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Luis Lobos
Dr. Griffin
English 12
6 May 2014
How to become a Physician Assistant?
College educated students must have a Bachelor degree in any health sciences to apply
for the Physician assistant program. The physician assistant program is 2-3 school years for full-
time students. As the healthcare field is growing, the physician assistant profession is also
increasing and providing more job opportunities than before. The Physician assistant field is
expected to grow 38 percent faster than most other professions by the end of the decade.
A Bachelor degree is required before entering into a physician assistant program that will
lead to a Masters degree. As part of the undergraduate education, college students are required
to take certain courses like Biology, social sciences, anatomy and physiology. Most physician
assistant programs will also expect students to have many chemistry credits to further their
education in this field. Some students complete a nursing program and then they enroll into a PA
program. Most applicants into a physician assistant education program already have a bachelor
degree and have a healthcare-related work experience (Physician Assistants, pars. 3-4).
Physician assistant programs are very competitive to get into. After getting into these 2-3
year programs, students are expected to take rigorous courses. Physician assistant education
requires a variety of courses in Pathology, physiology and human anatomy. The program also
includes clinical training in family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. Students pursuing
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this career will need to take a state exam after graduating from one of these programs. Physician
assistants have to take the NCCPA exam to be licensed. After passing the test, students can use
the physician assistant certified credential to find employment.
Physician assistants have been educated in classroom and laboratory instructions such as
clinical medicine and pharmacology. Sometimes students serve in one or more of these areas
under the supervision of a physician who is looking to hire a physician assistant. (Physician
assistants overview, pars. 6). After completing the internship, their experience may lead them
to a permanent employment. All PAs are required to take 100 hours of continuing education
every two years. PAs are also required to take a recertification exam every six years, but after
2014 the process will be every ten years.
Physician assistants have a median annual salary of $90,000 dollars. They are certified to
conduct physical exams and prescribe medicine when needed. They can also make diagnosis for
patients with minor injuries, and provide therapeutic services. Some physician assistants make
house calls or visit nursing homes to treat patients, reporting back to the physician afterward
(What physician assistants do, pars. 3). They perform all these tasks under the supervision of
other physicians.
A possible career choice as a physician assistant requires dedication and patience.
College students must prepare themselves in a health related area for their Bachelors degree.
Many graduates go into nursing to gain experience and then apply for a physician assistant
program. Altogether, it can take about eight years of study to become a physician assistant. After
all the work is effectuated properly, physician assistants are specialized in a variety of areas of
the medical field. It is very important for students to enjoy their career and work with others.

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Works cited page
n.p. explorehealthcareer. Physician Assistant and the American Dental Education Association,
June 2014. Web. 2 May 2014
n.p. American Academy of Physician Assistant, n.d. Web. 2 May 2014
n.p. Physician Assistant. Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2014. Web. 2 May 14