Although not widely publicized, there are postgraduate programs for PAs which offer formal specialty training. One such program exists at the Montefiore Medical Center Department of Surgery in New York City. This training includes three didactic months and 12 clinical months. One elective rotation in a surgical subspecialty is allowed. During these rotations, PAs take the position of first year surgical residents and are expected to perform all of the duties of a surgical intern.
PAs provide perioperative care, perform bedside procedures, and do surgical consultations.
Lectures are held weekly, and like other MD residents, PAs are expected to present cases and lead discussions. These rotations are physically and mentally challenging, and it is noteworthy that less than 10 percent of all graduating PAs enter post graduate training programs of any kind. In New York State, a change in the law has provided additional opportunities for PAs. Section 405.4 of the state health code regulates hospital minimum standards, and the working hours of medical staff. Residents cannot be scheduled to work for more than 24 consecutive hours, except when on call, when the frequency of night calls is low and when they have the opportunity to rest.