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What is a family practice physician assistant and how to become one
Family practice physician assistants are medical professionals who work under the supervision of a medical doctor and carry out many of the tasks a licensed physician would. They examine and diagnose patients, administer medicine, and advise on simple treatments. They take care of uncomplicated cases and escalate ones that require specialized medical interventions.
Working in this position, you will order diagnostic tests for patients, perform simple medical interventions like stitching wounds or setting bones. You will prescribe medication, administer vaccinations, or recommend healthy lifestyle choices. Keeping track of patients' records and insurance documents will also be your job.
A post-graduate medical degree will be necessary to get work as a family practice physician assistant. Supervised clinical training in family medicine is also mandatory, and you need to be licensed and registered to practice. Being patient and caring, having great communication skills and technical abilities are important features of a candidate wishing to fill this role. If you feel you fit the bill, you can expect to earn a handsome average salary of $201,612 per year.
What general advice would you give to a family practice physician assistant?
Amy Grugan Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Assistant Director of Nursing, Bradley University
Avg. Salary $125,500
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 28%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.35%
Asian 11.54%
Black or African American 5.50%
Hispanic or Latino 12.05%
Unknown 3.79%
White 66.77%
Genderfemale 65.33%
male 34.67%
Age - 37American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 37Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
Family practice physician assistant career paths
Key steps to become a family practice physician assistant
Explore family practice physician assistant education requirements
Start to develop specific family practice physician assistant skills
Skills Percentages Patients 29.20% Primary Care 10.76% Family Medicine 10.40% Patient Care 6.54% Urgent Care 6.02% Complete relevant family practice physician assistant training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New family practice physician assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a family practice physician assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real family practice physician assistant resumes.Research family practice physician assistant duties and responsibilities
- Manage ICU patients and ventilator management.
- Provide primary care services to uninsure and under-insure patients in both rural and urban community health centers throughout central California.
- Provide preventative services, routine physical exams, appropriate screening examinations, vaccinations and health education for adult and pediatric patients.
- Interpret x rays, diagnosis, and treat.
Apply for family practice physician assistant jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a family practice physician assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first family practice physician assistant job
Are you a family practice physician assistant?
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Average family practice physician assistant salary
The average family practice physician assistant salary in the United States is $125,500 per year or $60 per hour. Family practice physician assistant salaries range between $76,000 and $205,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do family practice physician assistants rate their job?
Family practice physician assistant reviews
Helping others
Lack of pay, paperwork, seeing the same patients and doing the same as a physician but getting paid alot less!
I like the autonomy and the fulfillment of helping others.
I dislike the variations in the pay rates between NPs and PAs.
patient interaction, discussion of anything encouraging as they deal with longterm chronic illnesses. Empowering the patient to be part of the solution, and also to find ways to focus outside of their illness. And I love discussing research with patients when it relates .
#1 Administration does not value you as a health professional. They are stuck in the image of the nurse meaning we follow. They don't see us as clinicians that make a difference not just by caring, but by evaluating organ systems, medication regimens, finding the answer by communicating and getting a great history in regards to chief complaints, evaluating labs and staying up to date with research. I and other NP's before me laid the groundwork for our profession y working hard and being smart and educated. I have seen how companies want to get rid of the experienced NP to fill the role with two entry level NP's. There is age discrimination on top of it, it's not just the pay. #2 Arrogant doctors who push most of the work onto you in regards to documentation and also patient's medical management. Then act like they are "so busy". We know the good doctors from the ones who are their own fan club.
Updated January 8, 2025
