Hey all. First I would like to thank you for the awesome site and information posted here, it has helped me immensley! Also, thank you for your service to our country :C)

I am a civilian OCS app. and recently have been researching my options as much as possible while waiting and getting ready for whatever may come after the board convenes in May.

I am very interseted in the Physicians Assistant Program. I have read all the posts and see that it has been said the HS rate pretty much corners the market on getting into the program.

I have read that the AST rate requires some EMT schooling. Has anyone heard of this rate being considered for the program or any other? Just to make sure, the program is for enlisted only correct?

Also, I am sure there are prereq's that need to be met academically before the PA Program eligability is met. Does graduating HS A School provide them or is there continuing education one needs to get solo to be eligible?

What is the differece between the Phys. Ass. Entry Level and Post Grad. Program?

One last one!

As a practicing USCG PA, what setting would you likely be working in? ( dumb question...I know...VA hospital? )

My recruiter is out of town and I seemed to hit a wall in my search. If anyone would even answer one of these questions I would be so grateful. See you all soon.

Semper Paratus

The annual solicitation message came out just a few days ago (see below). It's open to all rates if they meet the academic requirements and have 100 documented patient care hours. Coast Guard PA's usually work in a family practice setting at a clinic. Some get to deploy on the Polar Icebreakers on their longer deployments. Best of luck to you.

