Looking to come back to the C.G. after finishing school as a P.A. I've been talking to a local recruiter, but since it is such a specialized area, he unfortunately has limited knowledge. I was hoping someone has some input as to working condition, call, pt load, etc. I know that I could do the SRDC/DCO and have an idea about grade, but I'm more interested in the daily workings, collateral dutied, and so on. Thanks in advance for any and all help.
Shipmate, Please e-mail me with your questions. I'll forward them along with your e-mail address on to a few folks. CWO Andersen, Clinic Administrator, Air Station Cape Cod erik.a.andersen@uscg.mil
Both of my daughters are PAs. They were so impressed with the commissioned officer PAs who treated my family when we were stationed in Cape May that they both decided to get Masters degrees as PAs. However, I haven't been able to convince either of them to consider joining the Coast Guard. I suppose they both figure they did their time when dad was on active duty.
Hello Medictao, You may want to look at the USPHS. You'll come in as a LT, and you'll have all the benifits. We are part of the military but as a Uniform Service, not an Armed Service. Just something you should look into.
I stand corrected, thanks Master Chief. Medictao, you'll still recieve all of the benifits of those individuals in the Armed Services. Check out USPHS.Gov. I joined after 12 years in the CG.
Sir, Maybe give him a little info on the assignment process. Do you get a major say in whether you will be at a Federal Prison, a Reservation or a CG Base? (A little wise arse should be noted there as I am just guessing where all you might end up)
That's why I stayed away from looking at the PHS, I really didn't want to get stuck in some prison somewhere or in the middle of New Mexico on a reservation and I did my time in Alaska...(they also provide the CDC fyi)
Just to be clear, as far as I know the PHS does not provide any PAs to the CG (at least I've never seen any). The PHS only provides Docs, Dentists and enviromental health...any other health care workes I've seen are either AD or contract.
Maybe give him a little info on the assignment process. Do you get a major say in whether you will be at a Federal Prison, a Reservation or a CG Base? (A little wise arse should be noted there as I am just guessing where all you might end up)
You do choose what department you would like to work for whether CDC,BOP, or IHS. I happen to work for the FDA. After two years, you can change departments.
Actually I have some questions concerning the PA program in general. I am a E-6 and am about 8 months away from finishing my Bachelors of Science in Health Sciences. The message hasn't come out yet for the submission period for PA OCS packets, but according to last years message it is around June 15th. I will have 8 quarter hours(about 5.36 SH) in Chemistry at the time the application is due. I will have 12 quarter hours(8.04 SH) of Chemistry a few weeks later after finishing the course. The requirement is 6 Semester hours. Will having the 8 QH at the application deadline totally disqualify me?
My other question is how much the CG PAs interact with the other branches? Do we actually deploy to Iraq or someother place to do field or emergency room work, burn units, ICU, CCU any of that stuff? Or even flight PAs?
I know it's been a while since this topic was open, but I am hoping to get some input. I was an HS. I got out in '04, worked as a civilian flight medic, went to civilian PA school and am now in the Army. In Iraq. I've got about a year left on my Army commitment, but my hope is to transfer back to the CG afterwards. Is this possible? Anyone know a POC I could get in touch with? I know I'm jumping the gun with my remaining Army commitment, but if this process is going to take a while (if it's possible at all) I want to get started. Any advice, please email me at claire.reilly@us.army.mil
