Doctors and physician assistants are the victims of numerous malpractice lawsuits each year. Sadly enough, the physician assistant does not have to actually make an error to be held liable. Almost anything can happen when it comes to the medical world. Just one trivial lawsuit against a physician assistant can totally destroy his personal finances and career. This is what will happen if medical professional liability insurance is not purchased.

One of the quickest rising medical professions in America is that of the professional physician assistant. As can be expected, physician assistants are taking on more of the daily workload because a lot of states are looking for innovative solutions that will lower healthcare prices. When these facts are factored in, anyone can see that physician assistant malpractice suits will constantly keep increasing in the future. The AAPA (American Academy of Physician Assistants) estimates that there will be 141,000 clinically practicing physician assistants in USA by 2020. It is obvious that all of these working physician assistants can be sued for malpractice.

Physician assistants can be sued even if they are on their employer's insurance policy.

Even though a physician assistant is a dependent healthcare practitioner, he is always at risk of individual liability. In the eyes of the law, each medial worker can be held liable for what he does.

Many PAs figure that they are safe if they are covered under their employer's insurance program. But, that's a wrong assumption. PAs are not fully covered under such employer insurance programs. They can still be held individually liable for their own negligence. They could possibly be held responsible for giving the plaintiff the full amount or a part of what the plaintiff wants.

All hospitals understand will get medical insurance that will cover its healthcare staff. But, this is not enough insurance. Either they purchase insurance for themself or with a group, physician assistants must get medical insurance. They must also carefully choose their liability limits.

There are 2 sorts of insurance and they are based upon either the occurrence or the claims made. If the malpractice episode occurs before the insurance policy expires, then it is called occurrence insurance. With occurrence insurance, a claim that is reported late will still be covered if the incident in question took place before the insurance policy expires. But this kind of insurance policy is hard to find because of the mysteries that are associated with medical malpractice and lawsuits. The second type of insurance known as claims made has become more popular these days.

With claims made insurance policies, the malpractice incident has to happen and be reported during the time period that the insurance is in effect. The claim will be disallowed if it is not reported before the insurance expires. If physician assistants wants to receive coverage for malpractice claims that get reported after the insurance policy is no longer in effect, then they must purchase an extra insurance policy. Physician assistants who get another insurance company can opt for prior acts insurance that will still cover malpractice incidents that have actually occurred, but no one has reported them yet.

When it comes to getting the most suitable malpractice policy, a physician assistant must take certain factors into consideration such as the overall job responsibilities, where he practices and the amount of risk that he is faced with on a daily basis. A physician assistant's job responsibilities can be put into three different groups that are designated as Class A, B or C.

Class A physician assistants are those who assist in the diagnostic management of patients.

Class B physician assistants are those who assist in general surgeries, obstetrics (prenatal or postnatal care), trauma/emergency procedures (up to 10 hours per week), and anesthesiology.

As a Class C physician assistants, the responsibilities include assisting with neuro, cardiovascular, OB/GYN, thoracic and plastic surgery. Also, they are responsible for helping out with over ten hours weekly in trauma situations, cardiac catheterization and obstetric delivery room procedures. 

Physician assistants should purchase the right about of insurance coverage if they help with risky procedures such as cardiovascular surgery. Physician assistants who assist in routine and safer procedures like diagnostic management can choose a lower limit. However, there is a noticeable increase in the state's medical malpractice lawsuits, then the physician assistant should opt for a much higher insurance limit.

Purchasing medical malpractice insurance will help save both the bank account and medical career or a practicing physician assistant. Even if he is on his employer's insurance policy, a physician assistant should also get his own coverage just to make sure that no risk is involved. 

Many people who are looking to become a physician assistant will look at the scholarships they can find. What students are going to find is that this will be a great way for them to get into this exciting industry. There is a good amount of attraction for young students to pursue a career in this field. Perhaps the biggest factor that attracts students is the fact that there is rapid growth and the field is becoming more aggressive. Along with this, the professional will find that there do have a considerable number of opportunities to choose from.

Besides the basic attraction of working in this field, a career as a physician assistant also provides students with the opportunity to be part of something meaningful and to do something meaningful with their lives. One example is the fact that individuals will have a chance to serve their community. Of course, there are also practical benefits to this profession. Take for example the fact that the physician assistant will have the chance to practice faster than if they were becoming a full-fledged physician. Even though they aren't actual doctors, they still make great money as well. 

Any student interested in taking the time to learn medicine, will find that there is assistance that they can take advantage of. One career this applies to is the physician assistant and students who might be short on the funds to make their dreams come true. 

A Look at the Reason for a Scholarship

Students will find that there is one major reason out there for a physician assistant scholarship. Simply stated, there is a furious demand for qualified and highly trained personnel in the medical field. A new demand for physician assistants has come from new requirements in place to reevaluate how medicine is now being practiced in the US. What has been behind this reevaluation of how medicine should be practiced in the U.S. is the seemingly constant stream of news stories that spotlight how healthcare has been administratively overwrought, economically broken and also financially dysfunctional. Because of this, we find that because the U.S. has a real need for professionals who work in the healthcare field, a whole bunch of federal programs are available to those students who end up qualifying for them.

1. Info on Federal Programs

We find that the federal programs dealing with the physician assistant scholarship are extensive and they give them a good chance to qualify. For example, there is the Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students. This scholarship is meant to go to students who are presently studying for a career in the medical field and who can also demonstrate a real, financial need. Students should understand that another choice they will have is through the Health Resources and Services Administration National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program. You will find that this scholarship has been designed to get a student dedicated in areas that have a hard time retaining qualified medical professionals. 

Another choice you will have to get a physician assistant scholarship will be to look at the U.S. military. Many students tend to overlook this option. This could because they feel that the service would be difficult or they have an objection to the U.S. military actually does. It is important that students consider this as a realistic option for getting the financial help they need. consider the fact that the military is in desperate need of medical professionals. A lot of people continue to fail to realize that the military does more than just defend the country and go to war! Students can get into the military and have their medical education paid for with a preset enlistment period. What you will find is that many states will also have their own programs to help ensure that there is an increase of medical personnel helping to serve their communities.

2. Private Programs

A student looking to become a physician assistant should also look at some private programs that offer a physician assistant scholarship. A good starting point will be to look at organizations that represent physician assistants. Organizations that represent the profession of physician assistant generally make certain scholarship funds available to students. They will however, have a better idea of what the professional and education criteria of these students will be. Through the schools you attend, you will find that there are plenty of private programs out there for you to get the help you need. What might surprise you is that many of these schools have their own financial programs in place to help you offset your financial burden. Another good suggestion for private programs for a physician assistant scholarship is an ethnic organization. What you will find is specific ethnic organizations will have money in place to help students reach their career goals.

3. Non-traditional Programs

Since students should review all their options, nontraditional scholarships should be explored. A program that some students may want to consider will have them acting as an intern in the field. For instance, some HMOs, hospitals and healthcare groups provide payments for educational costs. Those looking to improve their education and are currently in a lower position may want to contact their local human resources department and investigate the possibility of education assistance.

There is no doubt that a physician assistant scholarship can help to make a difference. It can mean the difference between being too discouraged to follow your dreams and being able to make them come true in a career as a physician assistant. Students are advised not to think that because they have financial problems that they cannot get a great education and career! 

If you are looking to become a physician assistant, then you will need to earn your physician assistant degree. What you will find is that the physician assistant position is one that has increased in popularity and remains a steady choice in the medical industry. This professional is going to increase in demand in the coming years and that means there will be more employment options for them in the long run as well. Physician assistants, while not actually doctors, still have the potential to earn quite a bit of money.

When one looks at a physician assistant, they will find that these individuals remain licensed and registered in their state and they are part of a team that is made of healthcare professionals including doctors. The physician assistant will be focused on the maintenance, treatment and prevention of illnesses, while offering many of the healthcare services a doctor can provide. A physician assistant is certified to perform examinations, diagnose and treat sicknesses, order and then interpret lab tests, give advice on preventative healthcare, issue medical orders, aid in surgery and even write prescriptions. Before they can even begin this job though, they will need to take the time to obtain their physician assistant degree.

