What Do Physician Assistants Do?

There was a time when nurses and doctors were the primary healthcare professionals patients encountered in medical settings. However, times have changed. In recent years, care providers like physician assistants have made their mark in the healthcare sector.

What does a physician assistant do? Similar to doctors and nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants assess, diagnose, and treat patients in healthcare settings; however, the healthcare services they provide are usually supervised by physicians.

Becoming a physician assistant requires earning a master's degree and possessing the skills and experience necessary for the role. Learn more about what physician assistants do and how to begin this rewarding career.

What Is a Physician Assistant?

A physician assistant (PA) is a healthcare professional who provides patient medical care. PAs practice in hospitals, physicians' offices, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings. They can work in general medicine or specialties like pediatrics, cardiology, internal medicine, family medicine, and obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN).

They might also serve as primary care providers. This typically occurs in clinics in rural or underserved communities where doctors visit only a few days a week.

Skills Required of a Physician Assistant

PAs must exhibit many of the same skills as primary care doctors and specialists. Some include:

• problem-solving skills to assess patients' symptoms, diagnose their condition, and determine which treatments are best
• interpersonal skills to connect with patients and other healthcare providers on the medical team
• communication skills to explain medical conditions that could be difficult for patients to grasp
• compassion, or bedside manner, to help patients and their families feel that their questions and concerns are heard and understood
• emotional stability to manage intense medical scenarios like in emergency medicine or surgery where stress is heightened

Benefits of Being a Physician Assistant

If you're unsure that medical school is right for you, becoming a physician assistant is a great alternative. PAs spend much less time in school than physicians and enjoy having a similar impact on their patients' lives.

Most PAs work in doctor's offices and outpatient care centers. This means not working nights, weekends, or holidays. PAs are also less likely to be asked to work on short notice or on call.

PAs earn a significantly higher wage than most other occupations. They even make higher earnings, on average, than other diagnosing or treating practitioners.

What Are the Responsibilities of a Physician Assistant?

Physician assistants take on varying responsibilities depending on their healthcare facility and specialty. Take a look at some of the most common duties of physician assistants.

Reviewing Patient Medical Records

Before seeing patients, physician assistants often obtain and review their medical histories. This helps them treat current health challenges and decide what preventive care (ex. mammograms, colonoscopies, cholesterol tests) might be necessary to avoid future medical issues.

Assessing and Examining Patients

After reviewing vital signs like blood pressure and heart rate (normally completed by the nurse), PAs listen to their patient's concerns, discuss symptoms or injuries, and conduct a physical exam, if necessary.

Diagnosing Patient Illnesses or Injuries

PAs also diagnose patients' illnesses or injuries. Sometimes the diagnosis is handled alone, and other times PAs consult with medical professionals like supervising physicians, specialists, nurse practitioners, lab technicians, and other experts.

Treating Patient Conditions

Physician assistants research the latest treatments to ensure patients receive the highest level of care. PAs also treat illnesses and manage injuries by stitching wounds and setting bones.

Ordering Tests and Medication

PAs order diagnostic tests, x-rays, and blood tests to diagnose conditions or confirm injuries. Once treatments are determined, PAs prescribe the appropriate medications.

Educating Patients

A major part of a PA's job is to ensure patients and their families understand their condition and treatment. Physician assistants also counsel patients and explain the importance of preventive care and how to maintain their health.

Monitoring Patient Progress

Physician assistants often monitor their patients' progress post-visit to see if symptoms have worsened or improved. They also inquire about the success of the treatment plan to determine if alternative treatments are necessary.

How To Become a Physician Assistant

Starting a physician assistant career doesn't require as many steps as becoming a physician. However, there are requirements you must meet to enter the PA profession.

Get a Bachelor's Degree

Your first step toward a physician assistant career is earning your bachelor's degree. While a specific degree is not required, some PAs secure degrees in healthcare, biology, or a related field.

Completing prerequisite coursework for your future physician assistant program is recommended. Courses might include medical terminology, human biology, anatomy and physiology, and organic and inorganic chemistry.

Gain Experience Working with Patients

Admission to physician assistant programs typically requires experience with patients. Depending on the program, you might need one or more of the following types of experience:

• direct patient care hours
• paramedic
• EMT
• medical assistant
• PA shadowing (a passive learning experience during which PA students watch and learn from physician assistants interacting with patients)

Graduate from PA School

Next, enroll in and graduate from a physician assistant program. Be sure to choose a program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Some courses you'll take might cover:

• medical ethics
• clinical procedures
• healthcare policy
• clinical pharmacology
• clinical medicine topics
• clinical decision making
• clinical skills

Before completing your program, you'll need to meet all graduation requirements. These might include participating in lab instruction and clinical rotations.

Pass the PA Certification Test

To become a certified physician assistant, you must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

The PANCE tests prospective PAs' professional behaviors, medical skills, and clinical knowledge and reasoning. It features five blocks of 60 questions and gives students 60 minutes to complete each block.

PA students who pass the PANCE can use PA-C or Physician Assistant-Certified in their name. Recertification requires continuing education and passing a recertification exam.

Obtain Licensure in Your State

Every state and the District of Columbia mandate licensure for physician assistants. Licensure is obtained by taking and passing the PANCE.

FAQs About Physician Assistants

Would you like to know more about becoming a physician assistant? Review these frequently asked questions.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Physician Assistant?

Becoming a physician assistant usually requires about two years of study in a PA program. Most programs prepare students for the PANCE exam, which helps minimize the time needed to start a PA career.

What Is the Difference Between a Physician Assistant and a Doctor?

Both a physician assistant and a doctor provide patient care. However, doctors work independently and PAs require doctor supervision. PAs require about two years of medical education after earning their bachelor's degree. Doctors might spend four years in medical school and additional years in internship and residency programs.

Can You Become a Physician Assistant Completely Online?

It's not easy to find a PA program offered completely online. While programs offering online coursework are available, they will likely require students to participate in clinical experiences outside the home. The PANCE exam also requires in-person testing at a Pearson VUE testing center.

Is It Worth It To Become a Physician Assistant?

Yes, becoming a physician assistant is worth it. You can qualify for a PA position after as few as two years in PA school. Also, the job outlook for PAs looks great. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for physician assistants is expected to grow much faster than average at 27% from 2022 to 2032.