Physician Assistant
A Physician Assistant (PA) is a healthcare professional who provides medical care under the supervision of a physician or surgeon. Integral to medical teams, PAs evaluate, diagnose, and treat various patient conditions while also offering preventive healthcare and prescribing certain medications. They typically work in private offices, hospitals, and clinics, and their duties may include performing physical exams, ordering diagnostic tests, and assisting in surgeries. The role demands a high level of physical stamina, as PAs often stand or walk for extended periods and may work long hours, including nights and weekends.
To become a PA, individuals generally need a bachelor’s degree followed by a specialized accredited PA education program, which usually lasts about two years. PAs often possess strong interests in science and patient care, and they are known for their empathy, organization, and methodical approach to medicine. In addition to clinical responsibilities, PAs may take on administrative roles, coordinating staff schedules and managing supplies. The diverse nature of the work, from patient interaction to collaboration with other healthcare professionals, makes the role of a Physician Assistant a dynamic and essential part of the healthcare system.
Physician Assistant
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Health Science
Interests: Medicine, anatomy and physiology, biology, science, health science technology, patient care
Earnings (Yearly Median): $126,010 per year $60.58 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 27% (Much faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Master's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. A physician assistant provides medical care under the supervision of a physician or surgeon. An integral part of any medical team, physician assistants evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients with diverse illnesses and injuries. They are responsible for providing preventive healthcare, prescribing some medications, and studying the medical history of patients. Some physician assistants assume administrative and managerial duties in addition to practicing medicine.
Work Environment. Physician assistants normally work out of private offices, hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare facilities. The job requires a degree of physical stamina, as physician assistants frequently stand or walk for most of the day. They often maintain the same work schedule as their supervising physician or surgeon, which can consist of forty to sixty hours per week and may include night, early morning, weekend, and holiday shifts, as well as times when they are “on call.” In addition, some physician assistants, particularly those in urban centers, may travel from a physician’s office to local hospitals and clinics. Due to the nature of their work, physician assistants may risk exposure to infectious diseases and contamination.
Occupation Interest. A career as a physician assistant attracts people who are enthusiastic about medicine and capable of constant learning to keep up with an ever-evolving field. They typically have an interest in science, medicine, and patient care and are empathetic, detail-oriented, highly organized, and methodical.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The primary duties of a physician assistant are usually established by the physician or surgeon for whom the assistant works. Physician assistants study the medical histories of patients, evaluate their conditions, and perform exams. Under the supervision of the directing physician, they also order diagnostic tests and X-rays and make preliminary decisions regarding diagnoses and treatments based on their findings. Those who work in hospitals regularly make rounds to monitor patients and review their charts, while some physician assistants travel to private homes and extended care facilities to provide continued medical support to patients.
Physician assistants who specialize in surgery regularly dress wounds and work with sutures, splints, and casts. They provide assistance to the supervising surgeon during various operations, often acting as first assistants during long or complicated surgeries. Physician assistants also commonly specialize in other areas of healthcare, including internal medicine, orthopedics, geriatrics, emergency medicine, and pediatrics, among others.
In addition to healthcare responsibilities, many physician assistants provide managerial and administrative support to the hospital or clinic in which they work. Typical duties may include coordinating staff schedules, supervising medical assistants, and ordering supplies and medical equipment.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Physician assistants primarily work in hospitals, clinics, or private offices. Office environments are generally quiet and relatively calm, while hospital environments can be noisy, bustling, and stressful, with priorities constantly shifting based on the urgency of care required. In either environment, physician assistants may frequently come into contact with bodily fluids and other potential hazards.
Human Environment. Physician assistants work with a number of medical professionals, including supervising physicians, nurses, medical assistants, and administrative personnel. In addition, they constantly see and interact with patients and their families.
Technological Environment. Physician assistants use a myriad of medical tools to perform their daily tasks, from surgical instruments to electrocardiographs. They also utilize computers, the Internet, e-mail, and medical software. While performing their administrative duties, physician assistants may use scheduling and billing software and should be familiar with office suite programs.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in becoming physician assistants should prepare themselves by taking courses in the sciences, including anatomy, biology, chemistry, and physics, and participating in science-related extracurricular activities. They should also take supplemental courses in mathematics, food and nutrition, English, health, and physical education. Foreign language classes may also prove helpful. Students can familiarize themselves with the duties of a physician assistant by visiting or volunteering at local hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare facilities.
Postsecondary. Most prospective physician assistants earn a bachelor’s degree, and many work in the healthcare field as nurses, paramedics, or medical assistants before enrolling in an accredited physician assistant education program. Such programs are offered at more than 300 academic health centers, medical schools, universities, and community colleges, and they take approximately two years to complete. Through these programs, aspiring physician assistants learn about clinical medicine, applied ethics, patient evaluation, and medical emergencies, and they may also choose to study specialties such as pediatrics, surgery, and family medicine. For physician assistants seeking further specialization, postgraduate programs offer studies in areas such as neonatology, internal medicine, and rural primary care.
Related Occupations
− Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Bibliography
"Physician Assistants." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 6 Sept. 2023, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm. Accessed 7 Sept. 2023.