA profession.

How will politics influence PAs?

The two insurances created by the Affordable Care Act in March 2010, Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), will allow more people to obtain insurance coverage.

Which means the need for healthcare services will rise.

Due to the shortage of PCPs, the demand for PAs will increase to fill that gap, making the profession more crucial to the healthcare delivery system.

Would you feel limited by any of the state or national regulations on PAs?

No, I understand that physician supervision is required. However, I have seen firsthand the degree of autonomy and would not feel limited in the slightest.

While shadowing Yi Bu, an Orthopedic PA at Providence Mission Hospital who went to Western.

I noticed that Yi rarely contacted his supervising physician because he was well-trained and confident in his abilities to provide quality patient care.

What are your thoughts on the newer online PA programs?

Pros:

1. More PAs graduating per year

2. Allows people in remote locations to attend PA school without moving

3. Flexibility for families

Cons:

1. Possibly decreases the effectiveness of hands-on instruction, resulting in PAs who are not prepared

2. Rapid creation of PA programs diminishes the quality of care associated with PAs

What are your thoughts on the new bridge programs from PA to MD/DO?

I have no thoughts on the topic.

I want to go to your PA program to become solely a PA due to the combination of lateral mobility, degree of autonomy, and the amount of face-to-face patient interaction.

What are your thoughts on the name "Physician Assistant", and the push to change to "Physician Associate?"

With all due respect, I do not believe our title makes a difference.

What’s more important is educating patients about the scope of our profession by showing we are capable medical providers.

For example, completing a residency can show patients that PAs can exhibit high-level medical knowledge and skills, not necessarily relying on our supervising physician for every little thing.

What do you know about the history of the profession?

1960's: A shortage of providers

1965: First class of four Navy Corpsmen at Duke by Eugene Stead MD

1967: First class graduates

1970s: Standardized process for accreditation and certification is established

2010s: Over 10,000 PAs celebrated the profession's 50th anniversary

Tell me about a time you've been in a stressful situation.

There was a day that I had 34 patients on my schedule while working at SOCO, when my typical patient load is around 26-28.

On top of that, a medical assistant called out that day.

My duties as a MA range from assessing chief complaint, taking health history, performing post-op care, and answering triage calls.

To stay on top of patient arrival times, I periodically checked the lobby and our EHR schedule. I also pre-printed any documents that I could to anticipate the needs of my patients and physician.

In between rooming patients, I would answer triage calls. This made me capable of multitasking and improved my time management skills.

As a PA student, I will be extremely busy juggling multiple courses and assignments.

The time management skills I've learned from these stressful situations will prepare me to excel in your PA program.

What is the most selfless thing you have ever done?

Donated toys to Operation Santa Claus for Christmas '22:

1. LEGO Luke Skywalker X-wing

2. Barbie

What's the biggest responsibility that you have ever been tasked with?

Being Dr. Park's MA at SOCO makes me the main point of contact for his surgery patients.

Dr. Park books around ~450-500 elective surgeries per year and I am tasked with guiding his patients through the pre-op process by telling them which lab orders to complete, certain medications they need to take after surgery, and what x-ray they need to have done before surgery.

After his patients have surgery, I remove any sutures or staples they may have and discuss post-op limitations.

Describe a time you had to overcome adversity.

When I was around 12 years old, I had surgery for a cerebral AVM, and 5 years later, I had scoliosis surgery.

The post-op process for both surgeries was a long recovery. It was discouraging to not be able to walk as a child for a period of time, an ability that I would never take for granted again.

The medical staff around me for both surgeries were amazing and inspired me to work hard in my rehab process.

Similar to the support gifted to me throughout my childhood, I want to be a PA that inspires his patients to work hard in their recovery.

If a student fails a test, is it the student's fault or the teacher's fault?

It is the student's fault. Students should be able to adapt to each teaching style.

After receiving a C- in OCHEM on my first try. I was eager to retake the class and achieve an A.

I decided that, on my second try, I needed to change my studying habits.

I attended supplemental instruction classes which are essentially tutoring sessions led by a student that excelled in the subject, office hours with the professor to clear up any misunderstandings about lecture material, YouTube lecture videos for additional reinforcement, and practice problems each day of the week to keep the concepts fresh in my mind.

