Brittany
How do I become a Physician Assistant in the Navy?
Does the Navy have PA programs? Or do you join the Navy after graduating from a PA program? I am still in college and was just wondering what options I might have with a career as a Physician Assistant. #college #medicine #pre-med #physician #physicians-assistant #united-states-navy
2 answers
Kess French
Kess’s Answer
There are 3 ways to become a PA in the military:
1. Apply for the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). You'll get a stipend while in PA school with tuition and fees paid by the military. Then you have a 1-to-1 service obligation (or a 3-year obligation if your schooling takes less than 3 years).
2. Go to PA school and have the military pay it back when you are done through the Financial Assistance Program (FAP).
3. Attend the Interservice Physician's Assistant Program (IPAP) at Fort Sam Houston, the military's PA school for all branches.
Kess recommends the following next steps:
Ken Simmons
Ken’s Answer
Hi Brittany:
Here is some helpful information:
Navy:
http://www.navy.com/careers/healthcare/clinical-care/physician-assistant.html#ft-key-responsibilities
Air Force:
https://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/physician-assistant/
Army:
http://www.usarec.army.mil/armypa/army_pa_qualifications.shtml
You can also get helpful information from your local recruiter
You also might investigate the Veterans Administration:
http://www.vacareers.va.gov/assets/common/print/PhysicianAssistant_Brochure.pdf
Best of luck! Please keep me posted. I would like to follow your progress!
The military is a great way to have school paid for. One little-known physician assistant specialty is certified anesthesiologist assistant where you are essentially equivalent to a nurse anesthetist (CRNA). The only disadvantage to CRNA is that they are only licensed in 20 states. https://www.asahq.org/advocacy-and-asapac/advocacy-topics/anesthesiologist-assistants
Allen Botnick DC CNIM