Have you ever pictured yourself practicing medicine amid tropical breezes on a Hawaiian island? As a physician assistant (PA) in Hawaii, you can make this dream a reality while delivering high-quality care to welcoming local communities.
This comprehensive guide explores top PA programs across Oahu and the Neighbor Islands, shares insights from experts in Hawaiian healthcare, and equips you with everything needed to succeed on your journey to practice in paradise.
Introduction: Why Pursue PA Training in Hawaii?
First, let‘s look at why Hawaii presents such promising opportunities for aspiring PAs today. As one of the nation‘s fastest growing professions, physician assistants play vital patient care roles across diverse settings in Hawaii – from family health clinics and emergency rooms to surgical suites and community health organizations.
Robust Career Outlook
Employment for PAs in Hawaii is projected to surge 30% over the next decade, significantly higher than the national expected growth rate of 31% for PAs. Approximately 650 physician assistants currently practice in Hawaii, reflecting a doubling of statewide PA ranks since 2010.
This robust outlook stems largely from local shortages of primary care physicians paired with increasing patient loads. As trusted providers who enhance access, quality, and continuity of care, PAs help address these shortages.
New PA program partnerships and graduate slots continue expanding to help fill Hawaii‘s burgeoning needs. This translates to outstanding job prospects for newly trained PAs.
Competitive Salaries
In addition to plentiful openings, physician assistants in Hawaii earn exceptionally competitive salaries – averaging over $120,000 according to recent estimates. With an average cost of living 13% below national levels, these wages allow a very comfortable island lifestyle.
Beyond attractive pay, most PA positions also come with generous benefits packages covering health insurance, paid vacation time, retirement contributions, and more.
Rewarding Lifestyle
Practicing medicine in Hawaii offers professionals unmatched quality of life through activities like beach days, hiking tropical trails, enjoying vibrant culture and cuisine, relocating between islands, and raising families in safe communities.
Taking this path introduces you to unforgettable patients and mentors within Hawaii‘s uniquely communal and inclusive culture. Whether providing lifesaving trauma care or managing long-term health conditions, you make lasting impacts while discovering ohana (family).
Top Physician Assistant Programs in Hawaii
While Hawaii does not yet have any PA-specific graduate programs (a Doctor of Medical Science pathway is launching soon at UH Hilo), many recommend completing PA studies on the mainland then returning home to launch your career.
The good news is that Hawaiian PA licenses and job prospects readily welcome graduates from any accredited PA program across the country. This section outlines a few highly-regarded options.
MEDEX Northwest PA Program
The MEDEX program, based at the University of Washington School of Medicine and spanning five UW campuses, has graduated over 1,400 PAs since its founding in 1969 – including many now practicing successfully across Hawaii.
This competency-based curriculum delivered through top-tier medical school faculty prepares graduates exceptionally well for primary care roles. Clinical rotations occur at diverse sites across three states.
Program Highlights
- 27-month curriculum
- 1,000+ supervised clinical hours
- Primary care focus
- High PANCE pass and job placement rates
Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor‘s degree
- Prerequisite science courses
- Healthcare experience
Because MEDEX maintains strong Hawaii training partnerships and recruitment pipelines, this program presents an excellent pathway for returning home after studies to launch your island medical career.
Stanford University PA Program
Ranked third nationwide for its rigorous yet nurturing PA program housed within Stanford‘s acclaimed School of Medicine, Stanford produces graduates recognized among the nation‘s most skilled, dutiful, and versatile PAs.
Program Highlights
- Renowned expert faculty
- Innovative curriculum fusing clinical excellence with leadership
- Optional combined PA/MPH degree
- Access to Stanford med school courses/events
Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor‘s degree
- Heavy science prerequisites
- Competitive GRE scores
- Direct patient care experience
As a new grad PA from this elite program, you will bring valuable skills, perspective, and connections back to the islands. Stanford‘s reputation garners interest from sought-after Hawaiian health systems during the job search process.
Touro University Nevada PA Program
The Touro College and University System produces more minority PA graduates than any U.S. program. Its Nevada branch offers an excellent 27-month Master of PA Studies degree emphasizing public health, research literacy, interdisciplinary care, and community medicine.
Program Highlights
- Mission-driven social accountability focus
- Faculty and clinical preceptors dedicated to mentorship
- Hands-on patient care skills building
- Priority on diversity and inclusion
Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor‘s degree
- Science prerequisites
- Some healthcare experience
- CASPA Application
For prospective PA students seeking an inclusive environment providing in-depth community and population health perspectives – ideal for Hawaii practice – Touro Nevada presents a great option. Most graduates secure positions shortly after finishing studies.
