Physician Assistant
Career Description
Physician assistants (P.A.) work under a physician’s supervision and perform many patient care tasks that traditionally were conducted by doctors. Physician assistants perform complete physical examinations, diagnose illnesses, give treatments, order and review laboratory tests and X-rays, and counsel patients on their health problems. A physician always directly supervises P.A.s; the extent of supervision depends on the work setting.
Annual Salary
| Entry: $33,051 | Mean: $59,592 | Experienced: $72,862 |
| Source: Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, November 2004 | ||
Hourly Wage
| Entry: $15.89 | Mean: $28.65 | Experienced: $35.03 |
| Source: Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, November 2004 | ||
Academic Requirements
Employment as a physician assistant requires training at an accredited physician assistant program, and more than 125 programs currently exist in the United States. Applicants to a physician assistant program have a background in patient care and often have a bachelor’s or master’s degree. After two years of study and training, graduates earn a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, master’s degree or a certificate of completion, depending on the program. Forty-nine states require a certification exam for employment as a physician assistant-certified (PA-C).
Schools
Although there are no schools with a physician assistant program in Kansas City, the following programs are offered at other Missouri schools.
Saint Louis University Doisy College of Health Sciences
314/977-2240
Missouri State University (Springfield)
417/836-5000
Professional Associations
National
American Academy of Physician Assistants Information Center
State
Missouri Academy of Physician Assistants
Missouri State Advisory Commission for Physician Assistants
