Physician Assistant

What They Do:

Physician assistants work in all areas of medicine, including primary care and family medicine, emergency medicine, and psychiatry. They are medical professionals who diagnose illnesses, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and often serve as a patient’s principal healthcare provider.

Also Known As:

Cardiology Physician Assistant, Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C), Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant (Emergency Medicine PA), Family Practice Physician Assistant, Orthopaedic Physician Assistant, Orthopedic Physician Assistant, Physician Assistant (PA), Physician's Assistant, Surgical Critical Care Physician Assistant (Surgical Critical Care PA), Surgical Physician Assistant (Surgical PA)

Minimum Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in health science related major: 4 years
• Physician Assistant Program: 4 years (including classroom and clinical work)
• Must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination

Career Info Sources Include:

• Career One Stop
• Bureau of Labor Statistics