Additional Info for PA Students
Competencies for the PA Profession
Competencies for the PA Profession resulted from a collaborative effort by the National Commission on Certification of PAs (NCCPA), Accreditation Review Commission for Education of the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), and the American Academy of PAs (AAPA). This document contains a set of basic competencies that all PAs are expected to acquire, develop and maintain throughout their chosen career. The professional competencies discuss the categories of medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, patient care, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice. This document should be read for further understanding of the life-long competencies expected from all PAs. This document may be accessed at: https://www.nccpa.net/resources/competencies-for-the-physician-assistant-profession/
NCCPA Task Areas
The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is the regulatory body for preparation and administration of the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) exam. The Task areas include knowledge and cognitive skills areas that are identified as important to PA practice. The didactic and clinical phase curriculum is designed to ensure exposure to each of these vital task areas which include: history taking and performing physical examinations, using laboratory and diagnostic studies, formulating most likely diagnosis, health maintenance, clinical intervention, pharmaceutical therapeutics, applying basic science concepts, and professional practice. For a more detailed description regarding the knowledge and cognitive skills for each of the above areas, please review the information at the following link: https://www.nccpa.net/ExamsContentBPTasks
NCCPA Organ System Disease List
The NCCPA also maintains a list of organ systems that serve as a guide of diseases, disorders, and medical assessments that provide a basis for examination preparation. The didactic and clinical phase curriculum is designed to ensure exposure across all organ systems to include the majority of the specific entities outlined in this detailed listing. The following provides a link to the full document and should be read for further understanding of the depth and breadth of knowledge that will be expected during the didactic and clinical phase of the Program as well as for life-long learning as a graduate. https://www.nccpa.net/ExamsContentBPOrgans
National Medical Challenge Bowl
PA programs from across the country will face off at this high-energy medical quiz competition coordinated by the Student Academy of AAPA. During the AAPA Forum, PA programs will bring their school spirit and cheer on their team as they compete to be the next Challenge Bowl champion. For more information, please see the web site https://www.aapa.org/conference/special-events/national- medical-challenge-bowl/. Students will be allowed to attend the National Conference and participate in the National Medical Challenge Bowl/SAAAPA activities.
Professional Associations and Regulatory Bodies
American Academy of PAs (AAPA)
The American Academy of PAs (AAPA) is the national professional organization of PAs. Its membership includes graduate and student PAs as well as affiliate membership for physicians and PA educators. The Academy provides a wide range of services for its members from representation before federal & state governments & health related organizations, public education, pamphlets and brochures, insurance and financial programs, and employment assistance. Students will be provided a student membership through the Program. Membership will last from matriculation until four months after graduation.
Please see the AAPA Web site at www.aapa.org for services and benefits.
Indiana Academy of Physician Assistants (IAPA)
The Indiana Academy of Physician Assistants (IAPA) is a state constituent Chapter of the AAPA. The state Physician Assistant Society works in concert with the national American Academy of PAs to further issues concerning all PAs.
Student membership is available in the IAPA. Students are strongly encouraged to join the IAPA. Membership benefits include reduced student rate for the state conference, eligibility to become a student member on the IAPA board and eligibility for a scholarship. Please see the IAPA Web site at http://www.indianapas.org/ for further information.
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
All graduates of PA Programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) are eligible to sit for the national boards offered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
The NCCPA offers the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) exam. PANCE is a 300-question, multiple-choice exam that is prerequisite for licensure in all states. This examination is being offered 50 weeks out of the year and is administered in a computer-generated format.
Please see the NCCPA Web site at www.nccpa.net for further information.
State Licensure
Most states require registration through the State Board of Medical Licensure prior to the start of employment. Students are encouraged to check with the specific State Board of Medicine for current requirements and an application.