Mayo School of Health Sciences
www.mayo.edu
Physician Assistant Internship
Physician Assistant Internship
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Students enrolled in Physician Assistant baccalaureate or master’s programs at our affiliated education institutions complete their clinical experience or internship at Mayo Clinic or other practice sites as part of their education.
This internship gives physician assistant students the hands-on clinical experience they need in a health-care setting with a diverse patient population.
ACCREDITATION
Mayo Foundation is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Higher Learning Commission.
Higher Learning Commission
30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400 Chicago, IL 60602-2504 (800) 621-7440 (312) 263-0456 Fax: (312) 263-7462 www.ncacihe.org AFFILIATED INSTITUTION(S)
To participate in the Mayo School of Health Sciences’ Physician Assistant Internship at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, you must be enrolled in a PA program at one of the following affiliate academic institutions:
South University
709 Mall Boulevard Savannah, GA 31406 (912) 201-8027
Nova Southeastern University
3301 College Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314 (954) 262-1279
University of Washington
MEDEX Northwest
4311-11th Avenue NE, Suite 200 Seattle, WA 98105
University of Florida PO Box 100176 Gainesville, FL 32610-0176 (352) 392-7955 King’s College 133 River Street Wilkes Barre, PA 18701 (888) 546-4772
For more information or to enroll in a Mayo Clinic-affiliated Physician Assistant Internship, please contact one of our affiliated education partners.
FACILITIES
Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville was established in 1986 as a comprehensive medical facility in the southeastern United States, where advanced programs in education and research support the highest-quality patient care.
Campus activity is centered around the interconnected Davis, Mayo and Cannaday buildings. The campus has modern education facilities,
including classrooms, lecture halls, an extensive library and computer lab. The state-of-the-art Birdsall Medical Research Building allows researchers to investigate neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The Griffin Cancer Research Building allows researchers to investigate cancer as part of the Mayo Comprehensive Cancer Center.
St. Luke’s Hospital, located a few miles from the clinic, provides essential clinical care experiences for students and trainees. It is a modern 289-bed facility with operating rooms, transplant and epilepsy units, and
advanced cardiac and neurosurgery facilities. The Griffin Cancer
Research Building was completed in 2001 to support Mayo’s many cancer studies. Plans also are under way to build a new Mayo Clinic hospital on the Jacksonville campus.
GRADUATION AND CERTIFICATION
Upon successful completion of your Physician Assistant Program, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from Mayo School of Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. After completing your internship and final examination, you will also graduate from your college or university, receiving your Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Master of Science (M.S.) degree in physician assistant studies.
Graduates are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on
HOURS
For the majority of the internship, your learning schedule will include eight-hour days, five days per week.
CLASS SIZE
Each year, Mayo School of Health Sciences admits 10 to 15 students in its Physician Assistant Internship at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. This ensures you will receive a comprehensive educational experience with close one-on-one instruction.
Curriculum
The Physician Assistant Program is offered by the affiliated college or university providing your degree program. Your college/university program directors will determine and develop the course work and laboratory experiences for the program and make arrangements for clinical rotations.
Your rotations at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville may include physician assistant experiences in:
• General Surgery • Emergency Medicine • Orthopedics • Internal Medicine • Transplant Medicine GRADING OR EVALUATION
Evaluation of student performance in each rotation includes the preceptor’s evaluation of clinical performance.
Successful completion of all clinical rotations, program seminars, activities and the program final exam is required for graduation. • Mayo School of Health Sciences uses evaluative tools that include: • Demonstration of skills
• Self-assessment exercises • Faculty reviews
Our system of evaluation provides students and faculty with a comprehensive look at individual performance.
CURRICULUM ENHANCEMENTS
Mayo School of Health Sciences is committed to developing and
maintaining the very best education programs. Changes may be made to the curriculum and other aspects of this program as necessary to assure the highest-quality training.
Faculty
TEACHING FACULTY
Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville has a dedicated team that educates, supervises and mentors our physician assistant interns during their rotations.
