Physician Assistants practice medicine under the supervision of physicians

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September 12, 2010

Physician Assistants practice medicine under the supervision of physicians

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Outlook: Employment of physician assistants is expected to increase 39 percent over the 2008-18 decade, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Pay: The 860 physician assistants in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area earned a median wage of $84,300 in 2008.

The job: Physician assistants practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons, relieving doctors of many routine duties and procedures. They examine and treat patients, order and interpret lab tests and X-rays, and treat minor injuries by suturing, splinting and casting. They may also prescribe some medications. They may be the principal care providers in rural areas where a physician is present for only one or two days a week.

Training: Most physician assistants already have a bachelor’s degree and some health-related work experience before they enter a full-time medical program that is typically 26 months.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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