Those looking to become a physician assistant, should talk to current students to learn how the education process works. As with any position, it is generally a good idea to gather all the information you can on becoming a physician assistant. For example, certain websites such as mypatraining.com and its forum are well worth examining.

If you are looking to become a physician assistant, then the first thing you will want to do is to gather some medical experience before you enroll for your degree. You will find that most physician assistant programs require previous experience in the medical realm and this helps you to get accepted. It is normally adequate for applicants to these programs to have about 2 years of hands-on patient care under their belt. A variety of medical personnel will often apply for the physician assistant program and they can include nursing assistants, vocational nurses, physical therapy techs, military medics and other medical professionals.

For this process, you will want to look at the requirements that you will have to meet before you can enroll in this program. For example, prior to applying to a physician assistant program, students should get a bachelor’s degree in Health Science. However, other classes and courses that students may also pursue include Biology 101, English, Math, Microbiology, Physiology and Anatomy.

Taking time to research the physician assistant program is important as well. A general rule of thumb is to review the physician assistant program you are considering as each one will aid in different needs. This will mean you need to look at the requirements and review all the details of the program. 

You will also need to take the time to contact the program you are interested in. They ought to speak to a representative and inform him that they are interested in applying for said program. As part of the process, the student should ensure they get an informational packet as well.

Another good choice for students is to connect with graduates from the program. By talking to a newly graduated physician assistant, students can not only learn from him, but also potentially get their recommendation.

Another good choice will be to take the time to open an account with CASPA (Central Application Service for Physician Assistants). You will find a vast majority of programs will require that you apply to them via CASPA. Keep in mind that you will find that different programs will have different requirements for you to gain admission into their program. These applications for CASPA take a long while to work through, so students are advised to apply earlier rather than later. A good idea will be to gather all your employment and education information in advance. 

You will find that recommendations are going to be a vital part of the entry process into the program you are interested in and you should ensure you have them in advance. The minimum number of people writing recommendations is three, and at least one of said three has to be either a physician or a physician assistant.

A personal statement should be composed as well. As the student reviews the CASPA application, they should focus on answering each question in a concise and grammatically correct manner. Because of how important it is, you will want to ensure that you have someone proofread your statement.

If you are invited to an interview; you are already on the road to success. Prepare for this interview in advance by doing a mock interview with a physician assistant and ask them what they were asked in their interview. Above all, dress in a conservative manner and dress appropriately. 

By following all these steps, you increase your chances of getting into the physician assistant program. Once you have completed it, you will have your physician assistant degree. Of course, you will need to understand that even with your degree, you are still required to get certification to practice in your state. Only after obtaining this certification through additional hard work can they finally get approval to work as physician assistants in their state of residence. This of course means that the process continues even after you get your degree. 

What does a physician assistant do? If you are asking this question, you are probably weighing your options for starting a career in the medical field. You may like the idea of becoming a doctor, but not like the number of years you would have to spend in school and the money you would have to spend in order to become a doctor. Most people see the physician assistant position as a great alternative.

A physician assistant is about the closest you will ever come to being a doctor without going through medical school to actually become one. Since a physician assistant can do many things that doctors do, like prescribing medications, this is a great alternative for those who cannot go through medical school. You will work under a physician who has gone through medical school, but you can gain quite a bit of independence and even maintain your own list of patients in many circumstances (though not always).

Physician assistants are in great demand and can apply for jobs in many medical facilities. You can work in an office with a pediatrician, family doctor, or even a plastic surgeon. Your career may end up in a local hospital in any of their divisions. There are many medical clinics that need assistants as well. Any environment where physicians are employed you may find your skills in demand.

You can also decide to take on a particular specialization, or to go into general practice. This means you can choose to take special coursework if you have an interest in a particular field of medicine.

On the job, this position requires a lot of desk work as well as interaction directly with patients. Below you will find a quick overview of the duties, though the exact requirements will vary depending on where you work and what you choose to specialize in (if you specialize at all). You may also be limited in your duties depending on the state in which you practice.

