Job Description And Educational Requirements For Physician Assistant

The Phyician Assistant, or PA is an individual that is able to practice medicine under supervision. A PA, in many ways functions as a physician. A physician's assistant is not in need of babysitting of course, but it is necessary for them to work within the practice of a licensed physician. The physician, as well as the PA is responsible for the care which the PA gives to the patient or client.

The educational requirements for both are quite different, and a PA will attend school for a shorter period of time. Surprisingly however, the job requirements of a PA are quite similar to a physician.

It is of course understood that a physician assistant spends much more time in school than a basic medical assistant. A number of jobs and responsibilities can be assigned to a PA. Though the PA works under a physician, the physician does not always become involved in the work of the medical assistant. A PA could actually hold their own office hours within the practice, and act effectively as a separate physician. In many cases, patients would actually prefer to visit with and be treated by the PA rather than the physician. The reason for this of course is the prevention of 'white coat syndrome' in most patients.

Each PA will differ, depending upon the practice act in their state; The following physician assistant job description however are expected of the PA, and are definitely within the scope of the job: x-ray reading, lab result analysis, diagnosis, examinations, wound care, treatment, theraputic decisions.

The PA will also need to be able to view patients and determine their overall health and any problems that they might be facing. Along with that they are authorized to prescribe a treatment plan along with specific medications. The job of a PA will very quite a bit. The state will obviously determine some of it, but a large amount of it will be decided by the presiding physician.

Most individuals who want to be in a PA training program will hold a degree. This could be a bachelor's degree, and having it will allow them to finish quickly. There will be many of course who have medical experience, for instance nursing, EMT, or paramedic training.

The course will likely require two years to finish. The PA program can and will lead to several different degrees. It is possible to gain an associate's degree, a bachelor's, or for those who wish it, a masters. The degree you gain will depend on your prior education.

In every PA course, there are certain requirements for the physician assistant. Medical courses of course will be the most commonly attended, but there are other courses required that will improve communication. Among the common courses that you will take if you are to become a PA are: nutrition, anatomy, physiology, pathology, chemistry, immunology, communication, biology, clinical treatment and medical surgical treatments.

Every school will differ in their courses and each school will require different things prior to your attendance. Remember that many colleges will offer PA courses, but it is important to attend an accredited course. Many of these programs are offered by medical colleges, health and physical colleges or allied health programs.

The pay for a Physician's Assistant is normally quite good. In general, a PA will be paid around $85,000 USD per year. New graduates of course will make 5-7k less than that. The lowest pay, primarily dependent upon location of practice, was about 50K per year.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is clear on the fact that the health care fields are extremely critical of those who work in the field. The profession is expected to grow, and the projected salary along with it.