Physician Assistant

Question: physician assistant? I want to be a physician assistant dermatologist. Should I major in pre-med for 4 years and then enter a program? Anyone that is a physician assistant or in the process, I would be very interested to hear what you have done. Thanks!

Answer: you can major in anything but you will need some medical background. It's a good to start volunteering at a hospital or get an internship. It also depends on the program. Some don't require a 4 year degree at all. They only require the pre-reqs. It's best to research a few programs you are interested in and talk to somebody from there. They can help you specifically. Good Luck

Question: Physician assistant? I am in my 2nd yr of college working on B.S. and i'll be applying to Physician assistant school after that. Some of the school i researched require at least 80hr of health care experience. Whats the best way to get health care experience? i been considering EMT, do i need EMT licence to volunteer and what's other ways to gain experience. Thanks all

Answer: one easy way would be to intern or get an emt liscense which isn't too hard and work for 80hrs which will give you hands on experiance

Question: What physician assistant schools are there in Nevada? Im in high school right now, and soon i will be studying nursing so as to get a bachelors degree and then into a physician assistant. I want to know what schools are there in Nevada to study Physician Assistant? Please help, thanks.

Answer: contact the Nevada Academy of Physicians Assistants. (NAPA)

Question: How does a physicians assistant compare to a physician? I have a bachelors degree in biology and decided not to go to medical school. However, I have heard about physician's assistant programs. How does a physician's assistant compare to a regular doctor (training, requirements, cost, salary etc)? I want to know if this is something worth looking into.

Answer: The bureau of labor statistics will give you all the information worth looking into - such as training, employment outlook, salary, etc.

Question: Can a surgical physician assistant work in primary care without obtaining extra schooling? I'm going to school to become a surgical technician and after that plan on getting trained as a physician assistant. I want to work as a primary care PA, but unfortunately the only program close to me (not willing to relocate) is for surgical physician assistants. If I go through the surgical PA program can I still practice in a primary care setting or will I have to get extra training for that?

Answer: All Physician Assistants take the same exam to become licensed. The program near you may emphasize surgery but if you graduate and pass the PANCE you will be a PA-C just like a graduate from any other program. Short answer YES you can work in any are of medicine that a physician is willing to hire you.

Question: What is the difference between a physician and a physician assistant? What do physicians do that a physician can not do. I going to go to college to become a physician assistant, but then was thinking that I may as well just do the physician program if there was not that much of a difference.

Answer: I do know that a physician goes through a lot more school and gets paid very well. BUT at the same time a physicians assistant does not have to be in school well into their 30's, they still make a very excellent paycheck AND they don't have to deal with all of the lawsuits that physicians have to deal with. Your best bet is to be a PA. Good luck!

Question: What is the best way to find a Physician Assistant to shadow in the bay area? I want to become a Physician Assistant, but some colleges I'm looking into require shadowing hours with either a Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner or Doctor. How do I go about doing this? Would it best in a hospital setting or private doctor office? Does anyone know off hand someone I can shadow? I live in the Bay Area, about 45 minutes from San Francisco and would be willing to travel. I am currently a nursing assistant, but do not have a job. Thanks for any advice!

Answer: Just contact the director of whatever area you want to shadow in. I am shadowing in respiratory therapy. All I had to do is ask the head of the department. Its not as intimidating as you might think at first.

Question: How much does a physician assistant make? I want to know how much a physician assistant make? What type of degree does one have to have? Will it be difficult, in other words, will it be too hard to do? Thanks!

Answer: Median annual earnings of wage-and-salary physician assistants were $74,980 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $62,430 and $89,220. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $43,100, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $102,230. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of physician assistants in May 2006 were: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos081.htm

Question: How much does a physician assistant make monthly? I want to attend Salt lake community college to get an Associates in Nursing then go to westminister for the other 2 years for a Bachelors in Nursing. (Can I do that, Is it possible to transfer since the nursing prgm in westminister is 4-yr prgm) and then continue to become a Physician assistant. How much does a PA make monthly? What is their daily job like? How hard is it? Just answer everything or whatever you know that can help decide and put things together. Im really confused.

Answer: on average probably about 7 grand a month. 86k a year as of 2008. What the job is like depends on what area of medicine the PA works in. How hard is it? that is a very hard question to ask...you will need to shadow some PA's. Check out aapa.org and www.physicianassistantforum.com Also, i would try asking the schools these questions instead of random people on yahoo answers.

Question: What is the difference between being a physician assistant and a physician? I know they are both different that a physician assistant has to work under the supervision of a doctor and all that, but what i want to know is the following: when you start the program will i be able to keep a job on the side? will i have time? or is it as demanding as when you become a physician? do you do clinical rotations? if so..do you get paid at all? thanks

Answer: You will need to get a bachelors degree first (4 years), often some working health experience (1-2 years) and then apply to the PA masters program--so you have quite some time to get your finances in order first. Working while in PA school can be possible on a very limited level, depending on how you handle stress, time and master the material. Most do not work. Your second year is usually clerkship rotations similar to med school and like med school, you do not get paid at all-you are there as an unlicensed student. PA is very demanding in its own right & at times more as you have less time than med school to soak up all the complexities of medicine.

Question: Physician Assistant BS degree is in progress, where can I work in the meantime? I need a job to survive while I'm in school finishing this Physician Assistant Bachelors degree, what kind of places are most likely to hire me and what position? All ideas welcome, just trying to survive here.

Answer: I think it depends on what you want/have time to do and how much money you want to be paid. I don't know your work background either. I'm not sure what university you attend, but you may want to start with looking at the jobs available on campus for students and even jobs off campus. Off campus jobs usually pay slightly higher, though the on campus ones tend to be friendly and more supportive of students. Jobs are tight, but since you are planning on pursuing the PA program, look at jobs within the hospital. Hopefully you find something, even with the economy. Good luck.

Question: What is the difference between being a doctor and physician assistant? I am a senior in high school trying to figure out my career and college path. I am very interested in the medical field and was thinking about physicians assistant or being some type of doctor what are the differences between the two for schooling and what they actually do on the job that is different? What can't a physician's assistant do that a doctor can do? Thanks!

Answer: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos081.htm Per website, PA requires a minimum of 2 years college and a 2 year PA program on top of that. Total: 4 years. Based on that website, median earnings are $69k. PA's can order tests, examine and treat patients under the supervision of a physician. They can work in almost any area of medicine. They can assist in surgery, but cannot do surgery on their own. To become a doctor, you need 4 years college, 4 years medical school, plus additional years of training (minimum, 3) depending on what specialty you want to go into. Total: 11+ You will earn more money, how much more depends on specialty. You will also probably come out of med school with significant financial debt from 8 years of school, unless your parents can pay for you. Sugarbear is describing a medical assistant, not a PA. Hope this helps, good luck!

Question: Can we trust a physician assistant in terms of diagnosis and treatment? What kind of degree does a physician assistant have? Bachelor's or master's or even higher that equals an MD's degree? Can we trust a physician assistant in terms of diagnosis and treatment? My physician is always hurrying to next patients and never has time to listen to me which makes me really uncomfortable. But her PA will listen and spend enough time with me and this PA seems to be knowledgeable as well.

Answer: I hope so, I've been in practice as a PA since 1981. There are good ones as well as bad ones, just like the MD's. I would like to think that I can spend more time with the patient, answer questions using easier to understand language, and do it all more inexpensive than the MD's. The more complex problems should be seen by the MD's and DO's. That is better overall, for all patients. Most programs are Master's level. I had a BS, with a two year residency (Master's Level) I maintain National Certification every 2 years, with a National Recertification exam every 6 years.

Question: How long does it take to become a physician assistant? I am currently in school to become a medical assistant to get my foot in the door. My goal is to work with pregnant women and babies, so i was wondering, after graduating and getting this knowledge, how much longer will i have to become a physician assistant?

Answer: You need a bachelor's degree (4 years) and then its a 24-28 month program after that (Master's Degree). Most programs require from 750-3000 hours of direct patient care. Here is a helpful blog from a PA student: http://dailymeds.wordpress.com

Question: I need help finding a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner to shadow in South Jersey/ Philadelphia area.? Im a junior in collage and I am planning on entering a physician assistant program when I graduate next year but most schools require "shadowing" or a PA, NP, or physician. I can't find anywhere that will allow me shadow... Help!

Answer: For Physician Assistants try contacting the local chapters of the Physician Assistant society. Pennsylvania: http://www.pspa.net/studaff.htm# New Jersey: As for this state, the link led to some bad news. They don't offer shadowing opportunities because of the "heightened concerns for facility security and patient privacy," which sounds pretty dumb. Personally, I have never heard of a news article of a potential student stealing or divulging information. (Link: http://www.njsspa.org/committees/shadowhold.html). Since you are in the area, maybe you can consider Delaware as an opportunity too. Here is their link: http://www.delawarepas.org/sbnctest2/contact-us

Question: How can licensed doctor in Philippines become a Physician assistant here in America? My mom is a doctor in Philippines, and 12 years ago we moved to America. The license didn't transfer in America she's been a medical assistant instead. so after 12 years, both of her kids are college now, and she's interested in becoming a Physician's assistant. How does she go about becoming a PA? Does she still have to take the two year training to be a PA? or can she just take the certifying exam? Thank you so much in advance!

Answer: I would suggest your mother contacts American Academy of Physician Assistants: http://www.aapa.org. Different states seem to have different requirements so the American Academy of Physician Assistants should be able to answer any and all questions that your mother has.

Question: Can i become a physician assistant right after i finish college with a Bachelor's of Science degree? Can i become a physician assistant right after i finish college with a Bachelor's of Science degree? Im looking for jobs i will be able to do right after i finish college.

Answer: No. A BS does not in any way qualify you to be a PA. You need to go to a graduate PA program for 2-3 years.

Question: What should i major in college before i become a physician assistant? I'm thinking about becoming a physician assistant and I know that after college you have to get into a physician assistant school.But im not sure what colleges I should apply at and what my major should be.

Answer: I would recommend this link for your college choices: www.bls.gov/oco/ocos081.htm wish you the best.

Question: How do you go about becoming a Physician Assistant? I was originally planning to major in Business but am now looking into becoming a Physician Assistant. I know there are PA schools out there but none are in the area I currently live in and it is unclear to me if I can just attend one of these schools or if I need to have an associates degree or a bachelors before I can do so. And if so, what would I get a degree in? Any info along these lines would be very much appreciated!

Answer: Most PA programs require a Bachelors Degree to apply and award a Masters degree upon completion. Any degree is fine as long as you take the appropriate science pre-req's for the programs you are interested in. For a full list of programs check out aapa.org and www.physicianassistantforum.com Good luck!

Question: Specifically, what is the difference between a physician assistant and a medical assistant? I'm kind of confused with the roles/responsibilities perform by a physician assistant and a medical assistant. And what does it means by 'clinical' and 'non-clinical'?

Answer: education and capabilities. Think of a PA as a junior doc, and a med assist as a junior nurse. PAs can prescribe in some states; med assists do vital signs, get patients situated. PA is the better job, but isn't entry-level.