Physician Assistant Career Overview | Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science

Q: What are advancement opportunities for a physician assistant?

Physician assistants can advance to leadership roles as lead PAs, or can seek other advanced roles in healthcare administration, medical education, and consulting.

Q: What is the job outlook for a physician assistant?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 20 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.

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Physician Assistant Program (Minnesota)

Physician Assistant Program (Mayo Clinic/University of Wisconsin-La Crosse )

A physician assistant (PA) is a licensed healthcare professional who practices medicine in collaboration with physicians and other healthcare providers. Physician assistants examine patients, diagnose illnesses, develop treatment plans, and prescribe medications as part of a healthcare team.

What does a physician assistant do?

Physician assistants provide diagnostic, preventative, and therapeutic care to patients. Their responsibilities combine clinical evaluation, medical decision-making, and patient education.

Typical responsibilities include:

Conducting physical examinations and reviewing patient medical histories
Diagnosing illnesses and developing treatment plans
Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests
Prescribing medications and treatments
Assisting in surgical procedures
Providing preventive care and patient education
Monitoring patient progress and adjusting treatment plans
Collaborating with physicians and other healthcare professionals

A day-in-the-life of a physician assistant

A typical day may include evaluating patients, diagnosing medical conditions, and developing treatment plans. Physician assistants may perform procedures, assist in surgery, or manage ongoing patient care depending on their clinical specialty.

What education is required to become a physician assistant?

Physician assistants complete graduate-level education and clinical training before entering the profession. Because educational requirements can vary depending on program admission requirements and prior experience, there are multiple pathways into the profession.

However, a typical pathway includes:

Complete a bachelor’s degree in health science or related field.
Many physician assistant programs require prior healthcare experience, such as working as a medical assistant, EMT, or other clinical roles.
Graduate from a physician assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician assistant (ARC-PA).
Graduates must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physicians Assistants (NCCPA).
Physician assistants must obtain licensure in the state where they plan to practice.

How long does it take to become a physician assistant?

The time required depends on the educational pathway and healthcare experience required prior to entering a PA program.

Typical timeline:

Undergraduate education: About 4 years
Physician assistant program: About 2-3 years
Total typical time: Approximately 6-7 years

What skills are important for a physician assistant?

Physician assistants need strong clinical knowledge, communication skills, and the ability to work effectively within healthcare teams.

Technical skills

Patient assessment and diagnosis
Clinical decision-making and treatment planning
Interpreting diagnostic tests and medical imaging
Performing medical procedures
Knowledge of pharmacology and disease management

Interpersonal skills

Patient communication and education
Compassion and patient-centered care
Critical thinking and problem-solving
Collaboration with healthcare teams
Attention to detail

Where do physician assistants work?

Physician assistants work in many healthcare environments, including:

Hospitals
Physicians’ offices and clinics
Surgical centers
Urgent care centers
Emergency departments
Specialty medical practices
Academic medical centers
Community health clinic
Nursing homes

Physician assistant programs at Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences offers a Physician Assistant Program that prepares students to become physician assistants through classroom instruction and clinical training.

Program name: Physician Assistant Program
Location: Rochester, Minnesota
Length: 2 years
Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
Clinical exposure: Students gain extensive clinical experience through rotations across multiple medical specialties within Mayo Clinic and affiliated healthcare sites.

Mayo Clinic also offers several rotations and fellowships across our campus locations for physician assistants looking to further their education and skills. To see our complete listing, visit the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences A-Z program list.

Physician assistant frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a physician assistant and a nurse practitioner?

Many times, the role of a PA gets confused with the role of a nurse practitioner. While they serve a similar role, their training and specialization options are very different. A PA is educated in general medicine and trained using a disease-centered curriculum model like that of a medical student. They also have the ability to specialize in a variety of areas after they get their degree. Nurse practitioners, on the other hand, are educated in an advanced nursing role, following a patient-centered model of education and practice. They also typically select a primary specialty before beginning their graduate program and subsequently work with that specific patient population.

What can a physician assistant specialize in?

Because PAs have the opportunity to excel in virtually any specialty area of medicine, types of physician assistants span a variety of roles, specialties, and sub-specialty areas. PAs have the ability to specialize in one or several areas throughout their career. This versatility is a main advantage of the PA role. Some of the more common specialty areas include anesthesia, cardiology, dermatology, emergency medicine, ENT/otolaryngology, family medicine, general practice, internal medicine, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), radiology, pediatrics, and surgery. To specialize in a particular area, advanced training is often required. Typically, PAs will be required to complete a fellowship or residency to practice in a specialty or sub-specialty area.

What are advancement opportunities for a physician assistant?

What is the job outlook for a physician assistant?

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