Physician Assistant Studies - Midwestern University - Downers Grove

Physician Assistant Studies from Midwestern University - Downers Grove is a Campus Master Health Aide degree that prepares you for a Healthcare career. Program Description Midwestern University\\\'s Master of Medical Science (M.M.S.) in Physician Assistant Studies is a continuous, full-time program extending 27 months from matriculation to graduation. The professional curriculum offers students the opportunity to earn a graduate degree and satisfy the eligibility requirements for the Physician Assistant (PA) national certifying examination. The maximum allotted time for completion of this program is 40.5 months. The roles and specific clinical duties and responsibilities that graduates can expect to experience will likely vary depending on their chosen career path. PA Program graduates are expected to have the ability to competently perform patient histories and physicals, gather pertinent patient data, order and interpret diagnostic studies, recognize common diseases and disorders, choose appropriate therapeutic modalities, perform surgical procedures, manage emergency life-threatening conditions, promote health through counseling, education, and disease prevention, and demonstrate interpersonal skills consistent with the physician assistant role. The didactic coursework includes 12 months of basic science coursework in anatomy, biochemistry, neuroscience, physiology, pharmacology, immunology, genetics, and microbiology. It also includes clinical coursework in clinical medicine, behavioral medicine, professional issues, and interpretation of the medical literature. During the remaining 15 months, students are required to rotate through eight core clinical rotations and two elective clinical rotations, in addition to completing advanced clinical medicine courses and a capstone project. The second-year clinical program is primarily delivered at affiliated clinical sites and facilities within the Chicago metropolitan area. These sites are geographically and demographically diverse, reflecting the broad scope of practice opportunities that exist for PAs in the health care delivery system of this country. Sites include ambulatory practice settings, small and large office-based group practices, community health centers, in-patient settings involving large and small hospitals as well as federal and state facilities. These sites are in urban, suburban, and rural communities. In addition, the Program has established formal affiliations with clinical facilities and practitioners in a number of other states. As part of the clinical education phase of the program, students enrolled in the PA Program will likely be assigned to clinical rotations that reflect this patient and demographic diversity. No advanced placement within the physician assistant program is allowed for prior academic, clinical or life experience. The Program discourages students from outside employment while attending Midwestern University and will not make any exceptions in didactic or clinical workload for any student who chooses to engage in outside employment. The PA Program does not offer an extended course of study beyond the usual length of the program. See the Midwestern University Catalog for additional University, College, and Program policies which pertain to Physician Assistant students. Mission The mission of the Midwestern University Physician Assistant Program is to provide an educational environment that enables individuals to become competent and compassionate physician assistants who possess the clinical skills to make meaningful contributions to the evolving health care needs of the patients they will serve. The Program also seeks to stimulate involvement in the physician assistant profession by encouraging participation and leadership in local, state, and national organizations. Definition and Role of a Physician Assistant (approved by the American Academy of Physician Assistants\\\' House of Delegates, 2005) \\\"Physician Assistants are health professionals licensed or, in the case of those employed by the federal government, credentialed, to practice medicine with physician supervision. Physician assistants are qualified by graduation from an accredited physician assistant educational program and/or certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants . Within the physician-PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. The clinical role of physician assistants includes primary and specialty care in medical and surgical practice settings in rural and urban areas. Physician assistant practice is centered on patient care and may include educational, research, and administrative activities.\\\" Career Opportunities Primary care, surgery, medical and surgical specialties, emergency medicine, behavioral medicine, others View more details on Midwestern University - Downers Grove, IL . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Health Aide courses.