What can I do with a Major in.... Physician Assistant ?
Physician Assistants practice medicine under the supervision of an MD. They take medical histories, perform physical exams, order lab tests and X-rays, make diagnoses, provide treatment, monitor progress, write prescriptions, perform minor surgery and assist at major surgery.
Before you begin to look at the different types of opportunities available to Physician Assistant majors, you must look at yourself and ask yourself a few basic questions:
What am I good at?
Understand your major strengths, skills and accomplishments. Some examples of skills and qualities employers look for are:
Leadership
Dedication
Communication
Compassion
Self-confidence
Emotional stability
Continual learning
Attention to detail
Interpersonal
What do I like to do?
Examine your interests. What kind of life style do I want to lead? Examine your values...is money what you're after, job security, challenging work?
If you are having trouble answering these questions, you are not alone. Make an appointment with an advisor in the Career Center. We want to help you!
POSITIONS
Once you know yourself, you are ready to decide where and how you want to apply this knowledge.
A bachelor's degree as a Physician Assistant and the appropriate skills and/or experience may lead to the following positions working with a supervising physician in the areas of:
E.R.
Family practice
OB/GYN
Surgery
Internal medicine
Pediatrics
Orthopedics
Gerontology, etc.
Experience in the field or an advanced degree could lead to certain positions in:
Research
Clinical administration
Teaching in colleges/universities
Law
Medicine
Education
Hospital administration
Consulting, etc.
For information on graduate schools, consult Peterson's.
EMPLOYMENT
Typical places of employment are:
Physicians' offices
Clinics
Hospitals
Public health clinics
Nursing homes
Prisons
Rehabilitation centers
Health maintenance organizations, etc.
LEARN MORE
To help you decide which area to pursue you must do in-depth research into each area of specialization and/or industry you have an interest in.
Physician Assistant Career and Job Resources on the Internet
Places to begin:
Join the Career Centers COACH Program
The Occupational Outlook Handbook
Talk to people in the field, talk to your professors, write to and/or join one of the following associations:
American Academy of Physician Assistants, 950 N. Washington Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 836 - 2272 www.aapa.org
For additional lists of Associations consult the Encyclopedia of Associations.
PA Programs:
Catholic Medical Center 175-05 Horace Harding Expressway Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 (718) 357 - 0500 X106
Bayley Seton Hospital, Staten Island 718-354-5570
Trade Publications:
PA Today
Update for PA's