After making my coursework the utmost priority, I learned how to multitask and improved my studying skills.

I received a B+ on my second try.

The challenges that I faced during OCHEM have prepared me for the rigors of a difficult PA program and the study skills I have learned will help me excel in your program.

Describe a disappointing moment from your life.

When I just started at SOCO, I encountered a pediatric patient with a Monteggia fracture that had a splint on.

Since it was a hectic clinic day and everyone was busy, I decided to take off the splint and get x-rays since that was typical protocol when seeing someone with a splint.

However, I did not know that Monteggia fractures are very unstable and I was supposed to leave the splint on.

Luckily my actions did not result in any negative consequences, since the fracture was already severely displaced.

I spoke to my doctor immediately. He told me mistakes happen and to not beat myself up over them.

I recognize now that patient safety always comes first, no matter how busy the clinic may be, and to seek assistance if I am not fully confident in my actions.

In the future as a PA, I would attempt to fully understand a patient's diagnosis and how to proceed with treatment in order to avoid such pitfalls.

Tell me about a time you received negative feedback and how you used it to improve yourself.

During my sophomore year at Cal State Fullerton, I decided to schedule an appointment with my Health Professions Advisor, Dr. Michele Moutappa, to discuss how to prepare for PA school.

She was a bit intimidating and cold at first, but I could tell that she cared.

She told me my transcript lacked strong science prerequisite grades and that my resume needs a lot of patient care experience and volunteering hours.

She also recommended joining the pre-PA club on campus called PACT to learn more about the profession.

This lit a fire under me to focus on becoming a PA. I started working as an EMT, volunteering at Lestonnac free clinic, and became the VP of Activities for PACT.

I met up with her in my senior year, and it was a relief to know I was on the right track.

Describe a time you have struggled academically, and how you dealt with it.

During my undergrad years at CSUF, I took OCHEM on a heavy workload with another science course.

I have always struggled with chemistry in high school, but OCHEM was completely different and more challenging. It was difficult to understand and apply concepts, and I ended up receiving a C-. However, I was eager to retake the class and achieve an A.

I decided that, on my second try, I needed to change my studying habits.

I attended supplemental instruction classes which are essentially tutoring sessions led by a student that excelled in the subject, office hours with the professor to clear up any misunderstandings about lecture material, YouTube lecture videos for additional reinforcement, and practice problems each day of the week to keep the concepts fresh in my mind.

After making my coursework the utmost priority, I learned how to multitask and improved my studying skills.

I received a B+ on my second try.

The challenges that I faced during OCHEM have prepared me for the rigors of a difficult PA program and the study skills I have learned will help me excel in your program.

You are a PA.

You are at a baseball game and the woman in front of you has a suspicious mole you suspect could be melanoma. What do you do?

As a former patient myself, I would have wanted someone to tell me when I was younger that I had scoliosis.

In this situation, I would first approach the situation slowly and strike up a conversation to get to know her.

If the opportunity comes up and I feel comfortable enough, I would gently suggest she follow up with her PCP or a dermatologist.

I would validate my observations by saying I am a PA to reassure her.

You are a PA.

A patient on your schedule insists on seeing an MD. How do you handle it?

I would politely introduce myself and answer questions about their reservations.

I would inform the patient that it is their choice to see a PA or MD, but their request might not be met right away since the physician's schedule may be full.

A patient is not proficient in English, and you are unfamiliar with their language. How can you assist?

I would try Google translate.

If that does not work effectively, I would then provide handouts on their diagnosis and written instructions so a family member at home can help.

What is something difficult you have had to discuss with someone?

Being Dr. Park’s MA at SOCO, I encounter new patients on a daily basis that are nervous about getting a THA or TKA. To alleviate their anxiety, I calmly discuss the pre-op and post-op process and answer any questions that I can before they leave the office.

On the other end, I also have to talk to Dr. Park patients that are unhappy with their post-op recovery process. Some patients are worried that their friends are progressing quicker than they are or their left knee was easier to recover from than the right knee

I have to remind patients to not compare themselves to others because they are anatomically different, and do not expect their left and right knees to have the same results.