Insights from Hawaii PA Educators
We asked PA program faculty members familiar with Hawaii‘s healthcare landscape to share advice for future physician assistants preparing to practice in the islands:
“Cultural competence is key for PAs in Hawaii – seek to understand and honor diverse worldviews held by patients and communities you serve.” – Dr. Sierra Kahananui, MEDEX Associate Professor
“Our beautiful islands have unique health needs. I encourage students to participate in rural clinical rotations to experience practice realities they’ll encounter as Hawaii PAs.” – Dr. Jordan Lum, Touro University Adjunct Professor
Take advantage of service learning and community health opportunities during PA school to develop skills essential for practice in Hawaii, where teamwork and understanding public health influences allow you to truly make a difference.” – Dr. Malia Akutagawa, Hawaii Dental Service Foundation CEO and former UH PA grad
Navigating Licensure, Certification, and Regulation
To legally practice patient care in Hawaii, physician assistants must hold current state licensure through the Hawaii Board of Medical Examiners in conjunction with national certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
State Licensure
- Submit application with documentation of PA program graduation and good standing
- Pass a jurisprudence exam on Hawaii medical practice regulations
- Maintain licensure through renewals every two years
National Certification
- Pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE)
- Apply for certification with the NCCPA
- Renew certification every 10 years by completing continuing medical education and passing exam
Hawaii also participates in licensure compacts allowing reciprocity with other states. After meeting all Hawaii licensure requirements, joining the compact expands multistate practice privileges.
Additionally, PAs must uphold professional codes of conduct and practice within designated legal scopes under supervising physicians. Rules exist around documentation, prescriptions, procedures performed, and other aspects of care.
While regulation aims to ensure high standards are met, passionate PAs also have opportunities to get involved with PA associations working to expand practice authorities so they can better serve community health needs.
Finding Your Dream Job after PA School
The quest to discover your dream job begins early – using clinical rotation experiences during school to build relationships and demonstrate your patient care abilities to potential employers. But how do you know which practice settings are the best fit?
Exploring Interests through Rotations
All accredited PA programs require students to complete a series of clinical rotations – participatory learning experiences across medical and surgical specialties in real healthcare environments. Required rotation types include:
- Family medicine
- Internal medicine
- Pediatrics
- Women’s health
- Emergency medicine
- Surgery
You’ll also complete elective rotations like cardiology, orthopedics, oncology, mental health, OB/GYN, and more. Ideally, students should seek exposure on Hawaii Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai to understand unique community health landscapes and specialties supporting populations across the islands.
Rotations allow invaluable opportunities to hone skills under seasoned clinical preceptors while discerning practice interests most aligned with your talents and passions. Make the most of this built-in chance to audition for future jobs!
Leveraging Networking
In Hawaii‘s tight-knit medical community, networking plays a particularly crucial role in securing employment after PA school. Over rotations and informational interviews, nurture organic relationships by seeking mentorship from practicing PAs, building rapport with physicians who could become future collaborators, and conveying your dedication to serving the islands.
As a Student Academy of the American Academy of PAs member, utilize free resources from the only national PA organization representing the profession’s interests. Attend local association events to connect with practicing PAs.
Bytes of wisdom from seasoned PA mentors:
“Finding jobs in Hawaii is often about who you know and how effectively you leverage relationships from rotations and networking. Make great impressions!” – Dr. Jordan Watanabe
Stay engaged with previous clinical sites and routinely check hospital, clinic, and private practice job boards to find the right opening matching your abilities and interests as graduation nears. With purposeful relationship cultivation and persistence, you will uncover incredible opportunities to launch your island medical career!
Conclusion: Realizing the PA Career and Lifestyle of Your Dreams
This guide provided key insights into launching a richly rewarding PA career in gorgeous Hawaii – from world-class training programs to licensure navigation to finding your dream job.
A few parting thoughts:
Lean on mentors but also trust your instincts in making decisions aligning with personal and professional fulfillment. Stay open to exploring diversepractice settings – unexpected passions are sometimes discovered!
Approach clinical experiences, advanced coursework, and networking events during school strategically but also soak up every opportunity to build skills and relationships. This balance between focused career-building and wholehearted engagement serves future PAs exceptionally well.
And amidst chasing this dream, enjoy the journey! Appreciate each lesson learned, patient helped, and mentor who guides you. Recognize all the gifts you offer others through courageously embarking on this path. Amidst inevitable challenges, hold onto the vision of how fulfilling and meaningful this vocation becomes.
To all aspiring PAs – I wish you tremendous success! Our island communities need more compassionate, competent providers like you. Please reach out if I can support your journey in any way. A hui hou (until we meet again)!