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 provide high-quality patient care and improve health outcomes.
The Origin of the PA Profession
The physician assistant profession started as a uniquely American career that developed as a reaction to the changing social, cultural, and health care landscapes of the mid-20th century. Over the past 50 years, PAs have become an essential part of the U.S. health care system.
Educational Requirements for PAs
To become a PA, candidates must complete a master's degree from an accredited program, which includes didactic coursework and clinical rotations. Prospective students typically need a strong academic background in the science, 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. PAs work in all medical fields including primary care, emergency medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and women’s health.
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 nearly every medical field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of physician assistants is expected to grow by 28% from 2023 to 2033 reflecting the fact PAs are valued healthcare providers.
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:
| Type | Specialty |
|---|---|
| Traditional Practices | Hospital-Based |
|
|
| Subspecialties | Non-Traditional Practices |
|
|
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 clinical-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
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.
Support for the PA Profession
Physician assistant organizations are vital for supporting PAs through advocacy, education, and resources. They offer networking opportunities, continuing education, and professional development, helping PAs stay informed about industry trends and best practices. Engaging with these associations enhances career growth and highlights the importance of PAs in healthcare.
-
American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
- Year Founded: 1968
- Mission: “AAPA leads the profession and empowers members to advance their careers and enhance patient health.”
- Values: Leadership & Service, Unity & Teamwork, Accountability & Transparency, Excellence & Quality
- Hosts annual AAPA Conference: May
- PA Week: October 6-12
- Website: http://www.aapa.org/
Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA)
- Year Founded: 1972
- Mission: “PAEA’s mission is to pursue excellence, foster faculty development, advance the body of knowledge that defines quality education and patient-centered care, and promote diversity in all aspects of physician assistant education.”
- Values: Collegiality, Scholarship, Excellence, Service, Diversity, Ethical Behavior, Integrity, Respect
- Website: http://www.paeaonline.org
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
- Year Founded: 1974
- Mission: “To serve the public through exemplary programs that evaluate critical PA competencies and that require the pursuit of life-long learning and improvement.”
- Vision: “To transform the delivery quality of healthcare by certifying qualified Pas through programs that improve patient care while exemplifying a commitment to excellence unparalleled among certifying organizations.”
- Helps students take the PANCE exam upon completion of program
- Website: http://www.nccpa.net/
Massachusetts Board of Registration of Physician Assistants
- About: The purpose of the Massachusetts PA Board is to license individuals for practice in Massachusetts who have passed the PANCE exam, hold a Bachelor’s degree, and have completed an accredited PA program.
- Website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-of-physician-assistants
Physician Assistant History Society
- About: The PA History Society is dedicated to the history and legacy of the physician assistant profession through the identification and collection of appropriate papers, manuscripts, magazine and newspaper clippings, newsletters, reports, dissertations, oral histories, and visual artifacts, such as films, slides, videos, photographs, and digital images.
- Website: http://www.pahx.org
Other
Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc.
http://www.arc-pa.org/