If you enjoy helping care for the sick, you should probably become a physician assistant. Taking up a PA course in a school in Arkansas will foster your career in the healthcare industry and bring a rewarding salary. You must attend Arkansas’s best and most accredited PA school for your certificate to be valid. We have them outlined here.
Arkansas is a state in the south-central region of the United States, home to more than three million people. It houses some of the best and most accredited Physician Assistant schools you can study in.
Although Arkansas may not be a prevalent state, the schools here are top-notch. PA courses bring about an exciting career where you get to help the needy.
We have a lot in stock, why don’t you relax and read on? This article will provide all the necessary answers you need to attend the best-accredited Physician assistant PA schools in Arkansas successfully.
Here is an overview of all this article will cover.
Table of contents
- What Is Physician Assistant PA?
- Why Should I Study Physician Assistant PA In Arkansas?
- How Long Is a PA School In Arkansas?
- How Much Do Physician Assistants PA In Arkansas Earn?
- Can One Be Accepted Into Physician Assistant PA Schools In Arkansas Without GRE?
- Can One Be Admitted Into PA Schools In Arkansas With A Low GPA?
- Accredited Physician Assistant PA Schools In Arkansas
- CONCLUSION
- FAQS On Best Accredited PA Schools in Arkansas
- REFERENCES
- RECOMMENDATION
What Is Physician Assistant PA?
Many countries term physician assistant different things. For instance, in the United Kingdom, they are known as physician associates and Physician assistants in the United States and Canada.
A physician assistant is an advanced practitioner of medicine. Their practice may be autonomous or independent depending on the law of the state he practices in.
According to Medicinenet, a physician assistant (PA) is a mid-level medical practitioner who works under the supervision of a licensed doctor (an MD) or osteopathic physician (a DO).
Although the physician need not be present when the PA performs his or her duties, there must be a method of contact between the supervising physician and the PA at all times.
In addition, PAs can practice in virtually all medical and surgical specialties, including surgeries. They have to be trained and supervised adequately, provided they are appropriately trained and supervised.
Furthermore, PA training programs are accredited by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Responsibilities Of A PA
Having explained who a PA is, we need to define his responsibilities. This will help students get a grip on what they are expected to do after their studies. We will list a few of them.
The responsibilities and duties of a physician assistant PA include the following:
- They review Medical histories and conduct physical examinations
- Diagnose illness, develop and manage a treatment plan
- PAs prescribe medications and often serve as a patient’s principal healthcare provider.
- PAs Order tests to ascertain the nature and extent of illnesses and injuries.
- Also, they administer immunizations.
Why Should I Study Physician Assistant PA In Arkansas?
We already know that the PA profession is a highly respected career. Their duties are so intertwined with that of a physician. But why should you study PA in Arkansas? We have a few answers below;
Studying in Arkansas provides that fun away from the fast-paced environments you have previously been at. PAs are generally in the medical setting. Every state in the US has a high affinity for medical personnel. That is to say; a job is available for you upon graduation.
Due to the increasing demand for medical practitioners, PAs also have an increased salary.
Furthermore, the study time is less than an average physician’s. Although it is about 23-28 months, you must already earn a bachelor’s degree.
You Can Read Best Accredited PA Programs In Ohio | Cost, Schools, Requirements
How Long Is a PA School In Arkansas?
To study PA in Arkansas, you must already have your bachelor’s degree.
With a bachelor’s degree, you study for about 28 months. The successful completion of this PA program will lead you to a master’s in physician assistant.
Do you remember when we said earlier that for a PA to undertake some jobs like plastic surgery, he has to undergo added training? Well, the master in PA provides such added training and may even give room for specialization, depending on the school involved.
How Much Do Physician Assistants PA In Arkansas Earn?
We know that physician assistants are mid-level medical personnel working with physicians in clinics and hospitals.
The average salary of a Physician Assistant in Arkansas is $99,105 as of May 28, 2024, but the range typically falls between $91,226 and $109,264.
Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the years you have spent in your profession.
According to physicianassistantedu.org, the average annual statewide salary is $82,140.
What Types of Procedures Are PAs Trained To Perform?
