Last Updated on October 21, 2021 by admin
How To Become A Physician Assistant In Montana
The state of Montana is always in need of skilled, experienced and highly trained physician assistants, as these professionals play a vital role in the health care environment. Having said that, it is very important for all the prospective physician assistants to firstly obtain formal training through an educational program that is approved by the Accreditation Review Commission on the Education of Physician Assistants, or the ARC-PA, before they can move on to applying for their certification and licensure, both of which are required in all 50 states. In addition to the formal pre-requisites that apply to these programs, most of them require their applicants to also have some background in the medical environment already – some practical, hands-on experience is highly appreciated before applying to be admitted to one of these training programs.
If it turns out that you do meet all the basic eligibility requirements for admission to the training program, then you should know that an ARC-PA approved physician assistant program typically takes around 26 months of full time study to complete. These programs emphasize on not just basic medical knowledge, but advanced medical skills as well – they will efficiently combine theoretical work with practical work, and you will be able to get classroom instruction in clinical preparation and medical science, as well as advanced courses in pediatrics, diagnosis, emergency medicine, pathology, pharmacology as well as research methods, the latter being particularly important in the career of every physician assistant.
Physician Assistant Job Description
If you have decided to enroll in an ARC-PA approved physician assistant training program, then it is vital to firstly become familiar with the job description of these professionals. Having said that, PAs always work under the close supervision of certified and licensed surgeons and physicians. These health care providers are formally trained to diagnose different illnesses, to provide therapeutic and preventive health care services as well as to act as a pivotal part of a larger medical team, alongside medical doctors, physicians, surgeons, nurses and others. The basic duties and responsibilities of these professionals include taking the medical history of the newly admitted patients, examining and diagnosing them, prescribing them treatments and medication when needed, ordering and interpreting x-rays along with laboratory tests and so forth.
In addition to providing all these basic medical services, it often happens that physician assistants also suture, splint and cast minor injuries, they instruct and counsel their patients and their families on a variety of medical issues and conditions, they record the progress of each patient, they order as well as carry out different therapies and such. Depending on the establishment where the physician assistant works, it is not uncommon for these professionals to also be responsible or managerial duties, like ordering medical supplies or equipment. In addition to this, it is also not uncommon for physician assistants to oversee the medical activity of other health care providers, such as the assistants or the technicians who work within the same establishment.
Licensure, Certification And Continuing Education Requirements For Physician Assistants In Montana
As you may know already, all physician assistants must become nationally certified before they pursue their state licensure – both these steps are essential in order for the physician assistant to be able to work legally in the United States of America. The licensure and certification requirements are basic – after completing an accredited physician assistant program in Montana, all future PAs are required to pass the PANCE examination, which is administered by the NCCPA, and which is specifically designed to evaluate all the fundamental medical and surgical knowledge, skills and overall comprehension of these health care professionals. Only after passing this examination the students will receive the PA-C designation (Physician Assistant Certified). Moreover, all certified physician assistants are required to maintain their designation active by earning at least 100 continuing education credits ever 24 months, and they must also sit for the recertifying examination every 10 years.
Salary and Career Info
The interactive chart above is a visual representation of the annual salary of Montana PA’s compared to the national annual salaries, all based on the latest May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics figures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Physician Assistant Programs In Montana
At the time being, there is only one ARC-PA approved physician assistant training program in Montana for those who want to make the best of their medical career, and that is the Rocky Mountain College which offers Master’s Degree of Physician Assistant Studies programs. A GRE is required for admission, and so is a TOEFL examination for non native English speakers.
List of All Accredited PA Programs
The accrediting agency is ARC-PA and they have 1 fully accredited AL programs listed as of November 2014.
1. Rocky Mountain College
Initial Accreditation Date: April 1, 1996
Next ARC-PA Review: March 2017
Website: http://www.rocky.edu/academics/academic-programs/graduate-programs/mpas/
