Career as a Physician Assistant: Everything You Need to Know
Balancing a fulfilling career with a healthy personal life is a priority for many.
A career as a physician assistant offers this balance, providing a rewarding profession with greater flexibility than some other medical roles.
PAs often enjoy more predictable schedules, allowing for a better integration of work and personal life. This flexibility, combined with the opportunity to practice in diverse medical settings, makes the PA profession highly appealing.
Why Choose Being a Physician Assistant?
Job Outlook and Demand:
The demand for physician assistants is experiencing robust growth, significantly outpacing many other professions. This surge is fueled by an aging population, increased access to healthcare, and a growing emphasis on preventative care.
For those considering a career as a physician assistant, this translates to exceptional job security and numerous opportunities across diverse medical specialties and geographic locations. Hospitals, clinics, and private practices are increasingly relying on PAs to expand access to quality healthcare, making them highly valued members of the medical team.
Work-Life Balance:
One of the appealing aspects of having a career as a physician assistant is the potential for a more predictable and balanced lifestyle compared to some other healthcare professions. While the work can be demanding, many PAs enjoy more regular hours and less on-call time than physicians, allowing for better integration of personal and professional life.
It is important to note that work life balance can depend on specialty and place of employment, but generally PAs have a better work life balance than MDs.
Competitive Salary:
This career also offers a competitive and rewarding salary, reflecting the extensive education and skills required. Compensation varies based on factors such as experience, specialty, location, and employer.
However, PAs consistently earn a strong income, contributing to financial stability and security. Furthermore, as PAs gain experience and expertise, they have opportunities for salary growth, making it a financially viable and attractive career path.
Career Satisfaction:
Many individuals are driven by a desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. PAs enjoy a high degree of autonomy and are empowered to provide comprehensive patient care, including diagnosing, treating, and managing medical conditions.
The ability to build strong patient relationships and witness the positive impact of their work contributes to a profound sense of career satisfaction. The flexibility of being able to change specialties throughout your career adds to career satisfaction.
What Does a Physician Assistant Do?
PAs work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
Their responsibilities may vary depending on their specialty and state regulations.
Some common duties of a PA include:
Conducting patient exams: PAs assess patients, take medical histories, and perform physical examinations.
Diagnosing illnesses: They analyze symptoms and make diagnostic decisions.
Assisting in surgery: PAs may assist surgeons in operations and are trained to provide pre- and post-operative care.
Ordering tests: PAs can order and interpret laboratory tests and imaging studies, such as X-rays.
Prescribing medications: In most states, PAs can prescribe medications, including controlled substances.
Developing treatment plans: They create and manage treatment strategies tailored to individual patient needs.
Advising on preventive care: PAs educate patients on wellness and preventive health practices.
PAs typically work independently but remain in collaboration with their supervising physicians, adhering to the scope of practice defined by state law.
Unlike medical doctors (MDs), who complete extensive education including residency, PAs typically earn a master’s degree from an accredited PA program after obtaining a bachelor’s degree. This shorter training period allows PAs to enter the workforce more quickly while still providing comprehensive patient care.
Pathway to Be a PA
Becoming a physician assistant (PA) involves a blend of rigorous education, clinical training, and certification, and it all begins with a focus on the best majors for PA school and the right healthcare experience.
For those considering a career as a physician assistant, it’s important to understand the steps involved.
Here’s an updated breakdown of the process, from your undergraduate major to becoming certified to practice as a PA.
1. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree
Most PA programs require a bachelor’s degree, with certain undergraduate majors standing out as the best majors for PA school. Majors such as biology, health sciences, psychology, and exercise science cover the foundational courses that PA programs look for, including:
- General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Biochemistry
- Biology and Microbiology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Medical Terminology
- Genetics
PA schools also value coursework in math, physics, statistics, English, and psychology. If you already have a strong GPA in a STEM-related major like biology or health sciences, you may meet many of these prerequisites.
However, if you’ve not taken these courses or if your GPA needs a boost, enrolling in a premedical program can strengthen your application by helping you meet PA program requirements.
2. Gain Healthcare Experience
Healthcare experience is critical for a competitive PA school application. Typically, PA schools expect applicants to have hands-on experience in the healthcare field, often termed as Patient Care Experience (PCE) or Healthcare Experience (HCE):
- PCE: Roles providing direct patient care, such as EMTs, paramedics, physical therapy aides, phlebotomists, and mental health counselors.
- HCE: Broader healthcare roles, such as medical technicians, medical social workers, and hospice workers.
Most PA programs require at least 1,000 hours of PCE or HCE. Many successful applicants spend a year or more gaining this experience after undergrad, allowing them to meet or exceed the minimum hours for a competitive application. For those who work full-time in healthcare, several premedical programs offer part-time or online courses to help fulfill clinical experience requirements.
3. Complete a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies
Admission to PA school is competitive, and most programs require a master’s degree in physician assistant studies for licensure. Accredited PA programs generally last two years and are designed to provide the medical and surgical knowledge needed to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). These programs cover:
- Classroom Education: Topics in pharmacology, pathology, human anatomy, and clinical medicine.
- Clinical Rotations: Hands-on practice in specialties like family medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, and surgery, offering exposure to different patient care environments.
4. Pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE)
After completing an accredited PA program, graduates must pass the PANCE to earn the designation Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C). This certification is required in most states for licensure and signifies that the PA has met the competency standards set by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
5. Obtain State Licensure
PAs must obtain state licensure to practice, with each state imposing specific regulations. While passing the PANCE is universally required, some states may have additional exams or continuing education requirements.
6. Pursue Specialization (Optional)
For those pursuing a career as a physician assistant, specialization offers diverse pathways. PAs can specialize in areas such as cardiology, emergency medicine, surgery, and pediatrics.
Specializing typically requires further training, such as a fellowship or residency, and enables PAs to deepen their expertise and potentially increase their earning potential.
7. Maintain Certification and Licensure
Maintaining certification requires 100 hours of continuing medical education (CME) every two years, along with passing a recertification exam (PANRE) every 10 years. This ongoing commitment ensures that PAs remain current with advancements in medical care.
Resources
For those interested in pursuing a career as a physician assistant, here are some valuable resources to guide you:
Professional Organizations:
Joining professional organizations can provide valuable resources, networking opportunities, and support throughout your career as a physician assistant.
The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) offers a wealth of resources, including career guidance, continuing medical education (CME) opportunities, and advocacy for the PA profession. Additionally, the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) provides educational resources and support for PA students and educators.
Educational Resources:
Aspiring PAs should seek out accredited PA programs to ensure they receive a high-quality education. The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) maintains a list of accredited PA programs across the United States.
For those preparing for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), resources like the UWorld PANCE Study Guide and the Smarty PANCE NCCPA Blueprint Study Schedule offer comprehensive study materials and schedules to help you succeed.
Financial Aid and Scholarships:
Financing your education is an important consideration for aspiring PAs. There are various financial aid options, scholarships, and loan forgiveness programs available to PA students.
The PA State Grant Program provides grants to eligible students in Pennsylvania, while the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a crucial step in accessing federal financial aid.
Additionally, many PA programs offer their own scholarships and financial aid opportunities, so be sure to explore the options available at your chosen institution.
In conclusion…
A career as a physician assistant can be both rewarding and exciting. It requires hard work, education, and hands-on experience.
The path is clear. By completing a PA program, gaining clinical experience, and getting certified, you can join a growing field that plays a vital role in healthcare.
Whether you’re interested in different medical specialties or want to make a real difference in patients’ lives, becoming a physician assistant offers great opportunities for growth and fulfillment.
