A physician assistant is not a physician. They are clinicians who have been licensed to be able to practice medicine under the supervision of a physician in the United States. There are over 13.5 million jobs that are in the United States, and jobs in the health care industry are always growing in number. In fact, jobs in the health care industry are the fastest growing in the nation.
What Tasks and Services Do PAs Perform?
PAs have been trained to provide health care services in diagnostic area, therapeutic area, and preventative health care tasks as assigned to them by their supervising physician. As working members on the team of health care, PAs take the medical histories of patients and perform physician exams on them, they order laboratory tests and interpret the results of those tests, they diagnose and treat patient diseases and illnesses, and they assist surgeons in the surgery room. PAs are also able to treat minor injuries such as sutures, splints, and casting a broken bone. A physician assistant takes patient progress notes, and they give patient instructions and consultations after they are discharged from the hospital on how to stay healthy and how to properly do their therapy at their home.
What Training Does a PA have to Go Through?
PA programs are offered at colleges, and even community colleges. These programs generally lasts only 2 years and requirements and prerequisites are different for each program. Almost all of these programs require applicants to have at least 2 years of college and some experience in health care. However, all states require PAs to have graduated from an accredited PA program and to have passed the national board certification exam to obtain their license and start working in a medical institution.
What's a Good Reason to Become a PA?
According to the U.S. money magazine, the health care career of physician assistant is one of the fastest growing jobs in the United States. Its high in demand and it always will be due to the fact that in 2015 there will be a significant shortage of doctors and nurses. Salary.com lists the health care profession of PA to be the "fifth best job in America" based on its salary and benefits. The U.S. Department of Labor Statistic reports that employment for PAs is expect to rise "much faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014, ranking among the fastest growing occupations." The AAPA has reported that first year PA graduates can expect to start earn $65,000 a year. Salary will increase based on work experience, disciplinary record and geographic location. This is a great career to get into.
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