The Many Opportunities for a Physician Assistant (PA)

Demand for physician assistants is soaring. Known for its many opportunities, flexibility, competitive salaries, and the chance to help others, see why the PA profession is one of the best career choices in the healthcare field.

Have you always dreamed of a career in medicine but worry about the time and money it takes to complete medical school? Then it might be time to consider a job as a Physician Assistant (PA). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this high-demand field is expected to grow by 31% and add nearly 40,000 jobs between now and 2029, and with an average salary of $115,000 a year , you’ll enjoy a good living and a flexible career while helping others.

As a PA, you’ll work directly with patients, taking medical histories, performing exams, making diagnoses, and then determining and delivering the right treatment plan. You’ll often perform many of the same tasks as an MD, working right alongside them on a team that also includes nurses, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals. Your training will prepare you to take responsibility for the care and treatment of your patients, consulting with an MD when a case is rare or complex.

At the School of Health Sciences at Touro University, you’ll find four different Physician Assistant programs that prepare you for a career in this fast-growing and versatile field. You can choose to earn a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree in either 28 or 32 months, or, if you already have your bachelor’s degree in physician assistant studies, you can opt for the Advanced Placement PA Master’s Completion. All programs have ARC-PA accreditations and will give you the training you need to start or grow your rewarding career as a PA.

If you want to learn more about the potential career paths you can take if you complete a Physician Assistant program at Touro University, then check out the following four exciting PA specializations – which are just a few of the opportunities that await.

Psychiatry

As a PA with a specialization in psychiatry, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside a psychiatrist, assessing patients and providing treatment on an inpatient or outpatient basis. In many cases, you’ll be responsible for managing your patients’ ongoing physical and mental health while they undergo psychiatric treatment – offering diagnoses, prescribing medications as needed, and following up on patient progress and outcomes. You also may work with patients’ families to provide support and make sure treatment plans are as effective as possible.

A psychiatric Physician Assistant has the freedom work in a wide range of environments, from a private practice or psychiatric hospital to a prison/jail or behavioral health facility. Plus, you’ll earn an average salary of $115,000 annually.

Dermatology

If you’re looking for a fast-growing specialization that has great earning potential, then you may want to consider a career as a dermatology PA. As a dermatologic physician assistant, you’ll work directly with patients to offer screening exams, provide preventative care, and evaluate and treat skin conditions like dermatitis, acne, warts, and even skin cancers. It’s common for PAs who specialize in dermatology to work autonomously and take full responsibility for their cases, consulting with the dermatologist only when a patient has a complex or uncertain diagnosis.

Most likely working in a dermatologist’s office or a clinic, you may also have the option to focus on medical, surgical, cosmetic, or pediatric patients. No matter which you choose, you can expect to earn around $99,000 annually.

Cardiology

More PAs specialize in cardiology than in another other area of internal medicine – and for good reason: The opportunities are almost endless! As a cardiology PA, you’ll be fully trained to help patients prevent or manage conditions like hypertension and coronary artery disease and to perform procedures like cardioversions or removing balloon pumps. PAs who specialize specifically in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery even assist surgeons in the operating room and are often responsible for a patient’s post-surgical care.

As a PA who specializes in cardiology, you’ll most likely work alongside a cardiologist in a hospital, a clinic, or a private practice. While the salary varies depending on your experience, on average, a cardiology PA earns about $135,000 a year.

Pediatrics

The demand for physician assistants with a pediatric specialty has increased significantly in the last few years, and as a pediatrics PA, you’ll not only work with kids to provide primary care and handle routine complaints, but you’ll also be instrumental in educating and advocating for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. Along with performing exams, making diagnoses, and providing treatment, it’s likely that you’ll also work with parents to offer reassurance and help them to understand how best to care for their child’s health and wellbeing.

As a pediatric physician assistant, you’ll most likely work in a hospital (or have hospital privileges) in a pediatric or neonatal unit or a pediatrician’s office, and you can expect to earn an average salary of around $99,000 a year.

Ready to start your career as a physician assistant? Contact Touro’s School of Health Sciences today to find the program that’s right for you!