Physician Assistant Program Online

In an accredited physician assistant program you will learn highly specialized, non-invasive skills.

A physician assistant is a health care professional licensed to provide patient education, evaluation, and health care services. They must have a bachelor's degree and attain a PA training program which is accredited by the national commission of Physician Assistants. If attending medical school is not an option but you enjoy the idea of working in a medical setting, a physician assistant degree can offer you the chance of pursuing your goals and earning a good salary in the process. Upon graduating from physician assistant schools, physician assistant perform many of the same functions as a doctor, except in the complex cases. To learn more about the program, request additional information from A.T. Still University which offers a M.S. in Advanced Physician Assistant Studies. There are almost 140 accredited physician's assistant degree programs in the United States.

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Selected Universities with a Physician Assistant Program

A.T. Still University

• Advanced Masters in Physician Assistant Studies

Keiser University

• Physician Assistant, MS

South College

• Masters of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies

Physician Assistant Education and Training

In a Master of Science in Advanced Physician Assistant Studies (M.S.) program at A.T. Still University, students complete 2-year program requirements. During the first year in a physician assistant masters degree, physician's assistant students take physician assistant courses in:

• Biochemistry
• Pathology
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Disease prevention
• Pharmacology

In the second year, you get clinical experience in primary care medicine, inpatient medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, geriatrics, emergency medicine, psychiatry and pediatrics. Over 50% of physician assistants work in primary care medicine. 20% surgery or other surgical sub-specialties. You can work in private practice offices or clinics, hospitals, public health clinics, schools, prisons, and home health care agencies among other areas.

Physician Assistant Careers

A physician assistant's responsibility is to record patient's history and the begin diagnostic and treatment processes. This requires an examination of the patient, interpreting lab results and medical tests. Physician assistants also do first aid for example wrapping or splinting injured joints, and putting casts on broken arms and legs. In most states, physician assistants are allowed to write prescriptions for prescription medication.

Physicians assistants duties typically include:

• Taking medical histories
• Examining and treating patients
• Ordering and analyzing lab tests and x-rays
• Prescribing medication
• Treating minor injuries
• Managerial duties, supervising various medical staff and ordering supplies

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

Many physician assistant colleges qualify you for a full-time job after two years of study in a PA degree program. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the medical assisting field to grow as doctors need larger support teams to accommodate growing number of patients. The American Academy of Physician Assistants reports that most first-year professionals earn a salary over $60,000 a year. However be sure that the online physician assistant program you decide to enroll is is accredited otherwise your degree will not be recognized.