What does a physician do when not working directly with patients? They mostly handle the paperwork and basic interactions with other doctors, insurance companies, and other parties of interest. A physician assistant may spend considerable amounts of time calling in prescriptions for all patients of the practice, getting referrals to other doctors patients need to see, and making sure that all insurance claims are handled properly and promptly.

It is basically the job of the physician assistant to make sure the doctor can do their job without complications. Doctors spend so much time working with their patients, that they often rely on their assistants to ensure all of the background duties are handled so there are no complications or setbacks.

Some physician assistants actually see patients in the office on a daily basis, just as the doctor is seeing patients. They are able to take a complete medical history for patients, listen to their problems, analyze symptoms and physical reactions, and come up with diagnoses. From giving medical advice to prescribing controlled substances, an assistant can cater to all needs of a patient.

When problems come up or the assistant is not sure about a course of action, the doctor is always standing by for assistance. Sometimes work will be carried out alongside a physician, but in many cases the majority of a physician assistant’s work is done independently.

After learning everything that a physician assistant can do, you may be wondering why they are not treated as full doctors. It is very easy to understand when you think about the extra training and experience a physician must obtain before taking on their title and establishing a practice. It must be noted that as a physician assistant you will have to go through some advanced learning, but you wont be required to go through the strenuous programs required to become a doctor. 

The RA or radiologist assistant is similar to a radiography technician, though they have completed additional certifications and requirements. They can do some of the more advanced imaging jobs, and they do not require supervision. In many cases, the radiologist assistant will operate in quite an autonomous way, not being under the view of a radiologist, but merely operating under the auspices of a licensed physician who is a radiologist.

Today, the field of radiologist assistant is a relatively new one, with fewer than fifty courses available to take around the United States at last count. More and more universities are expected to follow suit as radiology assisting becomes more accepted. RA courses are being offered by more colleges and universities today than ever before. The radiologist assistant courses are in some cases, still in development, as this is a reasonably new addition to the allied medical professions.

It is important that you seek out a course recognized by the ARRT, or American Registry of Radiologic Technologist.

In 2010, 11 programs are being offered for the radiologist assistant program. These confer degrees at either the Bachelor's degree or the Master's degree level. In the radiology field, it is impossible to obtain a degree lower than a Bachelor's.

If you truly wish to become a radiology assistant, you will need to finish the course, and graduate in good standing. Something to note is that RA programs are only available to those who have already spent a considerable amount of time as a technician.

If you choose to embark on this course you will find that it requires about two years of your time, and a study of ethics, pharmacology, testing, diagnosis, radio-biology, and clinical radiology.

If you elect to take a Master's Degree level radiologist assistant course you will also be required to produce a master's thesis in order to complete your course. Even when you have been certified, you might find that you need to carry our some continuing education.

Once you have actually graduated, you will need to take and pass an exam in order to practice. Though not every state requires any state licensing, some accrediting institutions will require it. That being said, there are some states that require a state license, which currently takes place in11 different states.

One of the final steps in obtaining your Registered Radiology Assistant certification is taking the exam offered by the AART.

The ARRT also requires that, like nurses, physicians, physician assistants and paramedics, you be certified in Advance Cardiac Life Support, or ACLS, which is offered by the American Heart Association.

You will need to renew your radiologist assistant license each year, and you will need to ensure that you renew your radiology technician certification every two years.

The renewal is a condition of your job retention. They are also required to keep their technician certifications current by paying the renewal fees and filing application every two years. Note that if you wish to be a radiologist assistant, you need to be a radiologist technologist. 

You will find that many of the procedures you perform as a radiologist assistant will be the same as that which is done by a full fledged radiologist. As a radiologist assistant you will be assisting or performing various invasive techniques like fluoroscopy, x-rays, and even MRI's. The radiologist assistant will typically conduct these tests and then report the results to a licensed radiologist, who will make all final decisions as to the testing outcome.

The ASRT reports that the need for new graduate radiology assistants will continue to grow exponentially as the work continues to grow for the radiologists. There is a great calling for both radiologists and radiologist assistants, and that need is not being fulfilled. There are a number of people out there who need diagnostic testing, and as a result, the field will grow considerably over the next few years.

