Physician Assistant

At a Glance
Physician assistants evaluate and treat patients under the supervision of doctors and surgeons.

Michigan Career Pathways

Health Sciences

Earnings
Typical Earnings Range: 55K - 115K

Level of Education
4-Year College or University

Core Tasks
Take medical histories and examine patients Interpret lab tests and make diagnoses Treat minor injuries with stitches splints and casts and prescribe certain medications !urgical "#s help doctors in the operating room and provide care to patients a$ter surgery %xact duties depend on the medical specialty and the state

Attributes & Abilities

%nergetic "atient Compassionate %njoy working with people %motionally mature

Workplace
&ork $or hospitals private practices clinics '()s home health care agencies schools prisons and the military !urgical "#s are on their $eet much o$ the day* administrative "#s work mostly in o$$ices &ork one-on-one with patients or as part o$ a team o$ health care providers "#s in hospitals may work shi$ts including nights and weekends "#s in clinics and doctors+ o$$ices usually work a ,-day 4--hour week

Job Description
Doctors arent the only ones who can prescribe medications, order lab tests, and counsel patients. Physician assistants (PAs) are trained and licensed to do all of these things and more. PAs work under the supervision of doctors in all areas of medicine and surgery, and in all types of medical establishments. They may be the principal care providers in some underserviced areas where doctors are only available to see patients a couple of times a week. PAs may also make house calls and go to nursing homes to check on patients and then report back to the doctor. The exact duties of PAs depend on the type of medical practice they work in, the supervising doctor, and state laws. However, PAs generally perform similar types of duties. PAs in primary care specialties, such as gynecology, general internal medicine, pediatrics, and family medicine, take medical histories and examine patients. They order and interpret diagnostic tests, such as x-rays, and record patients progress. Many counsel patients as well, giving them advice about maintaining their health. Depending on the ailment, PAs may also treat patients. For example, they can treat minor injuries with sutures (stitches), splints, and casts. If therapy is required, they can order it or, if they are qualified, carry it out themselves. As well, PAs in most states are allowed to prescribe certain medications. In addition to the tasks listed above, PAs in surgical practice perform specific operating room duties. Surgical PAs also play a very active role in postoperative (after surgery) care, both in hospital and after the patient has been discharged. After practicing for several years, some PAs decide to take on a more administrative role. They are responsible for hiring other PAs, developing policies and procedures, and acting as a hospital representative in dealing with patient or family complaints. Those working in small practices may combine administrative duties with medical practice. PAs can also work in research positions in colleges. In this role they may screen research participants, carry out tests, monitor patients, and oversee various aspects of the studies being undertaken.

Working Conditions
Physician assistants (PAs) work in hospitals, private practices, clinics, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs). Some are employed by home health care agencies, and others work in schools, college research departments, prisons, and the military. Those who work in surgery are on their feet a lot. PAs who work in administrative roles spend most of their time in offices. PAs work one on one with patients or as part of a team with doctors and other health care providers. Depending on the setting, they may see 25 to 50 patients a day. Like doctors, they come into close physical contact with their patients, and may be exposed to infectious diseases. However, the risks of contracting a disease are minimized by taking precautions such as wearing masks when necessary. PAs working in hospitals, particularly in emergency rooms, may work shifts including nights, holidays, and weekends. They are sometimes on call, which means that they can be called upon at any time to go into work. PAs in clinics and doctors offices usually work a regular 5-day, 40-hour week.

Earnings
Physician assistants salaries vary depending on the type of medicine practiced, the employer or practice setting, and their level of experience. PAs working in the primary care areas of general internal medicine, pediatrics, and family medicine usually earn lower salaries than PAs in emergency medicine and surgical specialties. In general, salaries for all PAs range from about $55,000 to $115,000 a year, with most earning at least $65,000 a year. The median annual salary in this profession is around $84,000. In addition to their salary, most PAs receive benefits such as paid vacations, pension plan contributions, and paid dental and vision care.

Michigan Wages
Occupation: Physician Assistants

Level of E perience !ourly Annual

%ntry &age ./014- .2, 23(edian &age .4414, .55 /3%xperienced &age .,-1-4 .3-4 -4Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov

Michigan Outlook
Occupation: Physician Assistants

E"ploy"ent

#$%$ #$#$
Change

/ ,,4 43-

&u"ber 00Percentage 3515

Annual Average 'penings

Total (rowth )eplace"ent 3/, 02 05

Source: Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget, Labor Market Information http://www.milmi.org

