Physician Assistants

Physician Assistants are often times confused with Medical Assistants and there is a distinct difference between the two. A physician’s assistant is on hand to perform medical attention with the acting doctor. Duties that are performed are examinations, charts, diagnosis, splinting, casting, and treating patients amongst other duties. The interesting part of the profession is that it does not require any medical school.

The educational requirements for physician assisting are a two -year program and an exam that is issued by the state. It is important to note that many programs require two years of college or more upon admission, and many students enter the program with at least a bachelor’s degree. There is a high responsibility that accompanies working with doctors and assisting with medical procedures, because of this, a knowledge of anatomy, biology, chemistry, and human development are amongst the few classes that are mandatory for the industry. Many programs will require students to complete “rotations” just like other medical students. Programs for physician assistants, also known as PAs, are usually offered at a university that also houses a medical school or nursing program. There are also opportunities to get a specialized education in areas such as rural primary care, pediatrics, emergency surgery, and geriatrics to name a few.

Physician assistants get to have the rewards of watching themselves save a life, but the stress that comes with the job can affect individuals differently. However, some people enjoy the opportunity to be a primary care provider for a small town, which is a high demand for the profession. There are opportunities to work in clinics, hospitals, or for private physicians. Very few PAs are self-employed, but many assistants find employment in teaching. Physician assistants are considered to be a cost efficient asset to the medical industry, which also makes the profession in high demand. There are always industries that are looking for low cost medical attention like prisons, states with high immigration, and public clinics.

There is a degree of stamina that is required for the physician’s assistant because they are often required to stand for long amounts of time under time sensitive situations. However, the job does pay anywhere from $65,000 to $100,000 depending on demographics and experience. There is an enormous amount of growth and progress that can be made in the medical field and the main benefit is that your choices are never limited to one profession.