You want to practice medicine but could not get through medicine entrance exams; or you don’t want to study for 6 to 10 years; or the idea of becoming a doctor seems daunting and long to you, then you might consider becoming a physician assistant.
What is a PA?
Physician assistants are also known as PA. They practice medicine under the supervision of a doctor. They undergo formal training and can diagnose illnesses and injuries, examine patients and provide treatment. They share the responsibility of the patients with doctor. They have some amount of independence and autonomy; moreover they have to assume entire responsibility of the patients in absence of the doctor.
What is the scope of PA’s work?
• Physician Assistant jobs include working and assisting surgeons and physicians.
• They diagnose patients and review their history.
• Interpret and order tests such as blood test, x-ray, ECG, etc
• Provide preliminary treatment and treatments such as giving immunizations and setting broken bones.
• They council patients on healthcare treatments and record their progress.
• In 39 states they can also write prescriptions.
How to become a PA?
Person aspiring to be a PA must have a bachelor’s degree or relevant experience in medical field.
PA program is a twenty five month full-time master’s degree which is then followed by a year of clinical rotation. PA gain hands on experience during this one year of clinical rotation.
Most of the students applying for PA are nurses, paramedics and emergency medical technicians.
Pros and Cons of choosing PA’s job over that of Doctors
Becoming a PA is not a small feat, though it requires fewer efforts when compared to doctors.
Pros of becoming a PA:
Better work hours than doctors
Fewer years of education and training is required to become PA
The jobs for physician assistants do require less responsibility than doctors.
Rich experience of working with surgeons and physicians.
Cons of becoming a PA:
PA jobs are paid much lesser than doctors
PA will always have to work under doctors; they can never be the boss.
Prior experience in medicine
Though PA jobs are paid less they are paid well when compared to nurses and medical assistants. Job prospects of PAs working in rural and medically undeserved areas are expected to be very good.
What is a PA?
Physician assistants are also known as PA. They practice medicine under the supervision of a doctor. They undergo formal training and can diagnose illnesses and injuries, examine patients and provide treatment. They share the responsibility of the patients with doctor. They have some amount of independence and autonomy; moreover they have to assume entire responsibility of the patients in absence of the doctor.
What is the scope of PA’s work?
• Physician Assistant jobs include working and assisting surgeons and physicians.
• They diagnose patients and review their history.
• Interpret and order tests such as blood test, x-ray, ECG, etc
• Provide preliminary treatment and treatments such as giving immunizations and setting broken bones.
• They council patients on healthcare treatments and record their progress.
• In 39 states they can also write prescriptions.
How to become a PA?
Person aspiring to be a PA must have a bachelor’s degree or relevant experience in medical field.
PA program is a twenty five month full-time master’s degree which is then followed by a year of clinical rotation. PA gain hands on experience during this one year of clinical rotation.
Most of the students applying for PA are nurses, paramedics and emergency medical technicians.
Pros and Cons of choosing PA’s job over that of Doctors
Becoming a PA is not a small feat, though it requires fewer efforts when compared to doctors.
Pros of becoming a PA:
Better work hours than doctors
Fewer years of education and training is required to become PA
The jobs for physician assistants do require less responsibility than doctors.
Rich experience of working with surgeons and physicians.
Cons of becoming a PA:
PA jobs are paid much lesser than doctors
PA will always have to work under doctors; they can never be the boss.
Prior experience in medicine
Though PA jobs are paid less they are paid well when compared to nurses and medical assistants. Job prospects of PAs working in rural and medically undeserved areas are expected to be very good.
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