Career Advancement and Transitions
As a PA, you can take your career anywhere you want. And we’ve got the tools you need to do that. Advance your career with leadership opportunities, recognition programs, volunteering, mentoring relationships, and more from AAPA.
Looking for a change? Our Career Transition resources can help you navigate switching specialties, taking a break from or returning to practice, or resigning from an employer.
Advance Your Career
Leadership & Management Training Courses
These 1-hour online courses focus on topics such as billing and reimbursement, compliance, leadership styles, metrics, and advocacy.
Degree Pathways
Is your goal to earn an advanced healthcare degree or certificate? This program offers a soft entrance into pursuing an academic degree/certificate by completing prerequisite coursework specific to PA and NP practice.
ACHE/AAPA Leadership Learning Collaborative
The online ACHE/AAPA Leadership Learning Collaborative offers 20 of the 36 credits needed to complete the prestigious FACHE credentialing.
Leadership on Demand
Access recorded leadership sessions from AAPA’s live events and webinars. Choose sessions and bundles from the popular Executive Leadership Conference, AAPA Conference, and more.
Connect in Huddle
Network with your peers and collaborate to solve career and clinical challenges on AAPA’s members only online community, Huddle. FREE to AAPA fellow, student and retired members.
Distinguished Fellow Program
AAPA honors Distinguished Fellows for leadership, service, and contributions made to the PA profession.
Clinical Preceptor Recognition Program
AAPA recognizes the hard work of preceptors through its Clinical Preceptor Recognition Program.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
We want your voice to be heard. That’s why we offer a variety of volunteer leadership opportunities – exclusive to AAPA members – that can make an immediate impact on your career.
CME Optimization
Make the most of your CME budget and learn how to tailor your clinical education to your individual learning style and needs.
New Grad Financial Blueprint
PAs need to make important financial decisions throughout their careers. Begin your journey towards financial freedom with this financial blueprint for new grads.
PA Investment Opportunities
You may be familiar with terms like 401K, Roth IRA, employer match, and Health Savings Account, but are you confident you know how to leverage these savings opportunities effectively? In this article, PA 4 Finance Founder, Andrew Baker, shares his advice on kick-starting your savings and calculating your personal risk tolerance.
Make a Career Transition
AOP Guide
Explore a new career direction or specialty with this collection of AAPA and partner resources, salary data, and CME on various practice areas, including Administration, Dermatology, Education, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Hospital Medicine, Internal Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery, Telemedicine, and Urgent Care.
Planning a Break From Clinical Practice
Thinking about taking a break from clinical practice? Here are some tips to make a clear reentry plan so you can resume practicing as quickly and seamlessly as possible.
Resigning From Employment
Moving on from your current job? We’ve got the guidance – and the checklist – you need on how to transition gracefully, along with tips on what to handle before your final day.
Changing Specialties
Learn about the educational resources that are available to help you switch from one specialty to another.
Three Steps for Bouncing Back from Career Setbacks
Career disappointments and setbacks are parts of the professional journey that will happen to almost every PA at some point—and they can feel devastating. In this article I’d like to explore some ideas and approaches for responding to career setbacks so that you not only rebound but return to your practice with greater zest and confidence.
Finding Your Dream Job
There is no perfect job. Career satisfaction is highly individualized. PAs can find the right job for them by carefully considering variables like work-life balance, compensation, and work setting, and prioritizing the variables that align with their passions, values, and morals.
Is Locums work a good option for you?
Practicing in a locum tenens position is a uniquely flexible way to explore a new location, expand your practice, make professional connections, and stay clinically active between longer-term positions.
Independent Contracting
There are a few key factors to consider when thinking about independent contracting. Read more for tips and considerations for independent contracting.
PAs Working Abroad: Resources and Information
Practicing abroad is a great way to enhance your experience as a PA – both professionally and personally. But international practice requires more preparation than practicing in the U.S.
Practice Partnership and Ownership
Owning a practice or other healthcare business is complex and can present special challenges for PAs. The following information can help you decide whether practice partnership or ownership is right for you.
Pre-Graduation Checklist
If you are a PA student who is nearing graduation, you have a lot to think about as you prepare to launch your PA career. Stay on top of all the major milestones and deadlines you have ahead of you with the following checklist.
New Graduate Checklist
Congratulations, Graduate! You are almost at the finish line. There are just a few more things to accomplish before you become a practicing PA. Stay on top of all the final milestones and deadlines with the following checklist.
Taking A Sabbatical
PAs report high job satisfaction but also suffer from burnout, which can take extended periods to fully recover from. Taking a sabbatical from the profession has many benefits and can help foster burnout recovery.