As described
above, a physician assistant is a licensed health
professional who practices medicine under the supervision of a physician.
When I first informed my family and friends about my career choice, I got a lot
of positive feedback; even my advisor and employer encouraged me. For this page
I did some extensive research and have find out even more. Most of the people
do not know what a PA does. A PA or a Physician Assistant’s duties include
-Taking
health histories
-Performing physical
examinations
-Ordering X-rays and
laboratory tests
-Performing routine
diagnostic tests
-Establishing diagnoses
-Treating and managing
patient health problems
-Administering
immunizations and injections
-Instructing and
counseling patients
-Providing continuing
care to patients in the home, hospital, or extended care facility
-Providing referrals
within the health care system
-Performing minor
surgery
-Providing preventative
health care services
-Acting as first or
second assistants during surgery
-Responding to
life-threatening emergencies
http://www.pac.ca.gov/forms_pubs/what_is.shtml
All this is done a supervision
of a Physician.
How to become a Physician
Assistant?
Physician assistant programs
usually last at least 2 years.
Admission requirements vary by program, but many require at least 2 years of
college and some health care experience. All States require that PAs complete
an accredited, formal education program and pass a National exam to obtain a
license. All States and the District of Columbia
have legislation
governing the qualifications or practice of physician assistants. All
jurisdictions require physician assistants to pass the Physician Assistant
National Certifying Examination. Only those successfully completing the
examination may use the credential “Physician Assistant-Certified.” To remain certified,
PAs must complete 100 hours of continuing medical education every 2 years.
Every 6 years, they must pass a recertification examination or complete an
alternative program combining learning experiences and a take-home examination.
(http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos081.htm#training)
Employment and Earnings
Employment is expected to grow much faster than the
average as health care establishments increasingly use physician assistants to
contain costs. Job opportunities for PAs should be good, particularly in rural
and inner city clinics, as these settings typically have difficulty attracting
physicians. Median annual earnings of wage-and-salary physician assistants were
$74,980 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $62,430 and $89,220.
For
a person who also wants to attend their family, I think
this is a very nice career choice. PA’s have a set schedule in most of the specialties
and only work 30-40 hours a week. Their normal day starts at 8:30 am and goes
till 4:00 pm. This would work ideally for me once I am settled down with kids
and husband. I think this way I can have a good career, make good money, do something
I enjoy and still take care of my family
