The PA and Supervising Physician Relationship: 5 Must Haves!

Over my 15 years + as a PA I have had been lucky to work with some incredible physicians.

Physicians who get what I do, treat me like a colleague and understand my utility (both to my patients and to the practice).

The best working relationships are the same as those that make a great marriage: They include a large dose of mutual respect, patience, presence, and appreciation.

Here are 5 Must-Haves for a Successful PA and Supervising Physician Relationship

1. A Willing Mentor and a Willing Apprentice

I place this as number one because I think it really is the most important, especially if you are a new PA.

Feeling comfortable with your supervisor has the potential to save lives. The majority of medical errors I see PAs make (rare as they may be) are usually a result of making decisions that you aren’t comfortable with. Having a good working relationship with your supervisor, one that is open to ALL questions will give you the security you need to do your job well.

Now that I have been practicing for several years it is not uncommon to find myself in a position to help many of our new doctors. I always am impressed when the doctors are willing to hear my thoughts as well. It is a two-way street.

2. A Mutual Understanding of What You Can and Cannot do

It is a good idea to sit down together and discuss your strength's and weaknesses. Don’t be afraid, to be honest.

Yes, you may be embarrassed that you just accepted this new family practice job and you have never really done a pelvic exam on a “real” patient (my situation). But that is OK.

If you are honest about these things and you don’t try to act as you know it all you will learn how to do things right. It may take a few attempts and again that is ok. But if your supervisor understands where you are coming from this will make all the difference

3. Patience...Lots of it

This was a hard one for me. It is inevitable that some of your most complicated patients will arrive on your busiest days. Your rooms are full, you are an hour behind and you just want an answer: STAT – minus the teaching moment. But the best teachers are also the ones who understand the value of a teaching moment. Waiting to get an answer to your question may be the number one deterrent to asking a question. But I will encourage you to dig deep and have patience. I can remember these moments (and there were lots of them) but it was always worth it. I learned something that I now probably use every day.

4. Availability

When started my first job I was required to work Saturday clinics. This wouldn’t have been bad except for the fact that I was alone. As a new physician assistant, this is a tough situation and one that can be anxiety provoking. The only thing that made this tolerable was knowing that somebody had my back. Unfortunately, this was not always the case. Make sure that you work this out with your supervisor and if you are new it is important that they are not just “available” by phone but that they are actually available when you need them most. Nothing is worse than that dial tone when you really need a helping hand.

5. Honest (and supportive) Feedback

The best supervisors can give good constructive criticism but also know how and when to give you a pat on the back from time to time. I love critical analysis of my work, it makes me a better physician assistant. But when that is all you get it can become demoralizing. On the opposite side of that coin is the supervisor who thinks everything you do is pitch perfect. In this case, you may feel good but there will be no growth in your work.

Having a supervising physician that is present, kindly critical and has a desire to see the best for your patients is a perfect world!

What if you are not getting what you need?

This is a good question and needs to be addressed. If you are working in a toxic environment you need to let someone know. If this toxic environment is your employer then it may be time to start looking for a new job. There is no shame in this you have worked hard to earn your degree, you are smart and capable don’t let a bad working environment shape your (or your patient's) future.

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Stephen Pasquini PA-C Physician Assistant

Stephen has been a family practice PA since 2004 and is the creator of The PA Life, Smarty PANCE Board Review, and PASchoolfinder websites. A National Health Service Corps Scholar and a graduate of The University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ (Rutgers) PA Program and the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. Stephen's goal is to provide one-of-a-kind online resources for those interested in or practicing in the PA profession, to promote better access to healthcare for all, and to foster universal recognition/awareness of the PA profession. Read more about Stephen.

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Webinar: Crafting Your Best PA School Personal Statement

Hosted by Stephen Pasquini PA-C, Deanna Matzen

About this webinar Are you applying to PA school but worried about writing a compelling personal statement that will grab the admissions committee’s attention? Do you want to learn the secrets of crafting a PA school essay that stands out from the crowd and showcases your personality, motivation, and fit for PA school? If so, then you don’t want to miss our webinar on Crafting Your Best PA School Personal Statement. In this webinar, you will learn the following: What a personal statement is and how schools use them. You will understand the purpose and expectations of writing a personal statement and how schools use this information during the admission process. What to do before you start writing. You will learn how to prepare and organize your thoughts, research, and brainstorm your strengths and achievements. A successful structure for your personal statement. You will learn how to craft a clear, coherent, and compelling narrative that showcases your personality, motivation, and fit for their program. Common mistakes to avoid. You will learn how to polish your personal statement and avoid errors that could undermine your credibility or impact. By joining this webinar, you will gain valuable insights and tips on how to write a personal statement that increases your chances of admission to your desired PA school. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and get feedback from our experienced PA school coaches. Don’t miss this chance to learn how to write your best PA school personal statement. Register now and secure your spot for this webinar. You won’t regret it!