1 answer
Harsamreen
Student
Lathrop, California
1
Question
Asked
97 views
Is being a Physician Assistant specializing in just Neurology realistic? Or is it harder to find this specific area of work, rather than something like pediatrics?
I would like to know if I should not be so hopeful that I will get a job being a Physician Assistant assisting in Neurology, or if I can rest assured that this path is realistic. Also, I would like to know if all Neurology PA's have to work with surgical procedures, or if they are mainly free to choose.
Login to comment
1 answer
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Harsamreen !
If you become a Physician Assistant you can work in any specialty because of the generalized education and training including medical and surgery experience. But remember, you will not "assist", you will do. The "Assistant" part just means that you will work under the supervision of an M.D., in other words, in their office or have a medical supervisor in the hospital. If you ever go to a Physician Assistant you will see that they do what doctors do.
A residency or fellowship program are not required for specialization but post-graduate training options are available for additional education in specific areas like surgery and neurology. You would see patients for epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and migraines. This most likely would be done in a medical doctor's office, clinic or hospital. Once you complete your Physician Assistant Program, you obtain neurology training and clinical experience in neurology, either through rotations during the program or postgraduate training. You can get the details from the Physician Assistant Program that you plan to enroll in.
You would not be required to do surgery for Neurology. For this specialty, you would not be authorized to perform surgery independently, however, you can be part of the team at surgery. You can handle instruments, suturing, and manage postoperative patient care. You can also perform certain minor surgical procedures, such as cutting and draining abscesses or harvesting veins, under the surgeon's guidance. Your involvement in actual surgery varies significantly depending on the surgeon's preferences, the specific practice, and state regulations. Keep in mind that when you accept a PA position somewhere, the employer will tell you what is required of you and the only way to avoid surgery - if that's possible- is to refuse any offers that include a bit of surgery. You may miss out on some valuable work, though.
So remember, you will not be an "assistant' in the traditional meaning of the word, you'd be the medical professional with your own patients doing what medical doctors do during medical examinations of patients. In your first or second year of the PA Program, you will get to more or less rehearse for this. You will have practical tests that are hands on and do your exam on what is called a Standardized Patient which is an actor portraying a patient in a scripted scenario. This is hands on and most times a professor is in the room evaluating you as you do the patient exam. Most programs also require the actor patient to provide feedback verbally and electronically about the student's performance as a student PA.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the very best !
If you become a Physician Assistant you can work in any specialty because of the generalized education and training including medical and surgery experience. But remember, you will not "assist", you will do. The "Assistant" part just means that you will work under the supervision of an M.D., in other words, in their office or have a medical supervisor in the hospital. If you ever go to a Physician Assistant you will see that they do what doctors do.
A residency or fellowship program are not required for specialization but post-graduate training options are available for additional education in specific areas like surgery and neurology. You would see patients for epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and migraines. This most likely would be done in a medical doctor's office, clinic or hospital. Once you complete your Physician Assistant Program, you obtain neurology training and clinical experience in neurology, either through rotations during the program or postgraduate training. You can get the details from the Physician Assistant Program that you plan to enroll in.
You would not be required to do surgery for Neurology. For this specialty, you would not be authorized to perform surgery independently, however, you can be part of the team at surgery. You can handle instruments, suturing, and manage postoperative patient care. You can also perform certain minor surgical procedures, such as cutting and draining abscesses or harvesting veins, under the surgeon's guidance. Your involvement in actual surgery varies significantly depending on the surgeon's preferences, the specific practice, and state regulations. Keep in mind that when you accept a PA position somewhere, the employer will tell you what is required of you and the only way to avoid surgery - if that's possible- is to refuse any offers that include a bit of surgery. You may miss out on some valuable work, though.
So remember, you will not be an "assistant' in the traditional meaning of the word, you'd be the medical professional with your own patients doing what medical doctors do during medical examinations of patients. In your first or second year of the PA Program, you will get to more or less rehearse for this. You will have practical tests that are hands on and do your exam on what is called a Standardized Patient which is an actor portraying a patient in a scripted scenario. This is hands on and most times a professor is in the room evaluating you as you do the patient exam. Most programs also require the actor patient to provide feedback verbally and electronically about the student's performance as a student PA.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the very best !