Tufts PA: Your Path to Becoming a Physician Assistant

What is a Physician Assistant?

Physician assistants (PAs) are vital members of healthcare teams in hospitals and clinical practices across the country. These trained medical professionals practice medicine under the supervision of licensed physicians, providing high-quality patient care and improving health outcomes.

The Origin of the PA Profession

The physician assistant profession began in 1967 at Duke University in North Carolina. Initially designed to assist Vietnam veterans transitioning to civilian life, the PA profession has evolved significantly. Today, PAs must hold a master’s degree and complete an accredited program, such as the Tufts Physician Assistant accredited program in Massachusetts, which emphasizes hands-on clinical training.

Educational Requirements for PAs

To become a PA, candidates must complete a master's degree from an accredited program, which includes coursework and clinical rotations. Prospective students typically need a strong academic background in sciences and healthcare, along with direct patient care experience.

View Tufts PA Prerequisite Requirements

What Do Physician Assistants Do?

PAs work interdependently with physicians to provide diagnostic and therapeutic patient care across various medical specialties and settings. Their responsibilities include taking patient histories, performing physical examinations, ordering laboratory tests, prescribing medications, and developing patient treatment plans. PAs are involved in clinical practice, patient education, team leadership, medical education, health administration, and research.

Key Responsibilities and Specialties

PAs have diverse responsibilities that vary by specialty. They may work in traditional settings like primary care, internal medicine, and family medicine. Additionally, PAs often specialize in areas such as surgery, pediatrics, women's health, emergency medicine, plastic surgery, transplant, neurosurgery, and critical care medicine.

The Role of PAs in Healthcare Teams

As integral members of healthcare teams, PAs enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of patient care. They collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive and coordinated treatment.

Is There a Need for Physician Assistants?

With implementation of the Affordable Care Act, further mandated reductions in resident training hours, and a widening shortage of primary care clinicians, new opportunities are arising for PAs in primary care and nearly every other field. The 34% growth since 2006 reflects the fact PAs are becoming an attractive and economical alternative to physicians.

Growth Projections for the PA Profession

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of physician assistants is expected to grow by 31% from 2022 to 2032. This reflects the ongoing demand for PAs as healthcare providers seek cost-effective solutions to address patient care needs. The continued growth is attributed to an aging population, increased access to healthcare services, and the evolving roles of PAs in various medical settings.

Factors Driving Demand for PAs

Several factors contribute to the rising demand for PAs, including an aging population, increased access to healthcare, and the need for cost-effective care solutions. PAs are increasingly recognized for their ability to improve healthcare delivery in various settings.

Where Do Physician Assistants Practice?

PAs have opportunities in a wide variety of specialties. These range from Primary Care to Surgery. See the list below of some additional specialties:

How do I become a physician assistant?

As the need for PAs continues to increase, more accredited programs are opening across the country. Medical schools, like Tufts University, are uniquely qualified to train PAs due to their strong emphasis on clinically-based training. The Tufts PA program fosters collaboration with medical students and faculty, providing a unique educational experience.

While PA students come from various backgrounds, they share a commitment to medicine and the PA profession. A strong academic foundation and direct patient care experience prepare them for the fast-paced PA curriculum. Many students have worked in healthcare for several years after obtaining their undergraduate degrees.

Overview of the Tufts PA Program

The Tufts University PA program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in this rewarding field. The program's robust curriculum combines classroom learning with hands-on clinical experiences, preparing graduates for diverse roles in healthcare.

View Tufts PA Admissions Information

Requirements and Preparation for PA School

Becoming a physician assistant requires dedication and personal qualities such as motivation, self-starting ability, and effective prioritization. Successful PA students are focused, compassionate, resilient, flexible, and able to collaborate and think critically.

Physician Assistant Salary Expectations and Opportunities

Graduates of accredited PA programs, such as Tufts, can expect competitive salaries. The physician assistant salary varies by specialty and location, with many PAs earning substantial incomes. As demand for PAs continues to rise, job opportunities and salary potential are expected to grow significantly, making it an attractive career choice.

View Tufts PA Career Outcomes