Physician Assistant

Physician assistants (PAs) work directly under a doctor of medicine or osteopathy and perform a wide variety of health care services, which are regulated under state law. Their duties may include: taking medical histories, performing physical examinations, ordering laboratory tests and x-rays, assisting in surgery, applying casts and bandages, making tentative diagnoses, directing treatments, recommending medications, treating minor injuries, and giving pre- and postoperative care. PAs also provide patient education when appropriate.

Work Environment
Physician assistants provide primary care in a variety of settings and may also be found in many specialty settings. They may work in hospitals, clinics, academic medical centers, correctional facilities, governmental facilities, or for a private physician. In Texas, PAs also practice in rural health clinics, where they have more autonomy and expanded prescriptive authority.

Job Outlook
Employment opportunities for physician assistants are excellent. An average of 100 to 200 openings is anticipated every year in Texas.

Length of Training/
Requirements
Most physician assistant programs require applicants to have previous health care experience and some college education. Physician assistants are educated in programs lasting about 108 weeks. PA students are taught to diagnose and treat medical problems. Education consists of classroom and laboratory instruction in the basic medical and behavioral sciences followed by clinical rotations.

Salary
Salary depends on education, specialty, geography, job setting, and experience. General salaries range from $54,000 - $110,000+.

Educational Programs
Bachelor's/Master's Degrees
Baylor College of Medicine
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
University of Texas Pan American at Edinburg
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

Professional Associations
American Academy of Physician Assistants
950 N. Washington St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
703/836-2272
Fax: 703/684-1924

Association of Physician Assistant Programs
950 N. Washington St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
703/548-5538