Physician Assistants: Where Service Meets Leadership

Ever wonder what it’s like to be a Physician Assistant (PA) or how to become one? Our Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) Physician Assistants Student Society (PASS) had the amazing opportunity to share our passion for this career at a local high school’s career fair.

 

Being in a gym, among other careers and programs, we knew we had to be informative and exciting. Of course, we anticipated the “Are you just a doctor’s assistant?” and “So you’re like a nurse?” type of statements and questions, but we were ready to take those on and not only inform but inspire.  The students approached our booth with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty, unsure of what exactly a PA does. We welcomed them warmly and began by explaining the role of PAs in healthcare, first by dispelling the myths. We then explained that PAs are highly skilled medical professionals with a master’s degree who diagnose and treat patients, order and interpret tests, prescribe medications, and perform a variety of procedures – all under the supervision of a physician.

 

However, being a PA is more than having an immense source of medical knowledge. Our PASS club members highlighted the essential interprofessional skills PAs need to thrive. From collaborating with nurses and pharmacists to ensuring seamless patient care and explaining complex medical information clearly and concisely, communication and teamwork are the keys to a successful career as a PA. 

 

We also emphasized the profession’s team-oriented nature and explained how PAs work alongside physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to create the best possible outcome for patients. We are part of a dynamic environment in which everyone plays a crucial role, and we learned this early in our didactic year. 

 

A career as a PA embodies leadership. We talked about the growing responsibility PAs have in the healthcare field and the opportunities for them to lead initiatives, advocate for their careers, and focus on patient education sessions.

 

According to U.S. News and World Report, there’s a reason why becoming a PA is deemed one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions – it’s a perfect blend of service and education. 

 

 Career days are an excellent way to expose young minds to the vast array of career options available. For us, it was a great opportunity to tell the students what we have learned along the way to our careers and what we are excited to accomplish as the terms pass. Speaking and engaging with these high school students allowed us to further experience the incredible world of PAs—a profession brimming with opportunity, teamwork, and a chance to make a real difference in people’s lives.

 

To learn more about being a PA, visit the SCU Physician Assistant Program webpage.

 

 

 

Marley Elise Figueroa Munoz

Class President Cohort 2026

Pre-PA Support Club and PASS Club 

Instagram: prepasupport_scu