Hi, I’m a high school sophomore who has recently become interested in becoming a physician assistant. However, I’m a bit confused about the different types of programs. I’ve read that some universities have programs that directly admit you into a 5-6 year PA program from high school. I’m not exactly sure if I’m ready to commit to PA for all of college, so I’ve also read that you can get a bachelors degree(?) and then go on to get a masters in a 2 year PA program. Is this correct? I’ve read on here that many people encourage the 5 year program because getting into PA programs is tough. How hard is it would you say? Also, my other major interests are psychology and art. Would it be possible for me to get a bachelors in psych (if i decide its something im still interested in in senior year) and then apply for PA programs? Also, I enjoy art. Although I do not want to have a career in art, I’m working on an art portfolio. Would this give me any advantage in getting into 5 year programs? Sorry if my information is inaccurate, and thanks in advance for the responses!
Yes there are two ways to get into the graduate phase of the PA program. The direct admit from high school usually (but not always, so check each school carefully) guaranteed entry into the grad program. You would need to major in whatever their pre-PA program is called - usually resulting in a health science BA. There is very little room for electives. A major in art or psychology would not allow you to fit in all the courses required for applying to a grad phase.
The stand alone graduate program is extremely competitive. My daughter’s school had over 800 applicants for a handful of openings. Openings to many of the schools depends on how many undergrads dropped or failed out of the undergrad program. Most spots go go people who have spent several years in a medical profession prior to applying. Again there are many undergrad science courses that have to have been taken as well as up to 1000 hours of direct contact hours in a medical setting. Those can be professional or volunteer. It IS possible to be accepted right from a college (I have a relative who was) but that is extremely rare due to the required courses and needed contact hours.
@KKmama if I’m still not completely sure if I’m ready to fully dedicate what do you think I should do? Is there any way to prepare for the profession while still in high school (classes, ec)? Thanks for the reply:)
What areas of medicine attract you? You could shadow PA’s in those fields to see what they do and determine whether or not that’s a career you’d like. PA’s are in almost every area of medicine these days (they are not allowed to perform surgery but often assist; they are not allowed to deliver babies). Document those hours because you can start accumulating those required patient contact hours now while in high school.
What is the age limit for EMTs or ambulance crews in your area? Are there volunteer opportunities that would put you in a direct care environment? All those hours are also able to be applied to your requirement for grad school…As far as high school classes, my kid took AP anatomy as a way of getting started. Red Cross first aid classes might be interesting and the certifications would be helpful.
Any of those types of activities would also be vital to do while in college if you choose the route of getting a BA or BS and then applying for a two year program. PA program directors want to see - need to see - a sincere interest in medical care.The program is very intense and they only want very committed students.
My “kid” spent a couple of years working in a family practice clinic alongside a doctor. She now is the sole provider at a walk-in immediate care facility.
@KKmama I’m mainly interested in psychiatry, (I wanted to be a psychiatrist for a while, then realized spending so much time in school wouldn’t work for me) pediatrics, and primary care. The minimum age is 16, but I won’t be turning 16 until summer:( Would volunteering at a hospital be a good way to start? I know that volunteers usually perform clerical duties at hospitals though. If I were to become an EMT later on, do you know how hard it wold be to balance that job and school? Sorry for all the questions, you’re very helpful:)
school as in maybe high school but also college
If you are interested in Psychiatry, I think you need to be in an MD program. PA programs are mostly for primary care type. Any thing to do with a specialty like Psychiatry or Neurology must be an MD with years of experiences, perhaps even fellowship.
You could also become a psychiatric nurse practioner to work in the psych field.
How to Become a PA Specialized in Psychiatry/Mental Health
Physician assistants (PAs) in psychiatry/mental health help improve access to mental health services in a health system where physician shortages are a painful reality in many parts of the county.
Physician assistants specialized in psychiatric/mental health provide mental health services under the supervision of a psychiatrist. They are an important component of a mental health team, and their medical know-how allows them to treat patients on an inpatient or outpatient basis.
The patient assessment is an important component of a physician assistant’s job in psychiatry/mental health. Assessing patients through informal conversation, through a physical examination, and through a review of their medical, personal, and drug (including substance abuse) histories allows PAs to make a diagnosis and rule out any underlying medical conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, a brain tumor, or medicine toxicity.
They may order labs, make referrals to other medical providers, and prescribe psychiatric medications throughout the process. Most physician assistants in psychiatry can prescribe psychiatric medications, including controlled substances; therefore, they are experts in psychopharmacology, the study of indications, actions, risks, and side effects of psychiatric drugs used independently and in combination with other psychiatric drugs.
Following an initial assessment and diagnosis, PAs in psychiatry oversee their patients’ physical and mental health while receiving psychiatric care. These PAs perform frequent follow-ups to see how patients are responding to counseling, medication and other therapies; and often work with families to ensure patients are receiving adequate care and support.