PAs are trained to perform many types of procedures. Here are some examples:
- Venipuncture
- Splinting/ Casting
- IV Access
- Urinalysis & Microscopy
- Arterial Puncture
- Wet Prep Analysis
- Surgical Drain Placement & Removal
- Urinary Catheter Placement
- Shave, Punch, and Excisional Biopsy
- Suturing & Stapling
- Incision & Drainage
- Bursal & Joint Injections
- Lumbar Puncture
- Central Line Placement
- Nasogastric Tube Placement
- Chest Tube Insertion
- Thoracentesis
- Intradermal, Subcutaneous, and Intramuscular injections
In What Areas of Medicine and Surgery Can PAs Practice?
Students who attended PA schools can practice in many areas of medicine, including;
- Family Practice
- General Surgery
- Internal Medicine
- CT Surgery & Vascular
- Pediatric Medicine
- Transplant Services
- Women’s Health
- Plastic Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic Medicine
- Critical Care
- Behavioral Medicine
- Pathology
- Cardiology
- Radiology
- Dermatology
- Pain Management
- Endocrinology
- Sleep Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Interventional Radiology
- Neurology
- Hyperbaric Medicine
- Pulmonology
- Academic Medicine
- Hematology/ Oncology
- Occupational Medicine
- Rheumatology
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Disease
- Nephrology
- ENT
- Urology
- Urgent Care
What Career Opportunities Are Available For PAs?
We will list most of the careers available below;
- Physician Solo or Group Office
- Industrial Work Sites
- Hospital
- Armed Forces
- Community Health Center
- Dept of Veteran Affairs
- Surgical Center
- Indian Health Service
- Nursing Home
- Public Health
- Long-Term Care Facility
- Federal Government
- Home Health Agency
- Medical Staffing Agency
- Hospice
- International Medicine
- Correctional Facility
- Health Care Management
- Clinical Research
- Medical Education
- Medical Sales
How Do I Become a Physician Assistant in Arkansas?
The process of how to become a physician assistant in Arkansas proceeds as follows,
- Qualify for an Accredited Arkansas Physician Assistant Program for Licensure
- Take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE)
- Apply for an Arkansas PA License
- Stay Current on Certification and License
We are going to explain them below.
Step 1. Qualify for an Accredited Arkansas Physician Assistant Program for Licensure
From the directives of the Arkansas State Medical Board, PAs applying for a license must have graduated from a Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA) certified program. A successor agency may also accredit the program you studied, like the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
Therefore, you must scout for a program accredited by the CAHEA and ARC-PA. Then, meet the program’s requirements.
Although PA programs all have their requirements for admission, there are some general guidelines that every prospective student should meet.
- Firstly, you must have a bachelor’s degree in any course. Although there may be exceptions to this, most schools offer PA programs as graduate courses.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- Coursework in biology, chemistry, and psychology
- Clinical experience- paid or volunteer
Although any bachelor’s degree is accepted, to shorten your study time, you can major in any course that teaches;
- Health
- Nursing
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Psychology
Step 2. Take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE)
After graduating from a PA school and applying to the Arkansas State Medical Board for a PA License, physician assistants must pass the PANCE exam.
PANCE is a five-hour exam composed of 300 multiple-choice questions costing $475. You can register online, where they will also find practice exams available for $35.
Upon passing the PANCE, you will gain the Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C) credential and can apply for state licensure.
Step 3. Apply for a License to Practice in Arkansas
To be granted a Physician assistant license, submit an application packet that contains the following:
- $90 application fee
- Criminal background check authorization
- Application for Licensure
- Sufficient explanations for past PA employment problems
- Proof of graduation from an accredited PA education program
- Additionally, it would be best if you were of good character, mentally and physically, to carry out your duty. Furthermore, you must be at least 21 years of age.
Step 4. Stay Current on Certification and Licensure
The PA license in Arkansas expires each year on the last day of your birth month. In contrast, the PA-C credential is to be renewed every two years.
The Arkansas State Medical Board will mail out renewal applications eight weeks before a PA’s license expires and must be returned with a $50 fee.
For the PA-C credential, PAs must complete 100 credits of continuing medical education (CME) every two years and pass the $350 Physician Assistant National Recertifying Examination (PANRE) once each tenth year.
Can One Be Accepted Into Physician Assistant PA Schools In Arkansas Without GRE?
The general requirement for acceptance into a PA school in Arkansas is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
However, some schools may not accept students without a GRE score. For instance, Harding University requires you to write the GRE, but no minimum score is given or expected. The admission portal states, “GRE scores should support your academic grades and demonstrate your ability to take a standardized test.”
In conclusion, Arkansas pa schools and programs require GRE scores.
Can One Be Admitted Into PA Schools In Arkansas With A Low GPA?
