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EXPLORING HEALTH CAREERS

Many students consider a career in medicine, but there are many other options as well! The Web site ExploreHealthCareers.org is a free multi-disciplinary and interactive resource that addresses an array of health professions and provides easy access to students seeking information about health careers. The Web site AspiringDocs.org is also helpful, particularly for students from underrepresented groups.

Careers Most Frequently of Interest to Wooster Students
● Medicine (Allopathic, Osteopathic, Podiatric)   
● Nursing                                                                       
● Dentistry
● Physical Therapy
● Veterinary Medicine
● Pharmacy
● Optometry
● Physician Assistant
● Sports Medicine

The three medical fields above are grouped together because they have several admission requirements in common and require the same entrance exam (the MCAT). They are doctoral postgraduate programs that involve four years of professional preparation. 

Medicine in General
The fundamental decision to become a physician can be a difficult one.  There are many factors that impact that decision.  Do you have the right personality to be a doctor? Do you have the perseverance to complete the training?  Do you have the ability to get good grades?  Are you a good test taker?  Are you willing to make the necessary sacrifices to get through medical school and residency?  Do you have a strong desire to help people?

A strong desire to help people is of primary importance, as is a general love of learning in general and a genuine intellectual curiosity. Other desirable characteristics include maturity, integrity, honesty, respect for the rights of others, critical thinking, problem solving, empathy, and the ability to handle stress and cope with adversity.  It is also important to recognize your limitations. In order to choose a career in which you will be most happy, you need to objectively evaluate your skills and strengths as well as your priorities in life and not let other people’s expectations or thoughts dictate which path you take.  It is essential that you spend a lot of time shadowing physicians and working in a health care setting such as a hospital to make an informed decision. 

A career in medicine is a huge commitment that brings certain challenges.  The cost of a medical education is continuing to rise and the median debt for someone right out of medical school can equal that of a home mortgage.  Dealing with the constantly changing nature of health care, the concern about malpractice, and the toll on one’s personal life can be other challenges.  Medical schools want to know that you understand what you are getting into and that you have taken all of these factors into consideration in making your commitment to medicine.

Further information is available in the Occupational Outlook Handbook produced by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Allopathic Medicine (M.D.)
Allopathic medicine, also known as conventional medicine, Western medicine, or mainstream medicine, is the system of medical practice that treats disease by the use of agents producing effects different from those of the disease being treated.  The emphasis tends to be on treating symptoms and isolating a specific disorder.

Almost a third of practicing physicians are primary care physicians who work in family medicine, general practice, general internal medicine, and general pediatrics.  Others are specialists in fields such as obstetrics/gynecology, psychiatry, various medical specialties (allergy and asthma, cardiology, dermatology, gastroenterology, neurology, and pulmonology), general surgery, various surgical specialists (colon and rectal surgery, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, orthopedics, otolaryngology, and plastic, thoracic, and urological surgery, support specialties (anesthesiology, pathology, radiology), emergency medicine and other clinical areas.  Although most physicians provide direct patient care, some concentrate on basic or applied research, become teachers and/or administrators, or combine various elements of these activities.

Most medical students graduate after four years of medical school and enter residency programs of three to eight years for graduate training in a specific medical specialty.  Training in family practice general internal medicine and general pediatrics takes three years; general surgery requires five years; and subspecialty training in such disciplines as plastic or neurological surgery may take another two or three years.

American Medical Association
www.ama-assn.org

Association of American Medical Colleges
www.aamc.org

Osteopathic Medicine (D.O).
Osteopathic medicine was developed in 1874 by Andrew Taylor Still, M.D. as a result of his concern about the prevalence of questionable medical practices and treatments. He developed a method of treatment that emphasizes the musculoskeletal system and a concern for the patient as a complete entity. His new method, a departure from traditional medicine, was controversial with barriers remaining for the first half of the twentieth century. Today, most barriers between the two forms of medical practice no longer exist and there is full acceptance of osteopathic medicine by the pubic and by medical licensing boards. The major distinctions between the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) and a M.D. are that the D.O. receives additional specializes training in osteopathic principles and practices, including the diagnostic and treatment methods known as osteopathic manipulative medicine and the distinctive patient-centered philosophical approach.  Osteopathic medicine emphasizes primary care with 65% of all osteopathic physicians practicing in one of the primary care areas of family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics or obstetrics and gynecology, which reflects the holistic approach.

