A Physician Assistant (PA) is someone who practices medicine under the auspices of a licensed physician. A PA however, is like a physician in many ways. It is not necessary that the PA be under the direct supervision of the physician, but instead, must work with them in a practice. Both the physician and the PA are responsible for the care rendered.
A PA does not require the same type of education as the doctor is required to have, and may have several years difference in the schooling. They can, however, perform many of the same kinds of responsibilities and may diagnose the patient, as well as offer medication and treatment regimens to the patient.
The Physician Assistant differs significantly from the medical assistant, and it is well known that the medical assistant spends very little time in school. A number of jobs and responsibilities can be assigned to a PA. Though the PA works under a physician, the physician does not always become involved in the work of the medical assistant. What this means is that while the PA may be functional in the practice of the physician, in most cases the PA is not directly overseen by the doctor and may hold their own office hours in the practice of the physician, seeing patients independently unless they determine that another opinion is in order. Patients will occasionally ask to speak with the PA at the office instead of the physician. Strangely, the use of a PA rather than a physician has had some effect in preventing what is known as white coat syndrome in many older and very young patients.
Each state has different requirements set for PA’s. There are however certain duties that fall into the job description of the PA regardless of their state: wound care, theraputic decisions, diagnosis, patient examinaiton, x-ray interpretation, and lab result analysis among others.
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. In addition to that they can prescribe a patient treatment plan. 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.
It is not uncommon for those wishing to be a PA to already hold a degree. This could be a bachelor’s degree, and having it will allow them to finish quickly. There will be many of course who have medical experience, for instance nursing, EMT, or paramedic training.
The course will likely require two years to finish. The PA program can and will lead to several different degrees. Oftentimes you can get your Associate degree, your Bachelor’s ore ven your master’s. Your prior level of education will determine which degree you gain.
Each PA course has it’s own set of requirements. Medical courses of course will be the most commonly attended, but there are other courses required that will improve communication. 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 will differ in their courses and each school will require different things prior to your attendance. It is important to bear in mind that while many different colleges will offer the PA courses, it is in your best interests to attend only a course of study which has been accredited. Many of these programs are offered by medical colleges, health and physical colleges or allied health programs.
PA’s are typically well compensated. In general, a PA will be paid around $85,000 USD per year. New graduates of course will make 5-7k less than that. The lowest pay in this field has been found to be at around 50k per year.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States mentions that health care fields are very critical of PA’s as well as other members of the field. Over time the profession will grow along with the salary.
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