Your instructors are trained physicians and physician assistants. They are chosen for their commitment to teaching as well as their medical
expertise. You will have direct access to these individuals throughout your training program.
VISITING PROFESSORS/LECTURERS
A hallmark of higher education excellence is the breadth and depth of information and experience provided students by the faculty and visiting experts. Many prominent professors visit Mayo Clinic to lecture on their areas of medical and scientific expertise each year. As a student of Mayo School of Health Sciences, you are encouraged to attend all conferences, lectures and seminars prepared for students, residents, fellows and consulting staff.
Admissions
PREREQUISITES
If you are enrolled in an affiliated physician assistant program, you are eligible to participate in the internship (clinical rotations) of the program at Mayo Clinic by making arrangements through your college program director.
You must successfully complete the required preprofessional and professional college course work, as stipulated by your college or university, before you are eligible to complete the internship.
POLICIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following Mayo School of Health Sciences’ policies affect applications and admissions to its programs:
English fluency
Fluency in written and spoken English is essential to succeed in the program and to ensure patient safety. If English is a second language, you must be able to demonstrate fluency. Satisfactory performance on the Test of English as a Foreign Language examination or the Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency must be documented as proof of fluency. Your test results must be less than two years old.
Immunization record
For the protection of patients, students and employees, and in compliance with state regulations, Mayo Clinic requires students to be properly immunized. You must show proof of the following immunizations before you begin a program at Mayo School of Health Sciences:
• Tuberculin test in the past six months • Varicella, rubella and rubeola immunity • Up-to-date diphtheria and tetanus shots • Hepatitis B vaccination or signed declaration
Documentation of vaccinations must be provided to Mayo Employee Health Service prior to the start of class.
Health status
Students completing clinical rotations or internships at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville must provide proof of immunization and have successfully completed a health review prior to being appointed to one of our internship positions.
Medical insurance
Students must have medical insurance coverage during their program. Evidence of medical coverage must be provided when your educational program begins.
Background check
Prospective students must pass a criminal background check and/or drug screening required by state laws, prior to enrollment to Mayo School of Health Sciences.
Student responsibilities
Mayo School of Health Sciences students are expected to attend all scheduled classes, examinations and assigned clinical rotations unless absence is approved.
Students are required to exhibit professional and ethical conduct at all times and adhere to MSHS and Mayo Clinic policies.
Equal opportunity
Mayo School of Health Sciences upholds all federal and state laws that preclude discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or veteran’s status.
TECHNICAL STANDARDS
Mayo School of Health Sciences accepts students who are highly qualified for its programs. To be considered for admittance you should exhibit strong qualifications for the health profession you wish to pursue. Applicants to programs must possess the following qualities: • Critical thinking skills
• Sound judgment
• Emotional stability and maturity • Empathy for others
• Physical and mental stamina
• Ability to learn, integrate, analyze and synthesize data
• Ability to process information consistently, quickly and accurately • Ability to function in a variety of settings
In addition to the qualities described above, you will be assessed for: • Observation, communication and motor function
• Intellectual-conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities • Behavioral and social attributes
• Tactical and somatic sensation • Functional use of vision and hearing
Diagnostic equipment and tools may provide technological compensation for some disabilities, but the candidate should be able to perform in an independent manner.
Although PAs usually work in comfortable, well-lighted environments, those in surgery often stand for long periods, and others do considerable walking. Schedules vary according to practice setting, and often depend
on the hours of the supervising physician. The workweek of PAs in physicians’ offices may include weekends, night hours, or early morning hospital rounds to visit patients. PAs also may be on call. PAs in clinics often work a 40-hour week.
You must be able to perform the essential functions of the profession and meet the standards of the curriculum. Students seeking exceptions to these standards or reasonable accommodations should initiate their request with the program’s director.
Application Process
POSITIONS
Each year, 10 to 15 students are accepted to complete their Physician Assistant Internship at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville on a competitive basis.
HOW TO APPLY
Our affiliate schools process the admissions and applications for their Physician Assistant programs and work with students to plan their internship (clinical rotations).
