𝘚𝘏𝘈𝘋𝘖𝘞𝘐𝘕𝘎 𝘋𝘖𝘌𝘚𝘕’𝘛 𝘚𝘛𝘖𝘗 𝘞𝘏𝘌𝘕 𝘠𝘖𝘜 𝘎𝘌𝘛 𝘐𝘕𝘛𝘖 𝘗𝘈 𝘚𝘊𝘏𝘖𝘖𝘓.
One of my FAVORITE job-hunting tips (coming from the girl that doesn’t have a job #imposter) is to ask to shadow the provider that you will potentially be working with. This shows continued interest and establishes “next steps” before concluding an interview. Think of it like securing a second date. It's mutually beneficial and allows both parties to assess for a proper fit.
𝐀𝐒 𝐀 𝐍𝐄𝗪 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐃 𝐏𝐀 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐎𝗪𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐑, 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄’𝐒 𝗪𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈’𝐌 𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐎𝐑:
How does the provider interact with their patients?
How does the provider treat their staff and colleagues? Particularly pay attention to their interactions with other APPs.
Does the provider enjoy teaching?
Do you like the specialty and workflow? Are intrigued by the content or are you already yawning?
Does your personality “click” with the provider’s?
𝐃𝐎𝐍’𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐏 𝐀 𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄:
I’ve had some providers teach all day long without asking me a single question. I’ve had others who love to pimp. I spend about 30 minutes or so refreshing myself on the subject matter, common chief complaints, pertinent anatomy and physical exam, procedures, surgeries, etc. just in case.
𝐉𝐎𝐁 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐎𝗪𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐈𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄:
Use the same etiquette that you practiced as a pre-PA student. Be kind and courteous to their patients. Ask questions when appropriate. You now have medical knowledge. Frame your questions in a way that skillfully emphasizes your familiarity with the subject matter.
Last but not least, you are no longer a student and therefore you are not covered by your school’s insurance. DO NOT TOUCH PATIENTS, even if the provider asks you to (unless they’re asking you to palpate something as a teaching point). If asked to assist with a procedure, throw a suture, dress a wound etc., just say no and blame it on the legalities surrounding your license.
Have you asked to job shadow before accepting an offer? Did you end up taking the job?
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