PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.

CAREER DETAILS

Salary: $60,000 – $111,000

Education: Master’s Degree

Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.

Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.

Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.

Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.

Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.

*This list of tasks does not encompass all tasks that may be applicable to this job.

Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.

*This list of skills does not encompass all tasks that may be applicable to this job.

Medicine and Dentistry — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Biology — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Therapy and Counseling — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

*This list of knowledge does not encompass all knowledge that may be applicable to this job.

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