All About Physician Assistants Career Opportunities

All About Physician Assistants Career Opportunities
by Robert Litton

Physician assistants career opportunities are many. In fact, this type of job is in high demand and offers many benefits. Here is information on what it takes to become a PA or physician assistant.

A doctor assistant is usually working with or under the supervision of the doctor. They may find themselves examining patients in a normal doctor office environment. The assistant can diagnose and treat patients and can order many kinds of diagnostic procedures. Assistants also can administer prescriptions. This kind of medical professional may apply stitches or help patients with prosthetics or casts. They work in many different specialties and also find employment in hospital and clinical environments.

You will similarities with PA duties and those of the nurse practitioner (NP) or advance practice registered nurse (APRN). Some of the differences are due to certain state regulations and laws. Both PA and nurse practitioner can take care of patient needs and this includes examination and treatment. The main difference is the assistant is usually working under a doctor’s supervision. A nurse practitioner can work alone in some states. Nurse practitioners are required to be registered nurses but it is not mandatory for assistants.

Perhaps you are thinking about a PA career. You are going to need a lot of education and on the job training. If you have an associate degree you can begin training. However, those with bachelor or even master degrees may find it much easier and less time consuming. You will take medical courses like pharmacology, anatomy, and physiology. There are no set prerequisites for training as it depends on one’s previous qualifications. For instance, registered nurses or certified paramedics may begin training and they will have different requirements than others.

It is best to have a master degree but not necessary in all cases. Whatever training you take it has to be approved by the ARC-PA (Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant). Your training will include working with patients, and you may need to rotate your duties with periodic supervisor evaluations required.

Once you finish your training you will get your license, and this means taking and passing the Physician Assistant Certifying Exam or PANCE. It is a test with multiple choice questions on subjects like surgical procedures, anatomy, and diagnostics. Once you pass the exam you will be required to take continuing education courses and re-certify occasionally.

Your new job as a doctor assistant will be high paying and have some very good benefits. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistic (2010) reports that median wages for a physician assistant is about $86,410 per year. These wages can vary and may be down around $57,000 or up to as much as $118,000 a year.

The future outlook for PA jobs is excellent. This type of employment is expected to increase by thirty percent in the next decade. Many doctors are choosing specialties and this will create a greater need for primary care assistants in health care. As the population continues to grow and age, there should be a large increase in physician assistants career opportunities.

Want more information on Jobs for Physician Assistants? If so check out Physician Assistant Jobs


Things To Know About Physician Assistant Jobs

Things To Know About Physician Assistant Jobs
by Litton Resource Group

Physician assistant jobs are becoming more common than in the past. Many hospitals are interested in cutting costs and an experienced PA can perform many of the duties of a doctor. It takes a great deal less money and time to study for a PA job than going to medical school for many years. However, more people are checking into PA positions and this means increased competition. Here are a few things to know if you are considering this type of career.

Each year, enrollment in PA programs continues to rise, as more physician assistant jobs become available. This brings on greater competition as many colleges only have so many vacancies. When openings are fewer and applicants are greater, the prerequisites become more difficult.

Those interested in a PA career should pay close attention to grade point averages. Most programs want a 3.0 average for acceptance and some are as high as 3.6 or greater. Your test scores will be of great importance as will the quality of your credits. You cannot have too many science credits like biology, chemistry, and anatomy. In fact, they should be considered as elective courses.

Serious PA students should be working in health care with several years of experience. This is an invaluable aid for those that wish to become doctor assistants. Higher learning facilities consider experienced health care workers as much as academically gifted students, when looking at applicants.

Your experience working with patients is important because it carries over to your PA training. You will need a great deal of clinical time to finish your education. If you have a lot of experience in health care it gives a decided edge over many others seeking training or employment. One of the best ways to gain valuable experience is to take part-time jobs at clinics, doctor offices, or hospitals, during summer break. After school work is another way to earn extra money and add to your resume.

If you are planning to attend one of the better learning institutions, they will consider all of your achievements. The more volunteer work you have, the more impressive it may be. Many colleges are impressed with students that have extensive community service. This is a good way to be separated from the average student.

Before you decide to become a doctor assistant, it is best to get a feel for the job. If possible, spend time with physician assistants in actual working conditions. You may be able to assist a medical professional in some kind of volunteer capacity. Any time that you spend gives you the chance to gain experience and helps with your career choices. This is important for choosing a specialty.

Once you begin work as a PA you will enjoy a high paying job and many related benefits. Employment in health care will see strong growth in the future. You will find physician assistant jobs in many specialty fields. Maybe you are a few years away from graduation. This is all the more reason to study hard and get as much on the job experience as you can. It will greatly assist you in the future.