In 2009 and 2010, the American Medical Association stated that the need for radiologists is growing along with their popularity in the medical community. Depending on the area in which the RA is practicing, they may expect a salary of around $100,000 USD per year. 

When someone wants to achieve a surgical assistant salary, they must be prepared to learn some fairly technical aspects of the job. When you work in this role, you become extremely important to the successes of a surgery. This person will be responsible for preparing the area for a surgery and will work with the lead surgeon to ensure all goes smoothly before and after the procedure is completed. When the main surgeon needs some help they will turn to this person for assistance. 

Someone that has been certified as a surgical assistant has completed the necessary training and education so that they can be beneficial to the surgeons. They should be informed about the technologies that are available to treat patients and they must know what the best practice choices are for many different treatments. Their role will also include offering some suggestions for treatment and being able to help diagnose different problems with their patients. 

There are a large number of opportunities for a certified person to earn their surgical assistant salary. By staying informed about the advances that are made in the industry and by gathering as much experience as they can, they will have continued prospects for employment. The job openings that are available at the hospitals will be the most available for this position. They are the most likely place to be doing surgeries regularly so they need the most experienced surgical assistants on their staff. Due to the aging population, more surgeries are likely to be needed. 

You will have to complete the required course work in college if you are sincere about earning the surgical assistant salary. A bachelor’s degree will need to be obtained in allied health or nursing if you would like to pursue this field. 

You must also have completed at least three years of work in an operating room serving as a surgical technician or an assistant to the doctor. Working in a military operating room will also serve as experience. During your course work at the college, you will be required to pass classes that deal with many different subjects. These classes will help you understand such things as the terminology that is used in the chemistry, biology, and other surgery related areas. Some of the more advanced classes will give you information about Microbiology, surgical anatomy, Pharmacology, and the clinical aspects of surgical assisting. 

Anyone that would like to work as a surgical assistant will have to be certified in life support and CPR. They must be knowledgeable about all of the vaccinations that are being used and have a complete understanding of the vaccinations that are used for Hepatitis B and tuberculosis. Staying up to date in all of these areas will ensure that you are able to assist in any situation that you are called for. 

The medical field is full of opportunities for someone that has completed all of their training and has reached the ability to earn the surgical assistant salary. They will experience some security when they locate a team of doctors that really need their help. Areas like heart surgery, wound preparation, and neurosurgery are great areas to start a specialty in.

Regardless of which avenue a person decides to travel down after they have completed each of these tasks and have finally earned their surgical assistant salary, they will be challenged and will understand why this position can be so stressful but they will be appreciated for the expertise and knowledge that they bring to the operating room. 

While a physician assistant practices medicine, they do so under the supervision of a certified physician. A PA however, is like a physician in many ways. It is not necessary that the PA be under the direct supervision of the physician, but instead, must work with them in a practice. The physician, as well as the PA is responsible for the care which the PA gives to the patient or client.

The educational requirements for both are quite different, and a PA will attend school for a shorter period of time. The PA however can have the same responsibilities, and they will be able to fulfill many of the same job requirements.

The Physician Assistant differs significantly from the medical assistant, and it is well known that the medical assistant spends very little time in school. In the office of a physician, the PA has several responsibilities. These responsibilities are diverse, and it is often that the physician does not become involved. What this means is that while the PA may be functional in the practice of the physician, in most cases the PA is not directly overseen by the doctor and may hold their own office hours in the practice of the physician, seeing patients independently unless they determine that another opinion is in order. Patients will occasionally ask to speak with the PA at the office instead of the physician. The reason for this of course is the prevention of 'white coat syndrome' in most patients.

Each state has different requirements set for PA's. However as a general rule, the following tasks are expected of the PA, and fall within their scope of practice and physician assistant job description: diagnosis, x-ray interpretation, lab result analysis, prescription treatment, therapeutic decisions, patient examination and treatment and wound care.

