A career in health care is appealing to many, but if becoming a doctor isn't in the cards for you, why not consider a career as a physician assistant instead? This role allows individuals to provide direct patient care and make a difference in the lives of others without having to complete quite as many years of school as are required to become a practicing physician. Show
Learn more about this role and its responsibilities, as well as how you can score a job after completing the necessary education and training. Using CareerBuilder to find and apply for positions makes it easier to get in front of hiring managers, especially when you create a profile so employers can find you. What does a physician assistant do?Just like a medical doctor, a physician assistant is responsible for direct patient care. However, a physician assistant falls under the category of medical support professional. This means that a PA works under a doctor's supervision — but it doesn't mean that the overseeing physician is hovering over the PA's shoulder all the time. How much monitoring physician assistants are subject to varies between states and medical organizations. Generally speaking, physician assistants can:
Some of these duties may require a physician's approval. A PA isn't qualified to perform surgery, but they can assist in the operating room. Many physician assistants work alongside surgeons, assisting with surgical procedures, helping to monitor patients during operations, and providing post-operative care. Education and training for physician assistantsPhysicians have to work hard to operate independently, often in the form of years of schooling. An undergraduate degree typically takes about four years to complete, while a medical degree usually requires four more years in school. After graduating from medical school, the next step is spending three to seven years in a residency program (and possibly a fellowship program) before obtaining a medical license to practice independently. One option to consider is working as a physician assistant, a role that's still in the health care field but differs slightly from the role of a physician. By contrast, the education for a physician assistant doesn't take nearly as long to complete. Qualifications do vary on the state level, but most physician assistants can earn their license after finishing:
Physician assistants must complete more than 2,000 hours of clinical rotations over the course of 12 months. Each rotation usually lasts one to two months, offering PAs plenty of hands-on experience while working in various medical specialties. These specialties may include:
After completing around seven years of higher education, you can become a physician assistant. By contrast, physicians may spend up to double this amount of time to earn their qualifications. Why become a physician assistant?Now that you know how to become a physician assistant, you might wonder why this career is worth pursuing. Here are a few reasons you might want to consider this particular career:
Determine if this job is a good fitBefore pursuing the educational requirements to become a physician's assistant, you might want to explore other health-related jobs to see if the field seems like a good fit for you. Entry-level jobs in the health care industry can provide insights into working in a medical office or hospital and interacting with patients. Some of the jobs to consider include:
How to find a physician assistant jobWhen you complete your education and training, you can start applying for physician assistant jobs in local hospitals and health care facilities. CareerBuilder offers access to the latest jobs, so create a profile, upload your resume, and apply for the positions that appeal to you.
Interested in other health care careers? Check out some of the related topics on the CareerBuilder blog. Here are 6 technology jobs in health care to consider. Are you looking for a job? These are the7 resources you should be using. If you're preparing for an interview, here are the 7 best ways to prepare for a virtual interview Is it hard to get hired as a PA?Becoming a physician assistant (PA) can be an exciting and rewarding career opportunity, but finding your first PA job can be challenging if you have little or no experience. Recent graduates may find that employers prefer to hire candidates with previous professional experience.
How do I get experience as a PA?Ways to build experience for physician assistant jobs. Volunteer. Many physician assistant programs require both paid and volunteer experience, so PAs would do well to grab any and all community service opportunities. ... . Certified nursing assistant. ... . Medical assistant. ... . Emergency medical technician. ... . Shadowing.. Do you need experience to work as a PA?Many PA programs also require prior healthcare experience with hands-on patient care. Though it's not an exhaustive list, you can get healthcare experience by being a: Medical assistant. Emergency medical technician.
What job should I have before becoming a PA?One of the best healthcare jobs that'll set you apart for PA school is working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA). Many think that CNAs only work in nursing homes, but there are actually hospital positions for CNAs, too.
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