Jobs available for Physician Assistant….Find our more Physician Assistant Jobs


Physician Assistants Are Highly Trained Professionals

Physician Assistants Are Highly Trained Professionals
by Robert Litton

There have been dramatic changes in the medical industry over the past few decades. The time-honored concept of creating a solo practice has been overtaken by the need for medical center teams, or related groups of doctors. Fewer new physicians choose general family practices, opting instead for specialization. These changes and others created the need for physician assistants, who handle many of the routine problems patients bring to the office.

Training programs for this job category began during the mid-1960s. At that time, the United States suffered from an uneven distribution of qualified medical personnel, actually leaving some areas of the country nearly without established medical facilities or doctors. Military medical specialists were the first participants, and their return to the civilian health care field was based on training practices established during the Second World War.

Today, most doctors rely heavily upon the work of similar aides. A modern medical office must remain in business by providing cost-effective care that moves people in and out efficiently. Medical support personnel are integral in making this process work in a professional, but patient-oriented manner. While some people might wonder why they are seeing an assistant rather than the actual doctor, the reasons soon become apparent.

The individuals doing these jobs are fully licensed health care professionals. They are allowed to make critical medical decisions under the supervision of their team leader, and can essentially practice medicine with certain limitations. They have the ability to conduct physical examinations, order any necessary tests, provide advice on preventive practices, and assist during surgery.

They may also now legally write prescriptions in all states. In reality, assistants today often handle many routine appointments that were typically completed by a doctor in the past. Complicated or unusual cases, however, are nearly always referred to specialists, or the supervising physician. While these aides are well qualified, limits to the scope of treatment that they are allowed to provide vary by state.

Becoming an assistant is not a casual undertaking. A bachelor’s degree is standard, in addition to completion of a thorough medical training program. Education is based on a model similar to that used in traditional doctor training, and the initial courses last two to three years. Many students go on to participate in graduate programs ultimately leading to a master’s degree, or to earn doctorates in related medical fields.

Graduation is the first step toward official certification. The process confirms that all required courses have been successfully completed, in addition to passing a basic test given by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, which represents workers in several different medical categories. In addition, every two years assistants must complete 100 hours of continuing education, as well as repeating the certification test after six years.

The modern relationship between physician assistants and doctors is that of a team. The current medical system is often overworked and understaffed, with few same-day visits available. A highly trained assistant makes it possible to schedule and keep appointments in a more timely fashion, in addition to rapidly receiving necessary tests, x-rays or medications. When necessary, treatment can be handed over to the actual doctor on call.

To find out more about Physician Assistant jobs in your area check out physician assistant jobs


Increased Opportunities For Nurse Practitioner Jobs by Litton Resource Group

Increased Opportunities For Nurse Practitioner Jobs
by Litton Resource Group

Those seeking nurse practitioner jobs should enjoy many
benefits in the coming years. Registered nurses will have an
abundance of exciting opportunities in this line of work.
Here is additional information about your career as a nurse
practitioner or NP.

In order to obtain an NP position you must have training
and experience in nursing. In fact this position is for
nurses that wish to advance their careers in health care.
Beginning students will need considerable training in the
nursing industry. Students may wish to begin with an
Associate’s Degree in nursing and then work toward their
BSN, which is a Bachelor Degree in Nursing. There also are
special RN programs to consider, as an RN qualification and
a Master’s Degree are essential.

If you are a certified RN, your path to becoming an NP will
not be too difficult. It may take as long as two years of
study and work, and you may need to work in a clinical
environment. Once you become a certified NP the
certification is good for 5 years. However, if do not have
RN certification, you will have to obtain it before taking
an NP program, unless you enter a special program.

An NP is sometimes referred to as an advance practice
registered nurse or APRN. The NP treats patients for a
variety of disorders and can give physical examinations. An
NP can order and interpret diagnostics and can prescribe
treatment and medications. They perform duties that are
similar to physicians.

If you become an APRN you may wish to be a primary care
provider or you can become a specialist. Perhaps you enjoy
working with children or maybe you would like to work with
cancer patients. Nurse practitioner jobs deal with disease
prevention and the health of patients, and educating them on
the many aspects of better health. You also can become a
midwife or a certified anesthetist that performs
anesthesiology duties.

Working conditions for the APRN are determined by the
specialty that one plans to enter. For instance, if one is
working as a neonatal or acute care NP, it will be in a
hospital environment. This may include working long hours or
rotating shift duty. One also may need to be on call in case
of emergency situations. Many NP positions are in
comfortable indoor environments. Work is similar to a doctor
that sees patients in an office type practice. This job
usually is during normal business hours except for
emergencies.

