Utah is a great state to be in. For people who want to pursue studies, Utah doesn’t disappoint and has several good schools and universities that people can attend. Physician assistant schools aren’t in shortage in Utah, and you have plenty of choices if you want to train to be a PA. Each school is unique and offers a different experience from the others. It would be best if you looked at specific details of the best PA schools in Utah before deciding which one to settle on. There are many good PA schools in Utah.
The PA school that you choose will heavily impact your career. Furthermore, selecting a school to apply to should be done wisely to avoid rejection and wasting time. A lot of energy is usually put into the application process, and you should use it where you will feel comfortable and meet all the school’s qualifications. Looking at the curriculum of the potential PA school you want to join will also help you decide. You can look at the curriculum to see if it matches what you want to study and follow a career.
Who is a Physician Assistant?
A physician assistant is also known as a PA and is a trained member of a healthcare team who works under the supervision of a licensed medical doctor to provide medical care to patients in a healthcare setting. Usually, it is not a must for a PA to perform duties under the supervising physician’s presence, provided they have been well-trained and know how to discharge duties appropriately. However, a consistent contact method between the supervising physician and the PA must always be attained.
Duties of a Physician Assistant
Part of what a Physician Assistant does is the recording of medical histories and physical examinations of patients. This can be considered the general work of a PA. However, the duties of a Physician Assistant are described according to what specialty they want to focus on or what specialty their supervising physician is focused on. For example, a physician Assistant under the supervision of an orthopedic surgeon wily has the task of conducting bone surgeries even when the supervising surgeon is not around.
In the same vein, a physician assistant working under a pediatrician will be responsible for carrying out what duties the supervising pediatrician does, whether he is around or not. These are dependent on the premise that the mentor has adequately trained the assistant physician.
However, on a general note, Physician Assistants perform the following functions.
Physician Assistants order tests to ascertain the nature and extent of illnesses and injuries of patients.
They also prescribe medications and help develop therapeutic plans to remedy medical problems.
Physician Assistants may also be responsible for stitching wounds and setting bones. This is if they have this training.
Physician Assistants Administer immunizations in healthcare centers.
Another important role physician assistant plays is following up with the patients throughout their treatment to ensure strict adherence to treatment plans and recommended regimens.
Best Physician Assistant Schools in Utah
About two notable schools in the whole of Utah State offer Physician Assistant programs. So, if you live in Utah and are looking to enroll in PA school soon, here is a list of PA schools where you can pursue PA programs in Utah State.
1. Rocky Mountain University
Rocky Mountain University is one of the top schools that offers a PA program in Utah. The school, for many years, has provided thorough training for students pursuing careers as physician assistants. The Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Physician Assistant (PA) Program educates outstanding clinicians equipped to handle the challenges of practicing medicine in a multifaceted and complex healthcare system. The University provides one of the most rigorous PA schools in Utah for students, and the program usually lasts between 2 to 3 years. ARC-PA accredited Rocky Mountain University Physician Assistant program.
2. University of Utah, School of Medicine
The University of Utah School of Medicine is one of the best PA schools with the best PA programs in Utah. The Physician Assistant at University of Utah is committed to raising PAs who will be prepared to meet the challenges of providing high-quality care to patients in medically underserved and rural communities. The program has been consistently ranked among the top 10 PA programs in the country by the US News and World Report since 2004.
The school has the oldest PA program with a continuously accredited program in the western United States. The University is part of the Division of Physician Assistant Studies and the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, with campuses located both in Salt Lake City and St. George, Utah.
Their mission-based curriculum emphasizes educating physician assistants to evaluate, diagnose, and manage acute and chronic conditions in patients of all ages utilizing a primary care model. The program trains PAs to work with physicians as part of a healthcare-providing team and to improve the quality and access to primary care. Upon successful training completion, students are awarded a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree. The ARC-PA accredits the Physician Assistant Program at UT.
Requirements for a PA School
General requirements are essential to meet if you want to gain admission into any PA school in Utah.
Acquisition of a high school certificate – this is the first level of acquisition needed to become a physician assistant. It would be best if you had a strong foundation in sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, and English.
Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university - This degree requirement is one of the prerequisites for gaining admission into an accredited PA school.
Some schools require a GRE and GPA before they can admit you into their PA master’s program, while some do not really consider it.
You will also need to complete healthcare training and acquire a license.
The journey to becoming a PA is a wonderful one. In Utah, you have good schools to choose from where you will learn all the fundamentals of becoming a physician assistant.