CAREER SNAPSHOT
Summary
A physician assistant examines, diagnoses and treats patients with the supervision of a licensed physician.
Career Level
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Salary
National average, per year
$104,860
JOB OPENINGS
Current national estimate
37,104
DEMAND OUTLOOK
Actual salaries can vary substantially based on region, job description and employer expectations; does not include additional compensation. Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticcs.
By Raising Careers Staff | Updated: May 2019
OVERVIEW
Physician Assistant
Physician assistants are healthcare providers who practice medicine with the supervision of licensed physicians. They examine, diagnose and treat patients. They prescribe medications and treatments. They order diagnostic tests and read and interpret these tests. They provide education to patients and their families. Although they cannot perform surgery on their own, they can assist licensed physicians with surgeries.
The demand for physician assistants is high and is expected to continue to rise over the next decade. With the benefits of a great salary and excellent job stability, this may be a healthcare career to consider.
Physician Assistant Job Responsibilities
Physician assistants may perform the following job duties. Actual duties may vary by location.
- Take and review patient histories
- Examine patients
- Prescribe medications and treatments
- Order diagnostic tests
- Educate patients and their families
- Diagnose injuries and illnesses
- Document patient assessments and progress
- Assist licensed physicians with surgeries
Physician Assistant Salary
The actual salary of the physician assistant can vary substantially depending on region, job description and employer expectations. Most recent data shown.
National average per year: $104,840*
National average per hour: $50.41*
- $101,908 per year, $48.95 per hour**
- $107,411 per year, $51.64 per hour***
- $96,197 to $115,223 per year****
- $93,090 per year, $44.76 per hour*****
* Bureau of Labor Statics
** Indeed.com
*** Payscale.com
**** Salary.com
***** Glassdoor.com
Physician Assistant Pros and Cons
What are the ups and downs of being a physician assistant? Here are a few items to keep in mind.
Pros
- Great salary
- Less education needed than physicians
- Excellent job prospects
- Flexibility of changing specialty within career
- Rewarding to help people
Cons
- No autonomy
- Less authority than physicians
- Long and irregular work hours
- Limited career advancement opportunities without further education
- Daily work can be stressful
CAREER PATH AND TRAINING
How Do I Become a Physician Assistant?
If you are considering a career as a physician assistant, here are the steps you will need to complete.
- Earn your high school diploma.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in a science or healthcare-related major.
- Earn a master’s degree from an accredited physician assistant program.
- Become licensed by passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Suggested Career Path
A physician assistant is toward the end of the medical career pathway and can be preceded by entry-level, mid-level or other advanced-level jobs. A sample career path could look like this:
Certified Nursing Assistant > Registered Nurse (RN) > Physician Assistant
Typical Minimum Education
Actual requirements may vary by state. Please check with your state government.
- High school diploma/GED
- Bachelor’s degree in a science or healthcare-related major (4 years)
- Master’s degree from an accredited physician assistant program (2 years)
Typical Work Experience Required
Experience gained through clinical work during physician assistant program.
Typical Skills Required
Common skills listed. Actual skills required may vary by location.
- Clinical competence
- Effective communication skills
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Ability to collaborate and work with a team
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Emotional stability
- Compassion
Physician Assistant Certifications
Physician assistants may choose certifications in order to highlight their specialty in a field. Visit the NCCPA website to learn more.
Physician Assistant Licenses
All states require physician assistants to be licensed. To become licensed, they must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). After they have passed the exam, they can use the credentials PA-C.
Physician Assistant Training and Preparation
Once Physician assistants have completed the master’s degree program, they must pass the PANCE in order to get licensed to practice.
Getting prepared for this exam is vital. The NCCPA website offers information about the exam and provides practice exams. Practice question banks, flashcards and review/prep books are also great tools for learning and review.
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