Pre-medical Studies at Fresno State Larry G. Riley, MSc, PhD Professor – Comparative Endocrinology Pre-Med Advisor Biology Department California State University, Fresno Science 1, room 212 lriley@csufresno.edu Appointments are made with the Biology department @ 278-2001

Plan B Options Postbaccalaurate Programs Physician Assistant (PA) Clinical Lab Scientist (CLS)

Postbaccalaurate Programs The University of California Schools of Medicine offer comprehensive postbaccalaureate programs designed to assist students from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds in gaining admission to medical school. The programs seek students who are committed to practicing in underserved communities of California Programs are located at UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC Riverside, UCSF Each program provides An intensive MCAT preparation and learning skills component Enrollment in upper division science courses during the academic year either at a UC, UC extension Guidance throughout the medical school application process Consortium website https://postbac.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/

Physician Assistant (PA)

What is a Physician Assistant? A physician assistant (PA) is a medical professional who works as part of a team with a doctor. A PA is a graduate of an accredited PA educational program who is nationally certified and state-licensed to practice medicine with the supervision of a physician.   What can PAs do?   PAs perform physical examinations, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret lab tests, perform procedures, assist in surgery, provide patient education and counseling and make rounds in hospitals and nursing homes. All 50 states and the District of Columbia allow PAs to practice and prescribe medications. https://www.aapa.org/career-central/become-a-pa/

Difference Between Physician Assistant (PA) & Nurse Practitioner (NP) At the practical level, there are likely more similarities than differences between PAs and NPs. However, there are 2 key differences: PAs are educated in general medicine, which offers a comprehensive view of all aspects of medicine. NPs must choose a “population focus,” e.g. pediatric, nurse practitioner or women’s health nurse practitioner. PAs are trained to practice medicine using a curriculum modeled on medical school education. NPs are trained in the advanced practice of nursing https://www.aapa.org/career-central/become-a-pa/

Pre-req’s for Physician Assistant Sciences: 1-year sequential coursework General Biology w/labs (BIOL 1A/1B) General Chemistry w/labs (CHEM 1A/1B or CHEM 3A/3B) 3 semester units or 4 quarter units each of the following General Microbiology w/lab (BIOL 20 or BIOL 120) Human Anatomy w/lab (BIOL 67A) Human Physiology w/lab (BIOL 67B)

Pre-req’s for PA 2. Non-Sciences: 3 semester units or 4 quarter units each of the following Statistics Introductory/General Psychology All pre-requisite courses must be completed with a “C” or better and must be taken w/in 5 or 10 years of applying **There may be additional requirements depending on school** 1 year of Spanish 1 year of Organic Chemistry 1 semester of Cell Biology Check with each individual school to know what their required courses are.

Additional Pre-req’s for PA GRE or MCAT – depends on school (taken w/in 5-years of application) AP Credit – depends on school Clinical Experience – amount depends on school. The more experience the better. Plan to have 2 years of experience Examples: EMT, radiologic technician, nursing assistant, respiratory therapist, etc… Hands-on experience Helpful website: www.thepalife.com

Additional Pre-req’s for PA Demonstration of community service is expected of all applicants Examples: Habitat for Humanity, Boys & Girls Club, homeless shelters, Big Brother/Sister Clubs, etc… Letters of Reference 3-5 letters Examples: Physician Assistant, Science Professor, Physician , nurse, mentor Essay CASPA (Central Application Service for PAs) www.paeaonline.org/caspa

Clinical Lab Science (CLS)

Clinical Lab Science (CLS) Clinical laboratory scientist, aka medical laboratory scientist, aka medical technologist, aka med tech. Performs testing on blood, body fluids and other samples for the purposes of diagnosing disease and monitoring patient treatment. Current job market is very good. Most graduates have been able to find jobs within 3 months of completing the program. Highly competitive!!!! California Association for Medical Laboratory Technology http://camlt.org/clinical-laboratory-scientist-cls

Application Process for CLS Must complete Bachelors Degree and essential course work prior to application Minimum GPA 2.75 – 3.0 Highly competitive, higher GPA better chance of being accepted Applied for Trainee License Resume/CV Application Essay Three letters of recommendation Official copies of college transcripts

Typical Courses Req’d for CLS Programs 16 semester units of chemistry that must include quantitative analysis and biochemistry (not a requirement for all programs) 18 semester units of biological sciences that must include specific classes in immunology, hematology, and medical microbiology 3 semester units of physics Prefer at least 4 units of upper division biology laboratory and at least one, preferably all, of the following courses: physiology, genetics, biostatistics Each program requirements vary.

Courses Req’d for CLS License Course # @ CSUF Course Title Units BIOL 1A, 1B/1BL Introductory Biology 8 BIOL 102 Genetics 3 BIOL 103 Cell Biology BIOL 120 Microbiology 4 BIOL 157 (157L optional) Immunology 3/6 BIOL 121 Medical Microbiology BIOL 164 Hematology CHEM 1A/1B with labs General Chemistry 10 or CHEM 128A/B & 129A Organic Chemistry (better option) CHEM 8 & 129A Organic Chemistry (will work, not preferred) 5 CHEM 105 Quantitative Analysis Lab PHYS 2A/2B General Physics MATH 75 Calculus

CLS License Most Fresno State students major in Biology After you graduate with your B.S. degree you will need to apply to the state for a CLS trainee license. This license allows you to apply to the hospitals of your choice for admission to the one-year internship You’ll need the license in order to be admitted to a CLS program License allows you to train, not work, as a licensed CLS Manual on how to apply for a CLS License: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OSPHLD/LFS/CDPH%20Document%20Library/P-Perl-NewUserManual.pdf

California CLS Licenses There are different types of CLS Trainee Licenses Clinical Chemist Clinical Cytogeneticist Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Clinical Hematologist Clinical Histocompatibility Clinical Immunohematologist Clinical Microbiologist Clinical Toxicologists More information at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OSPHLD/LFS/Pages/CLS-Trainee.aspx Approved CLD training programs: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OSPHLD/LFS/CDPH%20Document%20Library/P-Approved-CLS-Training-Programs.pdf

CLS Programs Example of a CLS program (SFSU) Post-baccalaureate certificate program 2 cohorts/year; 25-30 students/cohort 14 month program 16 weeks (1 semester) campus phase Intense didactic presentation with labs for all 7 rotations: Hematology, Hemostasis, Microbiology, Serology, Immunohematology, Urinalysis, Chemistry 40 weeks (10 months) onsite clinical training National Certification (ASCP) California Licensure (LFS)