• We feel that it is important for prospective students to have an opportunity to spend time with a Physician Assistant (PA) to understand the role and level of responsibility of a practicing PA.
   
• Up to 2 additional points on the application will be awarded for taking advantage of this experience.
   
  • Documenting 5 or fewer hours will add 1 point to your score.
  • Documenting 6 or more hours will add 2 points.
  • 1 or 2 points can make the difference in acceptance to the program.
     
• You may document your experience in one of two ways:
   
  • Record the required information listed on the Clinical Role-Model Documentation Form (in PDF format - click here if you need help with PDF).
  • Or, enter the information about hours spent and identify the PA(s) that you spent time with (with a contact phone number) on the CASPA application in "Related Healthcare Experience."
  • These experiences must be submitted before your interview. They will not be accepted on or after the date interviews are conducted.

• When contacting a PA for the Clinical Role-modeling experience (commonly referred to as "Shadowing"), identify yourself as a prospective student who is currently applying to the Master of Physician Assistant Program at Eastern Virginia Medical School. If you have difficulty identifying a PA for this experience in the Norfolk, VA, area, contact Rose Mwayungu for assistance.

• Explain that one of the admission criteria is to learn more about the profession, the role and the responsibilities of a physician assistant.

• Ask if he/she would be interested in arranging for you to observe their work activities — emphasize observe only: no hands-on experience is permitted.

• If the physician assistant is willing to have you shadow, be prepared to follow his/her schedule. If the physician assistant starts at 6:30 a.m. and asks you to meet at that time, it is expected that you will arrive promptly at 6:30 a.m.

• If you contact a physician assistant and he/she is not available to serve as a mentor, accept a "no" graciously and try another physician assistant.

• Please dress in "job interview" type attire — jacket and tie for men, dress or pantsuit for women. Sandals, tee shirts and jeans are NOT considered appropriate attire.

• Please do NOT ask questions regarding patient management or hospital practices in front of a patient; save questions for the end of the day or a break time.

• Always be aware of the patient's right to confidentiality and the PA's need to fulfill the workday's obligations.

• At the conclusion of your clinical role-model experience, thank the physician assistant for his/her time. Obtain a signature of the physician assistant on the Clinical Role-Model Documentation Form, thereby validating the clinical role-model experience.

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