Physician Assistant

Physician assistants, or PAs, practices medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. They should not be confused with medical assistants, which perform the clerical, clinical, and/or administrative tasks of a medical office.

Physical assistant schools provide the training for graduates to perform diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative health care treatments, which may include taking medical histories, examining and treating patients, and ordering and interpreting results from laboratory tests and x-rays. Aspiring physical assistants also learn how to handle minor treatments such as suturing, splinting, and casting. They may prescribe certain medications and even take charge in managerial duties.

Prospective healthcare workers interested in physician assistant schools may request more info.

Salary

Physician assistants have variable salaries based on experience and location, but the median wage sat at approximately $28,000 in May 2008. The lowest 10% earned approximately $20,000 and the highest 10% earned approximately $40,000. This is taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Training and Qualifications

Physician assistants typically have a college degree and some health-related experience. All States require physician assistants to complete an accredited, formal education program from approved physician assistant schools and pass a national exam for licensure.

Physician assistant schools offer full-time programs that may be completed in as little as 2 years, though traditional 4-year degree programs are the norm. In 2008, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education reported 142 accredited physical assistant programs in the United States. Over eighty percent of these programs came in the form of a master’s degree, or an additional 2-year program on top of an already completed 4-year degree.

The national exam for certification is called the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and is provided on all States and the District of Columbia. To remain certified, physician assistants must complete 100 hours of continuing medical education every 2 years. Every 6 years, they must pass a recertification examination.

Job Outlook

The demand for physician assistants is high, particularly in rural and inner-city health care facilities. In the decade of 2008-2018, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a rapid growth of 39%. Experts believe part of this is because of an emphasis on cost containment, which means physician assistants performing duties once performed by higher-paid physicians.

Advancement

Physician assistants may advance to other occupations through additional training and experience. They may go on to teach at physician assistant schools, pursue additional education for nursing, or take up a position as a higher health care worker. Administrative medical assistants may also advance to office managers or a higher administrative support role.

Learn More

To learn more about physician assistant schools, fill out the following form. Alternatively, check out the information about medical assistants.