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Profession: Medicine

Physician Assistant: Physician Assistants (PAs) practice medicine as part of the health care team under the supervision of a physician. They deliver many of the same services and procedures as the physicians themselves. PAs examine patients, take histories, order laboratory tests, prescribe medications, stitch wounds and apply splints and casts. PAs may also work in areas where physicians are in short supply, reporting back to a supervisor when necessary.

Salary Range: $43,100 - $102,230

Salary Notes: Physician assistants typically earn between $62,430 and $89,220 per year (median), depending upon the work setting. Educational level and experience also affect salary. The mean annual salary in Vermont is $88,130.

Where you can study:
Albany Medical College, Albany, NY
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, Boston, MA
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Manchester, Manchester, NH
Northeastern University Bouve College of Health Sciences, School of Health Professions, Boston, MA
Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT
Springfield College, Springfield, MA
University of New England - Biddeford, Biddeford, ME
Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT

Where you might work:
Clinics - Group Practices - Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) - Hospitals - Industries/Corporations - Long-term Care Facilities - Military Institutions - Physician Offices - Public Health Departments - Student Health Services -

Job Outlook: Physician assistants are in demand in Vermont, especially in underserved rural areas. The trend toward making health care more affordable will probably keep demand high in the foreseeable future. Employment of physician assistants is expected to grow much faster than average through 2016.

Education, Licensing and Certification: High school courses should contain college prep material with a focus on math and science. A physician assistant (PA) program takes at least two years to complete, and most PAs hold at least a bachelor of science (BS) degree, which takes four years. To practice as a PA in Vermont, you must complete a national certification exam administered by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), followed by an on-the-job apprenticeship program.

Professional Organizations:
American Academy of Physician Assistants Information Center and Association of Physician Assistant Programs 703-836-2272 www.aapa.org
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants 678-417-8100 www.nccpa.net
Physician Assistant Academy of Vermont 603-643-2325 www.paav.org