Your PA Mentor - From Physician Assistant Student to PA-C
27 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 3 years ago -Welcome to Your PA Mentor podcast. I am Sami Ngo, your host and fellow Physician Assistant, and I am here to help you navigate your way to fulfilling PA career. At 26 years old, I landed my dream job as a brand new graduate right out of PA school without even realizing it. All because I had an incredible mentor who guided me through my first few years as a clinician.My mentor completely changed my life and how I practice medicine. He didn’t just teach me clinical medicine. He taught me how to love the art of medicine, how to develop work/ life balance, how to avoid burnout, and most importantly. how to truly love and continue to love my profession. Because of him, I became the confident Physician Assistant that I am today. And that is why I have made it my mission to help PA students and new graduates navigate their way through the Physician Assistant profession with advice, strategy and tools to a fulfilling career as a PA.
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Episodes
What to Expect During the Onboarding Process of Your New Job
May 10, 2021 12:00 - 17 minutes - 12 MBOnboarding process is the training process of a new job. Most new grads don’t ask about the onboarding process during their interview and EKKKKK! They find themselves drowning when they are thrown into a full schedule without proper training or supervision. #thestruggleisreal Typically, the onboarding process can be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months depending on the job. Your training period in OB/GYN will be completely different from your training period in family m...
Dos and Don'ts of Cover Letters
May 03, 2021 09:00 - 11 minutes - 8.11 MBDon’t fall into the trap of writing a boring, generic cover letter. No work experience? No problem. In this weeks podcast episode, Sam and Erin explain how your cover letter can give you a leg up on the competition. Listen in while we teach you how to market yourself and stand out to your future employer!
What You Should Be Doing Before You Apply to PA School
March 26, 2021 19:00 - 26 minutes - 18 MBCASPA opens up in less than 1 month. You’re anxious. You want to know how do I know if I’m picking the right school? What should I be doing as a Pre-PA? This episode is all you Pre-PA and PA students. If you’re just starting out on your Pre-PA path or ready to start applying to Physician Assistants programs, we’ve got you covered. Erin and I give you the scoop about what to do before you even start thinking about Physician Assistant school. We’ve also got tips to make you a c...
What to Expect in the First Five Years of Practice as a New Grad Physician Assistant (Part 2)
March 15, 2021 09:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBIn the second half of our 2-part series on what to expect during your first 5 years as a Physician Assistant, join Erin and I to hear about their experiences during years 3-5. Not everyone’s experiences are the same but there’s universal truths that all Physician Assistants can relate to in their careers. Join Your PA Mentor for an in-depth conversation where they discuss: ➕ How to manage and improve your work/life balance ➕Develop a broader leadership role in your clinic ➕Ex...
What to Expect in the First Five Years of Practice as a New Grad Physician Assistant (Part 1)
March 08, 2021 10:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MBAre you graduating or about to graduate from your Physician Assistant program? Ready to start your career as a new grad PA? In this episode, Your PA Mentor podcast, Erin and I bring you the first episode in a 2-part series about what to expect during your first 5 years as a Physician Assistant. Erin and I have been in practice for 8 years each, both with wildly different experiences and they’re ready to spill the tea! Listen in as we chat about our first 2 years as Physician As...
PA Resume Rights and Wrongs
February 11, 2021 04:00 - 17 minutes - 12.4 MBYour PA Mentor is back with Season 2 and we’re so excited to be talking to you again! We know that finding a Physician Assistant job right now is tough with a lot of competition. So for all our Physician Assistant friends out there, listen up while Sam and Erin drop some knowledge about how to make your resume work for you. Quick tip: if it’s more than 2 pages you’re doing it wrong! Let us help you. Sam and Erin are going to break down resume rights and wrongs for new graduate ...
Season 2 Episode 1: PA Resume Rights and Wrongs
February 11, 2021 04:00 - 17 minutes - 12.4 MBYour PA Mentor is back with Season 2 and we’re so excited to be talking to you again! We know that finding a Physician Assistant job right now is tough with a lot of competition. So for all our Physician Assistant friends out there, listen up while Sam and Erin drop some knowledge about how to make your resume work for you. Quick tip: if it’s more than 2 pages you’re doing it wrong! Let us help you. Sam and Erin are going to break down resume rights and wrongs for new graduate Physicia...
How to Avoid Lawsuits & Stop Practicing Defensive Medicine
September 02, 2020 12:00 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MBOnly bad providers get sued. #fakenews Did you know that >50% of providers will be sued at least once in their career? There is a myth in the medical field that only bad providers get sued. But it can happen to any of us at any time. On the last episode of the season on Your PA Mentor podcast we talk about how to avoid getting sued and how to be prepared for it. In this episode, we cover: ➕malpractice insurance coverage ➕best documentation practices ➕easy ways to minimize risk...
