A physician assistant (PA) is a healthcare professional who works under the supervision of a licensed physician in order to provide medical care to the patients. PAs are trained in the medical model and perform many of the same tasks as physicians including taking medical histories, performing physical exams, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, diagnosing and treating illnesses as well as prescribing medications.

PAs work in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics and private practices. Moreover, they may specialise in a particular area of medicine such as paediatrics, cardiology or emergency medicine. They work as a part of a healthcare team and collaborate with physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals to provide the best possible care to their patients.

For Bachelor’s

• Students must have completed their 10+2 with at least 50% marks in the Science stream.
• Aspirants can select a bachelor’s degree in chemical pathology or related field.
• To get an admission in the UG Program, scholars need to pass entrance exams like NEET UG, CUET, JIPMER EE or PGIMER EE. 

For Master’s

• Undergraduates can go further for a Master’s degree in chemical pathology or related fields.
• Some universities may require entrance exams for PG Program like NEET PG, JIPMER PG or AIIMS PG EE. 

Apart from working as a Physician Assistant, there are several other job profiles that a person with a background in Physician Assistant can pursue. Some of these job profiles include:

• Orthopaedic Physician Assistant
• Drug Safety Associate
• Medical Assistant
• Radiology Practitioner Assistant
• Paediatric Physician Assistant

Employment Sector

• Private and Government Hospitals
• Emergency Care Units
• Nursing Homes
• Educational Services
• Health Care Centre

There are many recruiters from leading companies who enlist potential medical students. Following are some Recruiters from where students can find an employment opportunity in India: 

• Bharati Hospital
• Medanta Hospital
• HR Capsule LLP
• Aditya Hospital
• Artemis Hospital

The salary range may vary from company to company, but the salary of a Physician Assistant is very impressive in India.

• Compassion
• Empathy
• Problem Solving skills
• Attention to detail
• Good Communication skills

The career scope of a Physician Assistant is quite promising with the demand for PAs is expected to grow in the coming years. PAs can work in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and private practices. They may also specialise in various areas of medicine such as paediatrics, emergency medicine as well as surgery which can increase their earning potential and career advancement opportunities.

Moreover, PAs can also pursue additional education and training to become specialised physician assistants such as a Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) or a Registered Physician Assistant (RPA). This can further increase their scope of practice and job opportunities along with earning potential. With a challenging yet rewarding career, Physician Assistants play a crucial role in providing quality healthcare to patients.

• Job security
• Competitive salary
• Career advancement opportunities
• Work-life balance
• Patient interaction

• Long and demanding education
• High-stress environment
• Responsibility
• Limited autonomy
• Emotional strain