Physician assistants play a vital role in the healthcare industry. They normally work in the emergency room, primary care facilities, and doctor’s offices. Physician assistants diagnose injuries and illnesses, manage patient treatment and prescribe medication.
If you are a student interested in becoming a physician assistant, you must possess a comprehensive understanding of anatomy and medical science. You can achieve this by enrolling in the many PA colleges in New York. The PA schools in New York are designed to equip students with skills they need to become world-class physician assistants. The list below highlights these colleges and universities.
Rochester Institute of Technology
The Rochester Institute of Technology offers a physician assistant program that offers students a foundation in science and liberal arts. The PA program also trains students to be compassionate and focus on the patient's needs when providing care. The PA program offered to students aims to develop the medical knowledge, professionalism, and moral values of every student.
Additionally, the PA program focuses on developing interpersonal communications for students as they are vital in the clinical working environment. These interpersonal communication skills help physician assistants work well with all members of the healthcare team, patients, and their families to provide quality care. The PA program in this institute also ensures that graduates improve patient care by critically analyzing evidence-based medicine and quality assurance processes.
LIU Brooklyn
LIU Brooklyn offers a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program. Once a candidate has successfully completed this program, they can register as a physician assistant and sit for the National certification exam. The MS PA program goes for 28 months, and it prepares healthcare professionals to work in different clinical settings.
While undertaking this program, physicians study medical histories and perform physical examinations. They also interpret varying diagnostic tests and manage different health problems. Candidates for this program are required to undergo clinical rotations and weekly clinical experiences, which gives them more experience. Physicians are taught how to maintain the highest ethical and professional standards when taking care of patients.
Pace University
Pace University offers the Lenox Hill Hospital PA program. This program is designed in such a way that it helps students from diverse backgrounds undergo rigorous courses. These courses help prepare them to be compassionate and ethical when providing care to patients. This program also ensures that graduates are critical thinkers who are professional and ready to work in teams.
Graduates who undergo this program can also effectively work with communities to offer quality care. Pace University also offers a physician assistant online completion program. This program provides graduates with additional professional skills that prepare them to work in academia, administration, and research.
St. John’s University
St. John’s University has a College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences that offers a graduate program. This program leads to a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant. This program involves rigorous studies that combine practical laboratory work and clinical training at the leading hospitals, medical centers, and private hospitals in New York.
The first two years of this program focus on medical, interactive, and social sciences to ensure the student understands the comprehensive approach to patient care. The program's third year requires students to be in a clinical setting for training. They are trained by physicians and physician assistants in different medical institutions.
Hofstra University
Becoming a PA at Hofstra University can be done in two ways. The first is by undertaking the freshman dual-degree program, which is intended to offer learners with a chance to earn BS and MS degrees in five and a half years. Students who choose this option must undergo a pre-professional phase of three years, which consists of prerequisite courses. This is then followed by a two-and-a-half-year professional phase that involves studying the curriculum.
The second option students can choose from is the post-baccalaureate program. The professional curriculum, in this case, is divided into three semesters that focus on educating students on moral principles they must adhere to. The students also undergo three semesters of learning how to be professional clerks. Lastly, the students undergo one semester, which involves research. This single semester totals two and a half years of study.
The Hofstra university utilizes a multi-modal approach that allows instructors to match different learning styles. For instance, students utilize case-based learning, how to use simulation and how to use standardized patients. Additionally, students undergo hands-on training, which allows them to understand procedural and physical examination skills. While undertaking this program, students complete thousands of hours of clinical training at affiliated hospitals, private physician’s offices, and community hospitals.
This training allows students to understand the different medical disciplines and gain exposure to varying patient populations. During the final semester of the program, students have to take a series of graduate research methodology coursework. They then complete a research project with classmates using partnerships with Hofstra University, the community, and Northwell Health. The research project focuses on improving clinical practice and the health of all patients.
Touro College
Touro College equips students with the skills needed to support patients' physical and emotional well-being while offering real leadership within the community. The Master of Physician Assistant Studies program challenges students to become strongly competent physician assistants. The program has established goals that students are required to meet. These goals prepare students to be effective and experienced clinical healthcare team members.
The Master of Physician Assistant program aims at increasing access to quality healthcare. To achieve this, the college's curriculum includes training in clinical settings that treat undeserving patients. By the time the students are done with this program, they can be compassionate and competent when offering quality care to underserving members of the community.
Wagner College
Wagner College offers a five-year program that is divided into two pre-professional years and three professional years. The first program teaches students about basic sciences and liberal arts. The second program teaches specific coursework and clinical practice. In this instance, students go for training in affiliated hospitals. This program allows physician assistants to practice under the supervision of licensed physicians and offer primary care and specialty services in varying healthcare settings.
In conclusion, if you want to pursue a career in becoming a physician assistant in New York, you should consider enrolling in any of the highlighted colleges and universities. They offer programs that equip you with the skills and expertise of a professional physician assistant.