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Becoming a Physician Assistant Through GI Bill Benefits

By allied health world contributing writer
Published:  January 29th, 2010

How to Become a Physician Assistant in the Military

The role of physician’s assistant in the military is vital to the overall health care team of the U.S. Armed Forces. These assistants allow the rest of the team to meet the needs of all enlisted officers. Responsibilities of the physician’s assistant include:

• Prescribing the proper medication.
• Providing tutelage for other medics in the military.
• Handling files and paperwork of patients.
• Undertaking medical evaluations.
• Ordering the performance of lab work.
• Ordering radiographs.
• Providing diagnoses.
• Writing consults.
• Treating chronic and acute diseases.
• Assisting with traumatic and other medical emergencies.

Please note that physician’s assistants in the military are provided with the same recognition and honors as other members of the military throughout their careers.

Here is a step-by-step guide for how to become a physician assistant through the VA GI Bill:

1. Get in touch with your local military recruiter or health care recruiter. This person will begin the application process for you by gathering information about yourself and letting you know which documents are required to complete the application.
2. Make sure that you’re between 21 and 48 years old. If you are older than 48 years, you might be able to use a waiver if you have previous military experience.
3. Receive a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from a trade school or university that is nationally accredited.
4. Select from an accredited physician assistant schools that has been provided by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education within the Physician Assistant Program (ARC-PA).
5. Become a certified physician’s assistant through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
6. Successfully complete a security investigation.
7. If English is not your first language, you must pass the English Comprehension Level Test (ECLT).
8. Once you provide your recruiter with all necessary documents, follow up with him or her to receive an update on your admission status.

Note: You must pass a recertification examination every six years while you are serving as a physician’s assistant in the U.S. Armed Forces.