Physician assistant jobs are ranked fourth in the healthcare industry. A physician’s assistant (PA) is a medical professional qualified to take medical histories, perform physical exams, order lab tests, and also interpret them to reach a diagnosis. PAs can also treat illnesses, counsel patients, and assist specialist medical professionals in surgery.

Physician assistants are in demand in the healthcare industry as people receive better and high-quality medical attention because of PAs in their local community. The rise in demand for medical services and facilities has given way to an increase in the number of physician assistant jobs in the country.

Here are a few important things to understand and learn about physician assistant jobs.

• Physician assistants receive medical training that enables them to practice preventive care and chronic care.
• Access to quality and affordable medical care in the country is made easy with the help of PAs. They are in a better position to direct and recommend medical professionals and specialists for the more severe cases and conditions.
• To qualify as a PA, one can compare and check out over 250 master’s programs spread across the country that span over a period of 27 months or approximately 3 academic years.
• A bachelor’s degree in basic and behavioral sciences is a prerequisite to be eligible for a master’s program.
• Many applicants also have thousands of hours of experience in direct patient interaction while working as a paramedic, medical assistant, or even a medical trainer.
• It is also imperative to pass the National Certification exam to obtain a license to practice as a PA in any state.
• The Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) is a portal that offers resources for aspiring candidates to search and apply for several master’s programs.
• The number of vacancies for physician assistant jobs has mainly increased in hospitals, correctional institutions, workplace clinics, educational facilities, retail clinics, nursing homes, community health centers, and medical offices.
• Often, people might find similarities in the jobs of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. However, PAs have to study general medicine to practice different aspects of medicine comprehensively.
• Nurse practitioners, on the other hand, have to focus their education and practice in a specific aspect of healthcare.

Physician assistant jobs pay handsomely as the current average salary is roughly $92,100. Bonus pay, profit sharing, and commission for services are also available for physician assistants that add to the total annual salary. Note that factors like qualifications, skill set, and the total number of years in service would impact the average pay.