R 151839Z APR 09 ZUI ASN-A00105000024 ZYB FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-11// TO ALCOAST BT UNCLAS //N01521// ALCOAST 216/09 COMDTNOTE 1521
SUBJ: SOLICITATION FOR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT (PA) TRAINING PROGRAM A. TRAINING AND EDUCATION MANUAL, COMDTINST M1500.10(SERIES) B. PERSONNEL MANUAL, COMDTINST M1000.6(SERIES) C. MEDICAL MANUAL, COMDTINST M6000.1(SERIES) 1. THE HEALTH AND SAFETY DIRECTORATE IS SOLICITING APPLICATIONS FOR THE FY2009 PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT (PA) TRAINING PROGRAM. MEMBERS SHOULD READ THIS MESSAGE IN ITS ENTIRETY TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE. IN ADDITION, UNDERSTANDING APPLICABLE SECTIONS OF REF (A) AND (B) IS ESSENTIAL TO THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
2. THE CG SPONSORED PA TRAINING PROGRAM IS CONDUCTED AT THE INTERSERVICE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM (IPAP), FORT SAM HOUSTON, SAN ANTONIO, TX. THE DURATION OF THIS PROGRAM IS 26 MONTHS. PHASE I (50 WKS) IS HEAVILY DIDACTIC (CLASSROOM), OFFERING 96 SEMESTER HOURS (SH) AND CONSISTING OF MEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES. PHASE II (54 WKS) CONSISTS OF CLINICAL ROTATIONS AND CONTINUED DIDACTIC INSTRUCTION, IN ADDITION TO 50 PLUS SH AT DESIGNATED DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) SERVICE SPECIFIC SITES.
3. THIS TRAINING AND EDUCATION PROCESS REQUIRES A PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION (PCS) AT THE END OF PHASE I. SELECTED APPLICANTS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO PCS FOLLOWING PHASE II TO THEIR FIRST ASSIGNMENT AS A CG PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT.
4. THE NUMBER OF PA APPLICANTS SELECTED EACH YEAR IS BASED UPON CG STAFFING NEEDS. THIS YEAR, NO MORE THAN FOUR APPLICANTS WILL BE SELECTED. IPAP STUDENTS RECEIVE A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (BS) DEGREE UPON COMPLETION OF PHASE I AND A MASTERS DEGREE UPON COMPLETION OF PHASE II FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA. WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF GRADUATING FROM IPAP CG STUDENTS WILL ATTEND A 4-WEEK DIRECT COMMISSION OFFICER PROGRAM AT THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY IN NEW LONDON, CT AFTER RECEIVING A CG COMMISSION (TEMPORARY REGULAR) AS AN ENSIGN.
5. IPAP GRADUATES INCUR A 3 FOR 1 SERVICE PAYBACK OBLIGATION FOR THEIR FIRST YEAR OF TRAINING AND A 1 FOR 1 SERVICE PAYBACK OBLIGATION FOR THEIR SECOND YEAR OF TRAINING, FOR A TOTAL PAYBACK OBLIGATION OF 4 YEARS CG SERVICE.
6. THE APPLICATION PROCESS HAS TWO COMPONENTS - QUALIFYING FOR THE ACADEMIC AND MEDICAL PORTION AND QUALIFYING FOR THE OFFICER COMMISSION PROGRAM.
A. THIS PROGRAM IS OPEN TO E4-E9. AS PART OF A PILOT PROGRAM TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS AND FUTURE CG PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS, OFFICERS UP TO THE GRADE OF O-2 WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR ONE OF THE TRAINING TABS AUTHORIZED FOR THIS PROGRAM. THE SELECTED OFFICER WILL CONTINUE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR PROMOTION.
B. ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS:
(1) DOCUMENTED 100 HOURS (HRS) OF PATIENT CARE EXPERIENCE AS AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (EMT), HEALTH SERVICES TECHNICIAN (HS), PARAMEDIC, HOSPITAL VOLUNTEER, OR OTHER HEALTH RELATED FIELD.
DOCUMENTATION MUST BE IN LETTER FORM FROM A SUPERVISOR IN THE FACILITY WHERE THE EXPERIENCE WAS GAINED, OR FOR CG EMTS AND HEALTH SERVICES TECHNICIANS, A COMMAND ENDORSEMENT THAT DOCUMENTS THE EXPERIENCE.
(2) MINIMUM OF 60 SH OF TRANSFERABLE COLLEGE CREDITS WITH A GRADE POINT AVERAGE OF 2.5 ON A 4.0 SCALE. AT LEAST 30 SH MUST BE IN RESIDENT AND UP TO 30 SH MAY BE OBTAINED THROUGH MILITARY SCHOOLS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION (ACE), CLEP OR DANTES. NONRESIDENT SH MUST BE ACCEPTABLE BY THE UNIV OF NEBRASKA, AND BE REPORTED ON A COAST GUARD INSTITUTE EDUCATION ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET, FORM CGI-1561.
(3) COMPLETION OF THE FOLLOWING COURSES FROM A REGIONALLY- ACCREDITED COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY. THE COURSES MAY BE LOWER-LEVEL (FRESHMAN OR SOP****RE) OR UPPER-LEVEL (JUNIOR OR SENIOR) BUT MAY NOT BE REMEDIAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL. THE COURSES MUST BE NUMBERED WITH THE SEMESTER HOUR (SH) EQUIVALENTS LISTED AND HAVE RESULTED IN A LETTER GRADE. THE PREREQUISITE COURSES MAY BE COMPLETED IN AN ONLINE FORMAT PROVIDING THEY MEET ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS DETAILED IN THIS PARAGRAPH.
(A) ALGEBRA (3 SH)
(B) ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (6 SH TOTAL OR 3 SH OF EACH)
(C) CHEMISTRY (6 SH)
(D) ENGLISH (6 SH TOTAL - 3 SH MUST BE ENGLISH COMPOSITION)
(E) HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (6 SH TOTAL)
(F) PSYCHOLOGY (3 SH)
(4) TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION FROM A CG PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT AND/OR U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE PHYSICIAN/PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT FAMILIAR WITH THE APPLICANTS MEDICAL EXPERIENCE AND POTENTIAL FOR CLINICAL CARE. ALTHOUGH LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION FROM CG PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS ARE IDEAL, NON-HEALTH SERVICE TECHNICIAN (HS) APPLICANTS MAY SUBSTITUTE LETTERS FROM A CIVILIAN PHYSICIAN OR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE APPLICANTS HEALTH CARE EXPERIENCE.
