education: Bachelor’s in biology/pre-medicine, master’s in clinical gerontology from Baylor University, master’s in physician assistant studies from University of North Texas Health Science Center
title: Physician assistant
workplace: McAllen Medical Clinic
location: Dallas, TX
Eva Montes graduated from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, with a bachelor’s in biology/pre-medicine and a master’s in clinical gerontology. She also has a master’s in physician assistant studies from University of North Texas Health Science Center, in Ft. Worth, Texas.
Montes currently works for the McAllen Medical Clinic, a family practice in Dallas. She started this position in November 2003. The clinic has one physician and seven medical assistants staff members. It serves a large Hispanic population and represents many medically underserved.
Montes enjoys the autonomy of being a sole practitioner and the stability of having a supervising physician to consult with when necessary. For example, the doctor sees all new Medicare patients on their first visit and then Montes sees them for their care with necessary doctor consultation. The physician must review a percentage of Montes’ charts periodically to ensure that the quality of care is being met.
Montes says the PA profession is very versatile and flexible because one can practice in almost any setting. “The PA job market continues to increase,” she says, “and with the rising health care costs, PAs are a great fit. The PA concept is now moving to the international world and the potential and possibilities are immense. I predict the profession will continue to grow and physician assistants will become an even more integral part of the health care team.”
7:45 a.m.
In the morning Montes reviews lab and radiology results from the previous day. Upon assessing the results, the medical assistants are asked to do callbacks to the patients regarding the results or new prescriptions.
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Walk-in patients are accepted in conjunction with those with an appointment. Patient concerns range from the common cold to Well Woman exams, Well Child exams, diabetes, high blood pressure, and anything else concerning patients.
Lunchtime
Montes reviews more lab reports and then has lunch. At this time pharmaceutical companies come in to provide information on the latest studies performed and new insurance coverage of certain drugs.
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Walk-ins and appointments start again with examinations, ordering labs and other tests. Montes educates the patients regarding their health and illnesses. At times throughout the day consultations takes place with the supervising physician regarding mutual patients for clinical advice and treatment options.
After hours
On an average day the doctor and Montes both check in on patients in the hospital. The hospital rounds usually occur before or after the eight-to-five clinic hours and can take up to an hour or two depending on the patient load.
Aside from the clinic and hospital rounds, Montes also shares the after hours phone calls every third weekend. Total weekly hours average from 45-55 hours.
education: Bachelor’s of science degree in biology/allied health from Greensboro College; physician assistant certificate from Bowman Gray School of Medicine PA program
workplace: Aegis Family Health Centers, Winston Pediatrics
location: Winston, Salem, N.C.
Wilbert Dillard’s career began way back when he was only 16. He worked as a transportation aide at a hospital. “During my first few moments of work I knew that the field of medicine was where I belonged,” he recalls.
After high school, Dillard joined the Navy and served as a hospital corpsman for nine years. He then completed x-ray school and became a radiology technician. He received a certificate from the Naval School of Health Sciences in San Diego in 1977.
Upon leaving the Navy, Dillard relocated to North Carolina where he completed a bachelor’s of science degree in biology/allied health from Greensboro College in 1993. Dillard graduated from PA School at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Physician Assistant Program in 1995 and received his physician assistant certificate from Bowman Gray School of Medicine PA program in 1995.
Dillard is currently employed by Aegis Family Health Centers, Winston East Pediatrics in Winston, Salem, N.C. Read on to discover what a typical day is like for this busy physician assistant.
7:30 a.m.
Dillard arrives at the office and reviews paperwork from the previous day. He reads urine and fungal cultures and complete reports for the nurses to file. On call days he arrives at the hospital nursery between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. to do physical exams on newborn babies. He also visits with new mothers and answers any questions they may have concerning the care of their babies.
When not at the hospital, Dillard’s day starts at 8:30 a.m. with walk-in patients. On an average day Dillard sees around 20 patients. The patients range in age from newborns to 18 years olds. During a typical day Dillard will see children with acute asthma attacks, ear infections, strep throat, cold viruses and allergies.
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Not all children are sick, however, some are at the Center for a Well Child check up. This type of visit includes head, eyes, ears, nose, mouth and throat checks. Dillard also listens to their heart and lungs and checks their thyroid gland. Next he checks the abdomen, extremities and the neurological systems. Older children receive a scoliosis check of the spine. Afterward, he completes all necessary paperwork, such as forms for daycares or sports participation.
During a Well Child visit, Dillard is able to talk to parents about parenting techniques and assess any speech or developmental disorders. In between seeing patients Dillard meets with pharmaceutical representatives and reviews medication samples. Difficult patients are also discussed with the supervising physician.
Lunchtime
During lunchtime, Dillard meets with three physicians and PAs to discuss practice policies, protocol and other pertinent issues. On some days there are also training sessions for the staff during the noon hour.
Afternoon
Dillard’s afternoon activities run very similarly to his mornings. The only exception is on Thursday when there is an Asthma Education program held to educate patients and caregivers on the diagnoses of asthma. The proper care and use of meters and medication are taught and discussed.
education: Junior at Texas A&M
title: Job shadowing Barry Buschann, PA-C
workplace: Scott & White Clinic - Today Care
location: College Station, Texas
Jessica Woods began thinking about a possible career in medicine back in high school.
Now a junior at Texas A&M in College Station, Woods is working towards her bachelor’s degree in biology.
While she enjoyed studying biology, Woods realized she did not want to pursue a medical degree post-college. However, by her sophomore year Woods was already feeling concerned that she did not have her future mapped out.
One night Woods sat down at her computer and started researching careers that involved her field of study. “I just went onto Google and typed ‘what to do with a degree in Biology,’” Woods explains. “From a list that came up, I circled the jobs that sounded interesting; most were health related. One job that popped out was physician assistant.”
Woods did some more research and discovered that as a physician assistant she would work under the supervision of a physician, but still have patient contact—in some cases even more patient contact than a medical doctor might have.
The field immediately appealed to Woods because she could learn much of the same information as a medical doctor, but in a shorter period of time. “I did not desire ten years of additional education,” she says. “I wanted a career to do what I loved, but still wanted to have time for family.”
Woods logged onto Texas A&M’s advising Web site and was teamed up with an advisor specifically for students interested in becoming physician assistants. “Upon meeting with my advisor I was encouraged to join the campus organization called Future Aggie Physician Assistants.
“I am currently shadowing a PA,” Woods explains. “I feel very lucky to be able to do this. It’s a rare opportunity. My shadowing experience taught me to appreciate what really takes place day-to-day. From the time I started searching about what I should do with my career, it was the hands-on experience that has paid off the most.”
Woods has advice for other students interested in pursing a similar career: “Don’t just leave it up to Internet information,” she advises. “Talking to people is the most beneficial. Find an advisor, a student actually in the program or a practicing PA. Find out about the PA school requirements, and make sure you are taking the correct classes. If you learn all you can and still like the idea of becoming a PA, then you should follow your dream and do it.”