In some areas, especially rural and medically underserved communities, physician assistants may be the primary care providers at clinics where a physician is present only 1 or 2 days per week. In these locations, physician assistants collaborate with the physician as needed and as required by law.

Physician assistants work in all areas of medicine, including primary care and family medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, and psychiatry.

Physician assistants work on teams with physicians or surgeons and other healthcare workers.

Employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 31 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. As demand for healthcare services grows, physician assistants will be needed to provide care to patients.

Physician assistants practice medicine on teams with physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare workers.

Physician assistants typically need a master’s degree from an accredited educational program. All states require physician assistants to be licensed.

Physician assistant graduate school applicants typically have experience caring directly for patients.

Physician assistants can provide many of the same services as physicians. PAs are expected to continue to have a growing role in providing healthcare services because they can be trained more quickly than physicians.

Emotional stability. Physician assistants, particularly those working in surgery or emergency medicine, should work well under pressure. They must remain calm in stressful situations in order to provide quality care.

Communication skills. Physician assistants must explain complex medical issues in a way that patients can understand. They must also effectively communicate with doctors and other healthcare workers to ensure that they provide the best possible patient care.

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