Physician Assistant

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Work Tasks

• Practice medicine with a physician's supervision
• Take medical histories, do physical exams, order lab tests and x-rays, diagnose problems, and prescribe treatments
• Treat minor injuries by suturing, splinting, and casting
• Help physicians in specialty areas, such as general surgery, emergency medicine, and pediatrics
• Work for doctors in private practice, hospitals, nursing homes, public health clinics, the government, the military, health maintenance organizations, prisons, rehabilitation centers, and mental and physical health facilities
• Work with lab and testing equipment, medical records, test results, x-rays, and basic medical equipment like bandages, antiseptics, and stethoscopes

Salary, Size & Growth

• $82,500 average per year ($39.75 per hour)
• A medium occupation (81,400 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (3.9% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree from a school of allied health, academic health center, medical school, community college, or 4-year college.
• Skills/Courses: College courses include biology, English, chemistry, math, psychology, and social sciences. Many physician assistants have prior experience as registered nurses, respiratory therapists, and emergency medical technicians.
• Certification/Licensing: All states require physician assistants to be licensed.