Career Overview
Entry Level Education
Master's degree
Patient Interaction
Very High
Body Fluid Interaction
Very High
Salary
$90,210
Job Growth
30.40%
Job Description:
Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.
What Physician Assistant (PA) Do:
Physician assistants, also known as PAs, practice medicine on teams with physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare workers. They examine, diagnose, and treat patients.
How to Become One:
Earn a bachelor's degree. After earning a bachelor's degree and, since most PA programs require it, applicants gain at least three years of experience in areas such as working as an EMT, paramedic, or nurse before applying to a two-year master's physician assistant program. The program should be accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Graduates must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).