Running head: OVERVIEW OF PHYSICIANS ASSISTANT

Overview of Physicians Assistant

Terrence Durham
Winston-Salem State University

OVERVIEW OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

Overview of Physicians Assistant

A true leader is someone that carries their self with intelligence, honestly, respect,
and confidence; the Physician Assistants role consists of all these characteristics. To take
on this role, one must go through courses of developmental training to become skillful at
this job and earn certificates and licenses to prove ones eligibility. The PA profession
requires college and health care experience, certifications and documents, and
maintenance services.
The Physicians Assistants profession requires college and health care experience.
The first training program for the PA profession was first founded in 1965, at Duke
University by Dr. Eugene Stead (Physician Assistant Profession, 2015). It is required to
have at least two years of college experience to join training programs. Also, one needs
experience in medical technician, ambulance attendant, health educator, practical nurse,
or an associates-degree nurse (Physicians Assistant Profession, 2015). The Average PA
student needs a bachelors degree and about 4 years of health experience (Physicians
Assistant Profession, 2015). Also, PA students started out as military corpsmen but earned
enough experience and knowledge to move into primary care (Physicians Assistant
Profession, 2015). Lastly, this profession is more female dominant; 58% of Physicians
Assistants are women (Physicians Assistant Profession, 2015).
Physicians Assistants profession requires certifications and documents. The
practicing PA is prepared academically and clinically, practicing the functions of
performing diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive, and health maintenance service. During
the hiring process, a copy of ones current state license current certification from the

OVERVIEW OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (Guide for New Physician

Assistant Employers, 2014). Each time a PA recertifies, they will receive a certificate that
will have the NCCPA number, issue date, and expiration date. One will also need letters
of recommendations from colleagues and previous employers (Guide for New Physician
Assistant Employers). These peer recommendations and letters regard ones performance
and skills. Lastly, a PA must receive documents of additional training, and copies of any
recent hospital certificates (Guide for New Physician Assistant Employers).
The Physicians Assistants profession requires maintenance services for their work.
PAs practice medicine on a team under the supervision of other physicians and surgeons
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014). At this point, a PA is educated enough and has
the skill to examine patients sicknesses, illnesses, and injuries to provide treatment. PAs
work full time (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014). The medium expected pay in the
United States is $94,934 (Physician Assistant- Medical Salary, 2015); 50% of PAs in the
United States are expected to make less than that, but at minimum, 10% of PAs in the
United States will make at least $79,869 (Physician Assistant- Medical Salary, 2015).
In conclusion, the PA profession requires college and healthcare experience,
certifications and documents, and maintenance services. For one to take on this role, it
requires patience, time, and hard work. If one wants something they must put in the work
to achieve their goal and when the goal is reached, it will all be worth it in the end.

OVERVIEW OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

References
Physician Assistant- Medical Salary | salary. Com. .N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
Facts about the Physician Assistant Profession.- University of Utah. N.p., n.d. Web. 15

Apr. 2015
Summary. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau Statistics, n.d. Web. 15 Apr.
2015
Physician Assistant Profession (PA): Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia. U.S.
National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 15
Apr. 2015