Physician Assistant Guide

Why You Should Become a Physician Assistant

admin — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 05:37:29 +0000

Physician Assistant is a career where you can help others and at the same time earning a decent pay. There are several reasons why you should consider this a career to pursue in. Let’s look at five reasons as below.

1. It is a rewarding career as you will be able to use your skills to save people lives, heal their wounds, and sometimes, change their life for the better. Though you will be surrounded by patients, but the emotional support you can lend to them is worth than a million dollar.

2. You do not need to worry about job hunting as report had shown that demand of physicians is high as using a PA is cheaper than a physician or doctor for less complex cases. The growth in PA employment is also due to the need to improve the health services in rural areas.

3. If your ambition is to become a doctor but due to financial constraints you are unable to become one, then PA is an alternative for you. PA does most of the daily tasks of a doctor except for the complicated tasks. You can get yourself certified by sitting for certifications and then you will be able to use the credentials “Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C).

4. Research shows that the average salary of a PA in the United States is $71,000 as at 6 November 2009 and is rank 2nd Best Jobs in America in 2009.

5. Last but not least, becoming a PA will enhance your knowledge and skills in healthcare and indirectly benefiting yourself and families as you become more health awareness and know how the necessary steps to be taken when emergencies occur.

For more information about physician assistant career and physician assistant schools, visit PhysicianAssistantGuide.com.

What a Physician Assistant Does

admin — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 05:36:47 +0000

Physician assistant (PA) has about 7,280,000 hits in Google. This shows that PA is nothing new and much has been written about it. But for many, when talk about PA, this profession is still link to medical assistant, nurses, physician and even doctors. So what actually is a PA and what does a PA do?

In brief, a PA is alike a doctor, or to be more specific, a PA helps to lessen the burden of a doctor, except that the cases a PA handles are not as complex as a doctor. This is logical given the shorter medical education a PA attends compare to a doctor. Hence, PA needs to be supervised by a doctor and PA routine duties include taking medical histories, examining and treating patients, ordering and analysing lab tests and X-rays, prescribing medication, diagnose and treat minor medical conditions and injuries, involving in day-to-day managerial duties, supervising subordinates. They even assist in surgery, and are allowed to prescribe drugs in some states. So, isn’t it the job scope of a PA very wide? It is indeed yes.

PAs can at special circumstances, act as the principal care providers. This is due to shortages in physicians in rural, inner city and other medically shortages areas. In order to improve access of health care for population in these areas, PAs will be based there and a visiting physician will only be present once a while, depending on the state laws. In the event of any doubt or complicated cases arise, PAs will consult the physicians immediately.

Though PAs only spend an average of 25 months studying, a shorter figure than duration spend in traditional medical education, numerous studies have shown that the quality of care given by PA is at the level of that given by physicians in comparable situations.

For more information about medical assistant duties and medical assistant exam, visit MedicalAssistantAssistant.com.

Eight Effective Ways on How to Become a Successful Physician Assistant

admin — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 05:35:57 +0000

Physician Assistant (PA) is defined by the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) as “a healthcare professional licensed to practice medicine with supervision of a licensed physician”. In short, a PA supervises the doctor. Let’s look at how you can get into this line.

1) First of all, do you have what it takes to become a PA? You must be someone who has the “heart” to help others with great “patience” and “determination”. You believe in “Difficulties make miracles”. Your passion towards the job is very essential as people’s lives are on your hand.

2) Similar to most of the other professions, get an associate, bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in related programs such as the Physician Assistant Studies, Health Science or Medical Science.

3) Before enrolling, do carry out research on the programs offer by medical schools in terms of accreditation, recognition, admission requirements, fees, location, licensure, and etc.

4) Consult the student counselors when in doubt. Talk to people in the same industry or graduates for their views and experiences. Ask yourself whether can you cope with the real working environment which needs you to be 100% alert and focus.

5) After graduated, you can opt to obtain the national certifying examination administered by your state. Check out what are the exams you are eligible to sit for in order to use the title “Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C) and what are the requirements to maintain your national certification as regulations differ in every state.

6) As a PA, you need to keep yourself up-to-date to the medical issues. Hence, use your free hours to attend continuing medical education courses to stay competitive in the industry.

7) Remember that hands on experience will make you a smarter PA. Hence, accumulate experience when you have the opportunity even during your college/university days to broaden your medical knowledge.

Last for not least, get ready for your interview session and read the Do’s and Don’ts during interviewing session.

For more information about physician assistant career and physician assistant schools, visit PhysicianAssistantGuide.com.

Why Should I Pursue Physician Assistant As My Own Career?

admin — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 05:35:02 +0000

When we talk about physician assistant (PA), many will confuse this profession with medical assistant, nurses, and doctors. These professions have their similarities in somewhere or rather. The most obvious one perhaps should be their objective is to save people lives but in actual fact, they have different underlying philosophies in training and practice.

The American Academy of Physician Assistants defined PA as “a licensed health professional who practices medicine under the supervision of a physician”.

A good and successful PA should demonstrate the characteristics of intelligence, sound judgment, strong interpersonal skills, the ability to react calmly and reasonably during emergencies, good bedside manner, and willing to study throughout their career to keep in pace with medical advances. Most of all, saving lives comes first before anything.

PAs are academically and clinically trained to practice medicine. PAs are found in all areas in medicine. Responsibilities of PAs include conducting exams, diagnosing conditions, prescribing medications, to even assisting in surgery. In order to use the credentials “Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C), a PA will have to obtain license as per the state laws and certification and to maintain certification requirements in order to renew your license.

PA, started with a humble history, has become a fast growing profession today. Association of American Medical Colleges had projected that the supply of physicians will be unable to keep pace with the forecast increase in demand and government statistics indicate that PAs are among the most in-demand professionals in the United States, with rapid career growth expected throughout the next decade. This is a good choice to serve as the “ambition” for the younger generation.

For more information about physician assistant career, visit PhysicianAssistantGuide.com.