How to Be Emergency Physician Assistant (EPA) - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Apr 7, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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FAQ

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The Emergency Physician Assistant (EPA) plays a vital role in providing medical care in emergency situations. They are responsible for coordinating patient care, ordering and interpreting tests, and managing medications. When a patient arrives to the emergency room, the EPA begins the initial assessment and treatment plan.

This includes assessing the severity of the patient's condition, determining the necessary tests and treatments, and providing treatment as necessary. As a result, EPAs are important in providing immediate medical care to those in need, and they help reduce wait times in the emergency room. Furthermore, their expertise allows them to identify potential medical issues that may have escaped detection during initial assessments.

By doing so, they are integral in preventing further harm and ensuring that patients receive the appropriate care as quickly as possible.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. In order to become an Emergency Physician Assistant (EPA), you must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Earn an Associates Degree in Physician Assistant Studies. You will need to complete an Associates Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from an accredited college or university.
Take and Pass the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) Exam. Upon completion of your Associates Degree, you will need to take and pass the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) Exam in order to become an EPA.
Obtain a State License. To practice as an EPA, you must obtain a state license. Contact your states licensing board for specific requirements and application process.
Complete Clinical Training at an Accredited Institution. Once you have obtained your license, you must complete clinical training at an accredited institution. After completing the training, you will be eligible to take the EPA certification examination.
Take and Pass the EPA Certification Exam. After completing the clinical training, you must take and pass the EPA Certification Exam to become a certified EPA.
Maintain Your Certification. You must maintain your certification by completing continuing education credits and recertifying every five years.

The selection of a reliable and qualified Emergency Physician Assistant (EPA) is an important decision that can have far-reaching effects on the safety and quality of medical care. To ensure the best possible outcome, it is essential to consider several factors when selecting an EPA, including education and training, experience, and certification. Education and training should include a bachelor's degree in a medical field, as well as specialized training in emergency medical care.

Experience is also key; an EPA should have worked in an emergency setting for a minimum of two years. Lastly, certification should be sought from an accredited organization, such as the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants or the American Association of Physician Assistants. By considering these factors, healthcare providers can ensure they are choosing a reliable and qualified EPA for their medical team.

You may want to check Emergency Room Technician, Cardiovascular Technologist (CVT), and Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) for alternative.

Job Description

Perform medical assessment and evaluation on patients.
Diagnose and treat medical conditions.
Provide emergency medical care and stabilization of life-threatening illnesses and injuries.
Perform minor surgeries, suturing, and other procedures.
Administer medication and provide patient education.
Communicate with other health care providers to coordinate care for the patient.
Document patient records and treatment plans.
Perform basic laboratory tests and interpret results.
Monitor vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration rate.
Provide pre-hospital care for trauma and medical emergencies.
Assist in medical emergencies, such as cardiac arrests and resuscitation.
Assist with patient transport and transfer to other medical facilities.
Monitor patients during transport and en route to medical facilities.
Provide airway management during transportation of critically ill or injured patients.
Manage medical equipment, supplies, and medications in the pre-hospital environment.
Participate in research activities related to pre-hospital care and emergency medical services (EMS).

Skills and Competencies to Have

Ability to assess and treat acute and chronic medical conditions
Knowledge of emergency medicine procedures, standards of care, and protocols
Ability to accurately diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions
Ability to provide timely and effective management of life-threatening illnesses and injuries
Proficiency in the use of diagnostic tools, such as EKGs, ultrasounds, and X-rays
Proficiency in the use of medications, fluids, and other treatments for emergency medical situations
Ability to provide patient education and follow-up care
Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals
Ability to effectively manage multiple patients in a fast-paced environment
Ability to work independently and as part of a team

The most important skill for an Emergency Physician Assistant (EPA) is the ability to think quickly on their feet. This skill is essential in order to assess and diagnose a wide range of medical issues within a short period of time. EPA's must be able to rapidly prioritize tasks, analyze patient data, and provide appropriate treatment decisions in order to ensure the safety of the patient.