Pay is very good for nurse practitioner jobs. Your income
will depend on the location and specialty that you choose to
work. For instance, pay rates may be higher in one part of
the country. Online sources for median NP income range from
$91,000 to $96,000 annually. However it is not uncommon for
an experienced NP to make an yearly income of six figures.

If you plan to become an APRN you will have many employment
advantages. There are so many positions available that you
can live in any major city and still find employment. Growth
for nurse practitioner jobs is expected to be strong for
many years, and employers will offer excellent benefits to
attract medical professionals.

See the Top 5% of Jobs
For Nurse Practitioners


Physician Assistant Jobs Offer Career Opportunities

Making the most out of your career opportunities can only be done when you have the skills employers are demanding. With training and certification you will be able to make use of the many physician assistant jobs that are currently available. A better salary can be just the start when it comes to the benefits that you may be able to enjoy.

Working a low paid and thankless job can have few upsides. If you are in a position that is not able to sufficiently challenge you or offer you the rewards you need in terms of how you feel about your career it could be time to find a solution. With the right training you can make use of options that you might never have dreamed of. Learning more about them would be a wise move for someone in your situation.

Ensuring that you have needed skills for today’s job market will keep you in demand even when the economy is suffering. Choosing a career in medicine will give you plenty of advantages and opportunities that other career paths are simply unable to provide. Making full use of the options out there will only be a possibility when you have done sufficient research into them.

A thankless or tedious task at work can be just as challenging as dealing with a weak wage or salary. With the chance to work with people in need directly giving them the care and treatment that makes a real difference you may find yourself feeling very differently about your next job. With a more rewarding and challenging workplace you can find more enjoyment than just what a larger paycheck offers.

With opportunities for more career advancement in the future finishing your training program can be just the start of your future options. Choosing to go back to school once you have more medical experience in order to seek more money or more responsibility will be other options that should not be discounted. Finding the job of your dreams can offer you all of this and more.

Searching for and choosing the training you need in order to find the job you are interested in would be the first step taken. Once you have a better picture of what options you can make use of doing so will be far easier. Missing out on the best training can mean you start your new career on the wrong foot.

With online resources able to direct you towards the information that can make a real difference it would be the obvious place to begin your search. Finding out basic information for a range of different programs will give you what you need to ensure your career choice is the best one possible. From there the sky can be the limit in terms of what you can expect once you finish your training program.

Making better use of career training can result in easy access to highly sought after physician assistant jobs. Making a better wage for yourself and your family can only be possible when you have marketable skills. Missing out on this opportunity can find you stuck in the same job for another year.


Career As A Nurse Practitioner

If you want to pursue a health-care career, you may want to consider various nurse practitioner jobs. This line of work can be general or highly specialized, depending on your interests. Doctor’s offices are a common place to find practitioners working in this type of nursing, but they also can serve in different settings.

With this level of accreditation, you can perform a significant number of tasks in a doctor’s office or to help a medical specialist in a certain line of treatment. This type of nurse can diagnose and treat his or her own patients. Doctors in the office also can consult in a patient’s case, but the nurse typically makes the decisions in the patient’s care.

Patients may think this type of practitioner is a doctor because the job appears to have similar duties. This type of nurse can talk with a patient and review their medical care, perform a brief exam and order testing if necessary for further treatment or to monitor an issue. He or she also can write prescriptions for the patient as needed.

You can have your own group of patients, like a doctor, and may feel like you have more control of your career in this type of nursing. You can help teach the patients more about health care. You also may serve as supplemental care for a patient if they see you in between regular appointments with their primary care doctor.

Practitioner accreditation can open doors for different types of employment. There may be pediatric or family care opportunities for you. This level of accreditation also may help you gain work as a midwife, serving pregnant women in a clinic. If your interest is in working with seniors or elderly patients, you may specialize with more education and training to work in gerontology.

There are many medical careers beyond a general practitioner’s office for this type of work. You may work in cancer treatment or have a career in pulmonology or cardiology. You may find yourself working with patients in these areas to help them with their treatment plans. If you are interested in working in a hospital, you can explore a nursing career at practitioner level in anesthesiology to work with surgical patients.

Advancement and expanded job opportunities may be possible for you in these careers. You typically will go for advanced certification to attain this level of nursing. What you may earn in this field of work will depend on a job’s location, your education and experience and the work itself. Doctoral degrees in this field can allow you to go for more specialized, complex jobs.

