Physician Assistants
Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.
This is a specialization of
Physician AssistantsCareer Overview Video
AI Impact Assessment
AI Resilience Score
Score 5/6: growing job demand, strong human advantage provides strong protection from AI displacement
How we calculated this:
38% of tasks can be accelerated by AI
+20% projected (2024-2034)
EPOCH score: 24/25
Key Responsibilities
- Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.
- Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
- Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
- Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.
- Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.
- Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.
- Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
- Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management.
- Visit and observe patients on hospital rounds or house calls, updating charts, ordering therapy, and reporting back to physician.
- Provide physicians with assistance during surgery or complicated medical procedures.
Education & Training
Typical Entry Education
Master's degree
Time to Job Ready
6-12 years
Based on Job Zone 5. For formal education duration only, see education_duration.
Technology Skills
Key Abilities
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Find jobs and training programs for physician assistants- Median salary: $130K/year
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Compensation Details
Based on 145,740 employed workers
Also Known As
Data from O*NET 30.1 and BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
O*NET Code: 29-1071.00