Dr. Park says to think of a pair of knees and hips as sisters, not twins.

Describe a situation you have had with a difficult patient.

On a daily basis at SOCO, we have patients that want to be seen without getting an x-ray, even though they have no prior imaging tests done.

I would explain to those patients that Dr. Park requires, at the bare minimum, an x-ray to properly diagnose his patients.

A physical exam alone would not tell us everything that's going on with the patient.

Ultimately if the patient refuses, it is their choice to make and we will respect their wishes.

How do you deal with high stress situations?

At SOCO, whenever we have a packed clinic day, patients typically get angry due to the long wait.

First and foremost, I would apologize for the wait even though its not necessarily the staff's fault.

However, if I am met with rude behavior, I would remain polite and professional.

It is important to stay positive in stressful situations, so I would take a break to remind myself that I can not fix things out of my control and to do the best I can.

Tell me about a time you used teamwork to solve a problem.

At SOCO, there are days when a MA calls out.

When this happens, all the present MAs and scribes converse on how to account for the responsibilities of that missing MA.

Who can do post-op visits, typically MAs are the most qualified in taking sutures and staples out.

Taking intake, such as chief complaint and health history, is easy and can be done by scribes.

Answering triage calls requires knowledge of the doctor's protocol which MAs are more qualified to handle.

Do you think it's more important to get patients seen or spend time with patients?

I believe there should be a happy medium between the two.

Overall, it's more important to spend time with patients, but it's also important to make appointments as efficiently as possible.

This way, other patients do not have to wait too long and can get all their questions answered without being rushed.

Describe your work ethic.

I would describe my work ethic as dedicated.

I took an accelerated 3-month EMT course and an Anatomy course over the summer to start working as an EMT as quickly as possible while getting a prerequisite done.

After becoming an EMT, I worked several 24-hour shifts and long days during the beginning of COVID to accumulate the necessary PCE hours for PA school.

I sacrificed time I could have spent with friends and family by working and volunteering for the majority of my weekends.

How would you feel in PA school if you were doing poorly in a subject that you excelled in during undergrad?

I would think of ways to improve my studying habits.

I would reach out to the professor about any misunderstandings I have with the lecture material.

Find a group of classmates to study with and ask for advice from students that doing well in the class, to see how I can adjust my studying skills.

Would you accept a Facebook friend request from a patient?

I would not accept their request.

It is important to maintain a professional relationship with patients, I am not their friend.

However, I do believe that EHR systems that allow patients and providers to maintain consistent communication which is extremely beneficial towards providing quality patient care.

Define professionalism.

To me, professionalism is a quality all people should strive for in any job or activity.

Professionalism is treating everyone with kindness and respect, in a way that earns the respect of others.

It also means having confidence, but knowing when to seek assistance to ensure the highest quality outcome.

If you were to win the lottery, what would you do? Would you still want to be a PA?

Yes, no doubt.

I would use that money to help my family with rent and bills that need to be paid off since my family sacrificed everything for me to pursue my goal of becoming a PA.

I would use any leftover money to pay for tuition.

Give an example of a situation in which you exceeded expectations.

An instance I exceeded expectations was taking an EMT and Anatomy course simultaneously over the summer. In my opinion, this was the instance I pushed myself the hardest.

The EMT course was accelerated being 3 months long and the class time was from 6-10pm.

On top of that, I took an Anatomy course at a community college.

I spent countless late nights studying and had no free time that summer.

It all paid off because I passed the EMT course and received an A in the Anatomy course as well.

Tell me about a time you broke the rules.

Times that I have broken the rules would be when I double-book patients on our clinic schedule at SOCO.

Although double-booking cuts into appointment times of other patients.

There are instances where adding a patient onto the schedule is crucial, such as suspected infections or post-op patients that did not schedule their 1st post-op appointment.

How has your interview experience been today? Is there anything else I need to know about you?

Reflect on the best parts of your day.

Complement the program on their accreditation.

Confirm they are a top choice for you.

Discuss a current medical ethics issue.

Abortion is a controversial medical issue due to pro-life and pro-choice stances.

Not allowing induced abortions would result in women finding dangerous alternatives such as closet abortions.