Nearly one in five students at U.S. medical schools are training to be a D.O. and the numbers are increasing each year. D.O.s can be found in virtually all types of medical practice. The increased need for primary care physicians bodes well for the D.O.  Osteopathic medical school consists of four years of professional education (typically two years of basic science and courses and two years of clinical training).  The majority of clinical training consists of clinical clerkships where the student spends time in a clinical setting under the supervision of a licensed physician. After receiving the D.O., graduates may serve a 12-month internship after which they may begin the general practice of medicine. Graduates, however, may want to select a specialty and apply to a variety of M.D. or D.O. residency programs ranging from two to six additional years.  Graduates may enter residency directly on graduation or following the one-year internship (may depend on state licensing regulations).

A key factor in gaining admittance to an osteopathic medical school is the applicants understanding of and desire to practice osteopathic medicine specifically.  Students should make every effort to gain exposure to the field. Many osteopathic medical schools want a letter from a D.O. recommending an applicant. The number of osteopathic medical schools is less than one-fourth the number of allopathic medical colleges.

American Osteopathic Association
www.osteopathic.org

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
www.aacom.org

Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.)
Podiatric medicine is a branch of the medical sciences devoted to the student of human movement, with the medical care of the foot and ankle as its primary focus.  A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of foot disorders, diseases and injuries. Podiatrists work in general or group practices and can develop a specialty such as pediatrics, geriatrics or sports medicine.

The D.P.M. is awarded after four years of study at one of eight accredited podiatric medical colleges.  In addition to basic medical science coursework (often completed in the first two years), students of podiatric medicine also learn the fundamentals of specialized medicine, which include biomechanics, lower extremity anatomy, podiatric pathology, infectious diseases, orthopedics, and sports medicine courses.  The last two years of studies focus on clinical science and patient care, however, clinical exposure begins as early as the first year.  After completion of four years of podiatric medical education, graduates select a podiatric medicine and surgery residency of 24 to 36 months in duration. At least two years are required for board certification. D.P.M.s may also become certified on one or both specialty areas: primary medicine and orthopedics or surgery. The practice of podiatric medicine lends itself to flexible hours with most D.P.M.’s working between 30 to 60 hours a week.

Occupational Outlook Handbook
www.bls.gov/oco/ocos075.htm

American Podiatric Medical Association
www.apma.org

American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
www.aacpm.org

Careers in Nursing
A study done by the US Bureau of Health Professions indicates that by 2020, the need for nurses in the US will grow to more than 1.7 million registered nurses, while less than 635,000 nurses will be available. In fact, the US Department of Labor has identified Registered Nursing as the top occupation in terms of job growth through the year 2014.

A nurse can choose to work in a hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation center or other extended-care facility. They might work with a private practice physician, in a community health agency, a federal nursing agency, in industry and business, at a school, or in the military. There are dozens of specialized fields of nursing. Some of the most popular include: nurse anesthesiologist, school nurse, forensic nursing, pediatric pursing, critical care nursing, and neonatal nursing. For profiles of various nursing career options, go to http://www.nursesource.org/description.html

Options for The College of Wooster students
For students who have chosen to acquire an excellent liberal arts education degree from a school such as the College of Wooster, there are a number of paths to becoming a practicing nurse.  For all options, it is important for students to meet with the Pre-Health advisor and become familiar with nursing admissions requirements in order to ensure they have completed the required coursework for admission by the time they graduate from the College of Wooster.  There isn’t one universal set of requirements, so it is essential that students look at the requirements for the specific program they are considering.  Generally, two courses in Chemistry (inorganic and either organic or biochemistry) with lab are required as are a course each in English, social sciences, psychology, and statistics. Human Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, and a course in human growth and development are also typically required.

To practice nursing, a RN is required, which is obtained by passing a state examination.  Students may choose to obtain their RN by completing an accelerated BSN program (typically 16 – 18 months) after completing their Bachelor’s degree from Wooster or by pursuing a graduate program designed for students without a nursing degree that prepares them to practice as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN). Although the scope of practice for an Advanced Practice Nurse varies from state to state, the scope of practice is greater than that of a RN and allows for more autonomy and independence. Basically, APNs deliver services that were previously delivered by physicians.