Step 1: Rotating students are required to complete a Mayo School of
Health Sciences’ Clinical Rotation Application and sign a statement of confidentiality prior to beginning the rotation.
Step 2: The Mayo School of Health Sciences’ Education Committee
reviews and approves the applications and works directly with the affiliate school to place those students accepted.
Tuition & Financial Aid
PROGRAM COSTS
Tuition rates are determined by, and paid to, the college or university at which you are enrolled.
Mayo School of Health Sciences charges no additional fees for the Physician Assistant Internship.
You are responsible for your living accommodations and transportation. You may hold outside employment during the program, if it does not conflict with your program responsibilities.
Physician Assistant Career Overview
FIELD DESCRIPTION
Physician assistants (PAs) provide diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive health-care services under the supervision of physicians.
Working as members of the health-care team, PAs take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and X-rays, make diagnoses and prescribe medications. They also treat minor injuries by suturing, splinting and casting. PAs record progress notes, instruct and counsel patients, and order or carry out therapy.
Physician assistants may be the principal care providers in rural or inner city clinics, where a physician is present for only one or two days each week. In such cases, the PA confers with the supervising physician and other medical professionals as needed or as required by law. PAs also may make house calls or go to hospitals and nursing homes to check on patients and report back to the physician.
Many PAs work in primary care areas, such as family medicine, general internal medicine and pediatrics . Others work in specialty areas, such as general and thoracic surgery, emergency medicine, orthopedics and geriatrics. PAs specializing in surgery provide preoperative and postoperative care, and may work as first or second assistants during major surgery. PAs also may supervise technicians and assistants. The duties of physician assistants are determined by the supervising physician and by state law. For example, in most of the United States and the District of Columbia, physician assistants are licensed to prescribe medications. Physician assistants should not be confused with medical assistants, who perform clinical and administrative clerical tasks.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Employment opportunities are excellent for physician assistants,
particularly in areas or settings that have difficulty attracting physicians, such as rural and inner-city clinics. Employment of PAs is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2010, due to anticipated expansion of the health services industry and an emphasis on cost containment.
Today, more than 45,000 PAs are working across the United States. With the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 48 percent increase in the number of jobs available for PAs through 2008, the job market for PAs is strong in much of the country.
Physicians and institutions are expected to employ more PAs to provide primary care and to assist with medical and surgical procedures because PAs are cost-effective, productive members of the health-care team. Physician assistants can relieve physicians of routine duties and procedures. Telemedicine - using technology to facilitate interactive consultations between physicians and physician assistants - also will expand the use of physician assistants.
Besides the traditional office-based setting, PAs should find a growing number of jobs in institutional settings, such as hospitals, academic medical centers, public clinics and prisons.
In addition, state-imposed legal limitations on the numbers of hours worked by physician residents are increasingly common and encourage hospitals to use PAs to supply some physician resident services.
Opportunities will be best in states that allow PAs a wider scope of practice.
EARNING POTENTIAL
According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants, median income for physician assistants in full-time clinical practice in 2000 was $65,177; median income for first-year graduates was $56,977. Income varies by specialty, practice setting, geographical location and years of experience.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Visit the following Web sites to learn more about physician assistants: • American Academy of Physician Assistants Information Center
(www.aapa.org/)
• Association of Physician Assistant Programs (www.apap.org/) • National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
Program Contacts
For an application form or more information about the Physician Assistant Internship at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, please contact:
Kate Ray, Enrollment and Student Services Director
(507) 266-4077 (800) 626-9041 Fax: (507) 284-0656
E-mail: mshsenrollment@mayo.edu Or
Nell Robinson, Physician Assistant Internship Program Education Administrator
(904) 953-2753 Fax: (904) 953-2954
E-mail: robinson.nell@mayo.edu
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Mayo School of Health Sciences Siebens Medical Education Building 11 200 First Street SW
Rochester, MN 55905
You can also request more information on education programs offered by Mayo School of Health Sciences.
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