Physician Assistant

A physician assistant practices medicine under a supervising physician — examining patients, ordering and interpreting tests, making diagnoses, writing prescriptions, and assisting in surgery. Within that supervision they often run their own patient panel or clinic, with a degree of independence that depends on the specialty, the state, and the trust of their supervising doctor.

PAs work across hospitals, clinics, and surgical practices — from primary care to emergency medicine and surgery — typically on salary. The role suits people who want to diagnose and treat patients directly, without the longer training of medical school, and who work well inside a team alongside a physician.