The ability to make decisions quickly and accurately requires strong problem-solving skills and a comprehensive understanding of medical protocols and procedures. Communication is also key, as an EPA needs to effectively explain their decisions to other medical personnel, as well as to the patient. In addition, an EPA needs to have strong emotional intelligence, as they are often tasked with providing compassionate care in difficult situations.

All of these skills come together to create an effective and reliable Emergency Physician Assistant.

Wilderness Paramedic, Community Paramedic, and Emergency Department Technician are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in the emergency medical field?
How would you handle a situation where a patient is having difficulty breathing?
What is your experience with triaging patients in the emergency room?
How do you handle high-pressure situations?
How do you ensure that all patient information is kept confidential?
What do you consider to be your greatest strength in an emergency medical setting?
How would you manage multiple patients at the same time?
What criteria do you use when deciding which patient to prioritize?
Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision in an emergency medical setting.
How do you stay up-to-date on best practices and new treatments in the emergency medicine field?

Common Tools in Industry

Automated External Defibrillator (AED). A device used to deliver a controlled electric shock to the heart to restore normal rhythm in cases of cardiac arrest. (Eg: Philips HeartStart AED)
Emergency Medical Kit. A set of medical supplies that an EPA has readily available to treat common medical emergencies. (Eg: Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight . 9)
Stethoscope. An instrument used to listen to internal sounds of the body, such as heart and lung sounds. (Eg: 3M Littmann Classic III Stethoscope)
Blood Pressure Cuff. A device used to measure a patients blood pressure. (Eg: Omron Professional Blood Pressure Monitor)
Otoscope. An instrument used to examine the ear canal and eardrum for signs of infection and other medical issues. (Eg: Welch Allyn Pocket Otoscope)
Trauma Shears. A type of scissors used to quickly and easily cut away clothing in trauma situations. (Eg: Life Medical Trauma Shears)
Glucose Meter. A device used to measure a patients blood sugar level. (Eg: Accu-Chek Aviva Plus Glucose Meter)
Medical Reference Manuals. Comprehensive reference materials that provide information on diagnosing and treating medical conditions. (Eg: The Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations, Volume 1)

Professional Organizations to Know

National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
National Association of Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedics (NAEMT)
Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM)
National Association of Emergency Physician Assistants (NAEPA)
International Association of Physician Assistants in Emergency Medicine (IAPAEM)
American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)
Emergency Medicine Residents' Association (EMRA)
American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP)
American College of Surgeons (ACS)

We also have Critical Care Nurse, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Paramedic, and Event Paramedic jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Emergency Medicine. The specialty of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of acute and life-threatening medical conditions.
Diagnosis. The process of determining the cause of a medical condition.
Treatment. The management of a medical condition or symptom through the use of drugs, therapies, or other medical interventions.
Clinical Skills. The knowledge and abilities necessary to perform patient care, including physical examination and assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic management.
Clinical Judgment. The ability to make decisions about patient care based on experience and evidence-based guidelines.
Research. The systematic investigation into a problem or issue in order to gain knowledge and understanding.
Evidence-Based Medicine . The practice of medicine based on the best available evidence from systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials.
Patient Care. The provision of healthcare services to an individual or group of people.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Emergency Physician Assistant (EPA)?

An Emergency Physician Assistant (EPA) is a medical professional who works in an emergency department or urgent care center to assist Physicians in providing medical care to patients.

What qualifications are needed to become an EPA?

To become an EPA, one must hold a Bachelors degree and complete a PA program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). They must also pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).

What types of duties can EPAs perform?

EPAs can perform a variety of duties, including taking patient histories and vital signs, performing physical exams, ordering diagnostic tests, interpreting lab results, diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries, and providing patient education.

How long does it typically take to become an EPA?

It typically takes about two years to become an EPA, including the time it takes to complete a PA program and pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).

How much do EPAs earn?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for EPAs in 2019 was $112,260.

Web Resources

Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant Fellowship medicine.missouri.edu
Physician Assistant Emergency Medicine Residency Program emergencymedicine.duke.edu
Physician Assistants in Emergency Medicine www.physicianassistantedu.org