Thank you for your interest in volunteering with PAEA. Below you will find information about current volunteer and scholarship opportunities.
Please contact Ashley Bray at abray@PAEAonline.org with any questions.
PAEA Volunteer Opportunities
Exam Development Board
Surgery End of Rotation™ Rapid Item Writing Work Group
12 Positions Available
PAEA is offering a short-term opportunity to author and peer review exam questions for its Surgery End of RotationTM exam.
We are looking for a diverse group of 12 PAs with varied experience levels, from different practice areas, and across all regions of the United States to participate.
Nature of the Work
This is a six-week, time-limited commitment. During that time, you will be asked to work in a cohort of other PAs, each of whom will write 8-12 exam questions covering various content areas and medical settings.
Meeting Commitments
You will be expected to participate in four virtual meetings, including a training session, a small group peer review session, and two large group peer review meetings. The following is an overview of the timeline, for which more details will be provided upon appointment:
- Week 1: Training and Assignment Planning
- Weeks 2 and 3: Question writing
- Weeks 4 and 5: Small Group Peer Review and Author Review/Revision
- Week 6: Large Group Peer Review Meetings
Terms of Service
This work is tentatively scheduled to begin at the end of August and continue through early October. In return for your participation, PAEA will provide 20 credits of AAPA category 1 CME.
Eligibility Criteria
- Commitment to complete the six-week question development process
- Attestation that you can sign the PAEA volunteer agreement, if selected
Exclusion Criteria
- PAs who have written exam questions for NCCPA within the last two years
- PAs who are currently being paid by other assessment vendors for exam writing activities
How to Apply
Your application will request a brief letter of interest (500 words or less) highlighting the skills and strengths that you would bring to this role. You will also be asked to upload three sample test questions that demonstrate your knowledge of item construction. Applications are due by July 23, 2023.
Cultural Humility in Item Writing Exam Development Board Positions
In alignment with PAEA’s focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), PAEA is forming a Cultural Humility in Item Writing (CHIW) Exam Development Board (EDB) with a charge to mitigate bias in PAEA exam items and to promote equity in testing. This work will be separated into two primary domains – 1) a group trained and tasked to support PAEA’s existing EDBs in developing culturally mindful items and 2) a time-limited group trained and tasked with reviewing a sample of PAEA’s item bank to identify and plan for the correction of any potential biases.
We are looking to recruit for the following roles:
Cultural Humility in Item Writing (CHIW) Exam Development Board (EDB) Chair
1 Position Available
We are looking to recruit an individual who has a passion and an expertise for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) to serve as chair of this work group and to provide oversight to the two domains of work. Prior exam development experience and prior experience leading a group of peers is preferred.
Nature of the Work
The chair will assist in training on crucial topics including identifying bias, cultural humility, giving and receiving feedback, and item writing basics. The chair will provide support to the item bank reviewers and will work in conjunction with PAEA staff to help resolve any questions or issues that may arise as they conduct their work. The chair will work most closely with the EDB support group and will help them to hone their skills in the identification of potential biases in exam content, giving and receiving feedback, and developing and maintaining cohesive working relationships with EDB members for PAEA’s suite of exams, PACKRAT, End of Rotation, and End of Curriculum. The chair will be available for regular check-ins and mentoring, as needed.
The chair also participates as a member of the Assessment Advisory Board, led by the Assessment Editor in Chief. This group meets quarterly in support of the Assessment Editor in Chief and provides guidance to the development and implementation of assessment services at PAEA to ensure that products and resources align with program, faculty, and student needs. Support is given to the chair through regular consultation with staff, members of the Assessment Advisory Board, and the Assessment Editor in Chief.
The chair is expected to participate in virtual training and meetings as needed to support the work. Participants are also expected to attend the annual item review meeting (the Exam Development Summit) in person in March each year. The next Exam Development Summit is scheduled for March 21-24, 2024, in St. Louis, MO. All applicants should hold these dates on their calendars.
Terms of Service
This work is scheduled to begin at the end of August. Participants will serve an initial term from start date to March 31, 2024 and a second three-year term of April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2027, with the possibility of a maximum of 1 additional 3-year term renewal.
Participants will receive 10 credits of AAPA category 1 CME for their participation between October 23, 2023 to March 31, 2024 and 20 credits of AAPA category 1 CME for each year that they participate (April-March).
Eligibility Criteria
- Attestation that you can sign the PAEA volunteer agreement, if selected
Exclusion Criteria
- PAs who have written exam questions for NCCPA within the last two years
- PAs who are currently being paid by other assessment vendors for exam writing activities
How to Apply
Your application will request a brief letter of interest (500 words or less) highlighting the skills and strengths that you would bring to PAEA and to this role as chair, being sure to highlight any prior experience you may have with exam development, leadership, or EDI. You will also be asked to review a set of sample items and provide feedback regarding how you might share feedback with colleagues regarding possible enhancements. Applications are due by July 23, 2023.
