Physician Assistant Is a Top Healthcare Career

With over 13.5 million jobs in the United States, the healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing in the nation. The demand for certain health-care workers is growing faster than the supply. There are more people needing more health care, and the numbers will only grow.

What Does a PA do?
PAs are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health care services, as assigned by a physician. Working as members of the health care team, PA's take medical histories and perform physical examinations; order and interpret lab tests; diagnose and treat illnesses; and assist in surgery. They also treat minor injuries, by suturing, splinting, and casting. PAs take notes on progress, give patients' instructions and counseling as well as order or carry out therapy.

Training
Physician assistant programs usually last at least 2 years, but admission requirements vary by program, but many require at least 2 years of college and some health care experience. All states do however require that physician's assistants complete an accredited education program and pass a National exam to obtain a license. You will need to go to school full time to earn your degree as a Physicians Assistant.

Why Become a Physicians Assistant?
Being a physician's assistant is one of the best jobs in healthcare according to Money Magazine. Money Magazine, in conjunction with Salary.com, lists physician assistant as the "fifth best job in America" based on salary and job prospects, with an anticipated 10-year job growth of 49.65% for the profession. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics reports that employment of physician assistants is expected to grow "much faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014, ranking among the fastest growing occupations." Our aging baby boomer population and a growing healthcare industry are major factors for large growth in this field.

The American Academy of Physician Assistants reported that first year graduates in this field can expect to earn about $65,000 per year with the average salary of a physicians assistant being $74,264. Salaries will vary by specialty, training and geographic location.