Fast Facts: Physician Assistant

Projected employment growth: Much faster than average
Required continuing education: 100 hours every two years
Certification exam: Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination
Newest field to employ physician assistants: Telemedicine

Physician Assistant Articles

Physician's Assistants: Behind-the-Scenes Winners of the Health care Industry
40-hour workweeks in a hospital setting? With a career as a physician assistant, it's possible. Read More >
2008-12-08
Why Become a Physician Assistant?
Learn what it takes to become a physician assistant, one of the fastest growing careers in the health care industry. Read More >
2008-07-14
All Health Articles

Master Degree: Physician Assistant Degree and Programs

Earning a master's degree in physician assisting is a great way to start or grow your career in healthcare. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recommends education for this position, which it projects will grow "much faster than average" as physicians use assistants to help run their practice and help control their business costs. Earning a college degree online is a great way to begin the career training you need for this career path, enabling you to prepare for the specialized medical training you need to become a physician's assistant. Online education courses typically focus on the following areas:

Physical diagnosis
Clinical science
Pharmaceuticals and medication
Oncology
Emergency medicine
Geriatric medicine

Working as a physician's assistant after earning your college degree can be challenging and fast-paced. You can find job opportunities at hospitals, clinics, and private practices, where you will assist doctors, surgeons, and other clinicians with the day-to-day operations of a practice, including examination, testing, surgical assisting, and patient follow-up.