What Do Physician Assistants Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

Physician Assistants

Physician Assistants provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.

Salary
$116080
Becoming One
Very Hard
Education
Master's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job Description

Job Description

Physician Assistants provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants. They also examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.

Other tasks include:

  • Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.
  • Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
  • Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.
  • Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
  • Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes and results of physical examination.
  • Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.

We asked Physician Assistants how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

Job satisfaction

78%

How meaningful is this job

83%


78% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 83% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.



Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Physician Assistants examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition. They make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.

A typical day for a Physician Assistant will also include:

  • Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes and results of physical examination.
  • Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
  • Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
  • Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.
  • Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.

We asked some Physician Assistants a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? 65% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 65% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 100% said yes
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? 60% said yes
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? 25% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 80% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Physician Assistants also order medical and laboratory supplies and equipment. They may also provide physicians with assistance during surgery or complicated medical procedures.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Physician Assistants Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management. They might also Visit and observe patients on hospital rounds or house calls, updating charts, ordering therapy, and reporting back to physician.

In addition, they Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Supervise and coordinate activities of technicians and technical assistants.

To some Physician Assistants, it is also their responsibility to Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.


Working life

Working hours

More than 40 hours per week

Working schedule

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Physician Assistant, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Do Physician Assistants work in an office-style work environment?

Every day
95%


Never
5%


Do Physician Assistants work outdoors?

Never
85%


Once a year
5%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Thinkers and The Helpers

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.

You can read more about these career personality types here.



Learn more about Physician Assistants

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Related to Physician Assistants Job Description

Physician Assistants job description, what do Physician Assistants do, typical day for Physician Assistants, what is it like to work as a Physician Assistant, how many hours do Physician Assistants work, day to day work of a Physician Assistant

Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm
http://www.anesthetist.org/
http://www.aapa.org/
http://www.nccpa.net/


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