We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stephanie Arkin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stephanie below.
Alright, Stephanie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?
I always imagined myself going into Dermatology but after doing my clinical rotations in Physician Assistant school I fell in love with Psychiatry. I took my first job out of school at the same place I did my clinical rotation. One of my high school friends worked as a nurse at the office and told me they were looking for a new practitioner. It was my first job after school so I really had no idea what it would look like for me. I loved that I was not thrown into seeing patients my first week, but was able to shadow and study day to day for a couple of months. I learned so much valuable information from the doctor and other practitioners at the office. My goals as a PA-C have never changed. I wanted to help people while maintaining a healthy, happy home-work life balance.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
A Physician Assistant (PA) is a healthcare professional who is trained and licensed to practice medicine under the supervision of a physician. PAs are capable of performing a wide range of duties, including taking medical histories, performing physical exams, ordering and interpreting tests, diagnosing illnesses, developing treatment plans, prescribing medications, and even assisting in surgeries. The role of a PA can vary significantly depending on the setting and the specific agreement with the supervising physician. I see patients mainly with depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, Bipolar, Schizophrenia and much more. Best part of my job is them telling me I made a difference in their daily life and they just feel happier on a day-to-day basis. Seeing my patients feel the best version of themselves is all I want.
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
Yes, I would choose the same profession and specialty. As a PA, you have the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives by providing care and support to patients. PAs can work in a variety of medical specialties, from family medicine to orthopedic surgery. This flexibility allows PAs to explore different areas of medicine throughout their career.
The demand for PAs is high and is projected to continue growing, providing job security.
I also love that PAs often work as part of a healthcare team, collaborating with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
Honestly, I think the way I was raised has helped me succeed in this field. I come from a loving, caring and supportive family. Of course, that is not the sole reason, but I believe the way I was raised and cared for has helped me succeed in the field.
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