Employment Spot

Physician Assistants

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the need for physician assistants will rise significantly through 2014. These professionals receive training through programs at colleges and universities that often last two years. All states require physician assistants to complete one of these accredited training programs and pass a national certification exam to receive a license. One of the reasons for the increased job openings for physician assistants is their increased use by hospitals and doctors’ offices to help contain costs. The job opportunities in the coming years are projected to be excellent, with the most openings in rural areas or inner city clinics.

Physician assistants work closely with attending physicians and surgeons to aid in the care of patients. Do not confuse a physician assistant with a medical assistant, who performs more routine clerical and clinical tasks. Physician assistants receive formal training “to provide diagnostic, therapeutic and preventative health care services, as delegated by a physician,” according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Tasks of physician assistants may include some of the following:

Physician Assistant Salary Calculator

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Current Physician Assistant Employment Opportunities

• Physician Assistant - PA
  Location: US-TX-San Antonio
  Company: Intelli-Source
  Last Updated: 12/23
  Details: Physician Assistant – PA San Antonio...client; the largest physician-owned practice management...Texas Certified Physician’s Assistant - National certification...


• Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant!
  Location: US-TX-San Antonio
  Company: Wound Professionals
  Last Updated: 12/09
  Details: ...seeks dynamic, self-motivated Nurse Practitioners / Physician Assistants to join their Wound Care Specialists team. This position...


• View more Physician Assistant Employment Opportunites

• take medical histories
• examine and treat patients
• order and interpret laboratory tests and x-rays
• make diagnoses
• treat minor injuries by suturing, splinting and casting
• record progress notes
• instruct and counsel patients
• order or carry out therapy
• prescribe medications (in 48 states and the District of Columbia)
• handle managerial duties
• order medical supplies or equipment
• supervise technicians and assistants
• provide the principal care in rural or inner city clinics (where a physician is present for only one or two days each week)
• make house calls or go to hospitals and nursing care facilities to check on patients

In order to determine the applicable responsibilities, aspiring physician assistants should investigate the laws and regulations in the state where they intend to practice. Most physician assistants work in primary care specialties: general internal medicine, pediatrics or family medicine. Other physician assistants may specialize in general or thoracic surgery, emergency medicine, orthopedics or geriatrics. Some physician assistants who specialize in surgery provide preoperative and postoperative care. Under the supervision of a physician, some PAs may be a first or second assistant during surgery. Overall, physician assistants help to provide care to patients who cannot immediately see a doctor or where a doctor may have more pressing cases. Physician assistants often see patients who require medical care but do not need to see a physician. This is a rewarding career full of interaction with patients in need. As the population ages, more and more physician assistants will be needed to help provide medical care to those in need.

Physician assistants must complete an accredited, formal education program that will last at least two years, full-time. Many of these accredited programs may be found at traditional four-year colleges and universities, medical schools, schools of allied health, academic health centers, community colleges, the military and hospitals. The majority of these programs are affiliated with medical schools so that students may gain hands-on experience throughout their education. These programs often require at least two years of college education. Many programs require students to have taken biology, chemistry, English, math, psychology and the social sciences in order to be admitted. Students should volunteer at a medical center to gain some of the required experience in the health care field.

Due to the nature of medicine and technology that continues to advance, physician assistants will be required to obtain additional training throughout their careers. Additionally, though physician assistants may advance throughout their careers, they will always be supervised by a physician. Physician assistants receive many of the rewards of practicing medicine, including aiding patients in need.