Currently, Advanced Practice Nursing requires, by most states, a Masters in Nursing (MSN) and passing the certification exam for that APN specialty.  However, students need to be aware that the goal and policy that is gradually being adopted is to require a doctorate (DNP) in order to practice nursing at the APN level by 2015.  This is ultimately enforced by each state’s Nurse Practice Act, which also defines just what APNs can do in their state.

Advanced Practice Nursing Specialties:
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is uniquely prepared to assume the role of case manager - one who organizes and coordinates services and resources, and who works to control costs. The CNS is often involved in education including patient education, nursing staff education, non-nursing members of the team, community education, and teaching of undergraduate and graduate level nursing students. The CNS may practice independently, or they may work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and for various health care agencies. A CNS provides care in a broad range of specialty care areas such as cardiac, oncology, neonatal, and obstetric/gynecological nursing as well as pediatrics, neurological nursing, and psychiatric/mental health. 
Nurse Practitioner (NP) conducts physical exams, diagnose and treat common acute illnesses and injuries; and perform many of the same care a physician might provide. NPs can prescribe medications in all states, with 25 states giving NPs authority to practice independently. NPs differ from physicians in that they focus on prevention, wellness, and education. NPs specialize in providing all encompassing individualized care. Specialties include Acute Care, Neonatal, Family, Psychiatric Mental Health, Adult, Pediatric, Gerontological, and Women’s Health.  The subspecialty of Acute Care requires clinical experience in order to be accepted into the program.
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM) provides prenatal and gynecological care to normal healthy women; deliver babies in hospitals, private homes, and birthing centers and continue with follow-up postpartum care.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) administer more than 65% of all anesthetics given to patients each year, and are the sole anesthesia providers in approximately two-thirds of all rural hospitals in the U.S.  This program typically takes the longest to complete and is the most competitive.  It requires clinical experience in order to be accepted into the program.

Types of Graduate Programs
Master Degree Programs: There are an increasing number of Master Degree programs specifically designed for someone with a non-nursing undergraduate degree.  Many are referred to as direct-entry MSN programs. Students in these programs typically complete baccalaureate-level (pre-licensure) nursing courses in the first year followed by a minimum of two years of graduate study (for a total of three years) within a chosen advanced practice specialty (the time may be longer for specific specialties). Upon successful completion of the MSN, students must pass the certification exam for their chosen specialty. For a listing of schools offering this degree, go to www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/FactSheets/AcceleratedProg.htm.

Doctorate Programs:
The Doctorate of Nurse Practice (DNP) is an emerging doctoral program, thus the focus areas will vary by school. The goal is to prepare graduates for leadership positions in research, clinical care delivery, patient outcomes and system management. Graduates will be experts managing the complex balance between quality of care, access and fiscal responsibilities. The current goal (ideally to be met by 2015) is to require a doctorate degree in order to practice at the Advanced Practice Nursing level. Direct-entry or Graduate Entry DNP programs that are designed for someone without a nursing degree mirror direct entry master’s programs through the completion of the MSN with the exception that students may be able to take some doctorate courses while in the MSN program. Therefore, they include a Pre-Licensure component to prepare a student to sit for the state RN exam, completion of a Master’s program (MSN), and passing a APN specialty certification exam, but adds a doctoral program of study.  Each of these components are typically done consecutively and not concurrently (although you can sometimes overlap a few courses) with students sometimes opting to gain clinical experience, or required to for some APN specialties, between each component.

Francis Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case 3-4 DNP Program
The College of Wooster has entered into agreement with the Francis Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University to allow for a Senior Year in Professional Studies option for their DNP program.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programs prepare nurse scholars and researchers who will contribute to the growth of nursing science through scholarly research that advances the theoretical foundation of nursing practice and health care delivery. Graduates will be qualified to engage in all dimensions of professional and scholarly life, including the conduct of scholarly inquiry, leadership in health care delivery systems and public policy formation

Dual Degree
There are a few schools that offer a dual MSN/PhD Dual Degree in nursing for those interested in an intensive, accelerated program simultaneously offering master’s preparation and advanced research training at the doctoral level.  A typical program takes five years to complete.

For a good description of the type of nursing schools/program and listings of Ohio nursing schools, go to
http://www.ohioleaguefornursing.org
or for a more national scope, go to
http://www.allnursingschools.com/
 

Dentists diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases, injuries, and malformations of the teeth and mouth. They can improve a patient’s appearance by using cosmetic dental procedures, perform surgical procedures such as implants, tissue grants and extractions; educate patients; teach future dentists and dental hygienists; and perform research.   The undergraduate course requirements are similar to those for medical school; however, it is important that a potential applicant looks at the requirements for each specific school.  Applicants must take the Dental Admission Test (DAT) to apply.

The majority of the over 175,000 practicing dentists are general practitioners.  Most have a solo practice with an average of five employees.  There are no differences between the Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S) degree and the Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree, which are awarded after four years of graduate study.  Those dentists not in general practice are in one of nine dental specialties, which require additional education after the D.M.D. or D.D.S.  These are: orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedics (treatment of problems related to dental development); oral and maxillofacial surgery (disease, injuries and defects in the jaw and related structures); endodontics (diseases of the pulp and other dental tissues); periodontics (diseases that affect the oral mucous membranes and other soft tissues that surround and support the teeth); pediatric dentistry; prosthodontics (replacement of missing natural teeth); oral and maxillofacial pathology (diagnostic and consultative biopsy services); dental public health; and oral and maxillofacial radiology.

Dentistry allows for an excellent income (top 5% among U.S. citizens) with time for a personal life. Many dentists enjoy owning their own practices and the basic business aptitude and the ability to manage and supervise others is required.

Occupational Outlook Handbook
www.bls.gov/oco/ocos072.htm

American Dental Association
www.ada.org

American Dental Education Association
www.adea.org

Most Wooster students enter dental school after four years of undergraduate education, but the Seven-Year Dual Degree Predental/Dental Program in cooporation with Case Western Reserve university is another option.

Physical therapists are experts in movement and function of the body and provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent disabilities associated with injury or disease.  Physical Therapists may assess a patient’s muscle function, strength, joint flexibility, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, respiration, skin integrity, motor function, quality of life, and activities of daily living. Once an examination is complete and a diagnosis determined, a plan of care is determined which can include exercise, traction, ultrasound or electrotherapy, vestibular training, motor learning and development, patient and family education, and mobilization/manual therapy.  Students seeking entry into a P.T. program should be interested in providing services to patients of all ages throughout the continuum of care as provision of services may range from patients with acutely ill conditions, through rehabilitation, and management of chronic conditions. Physical therapy is one of the fastest growing occupations.

About two-thirds of physical therapists are employed in private outpatient offices or group practices, hospital-based outpatient facility, hospitals, or academic institutions. Other settings include home health agencies, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, school systems, sports medicine facilities, industrial settings.

There are 210 accredited physical therapist programs, of which 170 award the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree (DPT) and 39 award the masters degree.  Almost all physical therapist programs have reported an intent to award the DPT by 2010, which is in accordance with the vision established by the governing body for the profession that physical therapy will be provided by physical therapists who are doctors of physical therapy by the year 2020.

The entry-level DPT Program is designed for individuals just entering the field of physical therapy and is a three-year program for students holding a bachelor’s degree in a field other than physical therapy. The “advanced clinical science” DPT is an option for physical therapists who want to advance their knowledge, behaviors and clinical skills, usually in a specific specialty area. These program may include specialization, certification or clinical residencies (DPTSc, DHSc, ScD). 

Although prerequisite requirements vary from school to school, requirements common to a majority of programs include (but are not limited to):  biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, physics, English, social sciences and psychology. Coursework in exercise physiology or exercise science may also be required. One unique requirement to Physical Therapy is a required number of volunteer or work hours (usually between 40 and 100) in the field of Physical Therapy and they may want a letter of recommendation from a Physical Therapist.  The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is the required entrance exam.

Occupational Outlook Handbook
www.bls.gov/oco/ocos080.htm

American Physical Therapy Association
www.apta.org

In the past, veterinary practice focused primarily on large animals in the classical rural large animal or equine practice or on dogs and cats in a suburban neighborhood small animal practice. Today, however, the breadth of veterinary medicine encompasses much more. Veterinarians are in the unique position of being the only doctors educated to protect the health of both animals and people.  They play an important role in environmental protection, food safety, and public health. In taking the Veterinarian’s Oath, a new graduate swears to use his/her “scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.”

