The role of a physician assistant (PA) is relatively new and was created as a response to a shortage of health workers, especially in rural areas. The number of PAs has increased since then as their roles and importance to the medical community have grown.
Today, there are about 153,400 or more PAs in the United States. A physician assistant or physician associate is regarded as one of the best healthcare jobs in the country today. They are essential members of the medical community and are projected to play an even more prominent role in the future.
The Growing Role of Physician Assistants in Healthcare
The demand for skilled healthcare professionals continues to rise, and physician assistants (PAs) have become an essential part of the medical workforce. The PA profession offers stability and opportunity with a 2023 median salary of $130,020 per year and a projected 28% job growth from 2023 to 2033. The role of a PA has evolved significantly since its creation, with more than 153,400 professionals now working in various medical settings across the U.S.
PAs are trained to diagnose illnesses, develop treatment plans, and even perform certain medical procedures. They practice medicine under the supervision of licensed physicians, but in many cases, they operate with a high degree of autonomy, particularly in underserved areas. Their ability to provide primary care, assist in surgeries, and support specialists makes them indispensable to the healthcare system.
If you are considering becoming a PA, understanding how to qualify for a physician assistant internship is a crucial step in your journey. Gaining hands-on experience is not just a requirement—it’s an opportunity to develop key competencies that will shape your future career.
How to Qualify for a Physician Assistant Internship
Internships are an integral part of PA education and training. Unlike other healthcare roles, PAs must earn a master’s degree before practicing. Most PA programs also require students to complete clinical rotations in their curriculum. These experiences provide real-world exposure to patient care and help students develop their clinical skills.
What Are the Basic Requirements for a PA Internship?
To qualify for a PA internship, you typically need to:
- Be enrolled in or have completed an accredited PA program.
- Have a strong academic background in medical sciences.
- Show proficiency in patient care skills, including history-taking, physical examination, and diagnostic reasoning.
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, as PAs often collaborate with other healthcare professionals.
- Meet specific state and institutional licensing or certification requirements if applicable.
While most internships are arranged through PA programs, some hospitals, clinics, and physician offices also offer independent internships to qualified students.
Why Physician Assistant Internships Matter
The physician assistant field is competitive, and securing a high-quality PA internship can significantly impact your career. These internships provide exposure to various medical specialties, allowing students to refine their interests and gain hands-on clinical experience.
Some key benefits of PA internships include:
1. Direct Patient Interaction
One of the most valuable aspects of a PA internship is direct patient care experience. Interns get to work alongside physicians and nurses, conducting physical exams, taking medical histories, and assisting in procedures. This is critical preparation for the real-world responsibilities of a PA.
2. Specialization and Career Clarity
Internships allow PAs to explore different fields of medicine. Whether you’re interested in primary care, emergency medicine, surgery, or dermatology, an internship provides firsthand exposure to these specialties.
3. Enhancing Your PA School Application
For students who have not yet been accepted into a PA program, completing a healthcare-related internship demonstrates commitment to the field. Admissions committees favor applicants with real-world medical experience and a clear understanding of being a PA.
4. Preparing for Certification and Licensure
Internships are often required for licensure, particularly those integrated within PA programs. These experiences help prepare students for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) and ensure they meet clinical hour requirements for certification.
5. Expanding Your Professional Network
Internships offer the chance to build relationships with healthcare professionals who can serve as mentors and references for job applications. Networking within hospitals and clinics can also open doors for future employment opportunities.
International PA Internships: A Unique Opportunity
While most PA students complete internships within the U.S., international medical internships provide a rare opportunity to gain experience in global healthcare settings. Organizations offering physician assistant internships abroad allow students to work in underserved areas, treating patients with limited access to medical care.
These internships can be highly transformative for PA students, exposing them to:
- Healthcare challenges in low-resource settings.
- Medical conditions and treatments not commonly seen in the U.S..
- Community-based healthcare initiatives and preventive medicine.
Additionally, PAs working in public health settings can gain insight into broader healthcare issues, such as epidemiology, disease prevention, and health policy. Exploring public health as a medical career can help PAs develop a holistic approach to patient care.
Qualifying For A Physician Assistant Internship Program
Depending on the medical facility, the requirements for an internship for a physician assistant may differ. Typically, you’d need to graduate with a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from a physician assistant program to be offered an internship. Some medical facilities may also accept students into their internship programs.
Likewise, you’d need an internship to qualify for a PA license from the state. However, some employers (hospitals, clinics, or physicians’ practices) offer internships only to licensed PAs.
As PA internship requirements vary, you should check your prospective employer’s qualifications for interns first to ascertain eligibility. Moreover, there are physician assistant internship opportunities all over the world.
Getting your internship abroad can be very rewarding. You’ll have the chance to observe medical professionals in rural towns or other locations. You’ll also see first-hand how they treat patients despite inadequate facilities and treatment options.
You can also take advantage of opportunities to volunteer in community outreach programs some organizations offer. You can help teach proper hygiene to local communities, spend time in orphanages, and take part in health education in local communities. You can also build your professional network and gain valuable healthcare experience.
Getting Into A PA Internship Program
Becoming a PA intern is no cakewalk. You’d have to consider the relevance to your chosen career path, the type of mentors, and other factors. However, a critical consideration for a PA intern is the opportunity to work directly with doctors and patients.
Experience in providing primary healthcare to patients is essential to a PA’s job description. Additionally, if the opportunity is there, an internship abroad wouldn’t look bad on your resumé.
Experience in working with patients and doctors will prepare you for high-pressure situations. With more experience, you’ll be more confident and sure-footed during emergencies.
An internship is undoubtedly an excellent way of getting immersed in the nuts and bolts of your chosen profession – but how do you go about looking for a PA internship?
Below are a few suggestions:
1. Seek Assistance From Your School’s Career Department
The first one you should approach is your school. Your school’s career department or one of your professors might have something for you. Educational and medical institutions usually assist students needing internships.
You’ll most likely be able to choose from several options. In such a case, your advisers will base their internship recommendations on your professional goals and educational background.
2. Ask For Recommendations From Your Supervising Physician
You can also ask your primary care physician directly about student PA internships. If there aren’t any offers, inquire about a referral to other medical facilities. There may not be any assurance that they can take the time to mentor you, but it’s still worth asking.
3. Request Referrals From Family and Friends
If your physician can’t offer an internship, you can ask the people you know. They might know someone or somewhere where an internship is available. You could also ask your classmates if they know a PA or anyone who can point you in the right direction.
4. Use the Internet
A great place to look for PA internships is online. Type ‘available physician assistant internship’ on your search engine. Check the results and pick a program suited to you.
You can also find and join online groups or forums that can assist you. These online groups can be a great help to people in your situation.
5. Widen Your Search – Go Global
You can apply for internship programs in places such as East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean that need medical professionals like you the most. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn about various procedures and treatments under conditions that are different from what you’ve gotten used to.
Final Thoughts
Physician assistants are licensed patient care providers who work under licensed physicians. They undergo internshipsto further their training and gain valuable experience in the medical field.
Getting into an internship program might not be easy, but the suggestions discussed here, if you’re looking for one, may be of help.
