Physician Assistants

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Practitioners
• O*NET-SOC code: 29-1071
• O*NET job zone: 5 — extensive preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Supervise and coordinate activities of technicians and technical assistants.
• Order medical and laboratory supplies and equipment.

Tools and technology

Epic Systems, MEDITECH software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, eClinicalWorks EHR software, Anesthesia equipment, Anesthesia ventilators, Anoscopes, Arterial blood gas monitoring equipment, Arterial line catheters

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Emergency Medicine Physicians
• Family Medicine Physicians
• Pediatric Surgeons
• Cardiologists
• Nurse Practitioners
• Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
• General Internal Medicine Physicians
• Pediatricians, General

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 5 (extensive preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Physician Assistants — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.