(5) APPLICANTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO SECURE A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FROM A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT OR PHYSICIAN SHALL CONTACT THE PA FORCE MANAGER IDENTIFIED AT THE END OF THIS MESSAGE.
C. OFFICER COMMISSIONING REQUIREMENTS:
(1) REGULAR COAST GUARD E-4 OR ABOVE IN ANY RATING, IN SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT ENLISTMENT. WAIVERS FOR TIME IN SERVICE REQUIREMENT MAY BE CONSIDERED BASED ON NEEDS OF THE SERVICE, BUT APPLICANTS MUST HAVE MORE THAN 3 YEARS OF ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE AT TIME OF APPLICATION.
(2) PHYSICALLY QUALIFIED FOR WORLDWIDE DUTY AND PASS A PRECOMMISSIONING PHYSICAL EXAMINATION IAW REF C.
(3) NO COURT-MARTIAL CONVICTIONS OR NON-JUDICIAL PUNISHMENT (NJP) DURING CURRENT ENLISTMENT.
(4) UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP.
(5) MINIMUM COMBINED SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TEST (SAT) REASONING TEST SCORE IN CRITICAL READING, MATH AND WRITING OF 1530, OR A MINIMUM OLD SAT COMBINED SCORE IN VERBAL AND MATH OF 1020, OR AN AMERICAN COLLEGE TESTING (ACT) SCORE OF 22. THE SCORE MUST BE LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD.
(6) OFFICER PROGRAM INTERVIEW. THE OFFICER PROGRAMS APPLICANT ASSESSMENT FORM, FORM CG-5527 MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE INTERVIEW PANEL AND SUBMITTED DIRECTLY TO CGPC-OPM-1 FOR ENCLOSURE WITH THE MEMBERS APPLICATION BY 15 JUNE 2009. THE OFFICER INTERVIEW PANEL CAN NORMALLY BE SCHEDULED THROUGH ANY CG ISC, SECTOR, GROUP, MSO OR AIR STATION. THOSE APPLICANTS RE-APPLYING MAY USE THE SAME CG-5527 FOR UP TO 2 YEARS. THEREAFTER, A NEW INTERVIEW SHOULD BE CONDUCTED.
APPLICANTS HAVING TROUBLE SCHEDULING AN OFFICER INTERVIEW SHOULD CONTACT THE PA FORCE MANAGER FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE.
(7) DIRECT ACCESS E-RESUME.
(8) COMMAND ENDORSEMENT TO DIRECT ACCESS E-RESUME.
(9) LIST OF PERSONAL AWARDS (NO MORE THAN FIVE).
(10)PRIVACY ACT RELEASE.
(11)REQUEST FOR CONDITIONAL RELEASE, FORM DD-368.
(12)NATIONAL POLICE RECORD CHECK, FORM DD-369.
(13)COPY OF SOCIAL SECURITY CARD.
(14)FINGERPRINT CARDS, FORM FD-258: TWO ORIGINALS.
(15)PERSONNEL SECURITY ACTION, FORM CG-5588.
(16)ELECTRONIC QUESTIONNAIRES FOR INVESTIGATIONS PROCESSING (E- QIP), FORM SF-86: PROVIDED VIA COMMAND SECURITY OFFICER).
(17)OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL AGREEMENT, FORM CG-3211B.
(18)ADMINISTRATIVE REMARKS, FORM CG-3307 ACKNOWLEDGING PROHIBITION ON USING MONTGOMERY GI BILL FOR COURSES TAKEN AS PART OF PA PROGRAM.
7. APPLICANTS MUST ALSO SUBMIT A SELF-COMPOSED, TYPED ESSAY (350 WORDS OR LESS) EXPRESSING THEIR REASONS TO BECOME A CG OFFICER AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT, HOW THE CG WILL BENEFIT BY SELECTING THEM, AND A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OR EXAMPLE OF HOW THEY RESPOND TO STRESSFUL SITUATIONS.
8. APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE AN E-RESUME AND SELECT THE POSITION ASSOCIATED WITH THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT POST GRADUATE PROGRAM.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS 15 JUNE 2009.
9. COMMAND ENDORSEMENTS FORWARDED VIA THE E-INTERVIEW SHALL INCLUDE A COMMENT ON THE APPLICANTS LEADERSHIP, INTERESTS, ABILITY AND POTENTIAL VALUE TO THE SERVICE AS A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT. ONLY ENDORSEMENTS FROM THE IMMEDIATE COMMAND ARE AUTHORIZED. IN THE "JOB ENDORSEMENT" PAGE UNDER THE "RECOMMENDATION" DROP-DOWN MENU, COMMANDING OFFICERS SHOULD CHOOSE "MAKE OFFER" TO POSITIVELY ENDORSE A CANDIDATES APPLICATION.
10. APPLICANTS MUST SEPARATELY MAIL REMAINING APPLICATION MATERIALS (OFFICIAL COPIES OF TRANSCRIPTS, SAT/ACT SCORES, TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION, PERSONAL ESSAY, APPROVED PRE-COMMISSIONING PHYSICAL EXAMINATION, CERTIFIED DOCUMENTATION OF HEALTH CARE EXPERIENCE, SIGNED PAYBACK STATEMENT, AND A SIGNED PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT) TO CGPC-OPM-1. ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED NLT 15 JULY 2009.
11. AN APPLICANT WHOSE TRANSCRIPTS ARE UNACCEPTABLE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER PA PROGRAM WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM APPLICATION TO THE CG PA TRAINING PROGRAM.
12. DO NOT CALL UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA FOR PREREQUISITE OR COURSE REQUIREMENTS. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEEK AMPLIFYING INFO ON ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, PREREQUISITES, AND CLARIFICATION OF APPLICATION PROCEDURES BY CONTACTING LCDR JAMES CANNON, COMDT (CG-1122), AT 202-475-5183 OR JAMES.D.CANNON(AT)USCG.MIL. QUESTIONS REGARDING THE PROCESSING OF ADV EDUCATION APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO YN1 CHRISTOPHER HORN (CGPC-OPM-1), AT 202-493-1617.
13. RADM MARK J. TEDESCO, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND WORK-LIFE SENDS.
14. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
BT
NNNN