Cultural Humility in Item Writing (CHIW) Exam Development Board (EDB) Members
11 Positions Available
We are looking to recruit a diverse group of 11 individuals who have a passion and expertise for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) to support PAEA’s existing Exam Development Boards (EDB) in developing culturally mindful items. Prior exam development experience is encouraged, but not required.
Nature of the Work
Participants will be provided training on crucial topics including identifying bias, cultural humility, giving and receiving feedback, and item writing basics, and will be asked to review and provide feedback on exam items developed by Exam Development Board members during their annual exam production schedule.
Participants will be expected to participate in virtual training and meetings as needed to support the work. Participants are also expected to attend the annual item review meeting, the Exam Development Summit, in person in March each year. The next Exam Development Summit is scheduled for March 21-24, 2024, in St. Louis, MO. All applicants should hold these dates on their calendars.
Terms of Service
This work is scheduled to begin on October 23, 2023. Participants will serve an initial 7-month term from October 23, 2023 to March 31, 2024 and a second three-year term of April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2027, with the possibility of a maximum of 1 additional 3-year term renewal.
Participants will receive 10 credits of AAPA category 1 CME for their participation between October 23, 2023 to March 31, 2024 and 20 credits of AAPA category 1 CME for each year that they participate (April-March).
Eligibility Criteria
- Attestation that you can sign the PAEA volunteer agreement, if selected
Exclusion Criteria
- PAs who have written exam questions for NCCPA within the last two years
- PAs who are currently being paid by other assessment vendors for exam writing activities
How to Apply
Your application will request a brief letter of interest (500 words or less) highlighting the skills and strengths that you would bring to this role, being sure to highlight any experience you may have with exam development and/or equity, diversity, and inclusion. You will also be asked to review a set of sample items and provide feedback regarding how you might share feedback with colleagues regarding possible enhancements. Applications are due by July 23, 2023.
Cultural Humility in Item Writing (CHIW) Item Bank Reviewers – Time-Limited
10 Positions Available
We are looking to recruit a diverse group of 10 individuals who have a passion and expertise for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) to review a subset of PAEA’s existing item bank to identify and correct any potential biases. Prior exam development experience is encouraged, but not required.
Nature of the Work
Participants will be provided training on crucial topics including identifying bias, cultural humility, giving and receiving feedback, and item writing basics, and will be asked to review portions of the item bank to identify potential bias and problematic content within existing PAEA items. Participants will assist in developing mitigation and correction plans for identified items.
Participants will be expected to participate in virtual training and meetings as needed to support the work. Participants will be assigned a set of items to review and suggest edits for improvements on items. A large part of the item reviews will be conducted asynchronously, allowing this volunteer opportunity to fit into your schedule.
Terms of Service
This work is scheduled to begin on October 23, 2023. It is anticipated that this will be a 3-6 month time-limited commitment.
Distribution of AAPA category 1 CME credit is pending approval. Details regarding this forthcoming.
Eligibility Criteria
- Attestation that you can sign the PAEA volunteer agreement, if selected
Exclusion Criteria
- PAs who have written exam questions for NCCPA within the last two years
- PAs who are currently being paid by other assessment vendors for exam writing activities
How to Apply
Your application will request a brief letter of interest (500 words or less) highlighting the skills and strengths that you would bring to this, being sure to highlight any experience you may have with exam development and/or equity, diversity, and inclusion. You will also be asked to review a set of sample items and provide feedback regarding how you might share feedback with colleagues regarding possible enhancements. Applications are due by July 23, 2023.
PAEA Scholarship Opportunities
The 2023 Harvard Macy Institute’s Program for Educators in Health Professions: Application cycle open April 11 – May 12, 2023
PAEA is pleased to announce that have secured a position for a PA educator in the prestigious Harvard Macy Institute’s Program for Educators in Health Professions.
Participation in this prestigious program will not only enhance professional development and innovation at your program but will increase opportunities for interdisciplinary awareness and collaboration. A scholarship of $5,710 to cover the course fee will be awarded to one candidate selected by PAEA to attend the program. (Please note that the stipend covers only the program cost, and does not include travel, lodging, etc.) While PAEA will select only one candidate to receive the scholarship, we encourage all interested and eligible members to apply for this outstanding opportunity.
2024 Volunteer Recruitment Cycle will open in September 2023 for standing committees and boards
To find out more about our standing committees and boards, please click the button below.
To learn more about our volunteer projects, visit our volunteer groups and projects page.