This document provides information about the role of a physician assistant (PA). It explains that PAs are licensed medical professionals who examine, diagnose, and treat patients as part of a healthcare team led by physicians. The history of the PA profession is outlined, noting it began in the 1960s to address a shortage of primary care doctors. The document also discusses PA specialties, education and certification requirements, typical salaries, and the projected job growth for PAs, which is much faster than average for healthcare occupations. In the conclusion, the author reaffirms their interest in becoming a surgical PA, particularly in orthopedics.

1. PHYSICIAN
ASSISTANT
Kenyatta Grate

2. WHAT IS A PA?
 They are qualified to examine, diagnose, and treat patients.
WHATTHEY DO?
 Nationally certified and state-licensed medical professional who practices
medicine on teams with physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare workers.

3. LIST OF SERVICES
 Take medical histories
 Perform physical exams
 Order and interpret lab tests
 Diagnose and treat illnesses
 Assist in surgery
 Set fractures

4. HISTORY
 In the mid-1960s, there seemed to be a shortage of primary care physicians
 To solve this problem, Dr. Eugene Stead Jr. established the first group of PAs in 1965
 To teach these students, Dr. Eugene based his curriculum off of his knowledge of the doctors involved in
WorldWar II.
 This class graduated from Duke University’s PA program on October 6, 1967
 Since then, the medical community came together to support the new profession and helped set
accreditation standards, national certification processes, standardize exams, and develop continuing
education for this field.
WHICH LEADTO…

5. AAPA The American Academy of Physician Assistants, formerly known as the
American Association of Physician Assistants
 Established and incorporated in North Carolina in 1968
 The first graduates of the Duke University PA program were the initial
members
 By 1973 there were 300 members and a national headquarters was
established inWashington, D.C.
 In the late 1970s, the headquarters were moved to Arlington,VA and
then to OldTown Alexandria,VA, in 1988.
 Currently the Academy is located in the Carlyle area of Alexandria

6. GROWTH POTENTIAL?
 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment for physician
assistants is projected to grow 30% from 2014 to 2024.
 This growth is much faster than the healthcare services growth.
PAY?
 As stated on PayScale.com, the total pay for a PA ranges from about $71,000 to
roughly $121,072
 “The median annual wage for physician assistants was $98,180 in May 2015”
 These amounts do vary based on location and speacialties

7. TYPES OF PA
SPECIALTIES
 Urgent Care (~$130,000)
 Primary Care (~$90,000)
 Emergency Room (~$115,000)
 Dermatology (~$127,000)
 Surgery (~$110,000)

8. WHAT IWANTTO DO?
 SURGICAL PA
 Specifically, orthopedic surgery
WHY?
 Fascination with bones
 Minor in Athletic leadership
 Knowledge of sports related injuries
&

9. PA GRADUATE
PROGRAMS OF MY
INTEREST
1. University of Florida
2. Medical University of South Carolina
3. East Carolina University

10. OBSTACLES
 Most schools require you to have at least 2,000 hours of hands on
experience.
 The average age for someone who’s accepted into a PA program is 27

11. SKILLS/QUALITIES
FROM O*NET
PROFILER
 Artistic, Social, and Investigative were my interest areas
• Compassionate
• Dependable
• Expressive
• Idealistic
• Observant

12. CONT.
 The courses that I have been fortunate enough to take through the Health
Sciences department will prove that I’m very familiar with different aspects
in the health field.
 My courses that I’m taking through the Athletic Leadership department will
also become beneficial since I am highly interested in orthopedics.

13. CONCLUSION
After everything I’ve learned about this career path, I’m even
more confident that I’ve chosen the right path to pursue.
Hopefully the internship that I am placed in next semester will
give me the opportunity to see this job first hand and cause my
love for it to increase.

14. Works Cited
https://www.aapa.org/What-is-a-PA/
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm
https://www.aapa.org/threeColumnLanding.aspx?id=429
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Physician_Assistant_(PA)/Salary
http://www.npinstitute.com/5-different-PA-specialties-s/1853.htm
http://www.thepalife.com/who-gets-in/
http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career/19/Physician_Assistant