Summary: A Career As A Physician Assistant
Physician Assistant
Physician Assistant
I. Job Description In today’s medical world the physician assistant career is one that is highly coveted and is predicted to continue to grow in the coming years. “As patients live longer and chronic illnesses grow more complex, health experts project a shortage of doctors and an even stronger demand for physician assistants” (New York Times, 2011). Physician assistants work as part of a medical team where they perform various tasks and it is rumored that they perform most of the doctor’s work. PAs have knowledge of most if not all of the medical procedures and responsibilities that doctors deal with and face on a daily basis. The significant difference between a physician …show more content…
assistant and a medical doctor is the title and long years of schooling the doctor had to endure. PAs are trained to perform therapeutic, preventative healthcare services, and diagnose patients.
All these responsibilities and services provided by the physician assistant are appointed and under the orders of a physician. When a patient is first walked into the physician’s office, the person that sees the patient before the main physician is the physician assistant. During this time, the P.A. examines the patient, reviews medical history, orders and interprets laboratory tests, and makes diagnoses of their own. The physician assistant later relays the information collected to the physician. Following this, the physician goes in and makes his or her own observations of the patient and recommends a remedy. As one can see through this process, the physician’s job has been made faster and easier. “In some cases, PAs also make house calls or go to hospitals and nursing care facilities to check on patients, after which they report back to the physician” (U.S. Department of Labor, 2011). Most physician assistants work in primary care offices and family doctor’s offices. However, some PAs do work in surgeries, orthopedics and …show more content…
emergency medicine. It is a known fact that physician assistants act as Robin to a doctor’s Batman.
II. Education and Certification The education that a physician assistant has to endure is much less than the actual physician has to complete.
As stated earlier, the length and detail of the education is what separates the physician from the assistant. Although the PA may know as much as the actual physician he or she work under, the certification and degree the physician holds is what makes them work less and get paid much more. There are different methods to how one can obtain the education required by the health board and the state laws. Physician assistant degrees can be obtained through an accredited university, through some military programs or schools, and colleges and health allied programs with association with medical schools. For example, in Miami, Florida, an aspiring Physician assistant student can attend Miami Dade College and apply to their two-year program. Although Miami Dade College is not a university, it is an accredited institution and is affiliated with hospitals such Jackson Memorial Hospital and the Baptist Health System. On average, the length of a physician assistant program is two years and has an average cost of $30,000 (Go Physician Assistant School, 2011). Using the previous example of Miami Dade College, this program has an approximate cost of $22,000 for in-state students and approximately $37,000 for out-of-state students. Although a student has completed the schooling, they are not allowed to practice their degree until completing state exams. All States and the District
of Columbia have legislation governing the practice of physician assistants. All jurisdictions require physician assistants to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination, administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and open only to graduates of accredited PA education programs. Only those who have successfully completed the examination may use the credential “Physician Assistant-Certified” (U.S. Department of Labor). Once a person has passed the exam and completed their program, they are required by law to complete one hundred hours of continued medical education every two years. The continued bi-yearly education keeps the Pas up to date on the latest technological advancements and reiterates the basics. Physician assistants go through an intense two year program, which makes them very well qualified to perform what they always wanted to do, help others in need of their medical help.
III. Employment:
The physician assistant career is becoming one that is becoming more popular and is growing very rapidly from year to year. As stated earlier, this career is expected to continue growing and demanding more positions because as there are less graduating physicians the need for more physician assistants will grow. Job growth is expected to be much faster than average, thanks to the growing demand for healthcare services, the impending retirement of baby boomers, and broader efforts to limit healthcare costs. The volume of jobs is expected to grow by 29,200, or 39 percent, by 2018, among the fastest occupational growth rates projected by the Labor Department (U.S. News, 2011). This being said, there should be great job availability in this medical field. Experience on top of an education is always a plus to any job application. Although it is a plus, it is not required just upon graduating from a program. The programs in which the physician assistants have graduated from have required some type of medical field experience prior to acceptance and have also put them through medical situations throughout the course of their schooling. Median annual earnings for physician assistants in 2009 were $84,420. “The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $55,880, while the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $115,000” (U.S. News, 2011). There is room for improvement and advancement in the physician assistant field. One can obtain additional schooling and focus or specialize in a certain medical division, such as pediatrics or orthopedics. A PA can always advance and become more prepared, but the one catch is that they will always be under the supervision of a physician (Physician Assistant Career, 2011).
IV. Professional Activities:
As with other professional positions, physician assistants have a number of organizations that protect their jobs and organize events in which those who are members can attend and benefit from these events. These organizations try to bring together as many physicians assistants as they can to expand their knowledge not only about the actual practice but what is new around the world in relation to their profession and the medical field. On the national level, physician assistants can join the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Also most states have state organizations where all the physician assistants in that state can join and network. For example, those physician assistants in Florida can join the F.A.P.A. (Florida Academy of Physician Assistants) for the small cost of $185 per year. At the website (fapaonline.org) PA’s have access to current events, yearly workshops, and have a lobbying team in order to protect their profession and represent them even when they do not know of a potential event. These organization allow for PAs to network with each other and offer ideas and knowledge that some may not be aware of. Physician assistants are required by law to complete one hundred hours for continued education once every two years. Through the required continued education and the organizations that are available to today’s PAs, one can see why the medical field continues to advance not only technologically but also improvements in patient satisfaction.