The PA will need to watch the patient and determine their level of health along with taking their medical history for the diagnosing of immediate problems. Further, they can prescribe a plan of treatment for the patient, as well as prescribe medication for the patient. The actual job the PA will obviously vary. This is determined not only by the state in which they practice, but also by the physician assistant job description of the physician for whom they work.

Most individuals who want to be in a PA training program will hold a degree. The course will move much faster if the individual in question already holds a bachelor's degree. Most will have some kind of experience in medical fields, such as EMT, Nursing, or Paramedic training, although again, this is not a prerequisite to become a PA.

The course will likely require two years to finish. The PA program can and will lead to several different degrees. In some cases, you may obtain your Associate degree, your Bachelor’s degree, or the masters. The degree you gain will depend on your prior education.

There are specific requirements for each PA course. Medical courses of course will be the most commonly attended, but there are other courses required that will improve communication. Additional courses will include: nutrition, pathology, chemistry, physiology, medical surgical treatments, immunology, and even biology.

Every school will differ in their courses and each school will require different things prior to your attendance. Remember that many colleges will offer PA courses, but it is important to attend an accredited course. These programs can be offered by medical colleges, allied health programs, or physical colleges.

For the most part, the Physician assistant is well compensated for his or her work. In general, a PA will be paid around $85,000 USD per year. The new graduate can expect to make 5-7K less than that fee upon graduation. It has been found that the lowest pay is 50k per year, which is nothing to scoff at.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is clear on the fact that the health care fields are extremely critical of those who work in the field. Over time the profession will grow along with the salary. 

The medical field is incredible, and it can be quite rewarding for those who participate in it. Those who brave the perils of the medical world can help others and maintain a decent standard of living. If you were to become a doctor however, you would face some insane difficulties. Witht that being the situation, there is a bit of a shortage in the medical world. Becomeing a physician assistant however would often be the better option.

A physician assistant is a bit different from a standard physician for a few reasons. You will need to hold certification of couse, but it won't be anywhere near a PhD. There are obviously a couple of benefits packed with this certification, one being that you can operate within a physician's office. Along with that, there are quite a few people out there that actually opt to see the PA. This could be because of the lowered rate, or it could be because the proper physician is fully booked. While a physician's assistant should technically be operating under the supervision of a doctor, it is acceptable for them to work independently if they are within the same office as the primary physician.

If your goal is to become a PA, then you will be happy to find that you don't need as much education. The job will only require two years of education in most cases. In addition to those requirements however, all states demand that a potential physician assistant take a national exam, and pass, before they are licensed to practice.

Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (NCCPA) -- Those who take this will need to ensure they complte 100 hours of medical education every two years, and of course be certified in the relevant programs. Every six years another exam must be taken for the purpose of re-certification.

Just like with any other profession in the medical field, there are ways to branch out. As you probably know, there are a number of different branches that you might take in the medical field, and they could easily include pediatrics, neurology, surgery, and if you wish to branch out even further, you might even look into radiology. Keep in mind that those who branch out and even take on PA positions have typically performed in nursing positions or performed other duties.

In the event you meet the physician assistant requirements, there will be plenty of work. These locations could include hospitals, outpatient care centers, health maintenance organizations, government establishments, and even schools. These are all options available to you!

Overall, the job responsibilities of a physician assistant will be dictated by the state. Sometimes a PA will fill out prescriptions, but in some states only full physicians can perform this task. Though the job description will change from state to state, a few things will always stay the same. The most important thing to note is that hard work will always be required. You will also need a prior background in medicine. That being said, this is not the easiest job to get, even if it is simpler than a full fledged medical degree.

Finally, we would mention that there are very few physician assistants in the US. There is no doubt that the profession will become highly sought after, and the overall physician assistant salary is going to increase significantly depending on the level of experience that you can bring to the table. If your goal is to become certified, then now is the time to start working for it. 

While there are a good number of programs that are offered throughout the country, those who are studying to become a physician assistant might be interested to learn more about programs offered in California. California already has nine programs accredited by the ARC-PA so students choosing to study there already have nine great choices. California only trails Pennsylvania and New York in the number of programs for physician assistants that carry the required accreditation. The level of the program that the student chooses will allow them to receive an associate's, bachelors, or master's degree or just a certificate. 

