Associate in Science, Concentration: Pre-Physician Assistant | Northeast Alabama Community College

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 29-1071.00

Skills

Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingService OrientationActive ListeningWritingSpeakingSocial Perceptiveness

Knowledge

Medicine and DentistryBiologyEnglish LanguagePsychologyTherapy and Counseling

Abilities

Oral ComprehensionProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningWritten ComprehensionOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionInformation OrderingSpeech RecognitionSpeech Clarity

Tasks

Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.
Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
Refer patients to other healthcare providers.

Technology

Medical softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing software

Tools

Anesthesia equipmentAnesthesia ventilatorsAnoscopesArterial blood gas monitoring equipmentArterial line cathetersArtery forcepsAspirating needlesAudiometersBinocular light compound microscopesBlood collection needlesBlood collection syringesBone marrow biopsy equipmentBreath alcohol testersBull dog nose clampsCanes

Work Values

RelationshipsWorking ConditionsAchievementSupportIndependenceRecognition

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET + BLS

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: high29-1071.00	Physician Assistants	title_inference	$133,260 median$182,200 top	+20.34%	3,320

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: developing (Level 2)(based on Associate's Degree)

Patient medical data — compile comprehensive histories, physical findings, and diagnostic results independently within an established outpatient or urgent care practice.
Differential diagnoses — formulate and prioritize working diagnoses for moderately complex cases with reduced physician oversight in a specialty or primary care clinic.
Diagnostic imaging and ECG results — interpret findings for common deviations and integrate results into clinical decision-making in a hospital or multispecialty setting.
Prescription therapies — select and prescribe appropriate medications or treatment regimens within scope-of-practice guidelines with routine physician collaboration.
Diagnostic test panels — order and coordinate x-rays, electrocardiograms, and laboratory studies efficiently to support timely diagnosis in a busy clinical environment.
Therapeutic procedures — perform suturing, immunizations, and infection management routinely with minimal supervision in an emergency or outpatient procedure suite.
Patient counseling sessions — conduct individualized education on chronic disease management, family planning, and emotional health in a community health center.
Progress documentation — author clear, legally compliant progress notes and discharge summaries using electronic health record systems in an inpatient setting.
Time-sensitive clinical situations — prioritize and manage multiple patient encounters efficiently during high-volume shifts in an urgent care or hospital medicine unit.
Interdisciplinary care coordination — collaborate with nursing, pharmacy, and specialist teams to align treatment plans in a hospital or integrated health system.

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.