In the fast-paced world of urgent care, PAs are indispensable. This PA Week, we highlight the remarkable opportunities for professional growth and development for PAs within the urgent care space, both inside and outside the exam room.
In the clinic, urgent care PAs wear a lot of hats: triage, diagnostician, stabilizer. We’re masters of adaptability, able to perform procedures, and even "MacGyver" tools to ensure patients receive the best care possible.
The often resource-limited urgent care setting demands a versatile skill set that relies on the basics: a thorough history and comprehensive physical exam. This reliance on fundamentals doesn't limit our capabilities; instead, it highlights our diagnostic acumen and clinical expertise.
When I transitioned to urgent care after 7 years in emergency medicine, going ‘back to the basics’ made my clinical reasoning skills much sharper. You become skilled at recognizing who is really sick and who isn’t with limited resources.
Vicky Pittman PA-C, Urgent Care PA and VP of Education at Hippo
I love being able to help people in their time of need. Urgent care patients are usually presenting to us with an acute problem. They can't get into their primary care provider for a few days and they're sick, tired, frustrated, or just don't feel good and they need our help now. The best part of urgent care is when you get to tell a patient that you can help them right then and there. You can physically see the patient's sigh of relief and it makes those long shifts worth it. Oh and I love the procedures. Removing rings, fish hooks, repairing lacerations, I&D abscess...you name it. It provides instant relief for the patients and they're impressed and relieved.
Erin Pressley PA-C, Urgent Care PA and Sr. Medical Editor at Hippo
I love working in urgent care because it is the melting pot of all medical specialties; we see a little of everything. The significant variation of presenting complaints allows me to work within a broad scope, utilizing my varied skill set daily. This is especially true as of late since we have such a shortage of primary care providers and the emergency department is overwhelmed. Patients range from low to high acuity and everything in between. The broad range of ages - infant to geriatric is lovely and challenging, and I especially love not knowing what is coming through the door…I am never bored, and I am always learning. Being a PA in the UC affords me a work-life balance that I don’t think I would have if I worked anywhere else.
Maureen McCaffrey PA-C, Urgent Care PA and Medical Editor at Hippo
Urgent care organizations recognize the leadership potential within their PA workforce, inviting us to venture into management and administrative roles, like lead clinician, regional director, or head of education. PAs can go even further, stepping into executive roles, influencing policy decisions, and shaping the strategic direction of healthcare organizations. (Several of the PAs on our urgent care team at Hippo have served in these such roles within their own organizations!)
There are various leadership opportunities available for an urgent care PA in today's world. Many, myself included, feel clinical leadership teams should accurately represent the clinicians serving in the centers, which means APPs can and should have a seat at the table. There are also opportunities for PAs to serve on a national level within organizations such as the UCA and the College of Urgent Care Medicine. I have had the honor of serving in various leadership roles throughout my career and would encourage all APPs with an interest in leadership to explore all avenues. We have the best job in the world and the sky’s the limit!
Jackie McDevitt-Capetola PA-C, Director of Education and Clinical Lead of Urgent Care products at Hippo, UCA & CUCM Board Member
This PA Week, let's celebrate the versatility and dedication of urgent care PAs, both inside and outside the exam room, as we continue to make a difference in patient care and healthcare management.
If you’re a PA working in UC, what do you love about working in the field? We want to hear about the unique roles you’ve had within your urgent care organization. Join the discussion in the comments section below!