Season 1 Episode 10: Lawsuits & Defensive Medicine
September 02, 2020 12:00 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MBOnly bad providers get sued. #fakenews Did you know that >50% of providers will be sued at least once in their career? There is a myth in the medical field that only bad providers get sued. But it can happen to any of us at any time. On the last episode of the season on Your PA Mentor podcast we talk about how to avoid getting sued and how to be prepared for it. In this episode, we cover: ➕malpractice insurance coverage ➕best documentation practices ➕easy ways to minimize risk You ca...
How to Read a Contract Before You Sign
August 26, 2020 13:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MBYou can write a prescription but can you read a contract? Signing an employment contract is one of the most important financial decisions a PA can make. Don’t get stuck in a bad job because you didn’t understand what you signed up for. In the latest episode of our podcast, Your PA Mentor, we make sure you know about: ➕ bonus pitfalls ➕ vesting and retirement ➕ non-compete clauses ➕ malpractice insurance And more. Press PLAY to tune in now!
Season 1 Episode 9: How to read a contract before you sign
August 26, 2020 13:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MBYou can write a prescription but can you read a contract? Signing an employment contract is one of the most important financial decisions a PA can make. Don’t get stuck in a bad job because you didn’t understand what you signed up for. In the latest episode of our podcast, Your PA Mentor, we make sure you know about: ➕ bonus pitfalls ➕ vesting and retirement ➕ non-compete clauses ➕ malpractice insurance And more. Press PLAY to tune in now!
Season 1 Episode 8: How I paid off $150,000 of student loan debt in less than 5 years
August 19, 2020 12:00 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MBI paid off $150,000 of student loan debt in less than 5 years. If I was smarter, I could have done it in 2-3 years. Except I wasn’t all that smart at 26 years old. I didn’t know anything about high interest rates or refinancing. I have always been told that student loan debt is part of the college culture. It's woven into society, and it is accepted as a normal part of life. But you know what nobody tells you about student loans? They are a motherf%*^#* burden! A burden that is keep...
How I Paid Off $150,000 of Student Loan Debt in Less Than 5 Years
August 19, 2020 12:00 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MBI paid off $150,000 of student loan debt in less than 5 years. If I was smarter, I could have done it in 2-3 years. Except I wasn’t all that smart at 26 years old. I didn’t know anything about high interest rates or refinancing. I have always been told that student loan debt is part of the college culture. It's woven into society, and it is accepted as a normal part of life. But you know what nobody tells you about student loans? They are a motherf%*^#* burden! A burden that...
Season 1 Episode 7: Bad Grades
August 10, 2020 12:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBSo you got that dreaded C in your organic chemistry? Or was it biochemistry? Or philosophy? Or was it multiple bad grades? Feeling bummed and discouraged about applying to PA school with less than a 4.0 GPA? Well, guess what? Erin and I have been there and done that. We are here to tell you that your GPA is NOT a reflection of who you are. And it definitely won’t kill your chances of getting into PA school. You should not let a lower than average GPA stop you from finding a path to ...
How to Explain Bad Grades in Your PA School Interview
August 10, 2020 12:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBSo you got that dreaded C in your organic chemistry? Or was it biochemistry? Or philosophy? Or was it multiple bad grades? Feeling bummed and discouraged about applying to PA school with less than a 4.0 GPA? Well, guess what? Erin and I have been there and done that. We are here to tell you that your GPA is NOT a reflection of who you are. And it definitely won’t kill your chances of getting into PA school. You should not let a lower than average GPA stop you from finding a ...
All Your Pre-PA Questions Answered
August 03, 2020 12:00 - 16 minutes - 11.4 MBIt’s here! It’s here! Finally! This podcast episode is for all you Pre-PAs! I know you have been patiently waiting for the Pre-PA content! The episode is now LIVE! In this episode, Erin and I do a quick rapid fire Q&A session! We are answering all the questions you guys asked us a few weeks ago! We discuss: ➕ How to get shadowing experiences ➕ What were the hardest classes in PA school ➕ How to have a social life in school ➕ Best undergraduate courses to take to prepare fo...
Season 1 Episode 6: All Your Pre-PA Questions Answered
August 03, 2020 12:00 - 16 minutes - 11.4 MBIt’s here! It’s here! Finally! This podcast episode is for all you Pre-PAs! I know you have been patiently waiting for the Pre-PA content! The episode is now LIVE! In this episode, Erin and I do a quick rapid fire Q&A session! We are answering all the questions you guys asked us a few weeks ago! We discuss: ➕ How to get shadowing experiences ➕ What were the hardest classes in PA school ➕ How to have a social life in school ➕ Best undergraduate courses to take to prepare for PA sch...