Hmmm...think of the possibilities! EMT qualified deck apes, or snipes, or belly robbers becoming Physician Assistants!

Nice! Thank you so much for that reply, took care of all my questions.

Appreciate it and cannot wait to find out where I am heading...

quote:

Originally posted by nekron99:
Hmmm...think of the possibilities! EMT qualified deck apes, or snipes, or belly robbers becoming Physician Assistants!

I'm not quite sure how you meant that, but for some reason I was offended. For instance, how do you know that an MK doesn't have several years of medical experience prior to joining the Coast Guard. Take... uh.. ME, for example! I've known of at least one HS that took it upon herself to gundeck vital signs in the medical record, but I'm sure she'd make SUCH a better PA than I would!

quote:

Hmmm...think of the possibilities! EMT qualified deck apes, or snipes, or belly robbers becoming Physician Assistants!

Ouch! I think I take offence to that as well. I am a Boatswain's Mate by rate. I have been EMT certified since 1985. I have been a paramedic for 3 years and was an Intermediate for 7 years before that. I am currently taking college classes to obtain my Critical Care Flight Medic certification. I am a CPR and ACLS Instructor. I am an ER Technician and also certified in PALS and PEPP. In the past 10 years I have averaged close to 300 Advanced Life Support Ambulance Calls per year. My last Group Commander was going to prepare an endorsement for me for the PA program but I wasn't interested. So, with that, I would say NO, the HSs do not hold the market for the PA program although they do have a good jump start.

That further makes me excited USCGK9, glad to hear there is open opp.'s.

Unsure if you may answer me this, but, the PA Program solicitation asks for:

(1) DOCUMENTED 100 HOURS (HRS) OF PATIENT CARE EXPERIENCE AS AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (EMT), HEALTH SERVICES TECHNICIAN (HS), PARAMEDIC, HOSPITAL VOLUNTEER, OR OTHER HEALTH RELATED FIELD.

As a AST holding a EMT cert. through the USCG would just being on duty constitute as hours logged? I don't work in the health care field so "patient care experience" is not clear to me. Maybe it best if I ask how HSs log hours of patient care exp.?

Thanks once again.

StPeteBull - if you are interested in the program, call LCDR Cannon. His information is on the bottom of the message.

Thanks for pointing out something I should have noticed :C) I appreciate everyones help.