Eligibility requirements can differ based upon the school and physician assistant program chosen by the student. Some schools might require two years worth of college credits as an example of a prerequisite for entry. Another requirement of most colleges and universities that offer a physician assistant program is a mandated number of patient contact hours that a student must possess. It is also beneficial to have experience in the healthcare field. Schools can also be quite selective when admitting students into their program by requiring them to have a minimum GPA before being accepted. 

The number of physician assistant programs that are offered in California is quite substantial. Stanford School of Medicine in Palo Alto is one of the schools that provides physician assistant programs to those who are interested. This school offers students the ability to enroll into a tract that will culminate in either a certificate or an associate's degree. The Stanford School of Medicine allows students to also enroll in bachelor's and master's degree programs based on the options the student chooses.

The state also has other great school choices too. As an example, Riverside Community College located in Moreno Valley is another option students have. Alternately, they may instead enroll at the San Joaquin Valley College in Visalia. The programs at both of these schools allow the student to earn an associate's degree.

Further, there are many other choices in California for schools that offer physician assistant programs. Touro University, Loma Linda University, Western University Health Sciences, The University of Southern California (Keck), The University of California Davis School of Medicine in Sacramento, and Samuel Merritt University are some of the other schools.

A student must be very serious about putting in the time and effort that it takes to become a physician assistant and must make sure that they eligible to apply to the program or school of their choice. Requirements for eligibility vary between each school that offers physician assistant programs in California. A student should be encouraged to contact their desired school directly to determine the exact requirements for eligibility. Each school will most likely factor in the student's experience, academic performance and personality when considering their application. 

Students should know that it is not enough to simply finish an accredited program in order to become a physician assistant in California. Passing the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination is a requirement for all students that want to become a physician assistant. The laws regarding the practice of physician assistants vary from state to state. Every state has a requirement that the student passes the certification exam that is administered by the NCCPA. Once the student has passed the exam, they are allowed to attach the title of Physician Assistant-Certified to after their name

However, the certification process does not stop just yet. Every two-year period, physician assistants are obligated to complete 100 hours of continuing education. A physician assistant must take and pass a recertification test every six years; differently, the choice can be made to enroll in another program and complete a home certification examination.

Enrolling into one of the better programs should be the goal of a student who wants to get into a physician assistant program. The better programs are the natural choice for students who want an advantage over their competition because these programs are more adept at preparing their students for the day to day challenges they will face as well as preparing them for the examinations required. These factors should be considered by the students:

Physician Assistant Programs that have a high percentage of students who pass the PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certification Exam) are usually among the better programs to attend. Also, programs that have a large number of high scoring students on this examination should be a factor in consideration because these students' scores illustrate their preparedness provided by the program. 

The rankings of each program should indicate to the student which programs are competitive with each other academically. This information should be a guide to the student. Usually, the ratings show that Duke University is number one, followed closely behind by the following universities: DC's George Washington University, Georgia's Emory University, the University of Utah, and the University of Iowa.

Students should also weigh into account their compatibility with their program of choice. Compatibility includes the campus environment, the location and the cost. Compatibility has a tendency to be overlooked by students, but it is very important, nonetheless. Without being totally convinced that their investment in their education is worth the money they are paying, liking the location, or the vibe of the campus, a student will not be able to maximize their education. 

Physician assistant programs in California come in all forms, mainly because quite a few schools in the state offer them. Not all physician assistant programs are created equally and because of this, it is essential that the student understands each program before choosing to apply. If they do not, they run the risk of being accepted into a physician assistant program that is not going to be conducive to their unique needs. Factors to consider include the cost, location and the campus environment. 

The healthcare industry is witnessing boom times and naturally, physician assistant jobs are on a roll. With it growing in demand in both rural and urban areas, here is a guide to the physician assistant career.

The typical physician assistant has successfully completed course work in a 26-month specialized program after receiving a 4-year degree. Both this and some job experience is required. All physician assistants must get themselves re-certified every six years and they must complete 100 hours of ongoing education every two years.