Education
If youre interested in becoming a physician assistant, you must complete a formal PA program. Entrance requirements vary by program. However, most schools require applicants to have some college education and some prior experience in the health care field. To enter many PA programs, you need to complete at least 2 years of college, during which you must take a certain number of courses in areas such as biology, chemistry, English, and math. Some PA programs require applicants to have completed a 4-year bachelors degree. Regardless of the schools requirements, most applicants to PA programs have a bachelors degree. In addition, most schools require applicants to have experience in the health care field. The amount of experience needed can vary widelyone school might require 200 hours, while another requires 2,000 hours. Many people enter this profession after working in another health care field, such as nursing. Its important to check with the school you are interested in attending to see what their admission requirements are. There are over 100 accredited programs resulting in associate degrees, bachelors degrees, and masters degrees. The lengths of PA programs vary, but most last about 2 years. They consist of both classroom studies and supervised clinical rotations. In all states, PAs have to be licensed. This requires the successful completion of a national certification exam. To remain qualified, PAs must complete continuing education courses throughout their careers and take a recertification exam every 6 years.

Related College Programs

Physician Assistant

Other Suggested Qualifications

PAs need to be energetic, patient, and compassionate and should enjoy working with people of all ages and backgrounds. They should also be emotionally mature so that they can empathize with patients. Some PAs go on to do graduate work in a specialty area such as pediatrics, emergency medicine, or surgery. While this additional training is not required, it may make you more valuable in the job market.

Suggested High School Subjects

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%nglish (athematics "hysical !ciences 6iology !ocial !tudies - 7eography 'ealth 8 "hysical %ducation Creative #rts 6usiness 9 Computers
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%nglish (athematics "hysical !ciences 6iology !ocial !tudies - 'istory 'ealth 8 "hysical %ducation 6usiness 9 Computers
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%nglish (athematics "robability 8 !tatistics 6iology Chemistry "hysics %conomics :aw 8 7overnment 6usiness 8 (anagement 9 Computers
Important

%nglish #lgebra Calculus #natomy 8 "hysiology 6iology Chemistry "hysics "sychology 6usiness 8 (anagement 9 Computers

Check with your advisor to make sure that your course selections satisfy your graduation requirements. Courses available may vary from school to school.

Sample Career Path

People take different pathways through their careers, but no one starts at the top. This is an example of how the earnings, education and experience requirements, and responsibilities might progress for someone in this occupation.

Level %

+a"ple Title Earnings

%ntry-:evel "hysician #ssistant .,, --- to .0, --- a year ; 7raduation $rom an accredited "# program )e,uire"ents ; Temporary practice privileges <depending on state laws= # lighter patient load due to lack o$ experience and more consultation with the )esponsibilities physician1
Level #

+a"ple Title Earnings )e,uire"ents

"hysician #ssistant .0, --- to .5, --; Completion o$ certi$ication exam

Level #

; >ull practice privileges ; (aintain certi$ication re?uirements )esponsibilities Increased patient load* beginning to develop some autonomy1
Level -

+a"ple Title Earnings )e,uire"ents

%xperienced "hysician #ssistant .5- --- to .33, --- a year ; )ngoing maintenance o$ certi$ication re?uirements "atient load similar to that o$ physician* high degree o$ autonomy* may have some )esponsibilities teaching or supervisory responsibilities1

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National Employment by Industry

.ndustry / E"ployed

'ealth Care and !ocial #ssistance @Source: O*Net Online, Browse by Industry, US Department of Labor http://online.onetcenter.org/find/industry

Other Resources
A"erican Acade"y of Physician Assistants 0AAPA1

This organiAation promotes the pro$essional development o$ physician assistants1 >or more in$ormation click on The "# "ro$ession1 You can also explore the Your "# Career section to $ind out about becoming a "# certi$ication job opportunities and more1 httpB99www1aapa1org A"erican Association of +urgical Physician Assistants 0AA+PA1 This organiAation represents "#s who specialiAe in surgical practice1 Click on The !urgical "# to learn about what surgical "#s do and how to become one1 httpB99www1aaspa1com &ational Co""ission on Certification of Physician Assistants 0&CCPA1 This organiAation is responsible $or certi$ying physician assistants1 Click on !tudents to get in$ormation on the certi$ication process1 httpB99www1nccpa1net Physician Assistant Education Association 0PAEA1 The national association representing physician assistant educational programs in the U!#1 Click on "hysician #ssistant "rogram (ap to locate a program near you1 httpB99www1paeaonline1org A"erican Medical Association 2 !ealth Care Careers 3irectory This directory has use$ul in$ormation about health care careers in a variety o$ di$$erent specialties1 httpB99www1ama-assn1org9ama9pub9education-careers9careers-health-care9directory1page E plore!ealthCareers4'rg Check out this website $or an in$ormative look at jobs in the health care $ield1 !earch through the Career %xplorer to $ind a career that interests you1 httpB99www1explorehealthcareers1org 'ccupational 'utlook !andbook 2 Physician Assistants Career in$ormation $rom the U! Cepartment o$ :abor1 httpB99www1bls1gov9ooh9'ealthcare9"hysician-assistants1htm