What You'll Do

  • Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.
  • Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
  • Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.
  • Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.
  • Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.
  • Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
  • Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management.
  • Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
  • Provide physicians with assistance during surgery or complicated medical procedures.
  • Supervise and coordinate activities of technicians and technical assistants.

Essential Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.12/5
Critical Thinking 4.12/5
Active Listening 4.0/5
Writing 4.0/5
Speaking 4.0/5
Social Perceptiveness 4.0/5
Service Orientation 4.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 4.0/5
Active Learning 3.88/5
Monitoring 3.88/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.88/5
Science 3.62/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Concern for Others, Integrity, Dependability, Cooperation

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 4.12/5
Problem Sensitivity 4.12/5
Deductive Reasoning 4.12/5
Inductive Reasoning 4.12/5
Written Comprehension 4.0/5
Oral Expression 4.0/5
Written Expression 4.0/5
Information Ordering 4.0/5

Technologies & Tools

ChartWare EMR eClinicalWorks EHR software Electronic medical record EMR software Epic Systems Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS Medical condition coding software Medical procedure coding software MEDITECH software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word Patient management software Patient records software for personal digital assistants PDAs Spreadsheet software Teleconferencing software Teleradiology systems Web browser software Word processing software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.95/5)
  • Concern for Others (High importance: 4.95/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.89/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.83/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.76/5)

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How to Become One

This career requires extensive preparation, typically including a graduate degree (Master's or Doctoral) and several years of experience. Most professionals in this field have invested significant time in education and training.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Advanced Practice Provider (AAP) Anesthetic Assistant Cardiology Physician Assistant Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) Certified Physician's Assistant (PA-C) Doctor Assistant Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant (Emergency Medicine PA) Family Medicine PA (Family Medicine Physician Assistant) Family Physician Assistant Family Practice Physician Assistant Gynecological Assistant Medical Service Technician Neurosurgery PA (Neurosurgery Physician Assistant) Orthopaedic Physician Assistant Orthopedic Physician Assistant Pediatric Physician Assistant Physician Assistant (PA) Physician Associate (PA) Physician's Assistant Radiology Practitioner Assistant Surgical Critical Care Physician Assistant (Surgical Critical Care PA) Surgical Physician Assistant (Surgical PA) Urgent Care PA (Urgent Care Physician Assistant)