Celebrating the Power of PAs
Honoring the heart of modern healthcare during Physician Assistants Week
Physician Assistants (PAs) play an essential role in the health of patients every day. PAs bridge the gap between physicians and patients, often serving as a patient’s principal healthcare provider. The word assistant may be in the title, but PAs are qualified to treat patients in many of the same ways a physician would.
The primary difference between a medical doctor and a PA is the length of education and training. After earning their bachelor’s degree, PAs complete a two to three-year, graduate-level program that requires the same prerequisites as medical school. PAs must complete clinical rotations and must maintain their certifications and licenses. While physicians complete months and usually years-long residency programs, PA training includes intensive, hands-on experience that immediately equips them to diagnose and treat patients.
The role of a physician assistant
A physician assistant (PA) is a licensed medical professional who has significant autonomy when treating patients but practices medicine under the supervision of a physician. PAs do many of the same care tasks as a physician, including prescribing medications, developing and managing treatment plans, diagnosing illnesses, and, in some cases, serving as a patient’s primary care provider.
PAs work in a variety of settings, from private practice, hospitals, outpatient centers, skilled nursing facilities, to specialized settings like emergency rooms, cardiology, gastroenterology, and more. In the private practice setting, depending on the state regulations, PAs can co-own practices with physicians.
The origins of physician assistants
The role of a physician assistant was established in response to a physician shortage in the mid-1960s. During this time, the shortage of physicians was straining the US healthcare system, and the concept of creating ‘physician extenders’ emerged. The first physician assistant program was formed at Duke University, and many former military medical corpsmen enrolled, helping extend access to care for patients, particularly in rural areas. The start of PA week honors the anniversary of the first graduating class of PAs from the Duke University program in 1967.
Fast forward to today, and there are now more than 190,000 board-certified PAs in the US. The PA profession is one of the fastest-growing in the US. A 2022 report names the PA profession the second-best healthcare job in the US. The need for PAs is continuing to grow, and over the next ten years, the demand for trained and qualified physician assistants are expected to increase. Approximately 12,000 new job openings will be created each year, representing a 20% increase in jobs.
In-demand specialties for PAs
Due to their generalist medical model training, PAs are in demand across every area of healthcare. In addition to a critical need for PAs in primary care, some of the most in-demand specialties for physician assistants include:
- PA positions in Urgent Care
Driven by convenience and the high cost of ER care, urgent care centers nationwide are growing nearly one hundred percent each year. With more than 11,000 urgent care centers in the US, PAs who work in urgent care settings are needed to treat patients with non-severe illnesses, as well as quickly identify patients who require more intensive emergency services.
- PA positions in Orthopedic Surgery
With an increased demand for orthopedic care to address the needs of an aging population, PAs in orthopedics are needed nationwide. PAs in orthopedics are delivering comprehensive care, from diagnosing patients to assisting in the operating room.
- PA positions in Gastroenterology
Digestive diseases affect a large portion of the population, leading to millions of medical care visits, screenings, procedures, and surgeries. Gastroenterology PAs assist gastroenterology physicians and surgeons in managing an increased workload.
- PA positions in Pediatrics
PAs in pediatrics are needed to enhance the quality and accessibility of pediatric care, working in private practices, hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Pediatric PAs care for children from birth through adolescence.
- PA positions in Family Practice
With a general shortage of family practice physicians, PAs in this area of medicine are in high demand. Family care PAs are versatile medical caregivers, managing a wide range of tasks, including annual physicals, treating infections, managing chronic diseases, and preventing disease.
PA: a career to consider
If you’ve considered a career in medicine, becoming a physician assistant might be a good choice. PAs consistently report a high degree of job satisfaction. PAs often cite career factors, such as work-life balance, salary, flexibility to change specialties, and working one-on-one with patients in supportive environments, as positive aspects of their job.
PA salaries are a distinct benefit. Depending on where you work, salaries for a trained PA range anywhere from $120,000 to over $130,000 annually. Salaries for a PA depend on location, specialty, and years of experience; however, a starting salary of over $100,000 is an excellent foundation for building a strong financial future.
Finding a job as a PA
PAs are needed nationwide, and you can see thousands of positions on the StaffDNA® app. The StaffDNA app is free to use and easy to download. All jobs in all settings are available to see in real-time, including pay packages and benefits. Whether you’ve just graduated or are a practicing PA looking to switch jobs or pick up shifts, StaffDNA has options for you.
Celebrating PAs today and every day
This week, as we recognize the important contributions a PA makes to the healthcare delivery system, we honor the dedicated professionals working every day to change the lives of patients. Your ability to step into any setting, connect with patients, and deliver care makes you indispensable to the healthcare system. Your dedication ensures communities – from major cities to rural areas and everywhere in between – are healthy and thriving.
Javier Llevada
