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Career Paths

Physician Assistant examines patient

PAs (physician associates / physician assistants) are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting.  Trusted, rigorously educated and trained healthcare professionals, PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice.  
A PA’s specific duties depend on the setting in which they work, their level of experience, their specialty, and state laws.  Generally, PAs can take medical histories, conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illness, order and interpret tests, develop treatment plans, prescribe medication, counsel on preventive care, perform procedures, assist in surgery, make rounds in hospitals and nursing homes, and do clinical research. 
The job market is excellent.  Even before they graduate, 88% of our students say they already have a job lined up or have multiple offers.  Shortly after graduation, 100% are practicing medicine as a PA.  WSU PA Program alumni practice in rural areas at nearly three times the national rate, 45% versus 15% and our alumni practice in primary care at nearly twice the national rate, 46% versus 25% nationally.  

Students may be interested to know:

  • The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of PA jobs will increase 28% from 2021-2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
  • There are more than 140,000 practicing PAs in the U.S. with a median salary of over $120,000/year.
  • There are over 1,200 practicing PAs in the state of Kansas.
  • PAs must successfully pass the national certification examination and pass a recertification exam every 10 years to maintain certification.
  • For more information about the PA career, visit the AAPA Website.

Job Search Databases

There are a number of online resources available to assist in the search for employment after graduation. Here is a list of useful websites to get started:

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