It also disrupts the basic freedom of women to determine the course and use of their own bodies and forces unwanted pregnancies from instances like rape.

If a patient has AIDs, will you still treat them?

Yes, I would treat the patient as I would any other patient.

As an EMT, I used standard precautions with every patient I encountered so I did not need to know if they had AIDS or any other disease.

As healthcare professionals, we must have a non-judgemental attitude and a disposition that will allow us to treat everyone equally.

You are a PA.

Your supervising MD asks you to administer a medication to a patient. You do not agree with his decision and feel it could harm the patient. What do you do?

I would have a conversation with my supervising physician about my concerns.

Possibly I missed something about the patient's health status or the physician made a mistake by confusing patients or medications.

This is why the check and balance system of the PA and MD relationship is beneficial for the quality of patient care.

You see a co-worker taking medication from the dispense cart and putting it in her bag. What do you do?

I would calmly approach my co-worker and give them an opportunity to explain.

I would tell my co-worker to get ahead of the situation by telling our supervisor.

If my co-worker refuses, I would have no choice but to report the incident myself.

You have an elderly patient who needs to stay at the hospital for overnight observation. The patient is refusing, but the patient's son states the patient has dementia and is incapable of making medical decisions. The patient's son wants the patient admitted.

What do you do?

Patients are able to leave "against medical advice" A.M.A

However, I will do my best and fulfill my responsibilities as a medical provider to make sure the patient understands the risks of leaving without proper care.

You are leaving for the day and realize you gave a patient medication they are allergic to.

What do you do?

Call the patient immediately to inquire if they picked up or taken the medication yet.

Explain the mistake to the patient. Instruct them to not pick up or take the medication.

Encourage them to go to the ER or urgent care if they ingested the medication and have a true allergy

Call the pharmacy. Verify the status of the medication. Cancel the prescription and tell the pharmacist to create an alert for the patient's records.

If the patient does not pick up. Leave voicemails, call alternate phone numbers, and send an email.

You are seeing a Jehovah's Witness patient. Due to religious beliefs, he/she does not accept blood transfusions, but it could be life-saving. What do you do?

Have an honest, calm conversation with the patient and the patient's family about the risks of denying the transfusion.

If they still refuse, I would suggest alternative treatment options and work with my team to safely accommodate the patient.

You are a PA.

You prescribe birth control pills for a 13 year-old. The patient's mother is angry about this decision. What do you say?

Assuming this is under California State laws.

Minors can obtain birth control without parental notification or consent.

However, I would attempt to facilitate a calm discussion between the two and tell the mother that birth control pills can be used to treat acne as well, not solely unwanted pregnancies.

What would you do if you hit your neighbor's dog?

Speak with the neighbor immediately

Call your neighbor if he is not home.

Take the dog to the vet for help

I will own up to my actions and attempt to make retributions

If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?

I would consider myself a redwood tree.

Similar to redwoods supporting other trees. I love helping patients with medical questions and classmates by preparing study guides.

I believe the strong roots of redwoods resemble my stable support system of friends and family. Without them, I would not have gotten to this point in the pre-PA process.

What three people, living or dead, would you invite to dinner? What would you serve them?

Derrick Rose, Donald Glover, and George Lucas

Hotpot

Discuss a pastime outside of school and how the skills acquired will help in your career

As silly as it may sound, I recently started an Instagram food blog that has improved my critical thinking and writing skills.

After eating a dish, it is easy to say "that tasted good" or "that tasted bad", but it is extremely difficult to pinpoint what you liked or disliked about the dish. Or even a step further, what is missing from the dish.

Translating my thoughts into words on paper is another hurdle, I have to be creative and use adjectives that provide colorful imagery to the reader.

If you could do anything else and know you could be successful. What would you do?

I want to be the owner of a well-known clothing brand.

My hobbies include collecting sneakers and vintage clothes so it would be a perfect fit.

I could design my own clothes and connect with sneaker companies like Nike or New Balance.

Also, clothing designers are notoriously linked to athletes and musical artists, so it would be cool talking to them and having them wear my clothes.

Discuss a time you had to resolve a conflict.

A time that I had to resolve a conflict was when my EMT partner and I were unable to transfer my patient Deric from his dialysis chair to the gurney.