One of the prerequisites is already having a bachelor’s degree. While some may graduate with a high GPA, others may not.
For instance, UAMS expects students to have a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 GPA scale. This is relatively high if analyzed critically.
So, to conclude, the three best-accredited pa schools in Arkansas do not accept a low GPA.
Accredited Physician Assistant PA Schools In Arkansas
There are several Physician assistant PA schools in Arkansas.
In this article, we have written the best physician assistant pa schools in Arkansas in 2024. This is in a bid to help you in making a choice. The school links are right below it, including the map, in case you want to navigate to the school.
Below is the list of accredited physician assistant PA schools in Arkansas.
- Harding University
- University of Arkansas
- Hendrix College
You Can Check: Accredited Physician Assistant PA Schools in Virginia
Harding University
Harding University started the first-ever Pa program in Arkansas in 2005.
Its Physician Assistant Program is a 28-month graduate program leading to a Master of Science degree (M.S.) in Physician Assistant Studies.
The graduates practice in different areas of medicine, including Primary Care, Urgent and Emergent Care, Orthopedics, Dermatology, Geriatrics, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Oncology, Rheumatology, Surgery specialties, Mental Health, Urology, and Pediatrics.
US News & World Reports Best Health Care Jobs lists PAs as #2, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (April 2018) lists PAs as one of the top 20 fast-growing occupations.
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued to the Harding University Physician Assistant Program. This is given to those in compliance with accreditation standards.
This means the accreditation remains in effect until the program closes, withdraws from the accreditation process, or fails to comply with standards. The program will be revalued in September 2026.
Furthermore, the tuition for Physician Assistant students is $14,178 per semester for seven semesters. Tuition for repeated courses is $927 per semester hour.
University of Arkansas
The College of Health Professions (CHP) at the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences offers a physician assistant program at the University of Arkansas.
The mission of the UAMS Physician Assistant Program is to educate students who will practice patient-centered medicine while embracing cultural diversity, ethical integrity, professionalism, and collaboration with other healthcare team members. It is one of the best pa schools in Arkansas.
Physician Assistant PA Program runs for 28 months. They accept new students once a year in mid-May, and they finish in a little more than two years by August.
This Pa school program trains in broad areas of medicine and provides high-quality and compassionate health care.
The tuition is $61,409 for Arkansas residents and $90,809 for non-residents. This is the entire cost of the program.
Hendrix College
At Hendrix College, PA students with low GPAs may not be admitted into PA programs. However, few students are admitted with it.
A career as a Physician Assistant is increasingly appealing to many people, making entry into PA programs somewhat competitive.
In addition, the tuition is $62,310.
You can also read Accredited Physician Assistant (PA) Schools in Michigan
CONCLUSION
PA schools in Arkansas programs total four, with the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education PA Program still seeking accreditation. Hendrix college is a bit complicated because the programs are different.
This leaves us with Arkansas’s best accredited PA schools and Programs, Harding University and the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences.
In conclusion, we advise you to pick from the two best pa schools and programs to begin your journey.
FAQS On Best Accredited PA Schools in Arkansas
To become a physician assistant, you must already have a bachelor’s degree in health allied courses before enrolling for a slightly above two-year PA program.
You may wish to pursue a master’s in PA to become a specialized PA.
Physician assistants (PAs) examine patients, prescribe medicine, and order diagnostic tests.
Usually, they work under the supervision of physicians, but they can work more independently in some states, consulting with physicians only when they need help with cases.
According to https://www.physicianassistantedu.org/, the average starting salary for physician assistants in Arkansas is $82,140.
1. Qualify for Accredited Physician Assistant Programs for Licensure in Arkansas
2. Take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE)
3. Apply for licensure to the Arkansas Medical Board.
4. Maintain the Arkansas Physician Assistant License.
According to the healthcare search firm Merritt Hawkins, the demand for PAs increased more than 300 percent from 2011 to 2014.
Also, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the profession will increase by 31 percent from 2018 to 2028, the fastest average for all occupations.
The demand for PAs is so high that three-quarters receive multiple job offers upon graduation.
REFERENCES
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physician_assistant
- https://www.paschoolfinder.com/loc/arkansas/
- www.physicianassistantedu.org/arkansas/
- https://www.paschoolrequirements.com/pa-programs-in-arkansas/
- www.aapa.org/career-central/become-a-pa/
- https://healthprofessions.uams.edu/programs/physicianassistant/about-the-profession/
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