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Physician Assistant Program in Oregon - OR
By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: January, 8 2010
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It takes intelligence and dedication to pursue a career as a physician assistant. It is a highly respected position in any healthcare setting, and one that is steadily growing in popularity. Physician assistants work in hospitals, doctor’s offices and other healthcare centers providing medical care under the supervision of a doctor. Physician assistants have a wide scope of practice, treating patients’ illnesses and injuries and providing preventive care in much the same way a doctor would. In some cases, such as in rural or inner city clinics, a physician assistant is the primary healthcare provider when a doctor cannot be in the office everyday.
The career outlook for a physician assistant is very good, showing a projected growth rate of 39% over the next 10 years nationwide, due to an expanding healthcare industry, an aging population, and cost effective staffing strategies at medical establishments. In Oregon, that number is even higher, at 57%.
A physician assistant needs to have skills similar to those of a doctor, so the physician assistant programs in Oregon are intensive and multi-disciplinary. As expected, the curriculum teaches students skills such as performing exams, diagnosing illness, and carrying out various healthcare procedures. It covers human physiology and anatomy, chemistry, and pathology. All physicians assistant programs in Oregon include a year of clinical training where the student gets practical hands-on instruction in a real healthcare setting. After graduation, there are often opportunities for internships, which can eventually lead to full-time positions. Continuing education is very important for a physician assistant. The requirement is 100 hours every 2 years. The physician assistant will also need to re-take the certification exam every six years.