Clinical Externship

Catalog description

12 clinical rotations each 4 weeks in length. Externships consist of clinical experience in a variety of clinical settings. This practicum is designed to provide clinical reinforcement of the didactic curriculum content presented during year one of the student’s education. Students are expected to integrate didactic knowledge and clinical experience in the development of clinical competencies that are expected of program graduates. Externships also provide the students with an opportunity to understand healthcare finance, medico-legal issues, professionalism, interpersonal communication, and other principles inherent in the patient-healthcare provider relationship. Students can expect clinical experience in the following disciplines: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Prenatal Care and Gynecology, General Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Radiology and Psychiatry/Behavioral Medicine. Students will also have the opportunity to choose three different elective rotations to explore subspecialty medicine and surgery. Additionally, one rotation will be a Wellness Rotation that will consist of activities that promote the PA profession, serve the community, and foster an environment of self-care and overall physical and mental wellness while working in the medical field. The Physician Assistant program offers its clinical courses through affiliated hospitals that are public and private institutions located throughout the state. A complete list of these affiliations is posted on the LSUHSC legal affairs website. See Physician Assistant Studies Clinical Externships for more information.