The need for people in nurse practitioner jobs may grow as the general population becomes older. Doctor’s offices, government or nonprofit work or hospitals are all areas that may add to the demand for this position. You can have the freedom in these careers to interact with patients and set your course for your career. You may find yourself advancing with a higher earning potential through more training and experience.


Mental Health Care By Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners

Some people view the psychiatric nurse practitioners as a very trivial profession. This is because they believe that it is a normal occurrence that one should feel down or worried about something that happens to him or her. They also argument that these feelings of sadness and frustration could be healed by time.

There are two levels in this clinical study, one is the basic and the other is the advanced. The former level which comprises of the registered nurses actually works with people at individual level, groups, communities and families. They assess their mental health problems which enables the practitioner to develop his or her own diagnosis and a good plan or care. It is also their role to implement their plan and also make an evaluation of the nursing care.

The other level is the advanced practice registered nurses which is practiced by those who have a post graduate studies in this field and have taken up the role of a specialist or a practitioner. However, they take the higher ladder of specialty nursing who deal a lot with research.

The primary mental health care is very important and very essential as they are critical in assisting patients with coexisting physical conditions where they apply physical assessment, drug and differential diagnosis; hence they work more in a psychiatric settings.

There are various barriers that block many people from seeking psychiatric help, they include stigma, cost of treatment, inconveniences and at time in other parts of the world transportation since most of these facilities are normally centralized.

However, stigma can only be overcome through scheduled appointments in a more convenient facility. On the other hand, when mental disorders or condition is detected early enough could help increase recovery rate. The psychiatric use evidence based method to come to the conclusion that one needs mental care. Hence, this would also improve the patients physical health and save a lot of money that could have been spent when treating a blown out condition.

They also have a role to integrate the mental with the medical care, since it is evident that when a patient has a chronic mental problem he or she develops multiple medical issues. On the other hand when some conditions prolong such as the mood, anxiety, and other psychotic conditions they often bring about critical behaviors which include poor eating habits, having strained personal and professional relationships, sedentary and poor lifestyles and poor coping skills.

In addition, there is possibility for adverse reaction when using anti psychotics. Hence the psychiatric nurse practitioners can make evidence based assessment thereby with the ability to access to medical records diagnosis could be done with his or her consent. However, it is evident that there those treatment methods and medications which can lead to further deterioration of a persons mental health instead of recovery. As a result it is advisable to approach only the accredited practitioners, who have been registered and licensed to practice this clinical care due to their credentials and there qualification levels

If you are interested in those nurse practitioner jobs, you have come to the right place. There are many jobs for nurse practitioners that you may be interested in.


Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners

All professions have their own role to play in their own small way. However, there are those who see little in some of these fields of specialty, for instance psychiatric nurse practitioners is thought to be of no importance because it ideas with feelings that people go through when they face various issues in life. Their argument is that sadness, frustration and others are normal to human and does not require attention from professionals.

In this area of study it is divided into two main categories. One is the basic which is normally for the registered nurses; they work with the individuals, members of families, communities and groups. Their main role is to asses the mental condition of their patients and develops a plan for diagnosis. Thereafter, make sure that the implementation of the plan.

Another classification of the study is the advanced nursing which is practiced by those with a post graduate degrees in the specialty and practitioners areas. Their min role is to deal with research and higher information on other issues related to psychiatric studies.

There is need for the primary health care because it helps in making assessment of the coexisting physical issues where that make application of tactics such as physical assessment, differential and drugs diagnosis making them a more psychiatric in professions.

There are blocks that prevent many patients from seeking these services. Come of the courses include, the cost that is played for these treatment, conveniences, other find it difficult to access the facilities set because of their distance and stigmatization.

Therefore, it has been noted that to avoid stigma it is essential to involve the patients in an appointment basis in a convenient facility. Mental conditions should be detected early so that there is quick decision on the action to take. The tests done by these practitioners is evidence based that is able to bring out the condition of the patient, thereby, developing a treatment plan that saves the physical health and the cost to the client.

They also integrate the medical and the mental care as it is known that some of these chronic conditions have adverse medical effect on the patients. On the other hand, there are some prolonged human conditions that can alter the normal behavior of a person; they include mood, anxiety and other mental conditions. They more often result in poor eating habits, problems in personal and work relationship, sedentary lifestyle with poor coping skills.

Moreover, there is possibility of physical and mental reactions when one uses anti psychotic drugs. Furthermore, there are those who even develop increased poor mental health when they use these medications. Therefore, the psychiatric nurse practitioners are properly trained and have the ability to access the patients medical records for the purpose of making informed decision. Consequently it is advised to visit a facility with accredited professionals so that you could avoid any complications that come from poor judgment when under medication or therapy. All the same mental health is crucial for any person to function and conduct himself or her self in human way.

