Career Opportunities for Majors in Physician Assistant Program

Introduction

Physician assistants are formally trained to work under the supervision of physicians. Responsibilities include taking medical histories, performing physical exams, ordering and interpreting laboratory tests and x-rays, making preliminary diagnoses, treating minor injuries, and in some states, prescribing medication. Opportunities exist in areas such as surgery, emergency medicine, intensive care medicine, psychiatry, geriatrics, neurology, obstetrics/gynecology, inpatient medicine, and pediatrics.

The supervising physician may delegate to the physician assistant those medical procedures and other tasks that are performed within the normal scope of the physician's practice. The physician assistant is subject to the limitations set forth by the supervising physician in addition to the laws, rules, and regulations determined by the state. Registration or licensure of physician assistants varies from state to state. Qualifications set by the state licensing authority must be met. Typically, certification is for six years and must be accompanied by 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years.

There are two routes of entry into this program. Most students are admitted directly into the three year masters program after earning a bachelor's degree and completing the required courses. Another route of entry is for students who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree. The "3+3" option allows students to apply in April of their second undergraduate year. There students may be admitted into the articulated BA/MS program.

A Sample of Related Occupations

Anesthesiologist Assistant	Nurse Midwife	Physical Therapist
Child Health Associate	Nurse Practitioner	Respiratory Therapist
Clinical Psychologist	Occupational Therapist	Speech and Hearing Clinician
Dental Assistant	Optometric Assistant	Surgeon's Assistant
Emergency Medical Technician	Orthopedic Physician Assistant	Surgical Technician
Nurse Anesthetist	Pathologist Assistant	Urological Physician Assistant

Types of Employers

Private & Nonprofit Organizations
Academic medical centers	Medical groups	Research organizations
Extended care facilities	Nursing homes	Resorts
Health maintenance organizations	Private practices	Satellite clinics
Hospitals	Public health clinics	Student health services
Industrial clinics	Rehabilitation centers	Urban community centers
Internal medicine offices

Government Agencies
Armed Forces	Peace Corps	Veterans Administration
Federal Bureau of Prisons	Public Health Service

Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates

First Jobs of Recent Graduates
Graduate Student, Rutgers University, MA in Adult & Continuing Education	Physician Assistant, The Work Recovery Center
Health & Nutrition Advisor, Mennonite Central Committee	Physician Assistant-Pediatrics, Jersey City Medical Center
Physician Assistant, Industrial Health Care	Physician Associate, Grace Hospital Medical Center
Physician Assistant, Johns Hopkins University Hospital	Rsearch Assistant, Rutgers University
Physician Assistant, Mt. Sinai Hospital	Teacher, School District of Philadelphia

Jobs of Experienced Alumni
Analyst, AT&T Corporate Headquarters (PhD)	Physician Assistant, Mayo Clinic
Clinical Coordinator, UMDNJ	Physician Assistant-Pediatrics, Kings County Hospital
Physician Assistant Educator UMDNJ (PhD)	Research & Development, AT&T Corporate Headquarters (PhD)

Additionally, you may:

Visit websites such as = www.explorehealthcareers.org, www.aapa.org (American Academy of Physician Assistants

Explore the career paths of RU Alumni Career Network mentors.
Go to the Rutgers Online Career Planning Site to explore your interests, skills and values. Use the program for either: High School Students | College Students.
Explore Rutgers University academic department information related to this major.
See the Occupational Outlook Handbook for additional career information.
Pick up your "Career Opportunities" handouts at any New Brunswick Career Services office.

Still Have Questions? Ask a Career Counselor.