I'm not necessarily the strongest guy around and Deric was over 6 feet tall and around 260 lbs.

After thinking through the situation, we decided to utilize the Superman method versus the simple drawsheet method.

To ensure the patient's safety, we also asked a nearby PCT to assist us with the transfer.

What are you famous for?

At SOCO, I am known around the office for my schedule-planning skills and efficiency in the clinic

I have a firm grasp of my doctor's treatment options that he likes to use or his "toolbox" as he likes to call it.

I can anticipate the needs of our patients and my physician by pre-printing necessary documents and preparing specific injections to make each appointment as efficient as possible.

You are caring for an obese patient on multiple medications, some of which are causing side effects. Would you recommend a change in medications or lifestyle?

I am assuming I am a PA in this situation.

I will present the pros and cons of each option.

First, I would encourage lifestyle changes for a set period of time before changing medications unless the side effects were debilitating or preventing those lifestyle changes.

Then, I would educate the patient on how to improve their overall health in order to discontinue the meds causing problems.

If you discover a classmate is romantically involved with her preceptor. What should be done, if anything?

I would have a calm discussion with my classmate about why this is unethical, such as my classmate losing focus on learning patient care, receiving special treatment, and my preceptor lacking professional judgment by dating a student.

I would tell my classmate to confess to our supervisor to get ahead of the situation. If my classmate refuses, I would have no choice but to inform our supervisor myself.

A friend in your class confides in you that his mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. He is overwhelmed and may drop out of school to spend time with his mother. How do you counsel your friend?

Have you talked to your mom about what she thinks you should do?

You've worked so hard to get into PA school, and your mom may want to see you become a PA.

Whatever you decide, I am willing to help in whatever way possible that will help you complete the program.

You are a dermatology PA. A patient states they are out of opioid pain medication and unable to get more from their pain management physician for another few weeks. What do you do?

I would not prescribe the patient those opioids, but rather suggest using non-opioid pain medication in the meantime.

I would also reassure the patient that their pain management doctor's decision is in their best interest.

You are seeing a patient who is a gymnast and currently training for the Olympics. The patient's mother is upset because the patient recently gained 3 pounds.

I would discuss with the mother outside the patient room about possible reasons for weight gain, such as diabetes.

I would also clear up any misunderstandings about healthy BMI range and reassure the mother that her daughter's weight is typical for her height

A boat is sinking. There is a lifeboat for one person. The passengers include a 75-year-old physician, 50 year old army officer, 24 year old teacher, 6 year old. Who gets the spot?

How far is the lifeboat from the shore?

Is help on the way?

Can I choose the two smallest people and put both on the lifeboat?

Assuming my questions are not answered:

I would let the 50-year-old army officer go out for help since he is the most trained to do so.

If anything were to happen while they wait, the physician is equipped to take care of the remaining passengers if they were sick or injured.

Tell us about any talent(s) or interest(s) outside of medicine.

In my free time, I love working on the Instagram food blog that me and my girlfriend share.

I love listening to hip-hop. I consider it a true art form like poetry. It can provide individuals with a different perspective on various conversations to initiate change, such as racism, transphobia, and mental health.

I love watching basketball, football, horror movies, and anything related to comics.

What do you believe sticks out most about your application?

I would say the diversity and amount of PCE and volunteer work.

During my undergrad years at Cal State Fullerton, I was the VP of Activities for a pre-PA club called PACT. This leadership role taught me to work on a team with my fellow board members and collaborate with other organizations to schedule club events.

My volunteer experience at Lestonnac free clinic and St. Joseph Hospital improved my interpersonal communication skills and taught me the basics of patient safety, such as how to correctly transfer patients.

Working as an EMT and a MA drastically improved my medical knowledge, clinical skills, and critical thinking skills since I dealt with psychiatric patients and had hectic clinic days.

Working in these various areas of healthcare. I understand how different healthcare workers intertwine and contribute to overall patient care.

How do you plan to balance your school life as a PA student and your personal life?

I would first form healthy studying habits by creating a study group, filling my calendar with exam and quiz dates, and scheduling times in advance to study and take breaks.

I would also schedule weekly workouts to not only stay physically fit but alleviate stress as well.

