PA News Update!!!!

                                Happened Last Month!

On Tuesday, March 27, the Pennsylvania House passed House Bills 1832 and 1833, legislation that would eliminate the state’s co-signature requirement, allow PAs to sign any form a physician can and allow PAs to begin practicing after filing a practice agreement with the appropriate state board of medicine. Determining co-signature policy at the practice or facility level is one of AAPA’s Six Key Elements of a Modern PA Practice Act.

Modernizing the PA Practice Act has been a top goal of the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants this legislative session. The legislation was unopposed and now moves to the senate.



 Nice to know that our "John Hancock" is just as equalivent as our Supervising Physicians!

Never Give Up!!.....Here Is Why!

                                        "Never" Give Up!

         I seriously looked at other options for my plans of life when I kept receiving denial letters from programs I thought I would "at least" get an interview with.   I applied last year 11' July and within 2 wks received a denial letter. Those letters kept coming until the end of January...:( 

         I have never been soooo down in my life! I was looking at how I would gradually get there, because it appeared that all other schools were telling me that I wasn't good enough or something. In all actuality I knew that I was just as qualified as the accepted applicants. Even though we all have different backgrounds, I knew that I worked super hard to meet my goal...acceptance.


         I ran into a surgeon at the gym, and I told him how I did all this amazing stuff, and I kept receiving denial letters. His comment was, "they are looking for someone older and mature, your so young and they see that. Also, If I had to go back again I would just be a nurse and travel. He said PA's don't get paid enough to do the work they do." In my head... I know I'm 22, but what I've accomplished already takes a great level of maturity such as being a Basic Life Support Instructor and presenting to PA's, MD's, and Nurse Case Managers to help instill patient centered care!?! I've already worked hard and placed what was in my heart on the line to accomplish these obstacles to get closer to acceptance....I have to keep pushing through."

         I think it's so funny how Life can attempt to steer you off the beatin path, and at this point I put sooo much work into strengthening my weaknesses, and fortifying the best of myself.  I couldn't take his opinion because I had 20/20 vision......seeing opportunity in the challenge.

                                   My Method To The Madness!!

         I want everyone to know that it takes only 2 days, to become a BLS Instructor. Become one and start teaching a little bit.  You make your own schedule and can set your own rate for students. Honestly, I didn't even charge my students, I did it for FREE! They saved anywhere from $20 to $80's. The picture was much larger in my mind, and I was not there to make money, but improve upon my confidence, and build presentation skills.  This is obviously a great way to build upon your communication skills. The ability to articulate and grow stronger within by standing in front of people. I told myself that if I really want to become a PA, I want to be able to articulate and be an effective communicator. This what they are looking for anyway during the interview, and future practitioner.  Check out your local community college for course listings and become one now!

         Become an EMT or something that allows PAID patient contact. Volunteering is good because you can scope out PA's to shadow and learn from. However, this is not going to get you the validity you need on your application. It has to be paid. I almost forgot....do not work for a 24hr service. This is the main reason my GPA suffered in the first 3 semesters of undergrad. If they are 24hr shifts, fit in only 1-2 shifts/wk. It could be a hindrance to your ability to study and make those A's we attempt to strive for, especially if your a full time student at a University taking those tougher science courses.

         Look at your local community college continuing education page and search for health care courses. There  should be some small classes you can take, such as basic EKG interpretation, Phlebotomy basic/advanced, tough situations in health care, BLS Instructor course, etc.  Take these small courses that are 8 hrs/ 2 days..mostly just 1 day courses. These little certificates can add up when your standing next to the other person if you know what I mean. 

         If anyone has any questions please don't hesitate, I know YOU can achieve acceptance, my GPA was a 3.2 overall, it was my attitude that made my altitude!  Also, a touch from GOD! IN HIS NAME SAKE>>>>AMEN!!

One Word: ACCEPTED!!

