For nearly 60 years, physician assistants (PAs) have contributed significantly to the U.S. healthcare system, acting as a critical keystone in maintaining patient continuity of care nationwide. National Physician Assistant Week is held every year from October 6th to the 12th and aims to acknowledge the many contributions PAs provide to our nation’s healthcare system. Rated as the second-best healthcare job by U.S. News & World Report, the profession comes with plenty of opportunity—from high pay to various specialty options, the PA occupation has proven to be a viable career choice. Becoming a locum tenens PA has become a great option for PAs, and to increase their impact, states nationwide are adopting the PA licensure compact, allowing them to work more easily across state lines. Read on to learn more about the PA profession and the abundant opportunities available to PAs.
What is a physician assistant?
A physician assistant is a healthcare professional licensed to care for patients from primary care to the operating room. Their position is essential for the healthcare team because of their collaborative relationship with the physician.
How do PAs differ from physicians?
Depending on the state of practice, PAs are not qualified to practice medicine to the same extent physicians can. For example, while PAs in Massachusetts can prescribe medication, those in West Virginia are subject to state restrictions.
Because PAs undergo less schooling than physicians, they must work under supervision. It’s important to emphasize that the level of autonomy in the job varies depending on the state in which PAs practice.
How do I become a physician assistant?
To become a physician assistant, candidates must meet educational requirements. These include a qualifying bachelor’s degree, completion of necessary PA School prerequisites, fulfilling essential clinical experience, and graduating from an accredited PA program. Overall, the total schooling for a PA amounts to approximately seven years.
This track is attractive to those looking for a job with similar responsibilities to a physician. It requires fewer years of education, highlighting a smaller investment of time and money.
What is the projected physician assistant employment growth?
The projected 10-year growth for physician assistants is 28% from 2023 to 2033 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The PA role is listed as one of the top 20 rapidly expanding jobs within the next decade, meaning thousands of job openings. This showcases that PAs have a strong occupation outlook.
While the PA occupation is expanding, it is still insufficient to meet the growing nationwide staffing shortage. From 2010 to 2020, the United States witnessed its largest rise in the population aged 65 and older, with an increase of 15.5 million people. The aging population requires greater care and resources, which are currently insufficient. Additionally, demand can be attributed to the fact PAs can be trained faster than physicians.
How much does a physician assistant make?
PAs were paid a median salary of $130,020 a year on the report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 10% of PAs earn more than $170,790 a year.
It is critical to note that the PA pay is significantly higher than the $48,060 median wage for all U.S. workers. On top of the high salaries, the position often includes overtime and bonus pay, emphasizing the demand and competitive nature of today’s PA job market. Locum tenens opportunities offer PAs a chance to make more per hour, given their increased negotiation leverage.
What specializations are available for physician assistants?
Physician assistants have the option to choose from over 100 specialties, some of which are more sophisticated than others. The most common areas include emergency medicine, surgical subspecialties, and family medicine/general practice. The highest-paying PA specialties include cardiovascular/cardiothoracic surgery at $152,500, dermatology at $145,000, and emergency medicine at $133,990.
While PAs take foundational course material, they have the freedom to choose their career path. In PA school, students can select a specialty and find connections to the proper training program. For PAs who are uncertain of their specialty, locum tenens is a great choice.
Locum tenens positions offer the flexibility and opportunity to gain experience in various fields while continuing their education. Wellhart offers locum tenens opportunities for such as radiologists, hospitalists, anesthesiologists, and emergency medicine professionals.
What is the PA Licensure Compact?
While nurses and physicians have been able to set forth across state lines, PAs have faced limitations— especially those in locum tenens positions. However, the long-standing roadblock is being eliminated.
In April 2024, a group of seven states formed the PA Licensure Compact to authorize unencumbered PA licenses in participating states. Now, the number of compact states has reached 12. The compact licensure includes Delaware, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Nebraska, Virginia, Oklahoma, Maine, Colorado, Minnesota, and Tennessee. Along with the 12 states, Ohio will implement the compact licensure into law after October 24, 2024, with several other states set to follow.
The compact licensure will benefit PAs and the overall healthcare industry. States aim to eliminate travel barriers for PAs, allowing them to practice across state lines and address the nationwide healthcare staffing shortage. Instead of a lengthy application process or obtaining a separate license for each state, PAs will only need to complete a single application per state of practice. PAs will have greater access to expand their scope of skills and specialties.
It is important to note that while the compact has been passed in several states, the compact is not expected to be operationalized until 2025. The wait will be worth the time and energy spent in staff recruitment and license certification.
What opportunities does locum tenens offer PAs?
As a locum tenens PA, your opportunities are abundant. From pay negotiation to choosing your schedule and location, PAs have a solid option. Due to a nationwide healthcare staffing shortage, many providers are turning to locum tenens.
PAs can avoid burnout by changing their job location and building up energy to pursue other passions. While improving their skills, they can provide healthcare teams the resources to provide high-quality care nationwide.
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