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Physician Assistants
Physician assistants (PAs) provide health care services under the supervision of doctors.
Physician assistants perform a range of medical duties. They do basic care, such as interview patients, perform physical exams, and order lab tests. PAs make basic diagnoses and give shots. They also do more complex tasks, such as set simple fractures and run electrocardiograms (EKG). PAs may sew up wounds, provide treatment for common illnesses, and prescribe medicine. They are trained to deal with many medical emergencies.
Physician assistants set up goals and overall health plans for patients. They record patients' health history, progress, and test results. They counsel patients about medications and teach them healthy living techniques. They also explain test results to patients.
Many PAs work in primary care areas, such as family medicine, general practice, or pediatrics. Others work in specialty areas, such as surgery, emergency medicine, and geriatrics. Duties vary with the specialty. For example, some PAs may work as a first or second assistant to doctors in surgery.
Some PAs manage doctors' offices and order supplies and equipment. PAs also may supervise technicians and other assistants. In areas where doctors are in short supply, PAs may be the only providers of health care. They are required to consult with physicians.
License Information
Requirements
- Must be a graduate of a physician assistant training program accredited by the accreditation review commission on education for the physician assistant or, if accreditation was granted before 2001, accredited by the American Medical Association’s Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
- Must have successfully passed an examination administered by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants
- Hold a current certificate from the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants.
- Must be of good moral character.
Renewal
Licenses expire on October 31 of each year, and may be renewed upon payment of a fee, and continuing education requirements are current with NCCPA.
Fees
For more details contact:
Montana Board of Medical Examiners
301 South Park, 4th Floor
PO Box 200513
Helena, MT 59620-0513
(406)841-2364 dlibsdmed@mt.gov
Occupational Information
Current Employment
In Montana, about 299 physician assistants are licensed in this medium-sized occupation.
Nationally, about 65,600 physician assistants work in this small occupation.
Physician assistant jobs are found in all areas of the country. They are especially likely to work in small towns where the community may have a limited number of physicians.
Major employers:- Doctors' offices
- Hospitals
- Federal, state, and local government agencies
Wages
The wages for physicians assitants are:
Physicians Assistants(SOC 29-1071)
| Region | Wages | Median | Half Earn Between
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|---|
| National | hourly | $37.72 | $31.56 | $44.86
| | annually | $78,450 | $65,640 | $93,310
| | Montana | hourly | $30.11 | $25.41 | $35.70
| | annually | $62,620 | $52,860 | $74,250
| Metropolitan Statistical Areas
|
|---|
| Missoula | hourly | $39.51 | $32.46 | $45.01
| | annually | $82,170 | $67,510 | $93,610
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Wages vary by specialty, such as surgery, emergency medicine, or family practice. They also vary by practice setting, area of the country, and the PA's experience. PAs in hospitals tend to earn higher wages than those who work in offices or clinics.
Physician assistants who work full time usually earn benefits. Benefits may include health insurance, sick leave, and paid vacation.
Outlook
In Montana, employment for physician assistants is projected to as fast as than the statewide average for all occupations through 2016.
Nationally, the number of jobs for physician assistants is expected to grow much faster than average through the year 2016.
Physicians and institutions are expected to hire more PAs because they cost less than hiring a full-time physician. PAs also relieve physicians from some of the more routine duties and procedures. Telemedicine is a new technology that will allow doctors and PAs to consult on cases via television. This technology also increases the number of PAs that are hired, because it allows for supervision even when the doctor and the PA are not in the same office building.
Some states are placing limits on the number of hours physician residents can work at hospitals. Hospitals are likely to hire physician assistants to take over some duties that the residents once did.
Employment opportunities are best in states that allow PAs a broader range of duties, such as the ability to prescribe medications. Opportunities are growing in areas of the nation that have trouble recruiting physicians, such as rural areas or inner cities.
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