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Physician Assistant

Physician assistants, or PAs, are clinicians licensed to practice medicine under the supervision of a physician.  Supervising physicians are not required to remain on site with a PA; rather, they deliver assistance and direction as needed.  Physician assistant careers allow professionals to carry out many of the same duties as a physician, such as ordering treatments, therapy, or tests, interpreting data or results, and keeping detailed records of all actions.   Additionally, physician assistants also have the ability to treat minor injuries with the use of splints, sutures, or casts as needed.  They must be highly knowledgeable and have the ability to effectively relate to patients in order to deliver the best care. 

Those employed in physician assistant jobs may specialize and work in any healthcare facility, so excellent prospects for these positions are expected.  A study completed in 2005 revealed that approximately 58,665 licensed PAs were employed in clinical organizations, but filled around 65,000 positions due to professionals working more than one job.  While all healthcare occupations are expected to increase greatly through 2014, PA jobs are predicted to be among the fastest growing occupations overall. 

While some medical institutions allow professionals with an associate’s degree to enter these careers, the majority of organizations require professionals to obtain at least a bachelor’s degree.  Upon completing a recognized physician assisting program, professionals must pass a licensing, registration, or certification examination.  The majority of formal training programs include laboratory or clinical experience, and internships or placements can equip professionals with on the job experience which is extremely helpful to those entering these occupations. 

As with a number of healthcare occupations, a physician assistant job commonly entails an immense amount of stress.  PAs are responsible for making decisions that affect patients’ health and lives, therefore each choice should be considered thoroughly before any action is taken.  They work in clean, sterile, comfortable, and well lit facilities, but are required to stand and walk extensively throughout the day.  Long and irregular hours are commonly associated with these jobs, but some clinics provide more regulated 40 hour work weeks.  The starting salary for physician assistant careers was approximately $56,000 in 2005, and overall pay ranged from $50,000 to $105,000. 

For more information on a physician assistant career, please visit the following sites:

• Association of Physician Assistants in Cardiovascular Surgery
• Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant
• National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
• Physician Assistant History Center

If you are searching for a physician assistant career, or looking to hire a PA, please visit iHireMidLevelPractitioners.  We are a niche job board focusing only in physician assistant and nurse practitioner careers and candidates.