Physician Assistants
Did You Know:
- Requirements for admission to training programs vary; most applicants have a college degree and some health-related work experience.
- Physician assistants must complete an accredited education program and pass a national exam in order to obtain a license.
- Employment is projected to grow much faster than the average.
- Job opportunities should be good, particularly in rural and inner-city health care facilities.
Industry Areas
- Offices of Physicians
- General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
- Outpatient Care Centers
Day-to-Day Tasks
- Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.
- 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.
Overall Kind of Work
Physician assistants PAs are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive health care services, as delegated by a physician. Working as members of a health care team, they t...
Work Environment
Military
Physician assistants work in hospitals and clinics on land and aboard ships.
Status
What is the difference between enlisted and officer?
Enlisted:Enlisted members enter the Military with a high school diploma (in some cases a GED), at a minimum. They are employed in almost every type of military career, often in hands-on roles.
Officers: Officers either enter the Military with a four-year college degree or greater or served previously as enlisted members, and are generally employed in management roles or highly specialized fields that require intensive training.
Officer
Enlisted
Military Breakdown
The number of people who currently hold this career in the Military.
1,264 Physician Assistants in the military
Service Branches
Physician Assistants work in the following services:
Type of Work
The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.
Data: 
People: 
Things:
Skills at a Glance
The levels of different skills helpful in this career.
Verbal skills:
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving:
Equipment Operation & Maintenance: 
Math & Science Skills:
Technology Design & Control:
Leadership:
Workplace at a Glance
The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.
Responsibility:
Exposure to Job Hazards:
Physical Activity:
Decision Making:
Repetitiveness:
Level of Competition:
Time Pressure: