Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C)
- Family Practice Physician Assistant
- Physician Assistant (PA)
- Physician's Assistant
Alternate Job Titles
- Advanced Practice Provider (AAP)
- Anesthetic Assistant
- Cardiology Physician Assistant
- Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C)
- Certified Physician's Assistant (PA-C)
- Doctor Assistant
- Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant (Emergency Medicine PA)
- Family Medicine PA (Family Medicine Physician Assistant)
- Family Physician Assistant
- Family Practice Physician Assistant
- Gynecological Assistant
- Medical Service Technician
- Neurosurgery PA (Neurosurgery Physician Assistant)
- Orthopaedic Physician Assistant
- Orthopedic Physician Assistant
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.
- Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
- Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
- Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.
- Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.
- Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.
- Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Refer patients to other healthcare providers.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
- English Language
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Computers and Electronics
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Problem Sensitivity
- Speech Recognition
- Written Comprehension
- Information Ordering
- Speech Clarity
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Cooperation
- Cautiousness
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
- Support
- Independence
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Master's Degree
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Epic Systems
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Anesthesia equipment
- Anesthesia ventilators
- Anoscopes
- Arterial blood gas monitoring equipment
- Arterial line catheters
- Artery forceps
- Aspirating needles
- Audiometers
- Binocular light compound microscopes
- Blood collection needles
- Blood collection syringes
- Bone marrow biopsy equipment
- Breath alcohol testers
- Bull dog nose clamps
- Canes
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Contact With Others
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Telephone Conversations
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $95,240 |
| Median | $133,260 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $182,200 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 155,540
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Emergency Medicine Physicians
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: >$239,200
Family Medicine Physicians
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $238,380
Pediatric Surgeons
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
Cardiologists
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
Nurse Practitioners
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $129,210
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.