Chapter 13 Physician Assistant

PA Work Description A Physician assistant (PA) is formally trained to provide routine diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare services under the direction and supervision of a physician. They take medical histories, examine patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and X-rays, and make preliminary diagnoses. They treat minor injuries by suturing, splinting, and casting. PAs can prescribe many prescription medications in all 50 states (and the District of Columbia) PAs can work in family practice or specialties (including surgery)

Work Environment Although PAs generally work in a comfortable, well- lighted environment, they often must stand for long periods and do considerable walking. Some emergency room PAs work 24-hour shifts twice weekly, and others work three 12-hour shifts each week. The workweek of PAs who work in physicians’ offices may include weekends, night hours, or early morning hospital rounds to visit patients. PAs in clinics usually work a 5-day, 40-hour week.

Employment Opportunities Physician assistants held about 74,800 jobs in About 15% of actively practicing PAs work in more than one clinical job concurrently. More than 53% of jobs for PAs were in physician offices About 24% were in public or private hospitals. The rest: outpatient care centers, HMOs, the federal government, and public or private colleges, universities, and professional schools. Very few PAs were self-employed.

Educational and Legal Requirements Physician assistant programs usually last at least 2 years Admission requirements vary by program, but most require at least 2 years of college before you can apply and healthcare experience. All states require that PAs complete an accredited, formal education program and pass a national exam to obtain a license.

Education and Training Physician assistant education programs usually last at least 2 years and are full time. Most programs are in schools of allied health, academic health centers, medical schools, or 4- year colleges; a few are in community colleges, the military, or hospitals. Many accredited PA programs have clinical teaching affiliations with medical schools.

Licensure All states and the District of Columbia have legislation governing the qualifications or practice for Pas PAs must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination, administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and open only to graduates of accredited PA education programs. To remain certified, PAs must complete 100 hours of continuing medical education every 2 years.

Other Qualifications Physician assistants must have a desire to serve patients and be self-motivated. PAs also must have a good bedside manner, emotional stability, and the ability to make decisions in emergencies. Physician assistants must be willing to study throughout their career to keep up with medical advances.

Advancement Some PAs pursue additional education in a specialty such as surgery, neonatology, or emergency medicine. PA postgraduate educational programs are available in areas such as internal medicine, rural primary care, emergency medicine, surgery, pediatrics, neonatology, and occupational medicine.

Employment Trends Employment of physician assistants is expected to grow 39% from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Job opportunities for PAs should be good, particularly in rural and inner-city clinics, as these settings typically have difficulty attracting physicians.

Earnings Median annual earnings of wage-and-salary physician assistants were $81,230 in May –update 2014: about $97,000 per year The middle 50% earned between $68,210 and $97,070. The lowest 10% earned less than $51,360 (update 2014: $64,100) The highest 10% earned more than $110,350 (update 2014: $134,720) Income varies by geographic location and specialty

Related Occupations Other healthcare workers who provide direct patient care that requires a similar level of skill and training include audiologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, registered nurses, and speech-language pathologists.