Students in Indiana wishing to become physician assistants can choose from the many PA schools available in the area. Physician Assistants are prominent members of the healthcare industry because they complete diverse roles in primary care and other practice areas. The PA Program in Indiana lasts approximately 27 months, but this is dependent on the school you choose to go to.
Below, we discuss the best PA schools in Indiana. You can pick the school that fits your personal preferences.
Butler University Physician Assistant Program
The PA Program at Butler University is dedicated to accepting a diverse group of students from different backgrounds and experiences. The program chooses students that understand different ethnic, educational, and healthcare experience backgrounds. The program also seeks students that have the ability to excel in communication, leadership, scholarship, and interpersonal skills.
The PA Program at Butler University is the oldest in the state of Indiana. The program consists of a one-year curriculum that will prepare you to take the national certification exam and apply for state licensure. In addition, students who complete the program can care for patients in different medical and surgical settings.
The PA Program at Butler University partners with primary healthcare systems in the state and outside the state. This ensures that students receive outstanding clinical experiences. Learners in the program learn from experienced faculty from diverse medical specialties. In addition, the program is three months shorter than other institutions, allowing you to finish school and begin your career instantly.
Similarly, students who undertake the PA Program at Butler University work with patients in their first semester. This is because the curriculum is focused on hands-on, realistic learning. Students have access to state-of-the-art equipment to ensure that they are ready to enter the workforce when done with school.
Indiana University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences PA Program
The PA Program at Indiana University is full-time, and it takes 27 months to complete. The program takes time to develop compassionate and competent graduates for physician assistant practice. The objective of the program is also to prepare leaders in the field that can transform the quality of life for patients.
The focus of the program is to ensure that the healthcare needs of the community are met. The program welcomes students from all cultures as this allows them to educate their students on the essence of understanding the unique needs of a diverse patient population. During the program, students are in a learning environment where they interact with members of an interprofessional healthcare team.
Moreover, students in the program are taught how to advocate the needs of patients in their professional, institutional, and patient care communities. Furthermore, students in the program are taught how to demonstrate ethical behavior, honesty, and integrity when taking care of patients.
University of Saint Francis PA Program
The PA program at this university is consistent with the mission of the university in that it educates students to provide healthcare to a variety of patient populations. The emphasis is mainly put on serving underserved populations. The University of Saint Francis PA program is full-time, and it takes 27 months to complete.
The program entails 15 months of classroom and clinical skills laboratory work. This is then followed by one year of supervised clinical learning with qualified physicians and physician assistants. It is a requirement for students to complete the entire 27-month program so they can be awarded a Master of Science in PA Studies.
The faculty and staff of the program aim to create a creative learning environment that allows for individual growth and learning. Students must collaborate with faculty as this gives them the experience they need to take care of patients once they finish the program.
Indiana State University Physician Assistant Program
Indiana State’s PA program creates an educational environment for students. This environment allows students to become compassionate and proficient physician assistants who have the clinical skills needed to positively contribute to the changing healthcare needs of rural populations.
Students who graduate from the program are able to utilize evidence-based medicine and critical thinking when taking care of patients. They can also take care of patients in a cost-effective and socially responsible manner. Students undertaking the program normally exercise with faculty and other healthcare providers.
In addition, students participate in activities such as physicals at community events, Indiana Special Olympics, and health education at community events. Students pursuing the PA program at Indiana State University are taught and expected to respect and understand the needs of a diverse patient population and uphold the PA professional oath.
Similarly, students undertaking the PA program must attend clinical rotations in all primary specialties and provider-level lectures, which are offered at local hospitals. Furthermore, students undertaking the PA program have the opportunity to partner with supervising physicians during training and in the future.
Since the partnerships are in rural areas, students have the experience of working in such settings when done with school.
Franklin College Physician Assistant Program
The PA program at Franklin College is special in that it only accepts 24 students, and it puts emphasis on community engagement and serving populations in rural areas. The program takes 25 months to complete. Students have to undergo 12 months of didactic training, which involves educating students on clinical reasoning skills.
The faculty builds a foundation of new clinical knowledge, which students can use in clinical scenarios. Students must also undergo 12 months of clinical rotations and electives. Students have to undergo at least 60 hours or more per week in clinical rotations. This means that they cannot have time to work an outside job.
Students undergo two elective rotations, and they have the opportunity to pick the site they want to go to. During elective rotations, students can choose a specialty area they want to focus on. Each student must undergo at least one clinical experience with an underserved population in a rural setting.
Students who complete the program have access to meaningful employment opportunities to offer quality healthcare. This is because they are offered positions during the course of their rotations at the clinical sites.