V. Conclusion/Reflection
Those in the medical field have always been drawn in by the simple fact that they are performing services to those who need help and care. I have always wanted to find a career where I can excel in helping and helping cure those who need healthcare. It has always been a great trait of mine that I get along with all who I meet and consider myself a people person. I see myself fitting in great in this profession because of my hard working skills, my desire to help and learn other in need of help and my great networking capabilities. Throughout the research performed, I learned how the organizations listed protect and encourage growth in the physician assistant community. Also, I learned how I could specialize in specific area of medicine. I have always been interested in sports orthopedics, if I specialize in orthopedics, I can be of assistance to a sports physician. I have looked into different aspects of the medicine world, including nursing, but have realized that it is in my best interest to become a physician assistant because of my qualifications and capabilities. I believe that I can excel in any aspect of this field and furthermore, I can specialize in an area that I have interest in and would love to work in my entire career.
References
Best Jobs in America 2010. (n.d.). In CNN Money. Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/2010/snapshots/2.html
Best Careers 2011: Physician Assistant. (n.d.). In U.S. News. Retrieved November 26, 2011, from http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2010/12/06/best-careers-2011-physician-assistant
Physician Assistant Jobs. (n.d.). In Health Career Web. Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.healthcareerweb.com/allied-health/Physician_assistant_jobs
Physician Assistant Job Outlook. (n.d.). In Health Guide USA. Retrieved November 26, 2011, from http://www.healthguideusa.org/careers/physician_assistant_job_outlook.htm
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition Physician Assistants. (n.d.). In United States Department of Labor. Retrieved November 27, 2011, from http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos081.htm
What Does A Physician Assistant Do?. (n.d.). In Physician Assistant Career. Retrieved November 26, 2011, from http://physicianassistantcareer.com/
Cost of Physician Assistant School. (n.d.). In Go Physician Assistant Schools. Retrieved November 27, 2011, from http://www.gophysicianassistantschools.com/cost-of-physician-assistant-school.html
(2008, May 5). In New York Times. Retrieved November 27, 2011, from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/nyregion/05assistant.html
Physician Assistant
I. Job Description In today’s medical world the physician assistant career is one that is highly coveted and is predicted to continue to grow in the coming years. “As patients live longer and chronic illnesses grow more complex, health experts project a shortage of doctors and an even stronger demand for physician assistants” (New York Times, 2011). Physician assistants work as part of a medical team where they perform various tasks and it is rumored that they perform most of the doctor’s work. PAs have knowledge of most if not all of the medical procedures and responsibilities that doctors deal with and face on a daily basis. The significant difference between a physician …show more content…
assistant and a medical doctor is the title and long years of schooling the doctor had to endure. PAs are trained to perform therapeutic, preventative healthcare services, and diagnose patients.
All these responsibilities and services provided by the physician assistant are appointed and under the orders of a physician. When a patient is first walked into the physician’s office, the person that sees the patient before the main physician is the physician assistant. During this time, the P.A. examines the patient, reviews medical history, orders and interprets laboratory tests, and makes diagnoses of their own. The physician assistant later relays the information collected to the physician. Following this, the physician goes in and makes his or her own observations of the patient and recommends a remedy. As one can see through this process, the physician’s job has been made faster and easier. “In some cases, PAs also make house calls or go to hospitals and nursing care facilities to check on patients, after which they report back to the physician” (U.S. Department of Labor, 2011). Most physician assistants work in primary care offices and family doctor’s offices. However, some PAs do work in surgeries, orthopedics and …show more content…
emergency medicine. It is a known fact that physician assistants act as Robin to a doctor’s Batman.
II. Education and Certification The education that a physician assistant has to endure is much less than the actual physician has to complete.
As stated earlier, the length and detail of the education is what separates the physician from the assistant. Although the PA may know as much as the actual physician he or she work under, the certification and degree the physician holds is what makes them work less and get paid much more. There are different methods to how one can obtain the education required by the health board and the state laws. Physician assistant degrees can be obtained through an accredited university, through some military programs or schools, and colleges and health allied programs with association with medical schools. For example, in Miami, Florida, an aspiring Physician assistant student can attend Miami Dade College and apply to their two-year program. Although Miami Dade College is not a university, it is an accredited institution and is affiliated with hospitals such Jackson Memorial Hospital and the Baptist Health System. On average, the length of a physician assistant program is two years and has an average cost of $30,000 (Go Physician Assistant School, 2011). Using the previous example of Miami Dade College, this program has an approximate cost of $22,000 for in-state students and approximately $37,000 for out-of-state students. Although a student has completed the schooling, they are not allowed to practice their degree until completing state exams. All States and the District
of Columbia have legislation governing the practice of physician assistants. All jurisdictions require physician assistants to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination, administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and open only to graduates of accredited PA education programs. Only those who have successfully completed the examination may use the credential “Physician Assistant-Certified” (U.S. Department of Labor). Once a person has passed the exam and completed their program, they are required by law to complete one hundred hours of continued medical education every two years. The continued bi-yearly education keeps the Pas up to date on the latest technological advancements and reiterates the basics. Physician assistants go through an intense two year program, which makes them very well qualified to perform what they always wanted to do, help others in need of their medical help.
III. Employment:
The physician assistant career is becoming one that is becoming more popular and is growing very rapidly from year to year. As stated earlier, this career is expected to continue growing and demanding more positions because as there are less graduating physicians the need for more physician assistants will grow. Job growth is expected to be much faster than average, thanks to the growing demand for healthcare services, the impending retirement of baby boomers, and broader efforts to limit healthcare costs. The volume of jobs is expected to grow by 29,200, or 39 percent, by 2018, among the fastest occupational growth rates projected by the Labor Department (U.S. News, 2011). This being said, there should be great job availability in this medical field. Experience on top of an education is always a plus to any job application. Although it is a plus, it is not required just upon graduating from a program. The programs in which the physician assistants have graduated from have required some type of medical field experience prior to acceptance and have also put them through medical situations throughout the course of their schooling. Median annual earnings for physician assistants in 2009 were $84,420. “The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $55,880, while the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $115,000” (U.S. News, 2011). There is room for improvement and advancement in the physician assistant field. One can obtain additional schooling and focus or specialize in a certain medical division, such as pediatrics or orthopedics. A PA can always advance and become more prepared, but the one catch is that they will always be under the supervision of a physician (Physician Assistant Career, 2011).
IV. Professional Activities:
As with other professional positions, physician assistants have a number of organizations that protect their jobs and organize events in which those who are members can attend and benefit from these events. These organizations try to bring together as many physicians assistants as they can to expand their knowledge not only about the actual practice but what is new around the world in relation to their profession and the medical field. On the national level, physician assistants can join the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Also most states have state organizations where all the physician assistants in that state can join and network. For example, those physician assistants in Florida can join the F.A.P.A. (Florida Academy of Physician Assistants) for the small cost of $185 per year. At the website (fapaonline.org) PA’s have access to current events, yearly workshops, and have a lobbying team in order to protect their profession and represent them even when they do not know of a potential event. These organization allow for PAs to network with each other and offer ideas and knowledge that some may not be aware of. Physician assistants are required by law to complete one hundred hours for continued education once every two years. Through the required continued education and the organizations that are available to today’s PAs, one can see why the medical field continues to advance not only technologically but also improvements in patient satisfaction.
V. Conclusion/Reflection
Those in the medical field have always been drawn in by the simple fact that they are performing services to those who need help and care. I have always wanted to find a career where I can excel in helping and helping cure those who need healthcare. It has always been a great trait of mine that I get along with all who I meet and consider myself a people person. I see myself fitting in great in this profession because of my hard working skills, my desire to help and learn other in need of help and my great networking capabilities. Throughout the research performed, I learned how the organizations listed protect and encourage growth in the physician assistant community. Also, I learned how I could specialize in specific area of medicine. I have always been interested in sports orthopedics, if I specialize in orthopedics, I can be of assistance to a sports physician. I have looked into different aspects of the medicine world, including nursing, but have realized that it is in my best interest to become a physician assistant because of my qualifications and capabilities. I believe that I can excel in any aspect of this field and furthermore, I can specialize in an area that I have interest in and would love to work in my entire career.
References
Best Jobs in America 2010. (n.d.). In CNN Money. Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/2010/snapshots/2.html
Best Careers 2011: Physician Assistant. (n.d.). In U.S. News. Retrieved November 26, 2011, from http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2010/12/06/best-careers-2011-physician-assistant
Physician Assistant Jobs. (n.d.). In Health Career Web. Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.healthcareerweb.com/allied-health/Physician_assistant_jobs
Physician Assistant Job Outlook. (n.d.). In Health Guide USA. Retrieved November 26, 2011, from http://www.healthguideusa.org/careers/physician_assistant_job_outlook.htm
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition Physician Assistants. (n.d.). In United States Department of Labor. Retrieved November 27, 2011, from http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos081.htm
What Does A Physician Assistant Do?. (n.d.). In Physician Assistant Career. Retrieved November 26, 2011, from http://physicianassistantcareer.com/
Cost of Physician Assistant School. (n.d.). In Go Physician Assistant Schools. Retrieved November 27, 2011, from http://www.gophysicianassistantschools.com/cost-of-physician-assistant-school.html
(2008, May 5). In New York Times. Retrieved November 27, 2011, from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/nyregion/05assistant.html