         A true blessing from the HEAVENS! 4 doors closed, and 1 opened. I only had one interview and I apparently blew it up! I've been accepted and start in August.  This is a testiment to what persistance and hard work can result in.  I know the research that I did prior to the interview was a contributing factor, becuase I felt I set myself apart from the other applicants.  Please, if there is anyone out there that believes they cannot get in to PA school, or has doubts, just keep your chin up becuase GOD has a plan.......
                         " If you give up by defeat, then you give up on GOD" -anonymous

    Upon putting in my application last July I had already recieved a denial letter in 2 wks, I continued to recieve denial letters up to this past Jan.  I only had 1 interview, and I did everything I could to make sure that I was on point with current events, the background of the school, the staff, and most importantly the history of the profession.  During the interview I made sure to ask questions such as: What do you think of Karen Bass being the first PA to inducted into congress in 2010? Or What do you consider a strength of your program? Or What do you think about the recent passing of the Hospice Access Care Act?

      Questions and proactiveness is YOUR ammo, and knowone can take that from you! Use it to your advantage and show them that you want to be there. Make sure to shake hands and make eye contact with every faculty member there you can.  I left my interviews with a hand shake everytime. When the 4 hr interview was over and we were walking out I WAS THE ONLY APPLICANT TO SHAKE THE HAND OF THE "PA-C' WHO WAS WATCHING US THE LONGEST THROUGHTOUT THE INTERVIEW PROCESS!  I seriously looked back as I was leading the line of 8 applicants, and knowone shook her hand on the way out. During the group interview, I was the ONLY one to shake hands with the faculty member who interviewed.

      Shaking hands is a small part of the puzzle, but show them that you want to be there, and you want to be a PA by sharing with them what you already know!

         "  Failing to plan, means planning to fail "

PA News Update!!

 

         Check It Out!!

         This is what I mentioned during my interview, and this info could set you apart from the other applicants your competing with. Stay UTD! Up-To-Date!!

 

AAPA Welcomes Bill to Increase Access to Hospice Care

2012-01-26

Alexandria, Va. – The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) welcomes the introduction of a bill, submitted today, allowing physician assistants (PAs) to provide hospice service to Medicare beneficiaries.
Reps. Lee Terry (R-NE) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) introduced HR 3831, the Medicare Hospice Care Access Act, on January 25 on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.
AAPA President Robert Wooten commended Reps. Terry and Thompson, and said that if approved, the bill would remove a significant practice barrier for PAs and increase access to quality health care for those relying on Medicare.
“If physician assistants cannot provide hospice care for their terminally ill Medicare patients, then an undue burden falls on the patient to find alternative care. We cannot deny patients access to their ‘medical home’ at a time when they are the most vulnerable,” Wooten said.
For many Medicare beneficiaries, PAs’ inability to provide hospice care disrupts continuity of care at a time when the patient is vulnerable, forcing families to seek an alternative healthcare professional to manage this important end-of-life services.
Currently, federal law prohibits PAs from providing hospice care to beneficiaries, even though it is allowed by state law. The 1997 Balanced Budget Act made it clear that medical services provided by PAs, as allowed by state law, are covered by Medicare in all settings at a uniform rate. Unfortunately, the former Health Care Services Administration (now the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) determined that the PA Medicare provisions in the Act did not apply to hospice care. As a result, PAs are not allowed to provide hospice care for their patients, forcing families to seek alternative health professionals to provide and manage hospice care services at a time when their attention should be directed toward their family member needing that care.
Wooten said that AAPA will continue to actively build support for the bill.





" Knowledge is Power"

My Interview Superbowl Update!!!

BOOM!

         Sorry for the delay on the update of my interview.   I must say though, that I'm super excited about how it unfolded. I took a nice 8 hr drive to a program in Ohio, and brought with me plenty of ammo to knock down the interview.  I walked out of the place feeling like a million bucks. Let's go into how it began...:)

         "I walked into the lobby of the 4th floor, and seen I was there early, with only one other applicant sitting in a sofa chair. I greeted her and we sat talking about the weather. "

         "Next thing you know there are 8 of us sitting in the lobby and we all spoke about hobbies we were into, and where we came from. Utah was the longest adventurer."

         "Then the PA advisor came in to greet us, as well as the Director, they gave us the green light, and it was GAME ON!!!"

        "We went into a conference room that was pleasantly decorated, and as my luck always speaks for itself I was the 1st of 3 individual interviews."

