Physician Assistant Careers

Physician Assistant Career Overview

Physician assistants are licensed to practice medicine only under the supervision of physicians or surgeons, although some physician assistants may work unsupervised in a clinic that is attended for one to two days per week by a physician. In these cases, the physician assistants must confer with the physician or with other medical professionals when necessary or when required by law. Physician assistants are trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic and preventative healthcare services.

A physician assistant should have good written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal skills, and have the self-confidence to work unsupervised when necessary. They also should be able to exercise good judgment in seeking advice from supervisors. They must also be willing to further their medical knowledge by keeping up with current medical technology and advances.

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Physician Assistant Training & Education

In all states, a physician assistant must complete an accredited, formal education program and then pass a licensing examination once training is complete. Training programs for physician assistants last a minimum of two years, with variable entrance requirements. Typically, two years of previous college education in basic science subjects is required (in the same way as a medical student must take pre-med courses).

The training and education of a physician assistant is ongoing. Every two years, a physician Assistant must complete a certain number of hours of medical education, and every six years he or she also must re-take certification examinations in order to remain a licensed practitioner.

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Physician Assistant Career & Salary Outlook

Depending on their place of employment, level of experience and education, and geographical location, physician assistants can expect to earn between $35,000 and more than $90,000 annually, with higher salary expectations for those in private clinical practice.

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts above-average growth for physician assistants careers through the year 2014, due to the increasing expansion of the healthcare industry, and the desire for many institutions to offer cost-effective healthcare. Doctors are expected to use the services of physician assistants more frequently, seeing as they can carry out routine tasks without supervision. This allows the physician to handle larger workloads more effectively.

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Career Fields/Specializations

Pediatric PA Career

Physician assistants who specialize in pediatrics perform many of the same duties as non-specialized assistants, but with a focus on working with children. They may work in either an inpatient or outpatient setting.

In inpatient pediatric settings, the physician assistant is employed at a hospital or is employed elsewhere and has "hospital privileges" that allow the assistant to provide inpatient care to their patients. In this setting, the physician assistant may take patient histories, carry out physical examinations, diagnose and treat illnesses, assist in surgery, and assist in neonatal care units.

In outpatient pediatric settings, the physician assistant can diagnose and treat minor illnesses, provide follow-up care for children with chronic conditions (such as asthma), and provide family counseling and advice for parents. They tend to handle more routine conditions, leaving the physician free to spend time on complicated cases.

A pediatric physician assistant should have good written and verbal communication skills and be particularly skilled in working with children and their parents. They should be confident when working alone and as a member of a team, and also be able to exercise good judgment in routine matters.

Family Medicine PA Career

Physician assistants who specialize in family medicine work with and treat patients of all ages and both genders, rather than treating people of specific age groups. They are most often found working in general practitioner offices under the supervision of a family physician.

Family medicine physician assistants do not specialize in a particular area of medicine. Instead, they work as primary care providers and focus on preventative healthcare and health maintenance in addition to treating people who are ill. Family medicine physician assistants diagnose, treat and work with patients, taking medical histories, providing diagnoses, developing treatment plans, writing prescriptions, and providing follow-up care.

Family medicine physician assistants should have a strong interest in providing long-term healthcare and wellness services to patients. They should have good verbal and written communication skills and be able to work with patients of all ages effectively. They should have good judgment and the self-confidence to work both alone and in a team.

Preoperative Care PA Career

Physician assistants who specialize in preoperative care work with patients prior to their surgery. They most often work within the hospital setting, and take care of much of the work involved in caring for preoperative patients.

Preoperative care physician assistants meet with patients to:

• Take preoperative medical history
• Carry out a physical examination
• Order tests and compile test results
• Order preoperative medication and other preparation
• Compile a report for the patient's surgeon to review before surgery

Many physician assistants who specialize in preoperative care also provide post-operative care for patients, and some also provide assistance during surgery.

Preoperative care physician assistants should have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and be able to work well both alone and in a team. They should be able to exercise good judgment in work-related matters, and those who provide assistance during surgery should be able work well in situations that are somewhat stressful.

Internal Medicine PA Career

Physician assistants who specialize in internal medicine focus on the non-surgical treatment of patients with diseases that affect internal organs. Internal medicine specialists may further specialize in different areas, such as cardiology (the heart), gastroenterology (the digestive system), and hematology (the blood).

Physician assistants who specialize in internal medicine are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of patients who may require ongoing care. In addition to providing basic medical services, such as taking medical histories, diagnosis, prescription-writing and other treatments, they may also be required to counsel patients on medical issues, including diet and lifestyle changes relating to their condition. In some cases the internal medicine specialist may be less involved in the diagnostic process and more involved in providing ongoing care to patients with chronic illnesses.

The internal medicine physician assistant should have a strong commitment to working with and developing long-term relationships with patients who require ongoing care. They should have excellent written and verbal communication skills, good interpersonal skills, good judgment, and be able to work well both alone and as part of a larger team.

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