Physician assistants – under physician supervision – meet the diverse medical needs of mental health patients in a number of mental health settings, including:
Behavioral health facilities
Psychiatric hospital units
Private practice
Psychiatric emergency departments
County and state mental health facilities
Psychiatric emergency units/emergency rooms
Private health clinics
Prisons and jails
The job duties and responsibilities of PAs in psychiatry/mental health vary depending on the setting in which they work.
For example, in hospitals and inpatient psychiatric units, physician assistants serve as affiliate members of the medical staff, evaluating and treating patients and responding to behavioral emergencies. Their work includes:
Performing admission histories and psychiatric assessments
Performing rounds
Ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies
Ordering medications
Managing ongoing care through consultation with the psychiatrist
In psychiatric practices and other outpatient settings, the work of physician assistants includes performing the following duties:
Conducting histories for new patients
Conducting initial assessments
Performing physicals
Performing psychiatric evaluations and assessments
Ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies
Establishing and managing treatment plans
Ordering referrals
Prescribing medications
Physician assistants may also provide mental healthcare in jails and prisons, where they:
Perform psychiatric diagnostic evaluations and intake assessments
Manage medications
Formulate psychiatric diagnoses
They may also work in practices focused on specific populations, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, and posttraumatic stress patients.
Education, Certification and Training Required for the Mental Health Specialty
Just like physician assistants in other medical specialties, PAs in psychiatry must complete a physician assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). These graduate-level programs require candidates to possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, along with specific undergraduate courses in the behavioral and biological sciences. Most PA programs last about 26 months and culminate in a master’s degree.
Upon completing the PA program, graduates must take and pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and apply for state licensure in the state in which they plan to practice.
Although all PA programs include clinical rotations in a wide array of medical subspecialties, including psychiatry, many students with an interest in this area of medicine often choose to complete an additional clinical rotation in a psychiatric health setting.
Another way many graduates earn valuable experience in psychiatry/mental health is by completing a physician assistant post-graduate fellowship. These programs, which are about 12 months in duration, allow graduates to rotate with psychiatry residents through various inpatient and outpatient services. Inpatient rotations often include the following units:
Psychotic disorders unit
Geriatric psychiatry unit
Mood disorders unit
Child psychiatry unit
Dual diagnosis (substance abuse and mental health) unit
Outpatient units include adult outpatient clinics, child outpatient clinics, and tele-psychiatry and outreach clinics.
The NCCPA offers the certificate of added qualifications (CAQ) program, which provides physician assistants with the opportunity to earn additional credentials in their area of practice. Physician assistants in psychiatry/mental health may pursue the Psychiatry CAQ, which requires candidates to possess a current PA-C designation and state licensure.
Candidates seeking the Psychiatry CAQ must demonstrate they possess advanced knowledge and experience in psychiatry by possessing the following:
At least 150 credits of Category I CME focused on psychiatry practice (50 of those credits must have been earned within the last two years)
At least 2,000 hours of experience working as a PA in psychiatry
Attestation from a supervising physician working in psychiatry that the PA has performed patient management techniques or understands how and when appropriate techniques should be applied in the following areas:
Psychiatric interview, differential diagnosis, and treatment plan
Psychiatric pharmacology
Treatment implementation/intervention
Crisis intervention/risk management
Ethical and legal issues
Disorders
Mood disorders
Psychotic disorders
Substance-related disorders
Anxiety disorders
Personality disorders
Delirium, dementia, and cognitive disorders
Life cycle and adjustment disorders
Childhood disorders that persist into adolescence and adulthood
Somatoform and factitious disorders
Eating disorders
Sexual and gender identity disorders
Dissociative disorders
Impulse control disorders
Sleep disorders
Ethics and forensic issues
Once candidates have submitted proof that they meet all minimum requirements, they must take and pass the Psychiatry Specialty Exam, which consists of 120 multiple-choice questions related to psychiatry and targeted for physician assistants with experience in the practice of psychiatry.
Resources for Physician Assistants in Psychiatry
Professional associations provide physician assistants with a vast array of resources, information, and networking opportunities related to the practice of psychiatry:
Association of Physician Assistants in Psychiatry
American Psychiatric Association
American Association of Community Psychiatrists
American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Association of Medicine and Psychiatry
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We used to have a poster whose son did PA residency in neurologist. He could assist in surgery.
My daughter has PA friends in dermatology, cardiology, nephrology and endocrinology practices.
Hi KKmama. It’s me, the poster with the PA in neurosurgery. He’s still in the field and loving it. Like KK’s daughter, my son was direct admit to a 5 year program.
I just wanted to let the OP know that the daughter of a good friend is a PA and working with a psychiatrist here in Toledo. She loves it. It was one of her rotations (although a short 3 week rotation), but she loved it and got hired after graduation.
@ Poubelle1 i am rising junior in high school and I am interested in being a pa as well. I have been looking for pa programs where I can become a PA-C right after college. I could leave my email so we can communicate.