If you choose to be a Physician Assistant, you will provide health care services with supervision by physicians. They are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health care services, as delegated by a physician. Physician Assistants provide care in rural or inner city clinics where a physician is present for only 1 or 2 days each week. They make house calls or go to hospitals and nursing home to check on patients and report back to the physician. Physician Assistants work in primary care areas such as general internal medicine, pediatrics, and family medicine.

Physician Assistants perform many tasks including:

     taking medical histories

     examining patients

     ordering and interpreting lab tests and x-rays

     making diagnoses

     treating minor injuries

     recording progress notes

     instructing and counseling patients

     ordering therapy

You will need a State License if you choose to be a Physician Assistant.

Admission requirements vary, but many programs require 2 years of college and some work experience in the healthcare field. Students should take courses in biology, English, chemistry, mathematics, psychology, and the social sciences. Most applicants to PA programs hold a bachelor's or master's degree.