Employment

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PA Job Link
US Corporations
State Department
Peace Corps
Other


There are avenues for international physician assistant practice, though a PA who wishes to work abroad may have to do some sleuthing to find the right opportunity.

PAs encounter challenges in arranging to work abroad that they do not face stateside. The first challenge is that PAs are not recognized in the health care systems of other countries. The United States is the only country that regulates PA practice. Some countries have health care providers similar to U.S. PAs, but there are no set standards of education, licensing, or reciprocity. PAs currently working internationally recommend knowledge of another language, however it is not necessary. International volunteer experience is also a plus.

Many PAs are interested in practicing in European nations. Unfortunately, employment opportunities in these countries are few and far between. PAs who have worked in the European countries have generally spent many hours researching opportunities and have identified American corporations or government organizations that employ PAs to provide health care to expatriates living in country. In addition, these employment opportunities generally require a PA who has five to seven years of experience in emergency, trauma, or family medicine. For PAs interested in working in a developing nation, AAPA recommends first volunteering with an established health care volunteer organization.

American PAs can be licensed and work in the Manitoba Province of Canada as Clinical Assistants. All PAs must first apply for approval and licensing through the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Manitoba.The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority has approved job descriptions and employs clinical assistants, visit their Web site at, www.wrha.mb.ca.

The PA Job Link


The PA Job Link is the premier source for PAs looking for new jobs and for employers looking for PAs.
  • For the PA, AAPA provides all of the tools that are essential to your professional development, such as nationwide & international job postings, salary data, and a wealth of other professional practice resources.
  • For the Employer, the Academy can direct you to Web and print sources for information about the PA profession and employing a PA. Post job openings on this site to reach thousands of qualified job seekers or look up resumes from PAs seeking employment.
If there are no international opportunities listed on the PA Job Link we recommend searching medical placement Web sites. Many medical placement sites carry international opportunities.

U.S. Corporations


U.S. corporations with American personnel abroad have been known to employ physician assistants. The reference section of your local library should have a guide to international employment opportunities. We suggest contacting U.S. companies with overseas offices, such as Ratheyon and Shell Oil. Expect to educate potential employers about the benefits of hiring a PA to meet the medical needs of American employees.

Below is a listing of organizations that might help you get started in your search for paid employment abroad.

Seavin

Seavin employs PAs to work in Egypt. Most of the PAs work at remote areas and provide health care for Americans, Egyptians, and a few other nationalities. PAs must be NCCPA certified, have at least 5 years of experience in Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine,Urgent Care, or Primary Care. In addition, PAs must hold current certificates in BCLS and ACLS. 

To learn more abourt Seavin contact :

David E. Larson, MMS, PA-C
SEAVIN
Unit 64903 Unit 1201
APO AE  09868
Phone: 011-202-2519-0904, ext 114
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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U.S. Department of State


Working for the State Department as a Foreign Service Health Practitioner (FSHP) is an exciting career path for PAs. Benefits include coverage of moving expenses, schools, and sometimes embassy employment for spouses. PAs are hired as "career appointees" eligible for promotion, vested status, and retirement with full Foreign Service benefits.

PAs in the Foreign Service bid on positions in a range of locations, from cosmopolitan cities to remote locales and must have the ability to function fully in all. In some locations, FSHPs are assigned with supervising physicians, while in others they practice with remote indirect supervision from a Regional Medical Officer (RMO). The State Department is looking for applicants with solid grounding in family, travel, tropical, and emergency medicine. Favored candidates have international experience and/or have worked in remote practice settings.

FSHPs care primarily for the Americans assigned to the diplomatic mission. They also act as the embassy's liaison with host country medical institutions. In this capacity, FSHPs meet with physicians and medical boards; these meetings are valuable opportunities to educate providers and other authorities about the role, function and capabilities of physician assistants.

Most positions are in the developing world where local medical facilities are limited. Most positions require travel within a specific region. Basic compensation ranges from $55,901- $82,093 per year, with longevity earning potential is up to$107,357. Applicants must be US Citizens, currently licensed in a state or territory of the US, be currently certified, and have greater than two years of experience as a PA.

To learn more about working for the State Department, contact:

U.S. State Department
Office of Medical Services
Personnel Section - RM. L216
2401 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20522-0102
202/663-1084
www.state.gov

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Peace Corps


The Peace Corps contracts with PAs for two-year assignments as Peace Corps Medical Officers (PCMOs).  As PCMOs, PAs provide health education, counseling, and clinical intervention for Peace Corps volunteers.  PCMOs also play an important role in formulating in-country policies addressing Peace Corps volunteers health and safety.  Prior experience practicing in remote sites or with off-site supervision is required. Applicants must have a valid license and national certification.

For additional information, contact:

Peace Corps
1111 20th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20526
202/692-1535
www.peacecorps.gov
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Other


International Health Exchange

The IHE is a charity which supports the work of international aid agencies by helping to recruit, train, retain, and support health personnel working in relief and development programs. IHE provides the essential link between health workers and organizations needing their skills. The IHE does this by; a) providing information and advice to organizations and individuals working or wishing to work within the aid sector, b) providing information about jobs in relief and development, c) identifying health workers for posts in developing nations, d) providing training to health workers working in a developing nation, and e) promoting the understanding about health in developing countries and the value of international experience.

International Health Exchange
134 Lower Marsh Street
London SE1 7AE, UK
020/7620-3333
www.ihe.org.uk

Global Health Council

The Global Health Council provides a career network for current members. Jobs positions are available around the world.
www.globalhealth.org/jobs

Finding Work in Global Health

This book is a practical guide for job-seekers or anyone who wants to make the world a healthier place. The new 2005 edition written by Garth Osborn and Patrician Ohmans includes a preface by Nils Daulaire, MD, MPH, President and CEO of the Global Health Council.

American Refugee Committee

430 Oak Grove Street, Suite 204
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612/872-7060
www.archq.org

Time - 6 months - 1 year
Location - Cambodia, Croatia, Malawi, Somalia, Sudan, Thailand, Mozambique, Uganda, Zaire
$1,200 - $1,500/month

Care USA

151 Ellis St., NE
Atlanta, GA, 30303-2439, USA
404/681-2552
www.careusa.org

Time - Career position
Location - Worldwide
Salaried

Catholic Relief Services

World Headquarters
209 West Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-3443
410/625-2220
www.catholicrelief.org

Time - 1 year
Location - Worldwide
$2,000/month - base salary

The Christian and Missionary Alliance

8595 Explorer Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
719/ 599-5999
www.cmalliance.org

Time - Varies
Location - Worldwide, Varies

Feed The Children

P.O. Box 36
Oklahoma City, OK 73101-0036
800/627-4556
www.christianity.com

Time - Varies
Location - Worldwide, Varies

International Medical Corps

12233 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 280
Los Angeles, CA 90064
310/826-7800
www.imc-la.com

Time - 6 month - 1 year
Location - Angola, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan
$1,000 - $2,000/month

International Rescue Committee

122 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10168-1289
212/551-3000
www.theirc.org

Time - 6 months - 1 year
Location - Worldwide
300 - $1,500 - depends on locale

U.S. AID

U.S. Agency for International Development Information Center
Ronald Reagan Building
Washington, DC 20523-1000
202/712-4810
www.usaid.gov

Time - Varies
Location - Worldwide
Salaried

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