Still on the fence about whether to hire a derm PA? A derm PA describes how she has been able to add value and revenue to her Florida-based practice. Dermatologists nowadays are looking for ways to accommodate their patients, expand their practices and make themselves available for surgery, more complicated cases, and to build their cosmetic practices. Physician assistants (PAs) can be an excellent addition to a growing dermatology practice. With more than 2,000 PAs in the United States currently practicing in dermatology and more than 4,500 graduating from accredited PA schools across the nation each year, there is ample opportunity for a dermatologist to find a PA who will fit well into his/her practice. Physician assistants complement their physicians very well in clinical practice. Our training is based on a medical school model, and the majority of our programs are found within medical schools, so we are learning our practices directly from physicians like you. Most PA schools are now requiring a master’s degree along with passing a certification exam to be able to get licensure in your state of practice. We also have to log 100 CME hours every 2 years and take our re-certification exam every 6 years. What We Can Do for You An experienced dermatology PA can help grow a practice substantially. There are many PAs who see both new and established patients, diagnose, treat, and do complex surgical and cosmetic procedures under the supervision of a physician. PAs can also assist with Mohs micrographic surgery. These PAs have had intense one-on-one training with experienced dermatologists. Since we work so closely with our supervising physicians, it is they who make the determination on how qualified an individual PA is and can decide through careful observation the appropriate level of autonomy and types of procedures they feel the PA is equipped to handle. This varies from practice to practice and can even vary within a practice. My Own Training and Practice I started my dermatology training while I was in PA school at the University of Florida and found a passion for this specialty. I have trained with many physicians, some of whom specialized in general dermatology, pediatric dermatology, skin surgery and cosmetics, and when given the opportunity to learn from the best doctors in the nation, I jump at the chance. Patient Care I am considered to be a very high-functioning PA. I have been with my current practice for 8 years and have been practicing dermatology for 9 years. The practice I work for has a lot of trust in me and allows me the autonomy to see my own patients, but the patients always have the choice to see the doctor. I see an array of skin conditions, but have found treating psoriasis, acne, and pediatric patients to be very gratifying. I also perform many procedures from biopsies to complex surgeries. Teaching, Learning from Others Two years, ago I was promoted to the director of physician assistant and nurse practitioner cosmetic training, in which I train NPs and PAs who are interested in learning about evaluating and treating the cosmetic patient. I have also had the pleasure of training some of my physician colleagues. Since I work with a large group that encompasses more than 40 offices in Florida, I have the advantage of being able to seek advice and second opinions from not only my supervising physicians but others I know and respect. In return, they seek advice from me, too. We also have a dermatopathologist in our group who has practiced both in a clinical setting and behind the microscope. He is always available by phone or email to answer any questions that I may have. Being Part of a Team Our group’s philosophy is to work together as a team no matter what your title is in order to give the best patient care. More Revenue, Patient Satisfaction The bottom line is a physician assistant can be an extension of you, the dermatologist, and function as a provider who will help get your patients in more quickly, free up your time for more complicated cases and increase the number of patients being seen — all of which leads to greater patient satisfaction and earnings. Physician assistants are a great asset to the healthcare team and our profession continues to grow. For more information about Physician Assistants in Dermatology please visit the Society of Dermatology Physicians (SDPA) website at www.dermpa.org or the American Association of Physician Assistants (AAPA) at www.aapa.org. Risha Bellomo, MPAS, PA-C has practiced dermatology for more than 8 years. She currently works at Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in Orlando, FL, and has been their Director of PA/NP Cosmetic Training for the last 3 years. Disclosoure: The author has no coflict of interest with any material discussed in this article.
Physician Assistants in Dermatology
Still on the fence about whether to hire a derm PA? A derm PA describes how she has been able to add value and revenue to her Florida-based practice. Dermatologists nowadays are looking for ways to accommodate their patients, expand their practices and make themselves available for surgery, more complicated cases, and to build their cosmetic practices. Physician assistants (PAs) can be an excellent addition to a growing dermatology practice. With more than 2,000 PAs in the United States currently practicing in dermatology and more than 4,500 graduating from accredited PA schools across the nation each year, there is ample opportunity for a dermatologist to find a PA who will fit well into his/her practice. Physician assistants complement their physicians very well in clinical practice. Our training is based on a medical school model, and the majority of our programs are found within medical schools, so we are learning our practices directly from physicians like you. Most PA schools are now requiring a master’s degree along with passing a certification exam to be able to get licensure in your state of practice. We also have to log 100 CME hours every 2 years and take our re-certification exam every 6 years. What We Can Do for You An experienced dermatology PA can help grow a practice substantially. There are many PAs who see both new and established patients, diagnose, treat, and do complex surgical and cosmetic procedures under the supervision of a physician. PAs can also assist with Mohs micrographic surgery. These PAs have had intense one-on-one training with experienced dermatologists. Since we work so closely with our supervising physicians, it is they who make the determination on how qualified an individual PA is and can decide through careful observation the appropriate level of autonomy and types of procedures they feel the PA is equipped to handle. This varies from practice to practice and can even vary within a practice. My Own Training and Practice I started my dermatology training while I was in PA school at the University of Florida and found a passion for this specialty. I have trained with many physicians, some of whom specialized in general dermatology, pediatric dermatology, skin surgery and cosmetics, and when given the opportunity to learn from the best doctors in the nation, I jump at the chance. Patient Care I am considered to be a