What will I do in this job?

If you choose to be a Physician Assistant, you will provide health care services with supervision by physicians. They are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health care services, as delegated by a physician. Physician Assistants provide care in rural or inner city clinics where a physician is present for only 1 or 2 days each week. They make house calls or go to hospitals and nursing home to check on patients and report back to the physician. Physician Assistants work in primary care areas such as general internal medicine, pediatrics, and family medicine.

Physician Assistants perform many tasks including:

• taking medical histories
• examining patients
• ordering and interpreting lab tests and x-rays
• making diagnoses
• treating minor injuries
• recording progress notes
• instructing and counseling patients
• ordering therapy

Do I need a special license?

You will need a State License if you choose to be a Physician Assistant

What type of education do I need?

Admission requirements vary, but many programs require 2 years of college and some work experience in the healthcare field. Students should take courses in biology, English, chemistry, mathematics, psychology, and the social sciences. Most applicants to PA programs hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Will I find a job?

Employment of PAs is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012, due to anticipated expansion of the health services industry and an emphasis on cost containment, resulting in increasing utilization of PAs by physicians and healthcare institutions.

How much will I make?

Median Salary: $64,670 (Ranges from $35,500- $90,000)
(2003-2004).