Physician Assistant Employment within the Family Medicine Field

Has there ever been a better time to be a physician assistant? 

It’s a rhetorical question because everyone’s circumstances and situations are different. But, there’s no doubt that right now that it is a great time to be seeking physician assistant employment. 

Take a look at these pieces of information, recently taken from from popular headlines:

• “Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant Salary Grew in 2016“
  – RevCycleIntelligence.com
• “Role of Physician Assistants Expanding in Hospitals and Beyond“
  – The Baltimore Sun
• “Physician Assistant Demand Rivals that of Primary Care Doctors“
  – Forbes

Yes, physician assistants are making more money, adding more value and are in higher demand than ever. So maybe it wasn’t a rhetorical question. Maybe the answer is a clear: There has never been a better time to be a physician assistant. 

Especially if you’re working in the family medicine field. 

Family medicine is growing by leaps and bounds. According to the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration, the country will need more than 20,000 primary care physicians in 2020. 

That means they’ll also need more physician assistants. 

In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, physician assistant employment opportunities were expected to grow by a whopping 30 percent between 2014 and 2024. That’s much, much faster than the average for all occupations–and much of the demand was expected to be driven by the need for preventive care (family medicine). 

Physician assistants are in such high demand that 75 percent of them get multiple job offers, according to the American Association of Physician Assistants (AAPA).

So, yes … now is a good time to be seeking physician assistant employment. And, it’s an every better time to work in a family medicine setting. 

Here’s a look at three key reasons why you should consider using your skill, experience and expertise in family medicine:

1) You get to do it all. One of the nice things about being a physician assistant in a family practice setting is that you never know what type of case is going to walk through the door. 

From rashes to common colds to symptoms of serious illness and disease, physician assistants are on the front lines of diagnosing and directing the care for a wide variety of cases. 

In family medicine, your job can include diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries, making hospital rounds, managing chronic conditions, ordering and interpreting lab tests, performing minor surgical procedures and an array of other activities. 

2) Independence. While there is a lot to be said for working as part of a team, autonomy can be equally as awesome–and physician assistants who work in a family medicine setting tend to have a lot of it. 

In fact, the AAPA reports that about 54 percent of all physician assistants working family medicine work in solo or group physician practices. This means they have a greater level of independence when it comes to diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses. 

3) Connections. Being a physician assistant in a family medicine setting is like being a small-town doctor. You will likely have a panel of patients for which you provide primary care, address urgent care issues and manage chronic diseases. 

You’ll build lasting connections with your patients that allows you to have a deep and meaningful influence on their short- and long-term health. Many physician assistants find that the connections they are able to forge with patients in a family medicine setting is the most rewarding aspect of the job. 

Now is the time

It’s possible that there has never been a better time to be a physician assistant–especially in a family medicine setting. Apply to Elliot Health System now and make the most of the opportunity.