A Physician Assistant has the honorable job of helping physicians in patient care and advice. It is an occupation that is more than just a mere job; it is a lifestyle. To become a successful Physician Assistant you should be an empathetic person, know how to relate to people and of course; have an excellent understanding of health and medicine.

A physician's assistant is also known as a PA. They can practice medicine under the supervision of a physician. They should not be confused at all with medical assistants as an MA performs more clerical tasks and can work under the supervision of a physician assistant.

Getting education to be a Physician Assistant is similar to going to medical school. However Physician Assistant training does not last for four or more years like a doctor must go through. They instead train for 3 years maximum, sometimes only two years. There is classroom and lab work and it covers a range of medical topics like microbiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, anatomy and more. There will also be clinical rotations in various medicine fields like surgery, paediatrics, gynaecology, internal medicine and more.

Physician Assistants are not required to complete residencies like physicians once they have finished at medical schools. However if a Physician Assistant wishes to undertake a residency program there are some available.

Graduate programs will lead to a qualification of Masters Degree in Physician Assistant Studies, Medical Science or Health Science. Other entry requirements are a Bachelors degree as well as GRE or MCAT. There are now also some programs for Physician Assistants that have an option for a doctorate qualification. This can include the Doctor of Science Physician Assistant (DScPA).

In 2006 the Physician assistant position was named as the 5th best job in America. This was based on salary ad job prospects as well as job growth which is expected to increase by almost 50% in the next 10 years. There will never be a shortage of work opportunities for a physician's assistant.

Once you have experience in general practice as a PA you may choose to specialise in a medical field like dermatology, cardiology, surgery or others.

The mean income for a full time PA in 2007 was over $86,000. Specialist PA's can earn up to $200,000 per year.

A physicians assistant is an excellent job and one that is highly rewarding for the right person.

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A career as a physician is not only challenging and rewarding, it is a lifestyle. The training requirements to become a physician are demanding and require many years of education. Physicians work long hours and spend most to their time walking or on their feet.

There are many types of physician careers, as they all do not work directly with patients. Some physicians are involved in research, while others have chosen to teach, be administrators, or advisors. There are also many specialties physicians may choose to pursue; such as internal medicine, pediatrics, or family medicine. Other choices when looking for a career as a physician are dentistry, psychiatry, anesthesiology, surgery, and more.

A physician that practices general or family medicine is usually the first type of physician patients see when they have an illness or injury. Physicians diagnose, administer treatments, order and review lab, x-ray and other tests, prescribe medications, council patients about preventative healthcare, and refer patients to specialists when needed.

Physicians may work in hospitals, clinics, group practices, ambulatory settings, urgent care centers, labs, in small or private practices. The career choices of a physician are almost endless.

The minimal educational requirements for entry into medical school, is three years of college, but a bachelors degree is preferred. To apply to medical school, you will need to submit a copy of your college or grad school transcript, letters of recommendation, and your scores from the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). By submitting your application through the American College Medical Application Service, one application canl be submitted to multiple medical schools.

Once you are in med school, you will spend the next four years studying basic science and doing clinical rotations, which is hands on learning in a real healthcare setting most commonly a hospital. The first two years are in classroom study and the third year clinical rotation is introduced. Some medical schools are starting to introduce hands on medical care earlier in the curriculum and throughout the four-year program.

After successfully completing your four years of med school, you will have earned your M.D. or medical degree. The next step is to complete a one year internship. After completing the internship, you may practice general medicine. At this point, you can choose a specialty and do your residency program. Depending on the specialty you chose, your residency may last from three to eight or more years.

Prior to practicing medicine, you must complete a three step medical exam known as the USMLE or United Stated Medical Licensure Examination. There are also additional testing such as boards, and licensing requirements for various specialties.a

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