Season 1 Episode 5: Effects of Covid-19 on Job Market
July 27, 2020 12:00 - 15 minutes - 11 MBWe interrupt our regularly scheduled program to bring you this important message! In this episode, Erin and I address how COVID-19 has truly impacted the PA profession. During this unprecedented time, experienced PAs are being furloughed and new grads are having a difficult time securing a job with decent pay and benefits. ➕ We talk about the kinds of jobs and contracts that are being offered to PAs during this pandemic. ➕ We review what you should be looking for in your contract befo...
The Effects of Covid-19 on Physician Assistant Job Market
July 27, 2020 12:00 - 15 minutes - 11 MBWe interrupt our regularly scheduled program to bring you this important message! In this episode, Erin and I address how COVID-19 has truly impacted the PA profession. During this unprecedented time, experienced PAs are being furloughed and new grads are having a difficult time securing a job with decent pay and benefits. ➕ We talk about the kinds of jobs and contracts that are being offered to PAs during this pandemic. ➕ We review what you should be looking for in your contr...
How to Negotiate Salary & Benefits
July 20, 2020 13:00 - 20 minutes - 14 MBHow I negotiated $15,000 above my starting my offer as a new PA graduate In this episode, I walk you through the art of salary negotiation. ✖️I go through the step by step process of negotiation and how long it should take. ✖️I talk about my personal experience negotiating salary/benefits as a new graduate with full transparency. ✖️Erin talks about her biggest fears when it comes down to negotiation. ✖️ We give you a detailed list of all the things you should be negotiating...
Season 1 Episode 4: Salary & Benefits Negotiation
July 20, 2020 13:00 - 20 minutes - 14 MBHow I negotiated $15,000 above my starting my offer as a new PA graduate In this episode, I walk you through the art of salary negotiation. ✖️I go through the step by step process of negotiation and how long it should take. ✖️I talk about my personal experience negotiating salary/benefits as a new graduate with full transparency. ✖️Erin talks about her biggest fears when it comes down to negotiation. ✖️ We give you a detailed list of all the things you should be negotiating in your...
Tips & Tricks to Land Your Ideal Job
July 13, 2020 04:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MBIn this episode, Erin and I will give you job interview tips to help you pass a job interview and get the job you want! We will be discussing: ➕ How to prepare for your interview –everything to do BEFORE your interview ➕How we would answer the 3 most commonly asked interview questions ➕How to approach the difficult CLINICAL questions ➕ What questions you should be asking during your interview And we will also be discussing how our experiences as an interviewee and an interview...
Season 1 Episode 3: The Interview
July 13, 2020 04:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MBIn this episode, Erin and I will give you job interview tips to help you pass a job interview and get the job you want! We will be discussing: ➕ How to prepare for your interview –everything to do BEFORE your interview ➕How we would answer the 3 most commonly asked interview questions ➕How to approach the difficult CLINICAL questions ➕ What questions you should be asking during your interview And we will also be discussing how our experiences as an interviewee and an interviewer has c...
The Job Search
July 06, 2020 02:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBIt can be overwhelming trying to find a Physician Assistant job in the current job market. Two experienced PAs discuss why it’s still important to choose a job wisely and how to stand out. Listen to Sam and Erin talk about their experiences with their own job search, what questions to ask potential employers and how to make sure your new job is a good fit.
Season 1 Episode 2: The Job Search
July 06, 2020 02:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBIt can be overwhelming trying to find a PA job in the current job market. Two experienced PAs discuss why it’s still important to choose a job wisely and how to stand out. Listen to Sam and Erin talk about their experiences with their own job search, what questions to ask potential employers and how to make sure your new job is a good fit.
Season 1 Episode 1: Meet your PA Mentors
June 29, 2020 04:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MBMeet Sam. Meet Erin. Two Physician Assistants with 7 years experience working in primary care, urgent care, emergency and corrections medicine. In today’s episode, we talk a little bit about our experiences as first year PAs. Sit down, relax, and grab a drink and listen in on all our Dos and Don’ts as newbies in the profession. We may or may not drop some F bombs a few times. 🤷🏻♀️ #nofilter Tell us how we did on our very first podcast! Comment on any topics you would like us to cover i...
Meet Your PA Mentors
June 29, 2020 04:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MBMeet Sam. Meet Erin. Two Physician Assistants with 7 years experience working in primary care, urgent care, emergency and corrections medicine. In today’s episode, we talk a little bit about our experiences as first year PAs. Sit down, relax, and grab a drink and listen in on all our Dos and Don’ts as newbies in the profession. We may or may not drop some F bombs a few times. 🤷🏻♀️ #nofilter Tell us how we did on our very first podcast! Comment on any topics you would like us to...