        "As it turns out they never had 6 males in there interview group before, but I was ready to rumble, and as I sat down with my female interviewer she was in my eyes a very nice,  and well spoken women, and placed me at ease. You know what the 1st question was?!? hahaha you could guess!! WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A PA! Imagin that! Of course I crushed that question!"

        "She asked me about clinical experience and what hobbies I enjoyed. It was a very relaxing experience, and we never did stop speaking until the clock ran out, I surfed down the hall to the second individual interview. This gentleman was a doctor in the university, and came off as a reserved individual. He asked me where I started, and I thought of it as a very open question...haha, so I told him about how I first picked up an interest in the PA occupation to how I further became dedicated. Like a timeline approach.  I emphasized how I chose credentials that would further my abilities as a PA student, and the experiences I've had that would fortify my acceleration throughout the program. "

        "He then asked why their program?! I was ready for this, and I began to speak about the program in it's infancy, an how they have a director who has been committed to the program since then, about the diversity of their staff, about the financial possibilities such as grants and scholarships that are available, and more. I found all of the information on their website, and this was part of intensive preparation that really showed outwardly to this interviewer, or so I felt."

         "I even used an investigator strategy, and learned a little about each facility member so I could ask them questions about there interests. It takes them off guard because I would ask them something specific in their background before they even told us about themselves.  I was thinking that this is going to leave an impression. After all, I'm fighting for 4.5 students just for one seat in the program. They are accepting 40 students this year, and their interviews are running in upwards of 180. So divide 40 into 180 and you get how many students your fighting against for a seat! Competetive!

         So if anyone has questions just let me know, and I'll give my best input. There is a lot more to my interview, but I feel like I could write a novel or a short story. Actually I think that would productive actually. We also had a group interview, and which consisted of a quesion and answer session. It was enjoyable overall, and the best advice that I can give is to be up to date on current events in the PA occupation. I asked the interviewing PA's about health care reform, and how that is going to impact the proffesion. I spoke about the recent Hospice Care Access Act, and how she felt about the first PA to be inducted into congress. There is ample firepower out there to set yourself apart from other applicants during an interview. Do your absolute best to do so by gaining knowledge about the profession! To your success, I will catch you all on the flip side!

" I told them not to measure me by my academic potential, because invested in me isn't potential energy, it's kinetic, an accelerated force to become a PA-C!"

       

         

PA News Update!

                                                                  PA News Update!!!

            PAEA Past President Kevin Lohenry and Government Relations Director Athena Abdullah were invited to participate in events, on January 9 and 10, as part of the Joining Forces Initiative of First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, designed to help service members, veterans, and their families. The events included a roundtable at the White House, where the First Lady spoke about the importance of our commitment to train students and clinicians to provide health care for veterans. Check out the rest of the story on: paeaonline.org!


         It's awesome that AAPA president Robert Wooten was also there to accomdate such actions. My goal is to begin a career in Navy as a PA-C. Glad to hear there is an emphasis on taking intiatives for our Veterans!

My Superbowl Has Been Scheduled On February 15th!

My Interview Is Only A Week Away!

         Have I lost some sleep over this opportunity?! Yes! I want it to come so fast so I can prove to them I am a future PA-C! haha These are some of my most recent thought's about the interview:

                      "In Spongebob voice: I'm readeh! I'm readeh! I'm readeh! haha"

                                               "Finally the moment I've been waiting for!"  

                               "I'm not driving a 16hr round trip to not get accepted haha" 

          

                             " See the ball, hit the ball"     "I have worked very hard to get to this point"

"Although I don't trully don't know the outcome of this, I still see myself as a future PA-C regardless"

          " I have to be realistic, I may not get accepted, but I'm going in there as if I already am "

  " During my interview I AM going to be cool, calm, collective, and exude professialism "

 " I want to ensure the committee than I'm not just an applicant, but I'm Michael Hill future PA-C"

      "I wonder if there are going to be any written tests?!?"  " Will the interview be hard!?!?"

                                               " I will NEVER buckle under pressure" 

         I think the last thought was a bit heavily stated, but when you THINK and FEEL a certain way your actions typically reflect in the same manner. It's pure statistics, when you say you won't get in, then you WON'T!   There is one thing that I will say, I'm going to try my best!

" If the occupation and I were meant to be together, starting February 15th, I'll have to change the weather. "