Physician assistants work under the supervision of physicians, providing support to healthcare teams. They need an advanced education and extensive training in a medical setting. Coursework and clinical hours prepare physician assistant students to provide support during surgical procedures, develop treatment plans, and work in a fast-paced healthcare setting. This comprehensive guide serves as a resource for individuals interested in pursuing a physician assistant career.
What Does a Physician Assistant Do?
Physician assistants (PA) provide frontline medical care under the supervision of physicians as part of a team of healthcare professionals.
Physician Assistant Jobs: Roles and ResponsibilitiesPhysician assistants function much like doctors. They examine patients, diagnose diseases, prescribe medicines, and write referrals to specialists. However, these professionals must work under a medical doctor's supervision.PAs may work in a variety of medical specialties in roles such as anesthesiologist assistant, orthopedic physician assistant, pediatric physician assistant, radiology practitioner assistant, and surgical physician assistant. Regardless of their specialization, physician assistants spend their time meeting with patients, communicating important healthcare information, and making critical decisions about patient health management.Physician Assistant Jobs: In-Depth
Physician assistants practice medicine alongside doctors, nurses, and therapists. Like doctors, these medical professionals examine, diagnose, and treat patients, but they must do so under the supervision of a physician. Physician assistants may work in hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices, or other medical settings, specializing in one or more areas of medicine — such as family medicine, psychiatry, or surgery.
A physician assistant's duties vary by specialty, state, and service area. In some rural or underserved areas, for instance, a physician assistant may serve as a primary care provider, examining patients, prescribing medicine, and setting broken bones. In other settings, a physician assistant may take on a narrower role, such as exclusively closing incisions after surgeries or providing vaccinations to pediatric patients.
Physician Job Market
Physician Assistant Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a physician assistant salary is $108,610 annually. PAs who work in educational services tend to earn less, bringing in about $102,870 per year, while those working in outpatient centers earn some of the highest salaries of around $115,560. Salaries vary by state and industry. The top five states with the highest salaries are:
1. Connecticut
Annual Median Salary: $126,320
2. Washington
Annual Median Salary: $122,710
3. Alaska
Annual Median Salary: $120,990
4. New Jersey
Annual Median Salary: $120,700
5. Nevada
Annual Median Salary: $119,570
Job Growth and Openings by State
The U.S. has about 118,800 physician assistants. The BLS projects this number to grow by 31% between 2018 and 2028, resulting in an increase of 37,000 jobs. The profession's growth rate far outperforms the median growth of all occupations at 5%. Job outlooks vary by region, but states with large rural populations will likely add the most jobs. The top five states with the highest projected growth rates are:
1. Arizona
Projected Growth Rate: 57.1%
2. Utah
Projected Growth Rate: 54.5%
3. Florida
Projected Growth Rate: 49.5%
4. Texas
Projected Growth Rate: 45.4%
5. Virginia
Projected Growth Rate: 44.5%
The map below details growth rate, employment growth, and average annual job openings for each state.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Projections Managing Partnership.How to Become a Physician Assistant
Physician assistants need a master's degree and patient care experience. After graduating with a master's degree, aspiring physician assistants must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) and meet any additional state-specific requirements for licensure to practice.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
Aspiring PAs need a qualifying bachelor's degree to gain admission to a graduate program. Some graduate schools accept a bachelor's degree in any subject, but a degree in a relevant area, such as health science or nursing, provides ideal preparation for a PA graduate program.
Students typically need undergraduate coursework in biochemistry, organic chemistry, immunology, pathophysiology, genetics, and molecular or cellular biology for admission to a PA master's program. Many master's programs also require applicants to hold previous healthcare experience. Some schools offer dual BS/MS physician assistant programs, which allow students to save time and money.
Step 2: Earn a Master's Degree
To gain admission to an ARC-PA-accredited physician assistant master of science in medicine program, prospective students need a bachelor's degree. Applicants typically need a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 and a minimum 3.25 GPA in science-related courses. They also need a minimum score of 300 on the GRE.
The master's degree usually requires 147 credit hours and takes seven semesters of full-time study to complete. Students typically take 15 weeks of didactic science courses on topics like medical ethics, clinical radiology, and introduction to obstetrics and gynecology. After completing coursework, learners finish eight, six-week clinical rotations in areas such as family medicine, pediatrics, behavioral and mental health, and general surgery.
Step 3: Pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE)
After graduating from an ARC-PA-accredited physician assistant master's program, future PAs qualify to take the PANCE. This exam covers organ systems and disorders, diseases, and assessments. Medical content comprises 95% of the exam.
Examinees may make up to six attempts to pass the PANCE in six years. Upon passing the exam, PAs must secure a state license to practice. Since requirements for licensure vary by state, PAs should contact their state's licensing board for more information.
