Physician Assistant
Physician Assistants (PAs) practice medicine under physician supervision, taking histories, diagnosing, treating patients, ordering tests, and prescribing some medications.
Overview
Physician Assistants (PAs) practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. PAs take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x-rays, instruct and counsel patients, make diagnoses, and prescribe certain medications. Many PAs work in primary care specialties. Other specialty includes general and thoracic surgery, emergency medicine, orthopedics, and geriatrics. PAs specializing in surgery provide preoperative and postoperative care and may work as first or second assistants during major surgery.
Work Environment
Physician Assistants (PAs) work in hospitals, clinics, ambulatory care centers, physician and specialist’s practices, long term care facilities, and home health care. PAs may also be educators, administrators, or researchers.
Demand
The need for physician assistants is expected to increase 27% between 2022 and 2032.
Salary
The median salary range, as stated by the New York State Department of Labor, for the Capital Region, Central New York, and the Finger Lakes, is $127,612 – $131,032.
Demand
+27%
Avg Salary
$129,322
Education Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree and some prior health care work experience, such as being a registered nurse, emergency medical technician (EMT), or paramedic are typical requirements for acceptance into PA program.
- Present satisfactory evidence of completion of an accredited PA program.
- Programs must include at least 32 semester hours of classroom work and 40 weeks (1,600 clock hours) of supervised clinical training.
- Must complete infection control coursework.
- Usually takes at least two years and typically leads to a Master’s degree.
- Pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE).
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