What does a Physician Assistant do?
Physician Assistants deliver direct care to patients in a variety of specialties and settings. By performing examinations, ordering tests and prescribing treatments, they free up Physicians to perform other tasks and allow hospitals, clinics and private practices to see more patients throughout the day. As a result, hiring a Physician Assistant may help a healthcare institution or private practice grow.
Physician Assistants can also work with specialists and perform duties within their scope of care, such as supporting Surgeons during surgical procedures and performing skin biopsies when working with Dermatologists.
When Physician Assistants perform their job duties proficiently, they increase the chances of patients enjoying the best possible outcomes from treatments, contributing to both the overall standard of care and patient satisfaction rates of facilities and practices.
Physician Assistant skills and qualifications
Successful Physician Assistants need a variety of skills. Some qualifications you may wish to list in your Physician Assistant job description include:
- Strong verbal and written communication skills to interact with patients and other medical providers
- Exceptional attentiveness to detail to identify signs of illness and maintain accurate records
- Extensive knowledge of diagnostic equipment and medical procedures
- Good interpersonal skills to help patients feel at ease
- Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to make accurate diagnoses based on symptoms and test results
- Ability to move and reposition patients
- Familiarity with current standards of care, patient privacy regulations and infection control practices
- Clinical skills, including the ability to perform a physical exam
Physician Assistant experience requirements
Physician Assistant training programs usually include a patient care component that allows prospective PAs to gain hands-on experience delivering direct care to patients. As a result, an entry-level PA who will have adequate supervision on the job may not need any additional work experience to succeed in their role.
PA positions that involve supervising or training other Physician Assistants will typically require a few years of work experience for success. Employers who need Physician Assistants to complete a wide range of highly complicated duties may also wish to prioritize candidates who have a few years of experience.
Physician Assistant education and training requirements
All states require Physician Assistants to gain a state license prior to working in the field. Although each state develops its own rules regarding licensing, prospective PAs must typically earn a master’s degree from a program approved by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA). These programs usually last for two years, and applicants typically must have a bachelor’s degree to qualify for admission to them. After completing the mandatory training, prospective PAs in most states take the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants’ (NCCPA) Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) to earn their licenses.
Physician Assistants who wish to specialize in a particular field usually participate in an ARC-PA fellowship and then take an examination to gain the required certification. The NCCPA offers certifications in dermatology, hospital medicine, emergency medicine and other specialties.
Physician Assistant salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Physician Assistant is $122,331 per year. Actual salaries vary, depending on experience, education, specialty and location.
Physician Assistant salary expectations
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Common salary:
128777.47 YEARLY -
Typical salaries range from
46000.00 -252000.00 YEARLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
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Physician Assistant job description FAQs
What is the difference between a Physician Assistant and a Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse Practitioners usually work in nursing specialties like primary care, emergency care and geriatric care. In their work, they emphasize the nursing model, which involves maintaining the overall health and well-being of a patient to improve their quality of life. Physician Assistants work from the medical model, which centers on treating problems as they arise, curing symptoms and managing disease with medication and medical procedures.
What are the characteristics of a good Physician Assistant?
Good Physician Assistants have essential qualities that allow them to provide exceptional medical care to their patients. These beneficial traits include patience, compassion, empathy and emotional resilience. They are also able to remain professional and considerate when talking to patients about medical issues that may be distressing. In addition, excellent Physician Assistants are independent and willing to take initiative with patients. Being able to perform well under pressure is also a helpful trait for a PA.
Who does a Physician Assistant report to?
In most states, Physician Assistants must report directly to a Physician about their patient’s care. Each state has its own laws about the level of supervision that PAs need. If you’re unsure about the requirements for supervising Physician Assistants in your area, consult your legal counsel or state medical board.
*Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.
