There are many things to consider when applying for a physician assistant (PA) position at a school, including intense coursework and excellent results. However, one crucial experience for a pre-physician assistant student is working directly with patients and doctors. As a physician’s assistant, primary care will always be an important part of the job description.
As a full-fledged PA, you’ll be more prepared if you’re comfortable among patients, doctors, other staff, and become more confident in the face of adversity. While you may be able to get this experience after graduation, if you start while in college, you’ll give your career an early boost. Undergraduate medical students may get valuable clinical experience by participating in internships for physician assistant students.
Physician assistant internships are a great way to learn about your career. Here’s what you need to do to find yourself a pre-physician assistant internship:
Ask For Help From Your Professors or School’s Career Department
Your school is the first place you should try and find directions on finding placement for physician assistant internships for undergraduates. In the same way that colleges worry about getting students a job, they also care about those looking for internships. Your school’s career department or even your professors might be able to point you in the right direction.
As a pre-physician assistant student, you’re likely to have access to a wide range of internship opportunities at your institution. Based on your educational background and professional goals, your professors and instructors will also have a good sense of what sort of internship program is right for you.
Ask Your Primary Care Physician
Chances are, you have a primary care physician within your reach. You don’t need any special connections for this. Regardless of whether you see them frequently or every once in a while, you can talk to a medical doctor or physician assistant anytime. Inquire whether they offer physician assistant internships for college students like you.
Even though there is no assurance that these healthcare experts will have the time to mentor you, it’s worth the effort to inquire. If they can’t offer you a placement, you can also seek a referral to other facilities.
Ask For Referrals From Your Social Circle
If you don’t know a primary physician to ask for an internship or referral, you can ask those around you. They might know a place offering physician assistant internships. Ask your family, friends, and classmates if they know a physician assistant and can put you in touch with them.
You may also be able to get some advice from someone in your network who has previously undergone such internships. People around you are more eager to assist you find an internship and are a good place to look into when in search for such an opportunity.
Contact the Medical Facilities in Your Area
One of the best places to find pre-physician assistant internships is online. A simple search of ‘physician assistant internships near me’ on your preferred search engine can reveal the facilities within your area where you can undertake your internship. However, since communication is an essential part of every physician assistant’s vital, ensure that your outreach to new acquaintances is personal and empathic.
This applies whether you’ve met them before or not. Keep in mind that the medical professionals will devote time from their already-busy schedules to provide you with internship instructions to ensure you understand what the job entails.
Look For Pre-Physician Assistants’ Internships Abroad
Internships throughout the world are an option for prospective physician assistants who want to get international healthcare experience. Pre-physician assistant internships abroad benefit from not being constrained by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
However, this doesn’t mean that you’ll be allowed to conduct any procedure that you’re not trained or licensed to do in your country. It’s only that the regulations of HIPAA can make it a bit of a challenge to find pre-physician assistant summer internships and other medical internships you may want.
Taking yourself overseas provides an opportunity to learn about a wide range of procedures and treatments for difficult conditions not available in the United States. With the help of a program provider, you can locate a wide variety of structured internships abroad that have established ties with clinics and hospitals.
Join Online and Local Organizations
At your university or community college, look for pre-physician assistant groups to join. Online forums and groups can help you connect with people in a similar situation who might help in your search for an internship.
There is a plethora of information on the application process for physician assistants on community-based websites. By reading about other people’s experiences, you’ll be able to discover different kinds of internships and opportunities, such as facilities inviting students for pre-physician assistant summer internships. You’ll also know how to apply for these opportunities successfully.
Conclusion
Pre-physician internships are a good way to get the real-life experience of what to expect as you progress in your career. You can find internships locally and abroad. Hopefully, this article has shed some light on how you can find a pre-physician assistant internship.
