What is a PA-C?
A physician associate, or PA, is an advanced practice clinician who has participated in a challenging and rigorous training program at an accredited University. PA school is considered one of the most competitive and challenging academic programs, which is broken up into didactic (classroom) education and clinical rotations (hands-on with a physician) over 3.5 years of full-time, continuous training.
PAs are only certified after graduating from an accredited PA program, then passing a vigorous comprehensive exam, (much like the medical boards) testing knowledge in both medicine and surgery. PA-Cs are then eligible for a state medical license, as well as a consumer protection license and DEA license. Each year, PA-C’s must participate in 50 hours of continuing medical education (CME) and must re-certify every 10 years.
Much like a physician, a PA-C has full prescribing privileges and may specialize in a variety of fields of surgery and/or medicine.
Many PA-Cs pride themselves on providing each patient with excellent clinical care, while simultaneously offering warmth, empathy, and compassion, ultimately treating each patient with the level of care they deserve.