Life As a Physician Assistant (PA)

Example of a Physician Assistant (PA) Job 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.

List of Physician Assistant (PA) Job Duties

• Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.
• Visit and observe patients on hospital rounds or house calls, updating charts, ordering therapy, and reporting back to physician.
• Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
• Provide physicians with assistance during surgery or complicated medical procedures.
• Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management.
• Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Physician Assistant (PA)?

Physician Assistants state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Types of Physician Assistant (PA) Jobs

• Anesthesia Technician
• Doctor
• Surgical Physician Assistant
• Surgeon Assistant
• Family Practice Physician Assistant

Are There Job Opportunities for Physician Assistants?

There were about 106,200 jobs for Physician Assistants in 2016 (in the United States).

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 37.3% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 39,600 new jobs for Physician Assistants by 2026. The BLS estimates 10,600 yearly job openings in this field per year.

The states with the most job growth for Physician Assistants are New York, California, and Texas.

Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Mississippi, or Wyoming. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Physician Assistant (PA) Average Salary

The salary for Physician Assistants ranges between about $69,120 and $151,850 a year. A Physician Assistant median salary is $108,610.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Connecticut	$125,610
Washington	$123,980
Alaska	$122,260
Hawaii	$121,120
California	$117,230
New York	$117,000
Wyoming	$116,890
Nevada	$116,850
New Jersey	$116,270
Minnesota	$116,200
District of Columbia	$114,740
Oregon	$113,570
New Hampshire	$111,080
Iowa	$110,550
Michigan	$110,240
Maine	$110,030
Texas	$109,590
Idaho	$109,090
Massachusetts	$108,700
New Mexico	$108,610
Illinois	$108,260
Maryland	$108,180
Wisconsin	$107,920
North Dakota	$107,340
Nebraska	$106,700
Vermont	$106,520
Montana	$106,130
Florida	$105,930
Ohio	$105,410
Delaware	$105,300
Kansas	$104,720
North Carolina	$104,680
Oklahoma	$104,200
West Virginia	$104,180
Rhode Island	$103,710
South Carolina	$103,710
Georgia	$103,190
South Dakota	$102,830
Colorado	$102,770
Utah	$102,710
Arizona	$101,590
Virginia	$99,340
Arkansas	$99,280
Pennsylvania	$98,510
Indiana	$96,090
Missouri	$94,480
Alabama	$92,880
Kentucky	$91,010
Tennessee	$87,700
Louisiana	$85,990
Mississippi	$81,130

What Tools & Technology do Physician Assistants Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Physician Assistants may use on a daily basis:

• Epic Systems
• Microsoft Word
• MEDITECH software
• Medical condition coding software
• Medical procedure coding software
• Microsoft Office
• Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
• Microsoft Excel

Who Employs Physician Assistants?

Related Careers

Those thinking about becoming Physician Assistants might also be interested in the following careers:

• Athletic Trainers

Those who work as Physician Assistants sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

• Nuclear Medicine Physicians

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons