The Phyician Assistant, or PA is an individual that is able to practice medicine under supervision. There are however very few ways to distinguish the two. A physician’s assistant is not in need of babysitting of course, but it is necessary for them to work within the practice of a licensed physician. The care rendered will be the responsibility of the physician and the PA.
The education for a PA is much different, and a PA will attend school for fewer years. The PA however can have the same responsibilities, and they will be able to fulfill many of the same job requirements.
It is of course understood that a physician assistant spends much more time in school than a basic medical assistant. In the office of a physician, the PA has several responsibilities. Their responsibilities are many and diverse, and quite often, the physician does not play a key role in their work. A PA could actually hold their own office hours within the practice, and act effectively as a separate physician. In many cases, patients would actually prefer to visit with and be treated by the PA rather than the physician. The use of a PA is a great method of preventing the white coat syndrome that manifests in the older and younger patients.
Each state has different requirements set for PA’s. The following physician assistant job description however are expected of the PA, and are definitely within the scope of the job: x-ray reading, lab result analysis, diagnosis, examinations, wound care, treatment, theraputic decisions.
The PA will need to watch the patient and determine their level of health along with taking their medical history for the diagnosing of immediate problems. Further, they can prescribe a plan of treatment for the patient, as well as prescribe medication for the patient. The actual scope of practice of each Physician Assistant will vary widely. This is determined not only by the state in which they practice, but also by the physician assistant job description of the physician for whom they work.
Most individuals who want to be in a PA training program will hold a degree. The course will move much faster if the individual in question already holds a bachelor’s degree. Most will have some kind of experience in medical fields, such as EMT, Nursing, or Paramedic training, although again, this is not a prerequisite to become a PA.
The course will likely require two years to finish. The PA program can and will lead to several different degrees. It is possible to gain an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s, or for those who wish it, a masters. Dependent upon the prior education which you have, the degree you are awarded may vary.
Each PA course has it’s own set of requirements. As it is important to communicate with pateints, there are multiple courses that will help you out in addition to your standard medical. Among the common courses that you will take if you are to become a PA are: nutrition, anatomy, physiology, pathology, chemistry, immunology, communication, biology, clinical treatment and medical surgical treatments.
Every school is different and will oviously make different reqeuirements for your attendance. Remember that many colleges will offer PA courses, but it is important to attend an accredited course. These programs can be offered by medical colleges, allied health programs, or physical colleges.
PA’s are typically well compensated. The average salary of a PA in 2009 was around $85,000. Those who are new to the field will likely make 5-7k less than that. It has been found that the lowest pay is 50k per year, which is nothing to scoff at.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States, the health care fields which are most critical are those of physicians, nursing and other allied health professions such as Physician Assistant. The profession is expected to grow, and the projected salary along with it.