Physician assistant
PA specialties
-Family practice -Internal medicine -General surgery -Emergency medicine -Pediatrics -Orthopedic surgery -Thoracic surgery -Geriatrics
PA settings
-Hospitals -clinics -physicians offices
All jurisdictions require physician assistants to pass the
physician assistant national certifying examination (PANCE).
Physician assistants must
complete an accredited education program and pass a national exam in order to obtain a license.
Requirements for admission to programs vary;
most applicants have a college degree and some health-related work experience.
Median annual earnings of wage and salary PAs
$95,820 in 2014.
Differences between PAs and NPs
-PA's train like MD's, NP's train as nurses then learn practitioner skills -PA training includes surgical skills while NP training does not -PA training is broad so PA's can work w/ any population/setting once certified. -NP's training specified to work w/ certain populations (Family/Peds/Geriatrics)
To remain certified
-PAs must complete 100 hours of continuing medical education every 2 years. -Beginning in 2014, PAs must pass a recertification examination or complete an alternative program combining learning experiences and a take-home examination every 10 years.
Physician assistants
-Provide routine diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare services under the direction and supervision of a physician. -Take medical histories, examine patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and X-rays, and make preliminary diagnoses. -Treat minor injuries by suturing, splinting, and casting. -PAs record progress notes, instruct and counsel patients, and order or carry out therapy.
PAs related to other health fields
-Usually rely on MA's (medical assistant) & RN's (nurses) to deliver patient care -May work autonomously without other providers- outpatient, rural clinic -May collaborate with PT's/OT, other therapists, X-Ray & lab techs etc -If surgical position- work w/ ER scrub nurse, anesthesiology, other subspecialties
Programs
-usually last at least 2 years in a postgraduate setting. -Admission requirements vary by program, but many require at least 2 years of college and some healthcare experience. -All states require that PAs complete an accredited, formal education program and pass a national exam to obtain a license.
PA percentage increase
30%
PAs held about
91,670 jobs in 2014
Projected rapid job growth reflects
the expansion of healthcare industries and an emphasis on cost containment, which results in the increasing use of PAs by healthcare establishments.
