It varies. If I’m in triage, then I’m sorting patients by their acuity or how sick they are. In just a couple of minutes, I listen to what their complaint is and try to get to the root of what is causing that problem. I figure out what testing they’re going to need and anticipate what other providers would want as far as results. It’s mainly managing and determining what a patient needs during their visit.
CAREER
Physician Assistants
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$115,390
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+31.3% (much faster than the average)
Most Common Level of Education
Master's degree
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Physician Assistants Do
Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.
Other Job Titles Physician Assistants May Have
Cardiology Physician Assistant, Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C), Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant (Emergency Medicine PA), Family Practice Physician Assistant, Orthopaedic Physician Assistant, Orthopedic Physician Assistant, Physician Assistant (PA), Physician's Assistant, Surgical Critical Care Physician Assistant (Surgical Critical Care PA), Surgical Physician Assistant (Surgical PA)
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.
- Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
- Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
- Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.
- Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Physician Assistants
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Master's degree (59%)
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Sports Medicine
Graduate
Physician Assistant
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Interpersonal skills are a must because you as a provider are required to effectively communicate and build rapport not only with patients but also with other people on staff. Everyone is on the same team trying to figure out the best way to help patients. Also, you need time management skills in order to multitask. And then of course being able to handle stress and finding a good work-life balance is key. You really have to know yourself first and foremost and create necessary boundaries.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
Everyone
Try to get in as a [hospital] volunteer just to see what the flow is in that setting. This way you can witness all the different things that it takes to treat people. If you’re set on pursuing a career as a PA, find a program that links undergraduate studies with PA studies to save you both time and money.
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
