PA speaker

Overview of the PA Program at the University of Tampa

• The speaker has been involved with the Physician Assistant (PA) program for about two and a half years since its inception in 2019.

• Initially joined as an adjunct while working at Advent Health in General Surgery.

Personal Background

• The speaker has a long background in emergency medical services (EMS) and law enforcement.

  • Paramedic Experience: 30 years in Pinellas County, started volunteering in high school at a rescue squad in Southern Maryland.

  • They became a paramedic during their senior year of high school.

  • Moved to Florida for better weather, and after working briefly in Wells County, joined the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

  • Became a tactical paramedic and then transitioned to law enforcement, serving for about 15 years and retiring as a sergeant.

Transition to PA School

• Due to prerequisite requirements for PA school, the speaker had to return to St. Pete College to complete science classes lacking from their bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

• Applied and was accepted to PA school at South University, where they graduated.

• Continues to work part-time as a paramedic in Mills County, which keeps them actively involved in EMS.

Tips for Prospective PA Students

Experience Requirements

• Clinical Experience:

  • Highly recommended to have clinical experience (EMS/EMT). Lack of patient care experience can lead to struggles in patient assessment once in the program.

  • Examples given:

  • Medical assistants or scribes may not have significant patient interaction, leading to deficiencies in patient care skills.

• Science GPA:

  • A minimum science GPA of 3.5 is required for consideration into PA school.

  • Emphasis on performing well in science courses, particularly anatomy and physiology, which is foundational for PA program success.

• Common issues faced by applicants include difficulty in passing chemistry courses, especially organic chemistry.

  • Example: Many students report organic chemistry as the hardest class.

Application Process Overview

• PA school has a competitive application process.

  • On average, 2,000 applications received per year, narrowing down to about 100 interviews, and an acceptance of 48-50 students.

  • Very low acceptance rate of less than 1% confirms the high level of competition.

• Encouragement for students to focus on their own performance rather than comparative performance to peers once admitted to the program.

Curriculum Structure of PA School

• The PA program lasts approximately two and a half years.

  • Didactic Phase:

  • Lasts 1.5 years focusing on classroom learning, starting with anatomy and physiology, clinical medicine, specialty medicine, and advanced procedures such as airway management.

  • Clinical Phase:

  • The remaining 5 weeks consist of clinical rotations in various specialties including psychiatry, emergency care, pediatrics, and surgery.

  • Each rotation is followed by an examination.

• After completing the program, students must pass a national certification exam to practice as a PA.

Career Opportunities and Mobility

• PAs have a high degree of job flexibility and can rotate among various specialties, as opposed to physicians who need fellowships for transitions.

• Starting salary for PAs is generally between $120,000 to $130,000, making it a lucrative career with significant job growth.

• The medical field is consistently in demand, highlighted by the recent COVID-19 pandemic that increased the autonomy and responsibilities of PAs.

• PAs can potentially own their own practice, provided they partner with a supervising physician, emphasizing collaborative practice.

• Licensing reciprocity has improved post-COVID, allowing PAs to obtain licenses more easily in different states.

Educational Dynamics and Student Support

• The speaker values their role in teaching PA students.

  • Mentoring them through the educational journey from didactic learning to practical application in clinical rotations.

• Instructor Perspective:

  • Noted differences between classroom learning and real-world applications in patient interactions.

  • Emphasizes importance of time management for success in the rigorous PA program.

• Encouragement for students to take advantage of every opportunity available while in the program.

Conclusion and Recommendations

• The speaker welcomes prospective students to reach out for questions or insights about the PA program, stressing that a holistic approach is taken in admissions to consider different applicants’ experiences and challenges.

Current UT students receive preferential treatment in the application process, enhancing their chances of acceptance into the PA program.