PA Programs in Wisconsin> WI Physician Assistant Information

Last Updated on October 20, 2021 by admin

wisconsin Physician assistants work alongside surgeons and doctors, examining patients, treating minor injuries and analyzing medical test under the supervision of licensed medical professionals. PAs might also manage inventory, prescribe medications, and supervise medical technicians.

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Understanding is usually required when working with patients who might be in pain, not feeling well or nervous. What’s more, the physician assistant job can be physically demanding with some spending hours standing every day. Also, depending on their place of work, physician assistant might be required to work during weekends, nights and even holidays. On the positive side, job future for PAs are excellent, with a 38% increase in positions expected from 2014-2022, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.

How to Become a Physician Assistant in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, the state body that regulates and supplies state licenses to PAs is the State of Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing. The Wisconsin Medical Examining Board is responsible for setting rules that governs the Department of Regulation and Licensing. The application and license rate in Wisconsin is 165 dollars and the license will need to be renewed after every two years, only on odd years. The renewal rate in Wisconsin will remain the same at 165 dollars.

Those who want to become physician assistants in Wisconsin should be aware that Wisconsin requires that all prospective students must complete a nationally approved course of education before they are entitled for state licensure. The only two acceptable certifications allowed by Wisconsin are the American Medical Association (AMA), and the Committee on Allied Health education (CAHE). Wisconsin is a unique state in that it requires accreditation from the AMA in order to be entitled for physician assistant jobs.

The next step to becoming a PA in Wisconsin is to take the National Commission on Certification of Physics Assistants (NCCPA) examination. If the student doesn’t pass this exam, it can be retaken but licensure will not be given until proof is provided that the exam was passed. The state also has a jurisprudence exam that can be taken online. This exam is an overview of the Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code and must be taken and understood before the licensing process can be completed.

NCCPA Certification

The next step to becoming a PA in Wisconsin is to take a NCCPA exam. This exam is more commonly known as the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). It’s designed to find the most competent PA of all PAs through review of coursework.

Once you have fruitfully passed this test, you will be given the PAC designation for practice after your given name and be entitled to work in any of the PAs jobs in Wisconsin. This means that you are certified by the NCCPA to work as a PA.

Salary and Career Info

The interactive chart above is a visual representation of the annual salary of Wisconsin 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 Schools in Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Madison

The University of Wisconsin Madison Physician Assistant program is a full time master’s program which admits about 30 students every year. The physician program is offered as a university based program which lasts for 24-months. It’s also offered as a 36 month distance learning program. The program covers all aspects of primary patient care with importance on preventive care. Prospective applicants must complete pre-requisite courses in subjects, such as Human Biochemistry, Physiology and Anatomy, psychology, General Chemistry, Statistics and Microbiology. A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 3.0 GPA is also a requirement.

Marquette University

Marquette University admits 50 students into the PA program each year. Prospective students with a bachelor’s degree must have completed pre-requisite courses in psychology, inorganic chemistry, biological sciences, statistics and organic chemistry. Applicants must fulfill at least 200-hours of health care experience, either on a paid basis or volunteer and should have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Undergraduate students who have maintain a GPA of 3.0 and have completed two years of pre-professional studies are also accepted into the program.

University of Wisconsin La Crosse

The University of Wisconsin La Crosse began its Physician Assistant program in 1995, in conjunction with the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation and Mayo Foundation. This full time program is taught at all the 3 institutions. Clinical experience is offered at the Gundersen Lutheran and Mayo Clinic sites, which include the small sites in rural areas as well as the major medical centers of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. Graduates of the physician assistant program receive a Master of Physician assistant Studies degree. Pre-requisites for admission include courses in mathematics, chemistry, psychology, microbiology, biological science, biology, physiology, and anatomy. Applicants are also required to have a bachelor’s degree and a minimum GPA of 3.0.