The majority of veterinarians are in private small, large or mixed animal clinical practice, but many also practice in county, state, federal governments, universities, private industry, zoos, the U.S. military, wildlife organizations, racetracks, and circuses.  Board Certified Specialists run referral practices in one of 20 AVMA-recognized veterinary specialties (surgery, internal medicine, animal behavior, dentistry, dermatology, ophthalmology, pathology, laboratory animal medicine, radiology, preventive medicine, etc.) Practices exist that are limited to avian medicine, exotic animals, aquatic animals, cancer treatment, in vitro fertilization, geriatric care, preventive medicine, and in-home euthanasia.  The following federal agencies employ a large number of veterinarians:  U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Defense, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  At present, there is a shortage of veterinarians who enter research and public practice as a whole.

There are 28 colleges and schools of veterinary medicine in the U.S.  There is no distinction between a college and a school and the terms are used interchangeably. After completing the required veterinary medical curriculum (usually over a period of four years), many graduates choose to pursue additional education in one of the recognized veterinary specialties. Others go on to receive a Ph.D. if they want to teach or conduct research. Many students, during their third year of veterinary school consider further education through internships as a lead-in to a residency program.  Internships and residencies are optional and not required to become a licensed, practicing veterinarian. 

Each college or school veterinary medicine has its own list of required courses and it is important you check the requirements for each school. Courses that may be required (not all schools require all of these courses) include Math (Calculus); Biology with lab, Cell Biology, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry with labs, Physics, Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbiology, Statistics, Animal Sciences, Zoology, Immunology, Embryology.  Courses in English, Social Sciences, and Behavioral Sciences may also be required.  Most schools required the Graduate Entrance Exam (GRE) and a few accept the MCAT.  Academics play a significant role in the admissions process, but most competitive candidates also have a strong record of animal and health-related experience.  Students may shadow, complete an internship, obtain employment, attend a summer enrichment program, or do research as ways of gaining this first-hand exposure.  Developing a breadth of experience in different veterinary settings is to an applicant’s advantage.

Occupational Outlook Handbook
www.bls.gov/oco/ocos076.htm

American Veterinary Medical Association
www.avma.org

Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges
www.aavmc.org

Pharmacists ensure the appropriate use of, and optimal therapeutic outcomes from, medications and serve patients and other health professionals.  Pharmacists interpret and review prescription orders, screen and review medication records, dispense medications, educate patients on proper use of drugs, and refer patients to other sources of help and care.  Pharmacists must know the physical and chemical properties of drugs and the way they behave in the body and how it might react in the presence of other drugs.  Pharmacists may also require business skills, since they purchase and sell hundreds of health-related items.  In the hospital, pharmacists assist physicians in the drug therapy decisions and may be responsible for selecting and purchasing all medicines used by the facility. 

A pharmacist, as with all health professions, must make a commitment to life-long learning and is expected to read biological, medical and chemical literature as well as professional, corporate and pharmaceutical publications.  Because pharmacists assume responsibility for human life, states have strict laws about licensure that vary from state to state.

There are approximately 230,000 licensed pharmacists with about 60% working in community pharmacies. The other 40% work in hospitals or other institutional settings, for the U.S. Public Health Service, the Armed Forces, and the Department of Veteran Affairs.  A number of other government agencies also hire pharmacists such as Centers for Disease Control, Food and Drug Administration, National Science Foundation.  Pharmacists particularly interested in the scientific aspects of the profession can find challenging employment in the laboratories of academic institutions or pharmaceutical manufacturers.  If research is a goal, pharmacy graduates must almost always go on to advanced study in pharmacy, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, toxicology, pharmaceutical chemistry or other pharmaceutical sciences.  A new field of research is pharmacy administration where outcome analysis, including cost-effectiveness of drug therapy, is one example of the type of issue this discipline examines.

There are 100 colleges and schools of pharmacy in the U.S. and in Peurto Rico. Pharmacy colleges require at least two years of college education, which is then either  followed by four academic years or three calendar years of professional study.  Due to the high number of applications, however, many pharmacy schools give preference to students who have earned a bachelor’s degree.  In July 2000, the accreditation standard for the pharmacy degree became the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D

Undergraduate course work should include chemistry, biological and physical sciences, English or speech communications, social and behavioral sciences and the humanities.  Requirements vary by school.  A summary of prerequisites required by each schools is available on the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) website (www.aacp.org).  Students considering a career in pharmacy are required to obtain volunteer or paid experience working with patients in a pharmacy or health-related setting. The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is the required entrance exam.

