TRAITS

for Success

good communication skills

life-long learner

care about people

team player

dedicated

 5
 
hysician assistant (PA) provides both acute and routine health
care for patients of all ages.  PAs practice medicine under the
supervision of a physician, but can also perform independently in a variety
of settings as well as work closely with their supervising physician in specialty
care areas such as surgery.  Physician assistants perform various functions
and activities such as taking medical histories of patients, performing physical
examinations as well as ordering and interpreting laboratory and radiology
studies.  They can give injections, counsel patients, treat wounds, and write
prescriptions.  They often assist doctors in conducting hospital rounds,
developing and implementing patient management plans, and performing routine
diagnostic procedures.  Physician assistants also perform a vital service in rural
and underserved regions of Georgia by providing access to quality health care
services where there is a shortage of physicians.

.

  
Average Starting Salary $68,096    
 
Areas of Specialization
A few postgraduate programs are
available for PAs who want to gain
advanced education in medical
specialties.  Most specialty training
is provided on-the-job under a
physician who has chosen a specialty.
 
Work Environment
Clinics
Community health centers
Health maintenance organizations
Hospitals
Medical colleges
Military
Nursing homes
Pain management centers
Physicians' offices
Prisons
Research
Student health services
Trauma centers
 
 
Academic Requirements
A college preparatory diploma is
recommended.  Most schools require a
bachelor's degree and previous health
care experience for entrance into a
physician assistant program.  A master's
degree is the entry level education
standard for the profession.  The
program includes two years of classroom
and laboratory instruction and
clinical rotations in internal medicine,
family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics/
gynecology, emergency medicine,
and geriatric medicine.  Graduation
from a program accredited by the
Accreditation Review Commission of
Education for the Physician Assistant
(ARC-PA) is required.
 
Licensure, Certification and
Registration
To practice in Georgia, physician
assistants must be certified through
the National Commission on
Certification of Physician Assistants.
Certification leads to the title of
Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C)
Upon certification, licensure must be
applied for from the Georgia
Composite State Board of Medical
Examiners.
 
 
 
Professional Organizations
American Academy of Physician
   Assistants
(703) 836-2272
www.aapa.org
 
Georgia Association of Physician
   Assistants
(888) 811-4272
www.gapa.net
 
Georgia Composite State Board
   of Medical Examiners
(404) 656-3913
www.medicalboard.georgia.gov
 
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Master's Degree
Emory University
Medical College of Georgia
Mercer University
South University
 
 
Table of Contents

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