On the weekends, I would take full advantage by either catching up on sleep or scheduling quick plans with family and friends.

Questions to ask the interviewee.

Why do you believe your PANCE pass rates have been so high?

What are two qualities you have found in your most successful students?

Are all of your faculty practicing PAs?

What do you like about working and being a part of this school?

Do you find classmates to be more competitive or collaborative?

What do you believe students like most about the program?

How have students responded to your hybrid format?

Where are your clinical rotation sites located?

What are personal experiences that have molded your personality?

When working as an EMT, I encountered a sexually abused, 5150 pediatric patient at an ER.

this experience showed me that healthcare is not black-and-white. Sometimes it requires a humanitarian approach as opposed to a clinician approach.

My scoliosis & cerebral AVM surgeries inspired me to work in healthcare as a PA to treat patients with the same effort and compassionate care gifted to me through my childhood.

What are two patients that have impacted you and made you want to become a PA?

When working as an EMT, I would routinely see the same dialysis patients and Deric was one of them. We built a great patient-provider relationship. During transport, we would talk about what's going on with the Lakers and good QBs in the NFL. He helped me become a better healthcare worker by improving my interpersonal communication skills and clinical skills.

At the end of my tenure as an EMT, I saw improvement in his quadriplegia which made me really happy.

As a MA at SOCO, I remember an instance where a frequent patient of ours, Valerie, came in for knee pain after knee arthroscopy. I advised her that she may need an MRI to r/o a repeat MT. My doctor at the time was Dr. Fitzpatrick, and he decided to do an MRI as I predicted.

She acknowledged me for my prediction and constantly asks when I am getting into PA school every time I see her.

What are three words your friends would use to describe you?

The three words my friends would use are compassionate, detail-oriented, and level-headed.

Whenever my friends are going through family issues or just life issues, I make sure to set time aside to talk to them. The same goes for my classmates, I used to struggle academically and it was encouraging to have someone simplify concepts for me.

Anytime I go to Disneyland or make social plans with my girlfriend, I always need to make an itinerary of what to eat and do for some reason. I also put this amount of effort into my quizlets and study guides as well, which I love sharing with my classmates.

My family and friends have never seen me angry, and I carry that same demeanor while working at SOCO. I do not let a hectic clinic day or rude patients frazzle me.

What qualities/abilities do you possess that could help your classmates?

I love to make quizlets and study guides for exams and quizzes, which I would gladly share with my classmates.

I can help my classmates in your program's Diagnostic Imaging course due to my experience in Orthopedics reading numerous x-rays and MRIs.

I also love drinking coffee and eating snacks, so I would definitely get some for my classmates while studying together.

How would you handle dealing with a homeless or drug-abusing patient?

I would treat the patient as I would any other patient.

First and foremost, they are human beings and should be treated with respect.

Drug addiction is a disease, and as medical providers, it is our duty at the end of the day to diagnose and treat diseases, like diabetes.

How would you discuss end-of-life options with a patient?

In this instance, I would become more of a humanitarian than a clinician.

I would present the patient and the patient's family with all options in a gentle tone.

However, I would not sugar-coat anything and state everything in a black-and-white manner to avoid any miscommunication.

Your classmate is asking to work on a take-home assignment together.

How do you respond?

I would tell my classmate that the goal of this program is to prepare us for passing the PANCE exam, which we cannot take together, like this assignment.

I would also remind him that working together on this assignment would decrease our odds of passing the PANCE, which neither of us wants.

A fellow PA colleague is asking you to prescribe him a painkiller for his back pain.

How would you proceed?

I would tell my colleague that he knows better than to ask me for opioids. I can not just prescribe pain medications for friends whenever I want.

I would converse with my colleague about potential opioid abuse, and ask him to seek help if this is jeopardizing his work or personal life.

You are doing your clinical rotations and forget to take the blood pressure of a patient. You are supposed to report all vital signs to your supervising physician.

What would you do?

I would admit that I forgot to take the blood pressure to my supervising physician.

I would return to that same patient, re-take their blood pressure, and report the results to my supervising physician.

To prevent this mistake from happening again, I would learn the importance of taking blood pressure and the pathophysiology behind it.