very high-functioning PA. I have been with my current practice for 8 years and have been practicing dermatology for 9 years. The practice I work for has a lot of trust in me and allows me the autonomy to see my own patients, but the patients always have the choice to see the doctor. I see an array of skin conditions, but have found treating psoriasis, acne, and pediatric patients to be very gratifying. I also perform many procedures from biopsies to complex surgeries. Teaching, Learning from Others Two years, ago I was promoted to the director of physician assistant and nurse practitioner cosmetic training, in which I train NPs and PAs who are interested in learning about evaluating and treating the cosmetic patient. I have also had the pleasure of training some of my physician colleagues. Since I work with a large group that encompasses more than 40 offices in Florida, I have the advantage of being able to seek advice and second opinions from not only my supervising physicians but others I know and respect. In return, they seek advice from me, too. We also have a dermatopathologist in our group who has practiced both in a clinical setting and behind the microscope. He is always available by phone or email to answer any questions that I may have. Being Part of a Team Our group’s philosophy is to work together as a team no matter what your title is in order to give the best patient care. More Revenue, Patient Satisfaction The bottom line is a physician assistant can be an extension of you, the dermatologist, and function as a provider who will help get your patients in more quickly, free up your time for more complicated cases and increase the number of patients being seen — all of which leads to greater patient satisfaction and earnings. Physician assistants are a great asset to the healthcare team and our profession continues to grow. For more information about Physician Assistants in Dermatology please visit the Society of Dermatology Physicians (SDPA) website at www.dermpa.org or the American Association of Physician Assistants (AAPA) at www.aapa.org. Risha Bellomo, MPAS, PA-C has practiced dermatology for more than 8 years. She currently works at Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in Orlando, FL, and has been their Director of PA/NP Cosmetic Training for the last 3 years. Disclosoure: The author has no coflict of interest with any material discussed in this article.
Still on the fence about whether to hire a derm PA? A derm PA describes how she has been able to add value and revenue to her Florida-based practice. Dermatologists nowadays are looking for ways to accommodate their patients, expand their practices and make themselves available for surgery, more complicated cases, and to build their cosmetic practices. Physician assistants (PAs) can be an excellent addition to a growing dermatology practice. With more than 2,000 PAs in the United States currently practicing in dermatology and more than 4,500 graduating from accredited PA schools across the nation each year, there is ample opportunity for a dermatologist to find a PA who will fit well into his/her practice. Physician assistants complement their physicians very well in clinical practice. Our training is based on a medical school model, and the majority of our programs are found within medical schools, so we are learning our practices directly from physicians like you. Most PA schools are now requiring a master’s degree along with passing a certification exam to be able to get licensure in your state of practice. We also have to log 100 CME hours every 2 years and take our re-certification exam every 6 years. What We Can Do for You An experienced dermatology PA can help grow a practice substantially. There are many PAs who see both new and established patients, diagnose, treat, and do complex surgical and cosmetic procedures under the supervision of a physician. PAs can also assist with Mohs micrographic surgery. These PAs have had intense one-on-one training with experienced dermatologists. Since we work so closely with our supervising physicians, it is they who make the determination on how qualified an individual PA is and can decide through careful observation the appropriate level of autonomy and types of procedures they feel the PA is equipped to handle. This varies from practice to practice and can even vary within a practice. My Own Training and Practice I started my dermatology training while I was in PA school at the University of Florida and found a passion for this specialty. I have trained with many physicians, some of whom specialized in general dermatology, pediatric dermatology, skin surgery and cosmetics, and when given the opportunity to learn from the best doctors in the nation, I jump at the chance. Patient Care I am considered to be a very high-functioning PA. I have been with my current practice for 8 years and have been practicing dermatology for 9 years. The practice I work for has a lot of trust in me and allows me the autonomy to see my own patients, but the patients always have the choice to see the doctor. I see an array of skin conditions, but have found treating psoriasis, acne, and pediatric patients to be very gratifying. I also perform many procedures from biopsies to complex surgeries. Teaching, Learning from Others Two years, ago I was promoted to the director of physician assistant and nurse practitioner cosmetic training, in which I train NPs and PAs who are interested in learning about evaluating and treating the cosmetic patient. I have also had the pleasure of training some of my physician colleagues. Since I work with a large group that encompasses more than 40 offices in Florida, I have the advantage of being able to seek advice and second opinions from not only my supervising physicians but others I know and respect. In return, they seek advice from me, too. We also have a dermatopathologist in our group who has practiced both in a clinical setting and behind the microscope. He is always available by phone or email to answer any questions that I may have. Being Part of a Team Our group’s philosophy is to work together as a team no matter what your title is in order to give the best patient care. More Revenue, Patient Satisfaction The bottom line is a physician assistant can be an extension of you, the dermatologist, and function as a provider who will help get your patients in more quickly, free up your time for more complicated cases and increase the number of patients being seen — all of which leads to greater patient satisfaction and earnings. Physician assistants are a great asset to the healthcare team and our profession continues to grow. For more information about Physician Assistants in Dermatology please visit the Society of Dermatology Physicians (SDPA) website at www.dermpa.org or the American Association of Physician Assistants (AAPA) at www.aapa.org. Risha Bellomo, MPAS, PA-C has practiced dermatology for more than 8 years. She currently works at Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in Orlando, FL, and has been their Director of PA/NP Cosmetic Training for the last 3 years. Disclosoure: The author has no coflict of interest with any material discussed in this article.