Occupational Outlook Handbook
www.bls.gov/oco/ocos079.htm

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
www.aacp.org

American Pharmacists Association
www.aphanet.org

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
www.ashp.org

Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage disease, injuries, and disorders of the visual system.  Doctors of Optometry prescribe medications, low vision rehabilitation, vision therapy, spectacle lenses, contact lenses, and perform certain surgical procedures. Often, the optometrist is the first to detect symptoms of eye disease including glaucoma and cataracts, as well as systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and arteriosclerosis (and then refers to the appropriate physician). Other areas such as low vision rehabilitation, which provides sophisticated devices for individuals who formerly may have been classified as legally blind, and the sports vision are emerging areas of practice in the field. About three quarters of O.D.s are private optometric practitioners with about 40% of these in solo practices.

There are approximately 36,000 practicing optometrists across the U.S.  and 17 accredited optometry schools.  D.O.s receive four years of specialized professional education and clinical training.  All schools require one year each of Biology, General Chemistry, Physics, English, Algebra/Trigonometry/Calculus and at least one semester (and in some cases more) of Organic Chemistry, Psychology, and Microbiology. Some schools require Anatomy and Physiology.  All science courses must include laboratories.  Optometry schools emphasize preparation in mathematics and statistics (which can be taken within Psychology Department or Mathematics).  In addition to a strong academic record, optometry schools like to see applicants with experience with Optometry as well as some research experience.

The first two years of optometry school focuses on lecture and lab in the basic health and visual sciences.  The last two years are spent studying diagnostic and treatment techniques in clinical settings.  One-year clinical residency programs are available in some optometric specialties including family practice, pediatric or geriatric optometry, vision training, low vision rehabilitation, contact lenses, and hospital-based and primary care optometry.

Occupational Outlook Handbook
www.bls.gov/oco/ocos073.htm

American Optometric Association
www.aoanet.org

Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
www.opted.org

Physician Assistants are licenses health professionals who practice medicine with physician supervision as members of a medical team. The profession was founded in the mid 1960’s and therefore is relatively new compared with other health professions.  It is one of the fastest-growing occupations. PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and prescribe medications.  The scope of practice varies based on training, experience and state law. 

At the beginning of 2007, there were nearly 64,000 Physician Assistants in clinical practice.  While PAs have traditionally brought health care to the underserved in rural and inner city areas, today they practice in urban, suburban and rural settings.  Over one-third of PAs work in one of the primary care fields:  family/general practice; general internal medicine; obstetrics/gynecology; and general pediatrics and roughly one-fourth of PAs work in general surgery or a surgical subspecialty.

Most Physician Assistant programs require applicants to have previous health care experience.  Many applicants bring health care experience from previous careers as an emergency medical technician, an orderly or a nurse’s aide, a nurse, x-ray technician, physical therapist, respiratory therapist or military corpsman.  This experience might also include a substantial number of volunteer hours in a hospital or clinic.

Course pre-requisites are similar to that of nursing.  The first year of PA programs is classroom-based and the second year is spent rotating through various specialties.  Graduates must pass a national certifying examination and log 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and pass a recertification exam every six years to maintain their certification.

Occupational Outlook Handbook
www.bls.gov/oco/ocos081.htm

Physician Assistant Education Association
www.PAEAonline.org

American Academy of Physician Assistants
www.aapa.org

Many Wooster students have expressed an interest in Sports Medicine.  This field warrants some explanation.  There is not one degree that qualifies someone to practice in the area of sports medicine.  Rather, it is a broad term that includes any area of medical practice that works with athletes.  This can include physicians (usually either orthopedic surgeons or internal medicine) who have sports medicine certification, podiatrists, physical therapists, sports nutritionists and a wide range of other clinical professions.  The uniqueness of the profession is the fact that patients have injuries or illnesses to an otherwise healthy body.  There is also the psychological aspect dealing with very competitive athletes who don’t want to have to take time out of their sport to heal.

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
www.acsm.org