Career Spotlight - Physician Assistant

A Physician Assistant has the honorable job of helpingmedical schools. However if a Physician Assistant
physicians in patient care and advice. It is anwishes to undertake a residency program there are
occupation that is more than just a mere job; it is asome available.
lifestyle. To become a successful Physician AssistantGraduate programs will lead to a qualification of
you should be an empathetic person, know how toMasters Degree in Physician Assistant Studies, Medical
relate to people and of course; have an excellentScience or Health Science. Other entry requirements
understanding of health and medicine.are a Bachelors degree as well as GRE or MCAT.
A physician's assistant is also known as a PA. TheyThere are now also some programs for Physician
can practice medicine under the supervision of aAssistants that have an option for a doctorate
physician. They should not be confused at all withqualification. This can include the Doctor of Science
medical assistants as an MA performs more clericalPhysician Assistant (DScPA).
tasks and can work under the supervision of aIn 2006 the Physician assistant position was named as
physician assistant.the 5th best job in America. This was based on salary
Getting education to be a Physician Assistant is similarad job prospects as well as job growth which is
to going to medical school. However Physicianexpected to increase by almost 50% in the next 10
Assistant training does not last for four or more yearsyears. There will never be a shortage of work
like a doctor must go through. They instead train for 3opportunities for a physician's assistant.
years maximum, sometimes only two years. There isOnce you have experience in general practice as a
classroom and lab work and it covers a range ofPA you may choose to specialise in a medical field like
medical topics like microbiology, pathophysiology,dermatology, cardiology, surgery or others.
pharmacology, anatomy and more. There will also beThe mean income for a full time PA in 2007 was over
clinical rotations in various medicine fields like surgery,$86,000. Specialist PA's can earn up to $200,000 per
paediatrics, gynaecology, internal medicine and more.year.
Physician Assistants are not required to completeA physicians assistant is an excellent job and one that
residencies like physicians once they have finished atis highly rewarding for the right person.