Physician assistants are advanced healthcare providers who work in a variety of healthcare settings to provide patient care. PAs are trained in general medicine and have the highest level of clinical education next to physicians.1
With a wide range of training, PAs practice in all areas of clinical care, and PA skills and expertise are in high demand.of US News & World Report ranks this occupation not only as the second best healthcare job in the United States, but also as the third best job.2 The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the occupation to grow by 28% between 2021 and 2031.3
If you’re interested in becoming a PA and taking advantage of the rapid expansion of this profession, learn more about what a PA is, the PA’s main duties, income, and how to become a PA.
What are PAs?
Physician assistants, also known as “physician assistants,” are licensed to practice clinical medicine under the supervision of a physician to provide primary care. As generalists, they work with teams of health care providers (surgeons, nurses, nurses, etc.) across a variety of clinical care specialties, including but not limited to:Four
- psychiatry
- internal medicine
- geriatrics
- emergency medicine
- primary care
- Gynecology
- Pediatrics
- palliative care
- surgery
The word “assistant” in the title is misleading. PAs practice under the supervision of a physician, but they also have some degree of autonomy. Physicians who work together may not need to be in the same location, depending on the condition and sequence of care.
Main duties of PA
Nursing assistants perform a wide range of tasks. In fact, many of their responsibilities are similar to those of a licensed physician.
A PA’s scope of work varies from state to state and depending on the medical environment in which it operates, but generally speaking, a PA’s responsibilities cover the following areas:Five
- Conducting a comprehensive medical history
- Performing and interpreting diagnostic tests, such as blood tests and x-rays
- Performing a physical examination and procedure
- Surgical assistance such as incision
- Implementation of hospital rounds
- Diagnosis of illness or injury
- Determining a patient’s treatment plan
- Patient progress and health monitoring
- Conducting clinical research
- vaccination
- prescription of medicine
- Providing home support
- Patient health record
- Consultation and communication with other health care providers
- Counseling about treatment and prevention for patients and their families
When did the PA profession begin?
The physician assistant profession was born out of necessity in the early 1960s, when there was a serious shortage of primary care physicians.
Duke University Medical Center launched the first Physician Assistant program in 1965, and by 1973, the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) had established the first certification exam for Physician Assistants.6 As of October 3, 2022, 293 Physician Assistant programs nationwide have been accredited by the Accreditation Review Board for Physician Assistant Education (ARC-PA).7
Where do Physician Assistants practice?
In addition to the broad question of what a PA is, many people interested in the PA profession want to know where their physician’s assistants work.
Broadly speaking, licensed Physician Assistants practice in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and US territories. The environment in which a PA manages healthcare is as extensive as its duties and may include:8
- Emergency Room/Emergency Care Facility
- Operating room
- nursing home
- Community clinic
- Clinic
- State hospitals, regional hospitals, private hospitals
- Outpatient facility
- community health center
- Mental health facility
Additionally, Physician Assistants can provide healthcare across educational and government environments. For example, a PA may provide medical care to people serving in the military.
How much does PA earn?
The median salary for a Physician Assistant is $121,530 a year, or $58.43 an hour, which is more than double the average US individual income.9
However, PA income varies depending on the state and environment in which they practice. For example, the median income for PAs in Connecticut is nearly $142,000. In Hawaii, that number drops to about $95,000.Ten
Here are the states where PAs can expect to generate the highest returns:11
- rhode island – Average Annual Income $146,880
- Alaska – Average Annual Income $145,830
- connecticut – Average Annual Income $141,790
- new jersey – Average Annual Income $140,080
- new hampshire – Average Annual Income $137,330
Is a Physician Assistant the same as a Nurse Practitioner?
in addition to asking What does a Physician Assistant do? Many people ask if the profession is synonymous with Nurse Practitioner or NP.
In short: no, it’s not.
The general publicPA” and “NPWhile there is significant overlap between the two medical professions, such as their ability to prescribe drugs and treat injuries, there are also fundamental differences.
Chief among these differences is the fact that PAs must undergo a 2,000-hour supervised clinical rotation, as opposed to the 500-650 hours of clinical practice for NPs. However, a nurse practitioner must obtain a Nursing-Specific Bachelor’s Degree (BSN) and her RN license before graduate school, and a Master’s program is typically several months longer than a PA program.
