What Does it Take to Be a Physician Assistant?
Occupation Description Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.
Physician Assistant (PA) Responsibilities
- Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
- Obtain, compile and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes and results of physical examination.
- Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management.
- Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.
- Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
- Order medical and laboratory supplies and equipment.
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Physician Assistant (PA) Skills
When polled, Physician Assistants say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Types of Physician Assistant (PA) Jobs
- Surgical First Assistant
- Doctor Assistant
- Physician Assistant (PA)
- Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C)
- Anesthetic Assistant
Job Outlook for Physician Assistants
There were about 106,200 jobs for Physician Assistant in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 37.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 39,700 new jobs for Physician Assistant by 2026. The BLS estimates 10,600 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Physician Assistant (PA) are Arizona, Utah, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Mississippi, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Physician Assistant (PA)
The salary for Physician Assistants ranges between about $69,120 and $151,850 a year.
Physician Assistants who work in Connecticut, Washington, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Physician Assistants in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $92,880 |
| Alaska | $122,260 |
| Arizona | $101,590 |
| Arkansas | $99,280 |
| California | $117,230 |
| Colorado | $102,770 |
| Connecticut | $125,610 |
| Delaware | $105,300 |
| District of Columbia | $114,740 |
| Florida | $105,930 |
| Georgia | $103,190 |
| Hawaii | $121,120 |
| Idaho | $109,090 |
| Illinois | $108,260 |
| Indiana | $96,090 |
| Iowa | $110,550 |
| Kansas | $104,720 |
| Kentucky | $91,010 |
| Louisiana | $85,990 |
| Maine | $110,030 |
| Maryland | $108,180 |
| Massachusetts | $108,700 |
| Michigan | $110,240 |
| Minnesota | $116,200 |
| Mississippi | $81,130 |
| Missouri | $94,480 |
| Montana | $106,130 |
| Nebraska | $106,700 |
| Nevada | $116,850 |
| New Hampshire | $111,080 |
| New Jersey | $116,270 |
| New Mexico | $108,610 |
| New York | $117,000 |
| North Carolina | $104,680 |
| North Dakota | $107,340 |
| Ohio | $105,410 |
| Oklahoma | $104,200 |
| Oregon | $113,570 |
| Pennsylvania | $98,510 |
| Rhode Island | $103,710 |
| South Carolina | $103,710 |
| South Dakota | $102,830 |
| Tennessee | $87,700 |
| Texas | $109,590 |
| Utah | $102,710 |
| Vermont | $106,520 |
| Virginia | $99,340 |
| Washington | $123,980 |
| West Virginia | $104,180 |
| Wisconsin | $107,920 |
| Wyoming | $116,890 |
What Tools & Technology do Physician Assistants Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Physician Assistants:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- MEDITECH software
- Medical procedure coding software
- Epic Systems
- Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
- Medical condition coding software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- ChartWare EMR
- Teleconferencing software
- Teleradiology systems
Becoming a Physician Assistant (PA)
What education or degrees do I need to become a Physician Assistant?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Who Employs Physician Assistants?
Below are examples of industries where Physician Assistants work:
Related Careers
Those interested in being a Physician Assistant may also be interested in:
Are you already one of the many Physician Assistant in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
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