In the industry there are two professional bodies - the one that regulates is known as the AAPA (American Association of Physician Assistants) and the one that administers certification exams and tracks the continuing education credits which is called NCCPA (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants).

Physician assistants are an important part of the doctors office. Often they are allowed to work independently within a doctor's office, but they are also supervised by a licensed doctor. They are required to provide response within one hour of their doctor's call. 

They help in diagnosis and analyzing lab reports including x-rays. Also, the physician assistant can assist patients with writing prescriptions for medications or therapy, examinations, as well as helping the doctor by listening to patients' needs, recording their history, and providing surgical assistance. Plus, the physician assistant must possess excellent communication skills as he has to interact with patients most of the time.

Spending most of their time on their feet, physician assistants do a vast majority of attending to and interacting with the patients. Assistants who are part of a surgical team are the busiest of the lot. This is not an easy job - it requires handling stress and working late nights, weekends and holidays. The physician assistant must handle all physical and mental stress with a cool and calm that does not show on his face because that may panic the patient.

The tasks that a physician assistant can perform vary in each American state. In order to know the exact job responsibilities for that state, you will want to refer to that state's employment website. 

It is expected that physician assistant jobs will grow more rapidly in availability compared to other jobs. Physician assistants demand is especially higher in hospitals, clinics, prisons and other facilities situated in rural and inner city areas. As per a government report published in 2008-end, it is estimated that physician assistants jobs are expected to grow by 39% from 2008 to 2018. The increased demand is caused by the simultaneous evolution and cost lowering initiatives that are happening in the healthcare industry. The healthcare industry is lowering its costs while not compromising their quality of service and productivity by appointing physician assistants. States too are now allowing physician assistants to perform more medical procedures and all these factors are leading to a higher demand for professionals.

There are a few factors which determine a physician assistant salary which are as follows:

Specialization: Physician assistants that do not specialize in a particular type of medical condition like HIV, AIDS or cancer will often receive a lower salary than a physician assistant that has training to handle these types of conditions. The demand for specialized physical assistants is very high and their salary can even exceed the maximum figure (given below).

Area: Rural healthcare facilities pay lesser than urban centers. Also, it is typical that the pay in urban centers located in denser populated areas is higher than urban centers that are located in less dense areas. Urban areas often have a higher cost of living compared to their rural counterparts which can attribute to the higher salary.

Experience can factor into this as well. The more experience that a physician assistant has the higher salary that they will receive. 

Physician assistants have salaries that average between $75,000 and $106,000 annually according to salary.com. Aside from a few exceptions, a typical salary range is between $65, 000 and $90,000. Remember, that specialization counts and so, specialized physician assistants can expect to get a higher salary. Hospitals and outpatient centers pay the highest salary, while government facilities and educational institutions pay low. As stated above, urban centers pay higher than rural centers.

It is also expected that a physician assistant's employer will pay for their professional liability insurance, state licensing fees, registration fees, and credential fees. 

Physician assistants can choose to specialize in handling critical medical conditions like HIV/AIDS, neonatology, cancer, etc. Those that do specialize in these critical medical conditions, like mentioned above, will often be paid a much higher salary. Specialization programs are offered by many schools in fields like surgery, cancer, HIV, neonatology, pediatrics, emergency medicine, and much more. 

Then, a physician assistant can enroll for a postgraduate residency training program in areas like emergency medicine, rural primary care, occupational medicine, etc.

A physician assistant pay increases with time and experience. A licensed doctor must always supervise the assistant, regardless of pay or specialization.

Physician assistant jobs have many advantages - PAs do not have to attend to med school, they do not have to go through the taxing internship that all doctors go through, and they can learn different specialties or move from one specialty to another with ease. Helping people recover from major and minor medical conditions can also a benefit to most as it is rewarding and self-satisfying to help others in need.

Every day is different in the life of a PA and he comes across new challenges daily. A physician assistant can never be an entrepreneur because he can only work under the supervision of a licensed doctor.

This concludes the guide and contains all you need to know about a job as a physician assistant.