Additionally, Physician Assistants are trained in general medicine, while Nurse Practitioners specialize in specific areas such as family practice. psychiatric mental healthWhen adult gerontologyPAs are considered generalists, although they may choose to specialize further in their career.
What does it take to become a PA?
PAs follow a challenging but rigorous career path. They should have a Bachelor’s degree (ideally in a science-related field) and a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from an accredited program.
Throughout their teaching career, PAs are required to study a wide range of topics, including:12
- anatomy physiology
- cardiology
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
- Hematology
- Pediatrics
- women’s health
- behavior and mental health
- emergency medicine
- medical decision making
After completing coursework and clinical rotation hours at a PA school, PAs are required to pass the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE). This is an exam administered by the National Board for Accreditation of Physician Assistants (NCCCPA). Every two years, the Physician Assistant must complete her 100 hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME). In addition, you must pass a recertification exam every 10 years.13
How long is the PA school? from the beggining to the end, rear To get a Bachelor’s degree, it usually takes 27 months to get a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant studies. This is an attractive option for those looking to deliver meaningful patient care at a faster pace.
What are the benefits of becoming a physician assistant?
People choose to become physician assistants for a variety of reasons, from their ability to earn a healthy income to their ability to work directly with patients in need of life-saving care. It provides unrivaled stability and job potential.
Additionally, PA has significant room for growth. Although they are trained in general medicine, they may choose to focus their energies on specific areas of interest such as surgery or palliative care.In this, they have the opportunity to explore new areas. PAs are trained in both general medicine and surgical education, so it is easy for PAs to change specialties.14
You can also earn a higher income by obtaining additional education or pursuing a high-demand specialty such as radiology.
Some people become PAs because they want to fill the gap in the medical profession. Research shows that the presence of physician assistants has greatly improved access to healthcare, and the US healthcare system is increasingly relying on PAs to reduce costs and improve physician productivity.15
Additionally, the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) notes that 15% of clinical PAs work in rural areas. This means it can have a profound impact on the health and lives of other people, especially those who need it most.16
Furthermore, PA is considered to be an important component of modern medicine. In a survey conducted by the American Academy of Physician Associates, 93% of respondents thought of a Physician Assistant as:17
- trusted health care provider
- excellent patient service provider
- Part of solving the shortage of medical workers
Respondents also agreed that Physician Assistants improved patient health and made it easier for patients to schedule appointments.
In summary, Physician Assistants work with other medical professionals to provide general care to patients across a range of specialties. Demand for PAs is increasing across the country, which is why PA job growth has outpaced most occupational growth, giving PAs plenty of job stability and availability, along with substantial salaries. Perhaps most importantly, the role of physician assistants is to give individuals the opportunity to help people in their communities live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
USAHS is pleased to announce its new Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, starting applications in April 2023. Learn more about the PA program structure, accreditation status, and what makes his USAHS MSPAS program stand out today.
St. Augustine University Health Sciences (USAHS) is developing a Master of Science in Science (MSPAS) program. We will begin accepting applications in April 2023 for the first cohort starting in January 2024. The program is held directly on our campus in Austin, Texas and consists of four academic phases and his three semesters. clinical stage. Students complete her seven core rotations, plus two elective rotations of her choice in various outpatient settings and hospitals.
USAHS’s MSPAS program has applied for Accreditation – Provisional from the Accreditation Review Board for the Education of Physician Assistants (ARC-PA). USAHS’ MSPAS plans to enroll her first MSPAS class in January 2024 until she achieves Accredited Provisional Status at her ARC-PA meeting in September 2023. Accreditation-Provisional appears to indicate the program’s ability to meet ARC-PA criteria if the plans and resource allocations of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students are fully implemented as planned. Certification status granted when a program is certified, or if the program holds certification. – Interim status appears to indicate continued progress in compliance with standards as we prepare for graduation of our first class (cohort) of students.
If the program is not granted accredited provisional status by ARC-PA, students accepted into the MSPAS program at USAHS will receive a full refund of their bond and the program will not enroll in January 2024.
