What is a physician assistant and how to become one
Updated June 25, 2024 5 min read
A physician assistant is a healthcare professional who works under the supervision of a licensed physician to provide medical care to patients. They are trained to diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and assist in surgeries. Physician assistants work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices, and may specialize in specific areas such as cardiology or pediatrics. They typically have a master's degree and must pass a national certification exam to practice.
How long does it takes to become a physician assistant?
It typically takes 6-7 years to become a physician assistant:
- Years 1-4: Obtaining a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biology, chemistry, or pre-med. This includes coursework in anatomy, physiology, and other health sciences.
- Years 5-6: Completing a Master's degree program in physician assistant Studies. This program includes classroom instruction, laboratory work, and clinical rotations in various medical specialties.
- Year 7: Accumulating the necessary work experience and completing on-site training, typically less than 1 month, as required by the specific position.
8.1
Avg. Salary $118,812
Avg. Salary $59,228
Stability Level
9.9
Growth Rate 28%
Growth Rate 0.3%
Diversity
1.7
Race
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.35%
Asian 11.24%
Black or African American 5.36%
Hispanic or Latino 11.75%
Unknown 3.76%
White 67.53%
Genderfemale 66.44%
male 33.56%
Age - 37 Race
American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 37 Stress Level
9.9
Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level
10.0
Complexity Level is advanced
Work Life Balance
5.6
Work Life balance is fair
What are the pros and cons of being a Physician Assistant?
Pros
Competitive salary and benefits
Opportunities for career advancement
Ability to specialize in a specific medical field
Opportunities for leadership roles
Cons
Long hours and demanding workload
High levels of stress and pressure
Exposure to infectious diseases and other health hazards
Limited autonomy compared to physicians
Potential legal liability in medical decision making
How to become a physician assistant in 6 steps:
- Step 1: Explore Education
- Step 2: Develop Skills
- Step 3: Complete Relevant Training
- Step 4: Research Duties
- Step 5: Prepare Your Resume
Is being a Physician Assistant right for you?
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Physician Assistant career paths
Physician assistants have a range of career paths open to them. Many go on to become managers in a medical setting, such as an office manager, practice manager, or clinical manager. Others take on roles like medical director, clinician, or clinical consultant. Some use their expertise to teach as an adjunct instructor, while others become case managers or reviewers.
Medical Assistant
Avg Salary $34,900
Residency In Internal Medicine
Avg Salary $165,294
Physical Therapy Aide
Avg Salary $31,160
Surgical First Assistant
Avg Salary $61,480
Certified Athletic Trainer
Avg Salary $47,184
Athletic Trainer
Avg Salary $47,028
House Officer
Avg Salary $55,128
Staff Associate Of Research
Avg Salary $64,982
Clinical Trial Coordinator
Avg Salary $50,720
Avg Salary $32,979
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5 years
Clinical Manager
Avg Salary $84,066
Office Manager
Avg Salary $43,395
Avg Salary $87,099
Clinical Coordinator
Avg Salary $57,665
Medical Director
Avg Salary $230,317
Medical Officer
Avg Salary $90,615
Avg Salary $125,944
Avg Salary $238,887
Chief Medical Officer
Avg Salary $228,710
Nurse Manager
Avg Salary $83,684
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Key steps to become a physician assistant
Explore physician assistant education requirements
The educational requirements for a physician assistant are a master's degree, with some also holding a doctorate. According to Dr. Randolph Nesse , Research Professor of Life Sciences at Arizona State University, "A PhD in Evolutionary biology, genetics, anthropology, or a degree in medicine or public health are the entry pathways to the field." Top schools for physician assistant education include Duke University, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, and Yale University.
Bachelor's
46.3 %
Master's
28.0 %
Associate
9.2 %
Start to develop specific physician assistant skills
Physician assistants work in various settings, including family practices, hospitals, and specialty care. They perform a range of duties, such as conducting physical examinations, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, and developing treatment plans. They also coordinate care, educate patients, and maintain accurate records. In some cases, they may perform minor surgical procedures and administer medications.
Skills
Percentages
Patients 29.07%
Diagnostic Tests 5.81%
Surgery 5.00%
Primary Care 4.56%
Urgent Care 4.27%
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Complete relevant physician assistant training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New physician assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a physician assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real physician assistant resumes.
Research physician assistant duties and responsibilities
Physician assistants take on various responsibilities, including establishing a family practice-like setting for patients with complications such as diabetes and hypertension. They perform physical examinations, interpret test results, and dictate medical records. They also assist in multiple aspects of care, including patient history, physical examinations, and medication prescription and administration. As Karlyssa Chung , Clinical Coordinator of physician assistant Studies, Assistant Professor of physician assistant Studies, and Certified physician assistant at California Baptist University, puts it, "Telemedicine and virtual business in some capacity is here to stay. For patient and provider convenience, many will utilize telemed for routine follow-up encounters like review of lab results and diagnostic studies, medication refills, and minor chief complaints."
- Manage a variety of acute and chronic conditions especially asthma, allergies, injuries, and infectious diseases.
- Manage chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, ASCVD, chronic back and joint pains, depression, and anxiety.
- Manage patient surgical care throughout the continuum of care from pre-op, to discharge planning, including ambulatory and hospital in-patients.
- Attain pertinent history & physicals for obstetrics and gynecological acute and preventative visits.
Prepare your physician assistant resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your physician assistant resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a physician assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Physician Assistant Resume templates
Build a professional Physician Assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume.
Now it's time to start searching for a physician assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
How Did You Land Your First Physician Assistant Job
Share your story for a free salary report.
The average Physician Assistant salary in the United States is $118,812 per year or $57 per hour. Physician assistant salaries range between $70,000 and $201,000 per year.
How do physician assistants rate their job?
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Work/Life balance
Pros of working as a Physician Assistant
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The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.
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