How many pas in the us

By , the physician shortage is expected to grow to about , doctors, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. The U. This represents an increase in year over year comparison.

We know from an American Association of Medical Colleges study that America is projected to have a shortage of primary care physicians as high as 55, by ," she said. Morton-Rias said it was rewarding to learn that Recently certified PAs have shown a significant propensity to work in areas of the country that desperately need clinical professionals, Morton-Rias said.

Room for improvement Despite generating the most diverse cohort of PAs since NCCPA began publishing the statistical profile in , more diversity is needed in the physician assistant ranks, Morton-Rias said. As the physician shortage worsens , PAs are increasingly finding themselves working in socioeconomically depressed and isolated communities that would benefit most from a more diverse selection of providers.

Working with patients can be both physically and emotionally demanding. Physician assistants spend much of their time on their feet, making rounds and evaluating patients. Physician assistants who work in operating rooms often stand for extended periods.

Most physician assistants work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week. Physician assistants may work nights, weekends, or holidays. They may also be on call, meaning that they must be ready to respond to a work request with little notice. Earning that degree usually takes at least 2 years of full-time postgraduate study. Physician assistant graduate school applicants typically have experience caring directly for patients.

Although admissions requirements vary from program to program, most programs require 2 to 4 years of undergraduate coursework with a focus in science. Many applicants already have experience as registered nurses or as EMTs or paramedics before they apply to a physician assistant program.

Physician assistant education programs usually take at least 2 years of full-time study. ARC-PA in Physician assistant education includes classroom and laboratory instruction in subjects such as pathology, human anatomy, physiology, clinical medicine, pharmacology, physical diagnosis, and medical ethics.

The programs also include supervised clinical training in several areas, including family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, and pediatrics.

Sometimes students serve in one or more clinical rotations in these areas under the supervision of a physician who is looking to hire a physician assistant. In this way, clinical rotations may lead to permanent employment. Applicants to physician assistant graduate programs typically need patient care experience for admission or to be competitive in entering the programs.

Work as an EMT or paramedic , registered nurse , nursing assistant , or similar care position typically fulfills patient care experience requirements for admission to academic programs. Some applicants gain healthcare experience through volunteer opportunities at hospitals or clinics, or working with special-needs or at-risk groups, such as orphaned youth or homeless populations.

For specific requirements, contact the program in which you are interested. All states and the District of Columbia require physician assistants to be licensed. To keep their certification, physician assistants must complete hours of continuing education every 2 years. The recertification exam is required every 10 years. In addition, state licensure laws require physician assistants to hold an agreement with a supervising physician. Although the physician does not need to be onsite at all times, collaboration between physicians and physician assistants is required for practice.

Communication skills. Physician assistants must explain complex medical issues in a way that patients can understand. They must also effectively communicate with doctors and other healthcare workers to ensure that they provide the best possible patient care. Physician assistants deal with patients who are sick or injured and may be in extreme pain or distress.

They must treat patients and their families with compassion and understanding. Detail oriented. Physician assistants should be observant and have a strong ability to focus when evaluating and treating patients. Emotional stability. Physician assistants, particularly those working in surgery or emergency medicine, should work well under pressure. They must remain calm in stressful situations in order to provide quality care. Problem-solving skills.

They must be diligent when investigating complicated medical issues so they can determine the best course of treatment for each patient. Some physician assistants pursue additional education in a specialty. Postgraduate educational programs are available in areas such as emergency medicine and psychiatry.

To enter one of these programs, a physician assistant must be a graduate of an accredited program and be certified by the NCCPA. As they gain greater clinical knowledge and experience, physician assistants can earn new responsibilities and higher wages.

For example, experienced physician assistants may supervise other staff and physician assistant students, or they may become an executive leader of a healthcare organization.

Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U. Source: U. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. In May , the median annual wages for physician assistants in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program. Demand for healthcare services will increase because of the growing and aging population. Growth of the population means more need for healthcare services generally, and members of the large baby boom generation will require more medical care as they age.

An increase in the number of patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, will also increase healthcare demand and, in turn, drive the need for healthcare providers including physician assistants who often provide preventive care and treat the sick.

Furthermore, increases in incomes may improve access to healthcare services, and advances in medical technology will continue to increase the number and types of treatments available. Occupational Employment and Wages, May Physician Assistants Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Industries with the highest levels of employment in Physician Assistants: Industry Employment 1 Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage 2 Offices of Physicians 67, 2.

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals. Outpatient Care Centers. Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools. Offices of Other Health Practitioners.