Health Careers
Physician Assistant
Professional Activities
Physician assistants (PAs) are highly skilled members of the healthcare team who are licensed to practice medicine with the supervision of a licensed M.D. The physician assistant functions in many capacities in the state of Alaska. In urban areas, they work in close association with a supervising M.D. However, in rural areas, they often work independently in a clinic, with their supervising physician stationed many miles away. Historically, physician assistants have been a major influence in the delivery of healthcare in rural areas and villages where access to care has previously been limited.
The physician assistant can be found in all medical and surgical specialties. They are trained to perform physical examinations, compile patient medical histories, and order and interpret diagnostic testing, including electrocardiograms, laboratory tests, and x-rays. PAs often perform therapeutic procedures (including suturing and cast application), develop and monitor patient treatment plans based on medical diagnosis, and counsel patients about preventive care and risk management. In the state of Alaska, PAs can prescribe medications and controlled substances (schedule three through five). PA training is that of a medical school model.
The Physician Assistant is among the top 10 fastest growing positions in the United States. Physicians and institutions are expected to employ more PAs to provide primary care and to assist with medical and surgical procedures, as they are cost-effective and productive members of the health care team. PAs work in both rural and urban settings. A majority of PAs work in clinics and physician offices. Other settings in Alaska include tribal health organizations, hospitals and nursing homes.
Educational Requirements
- Graduation from high school with coursework in science and math.
- Completion of at least two years of coursework in the sciences. Some programs require a Bachelor’s degree prior to admission. Most PA programs require anatomy and physiology.
- Acceptance into and completion of a 24-month PA program which includes coursework and clinical experiences.
Academic Programs
UAA’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Physician Assistant (PA) Program provides Alaskans PA training and offers practicing PAs an opportunity to further their education. The two-year program is a collaborative effort with the University of Washington MEDEX Northwest Physician Assistant Program, developed in response to the need for practitioners in rural and underserved communities.
MEDEX Northwest has been training physician assistants (PAs) for Alaska’s communities since 1972. Students entering the MEDEX program are required to have significant health care experience prior to application. The MEDEX training model creates opportunities for second career students with prior health care experience (e.g. community health aides and practitioners, paramedics and emergency medical technicians, military medics, nurses, allied health workers) to move up into the health care practitioner role. Over half of the practicing PAs in Alaska have been trained in the MEDEX Program.
The first year classroom portion of the MEDEX program is delivered in Anchorage and the second year consists of clinical rotations throughout Alaska and the Northwest region.
The first UAA MEDEX class of 18 to 20 Physician Assistant (PA) students begins in Anchorage in Summer 2009. This doubles the volume of Alaskans served, and allows all training to be completed in Alaska. This will also allow additional opportunities for rural health professionals to continue their professional development and increase the retention of those who have a higher likelihood of returning to their home communities.
After completing the MEDEX PA program, students are eligible to sit for the National Certifying Examination for Physician Assistants. The University of Washington School of Medicine also grants a Physician Assistant Certificate upon successful completion of the program.
BSHS PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION:
John Riley, PA-C, MS
Instructor of Health Sciences
Physician Assistant Program Coordinator
Department of Health Sciences
University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence Drive, Diplomacy #404
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone: (907) 786-6570
Fax: (907) 786-6572
Email: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Web site: http://health.uaa.alaska.edu/bshs/
MEDEX CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jennifer Johnston, Administrator
MEDEX Northwest, Box 354980
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98105-4608
Phone: (206) 616- 3553
Fax: (206) 616-3889
Email: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Web site: http://www.washington.edu/medicine/som/depts/medex/
Contacts
State Contact:
Alaska Academy of Physician Assistants (AKAPA)
4450 Cordova Street, Suite 110
Anchorage, AK 99503
Toll free: (800) 478-8684
In Anchorage: (907) 646-0588
Fax: (907) 562-8641
Email: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Web site: http://www.akapa.org/
National Contact:
American Academy of Physician Assistants
950 North Washington Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-1552
Phone: (703) 836-2272
Fax: (703) 684-1924
Email: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Web site: http://www.aapa.org/
This page was last updated by Janice Troyer on May 28, 2009