If you are interested in those nurse practitioner jobs, you have come to the right place. There are many jobs for nurse practitioners that you may be interested in.


The Role Of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

Pediatric nurse practitioners are a special group of registered nurses. They are specialized in treating infants and children. It is a highly respected position since these health care professionals are capable of providing the same medical services that a doctor is licensed to provide. The job duties of these special nurse practitioners are almost similar to that of a pediatric physician. Many nurse practitioners specialized in pediatrics offer services through their own private medical centers. Others work in offices, clinics or even hospitals.

Such a practitioner or an advance practice nurse needs to follow a certification program in order to become specialized in pediatrics. Advance practice nurses need to have at least a Masters degree. Every state has a Nurse Practice Act and it is necessary for all the practitioners to follow the rules and regulations of this act. After completing the national board exam, an advance practice provider needs to obtain additional credential in order to become specialized in a specialty area such as pediatrics.

A pediatric practitioner is licensed to perform medical exams and prescribe medications. They can treat all common childhood illnesses without consulting a physician. They also maintain medical records of children and perform regular check-ups. Therefore, parents can obtain their service for diagnosing pediatric diseases and treatments.

These specialized practitioners have a vast knowledge in pediatric medical procedures. Their advanced knowledge, specialty training and licensing allow them to perform a wide range of laboratory tests including blood tests, x-rays and CAT scans. They can even interpret the reports of these laboratory tests without the need of a doctor and recommend further medical actions.

Providing regular health care for kids is a tough job that requires a lot of knowledge and specialty training. For most infants and young children, undergoing a treatment procedure is not a happy experience. They usually get very nervous when they visit a health care facility. Patience and proper skills are extremely important to handle unmanageable kids during various treatment procedures.

Another very important aspect of pediatrics is the fact that children are immature both mentally and physically. Therefore, any medication should be prescribed only after a thorough examination. The nurses must make sure that the prescribed medication does not affect the child’s ongoing physical and mental development process.

Young children and infants are more susceptible to infections and diseases than adults are. Side effects of a treatment can also have more bad effects on kids than on mature individuals. Therefore, the slightest medical malpractice in pediatrics can have a devastating effect on the child’s health. Further, it can even retard the mental and physical growth of an infant or a young child. For these reasons, a specialized practitioner needs to have comprehensive training apart from the paper qualifications.

Pediatric nurse practitioners offer a valuable service to the nation. These professionals educate other health care providers in pediatrics about child health care. They can even educate parents about childcare and healthy lifestyle choices. If you have questions about your child’s health, one of your best options will be to consult a nurse practitioner specialized in pediatrics.

Discover how easy it is to find Nurse Practitioner jobs online, now. You can get a list of nationwidejob openings for Nurse Practitioners on our website, today.


Nurse Practitioner Jobs In Rural America

Nurse practitioners are a key component to rural healthcare in regions where it is limited or nonexistent. Their role is to provide care and attention to those who would not normally receive medical attention and adequate treatment. Their job gives not only mental and physical care to patients, but conveys crucial information to both the patients, doctors and area treatment centers.

NPs make a huge difference in rural communities. In general they take the same insurances and payment options as a doctors and hospitals do. The majority also take government-supplied health insurance to cover their services. The value of a NP has been recognized by the government as well, many are working on ways to make these professionals more accessible to the rural areas.

NPs also play the crucial role of information gatherer for rural healthcare. Because many residents in these areas do not seek regular medical physicals their care can be complicated by underlying illness. Having up to date medical histories allows treating physicians to be aware of potential complications or causes of illness. Knowing this information will improve the care the doctor provides for their patients. There is no question that the NPs records can save lives.

Though NPs are an independent part of the rural healthcare industry they do work closely with doctors and hospitals to make sure their patients are receiving the best care possible. Because of the trust they have built with rural residents the NP can prove to be more vital then the doctor. After treatment they are also relied on to administer any follow up treatments the doctor prescribes.

Homeopathic medicine is part of rural culture, which means prescription medications are not often used for treatment. Providing these medications and explaining their usage is a key role of a NP. Without this guidance the prescriptions could potentially do more harm to the patient.

A Nurse Practitioner does not play the same role in healthcare as a physician in a hospital. Their duties are to keep accurate health records, educate patients, diagnose conditions and treat injuries and illness. Sharing information with physicians is also a critical part of their job. More patients are starting to see NPs before their own doctors and the industry is realizing their value in the treatment of the patients.

There are many healthcare jobs that are available in the industry today. Nurse practitioner jobs are just one example of the career opportunities available to those with proper training and experience.