PA_Certificate Program?

I am considering going to PA school, but I am looking into certificate programs. I already have a PhD, MA, MPhil, (in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences) and a BS in Biological Sciences. Currently I'm a postdoctoral scientist doing research on Alzheimer's Disease. I'm very happy with my work, although I feel that the only thing that's missing is this direct link between research and treatment. I collaborate with many MDs currently and rely on there feedback but I feel that I would have a better understanding if I could see patients and be involved with their treatments directly. I don't want to go the MD route, especially since I would just be seeing patients as a supplement to my research (thus on a part time basis so I don't want to waist that many years in medical school for my research will suffer). Thus I'm looking for the shortest trek, which appears to be the certificate program, seeing that I'm really not looking for another degree would that be acceptable for employers? Or do I need a masters in PA to even be considered for a PA position? Thanks for your advice!

Dude, seriously, can you really have a PhD, MA, and MPhil and not be able to spell waste (waist) or their (there)?

"...and rely on there feedback..."
"...I don't want to waist that many years..."

No such thing as a certificate program. You previous degrees do not count towards the PA program, although I'd imagine they will help you rresume. Most of the time classes from one PA program to another do not even count because each program is just that, a program. All schools are now masters programs. I think there is one or 2 programs that are B.S. but for the future all are masters. I'm on PA school now and we have several students with M.S. of Phd's already, even D.C's. 24 months is the shortest programs I've seen for post-bacc. students.

I just read your email again. PA school is quite an undertaking to just "supplement your research", not ot mention expense! ($40-120K for tuition!) I doubt any PA program would take you if you told them that is your reason you want to be a PA. They are training clinicians that want to practice medicine. I'd seriously consider if this is the right path for you and do some more research on what being a PA would do for your interests, doesn't sound like it's a match.

Um, You guys are all off, so let's apply some logic to your ramblings. The Massachusetts PA programs are about $38K - $56K from start to finish if you are coming in with a 4 year degree. The PA programs are not very competitive because there are several schools in the MA area competing for students. You have NU, MCPHS, Springfield, just to name a few. There are more seats available in these programs then there are students interested. Second, if you enter a PA program and want a PhD, you are not doing your research, because to be an MD, you would need to go to med school for 10 years including residencies. The PA program is NOT a route to PhD it is an offshoot to a specific career.