Physician extender vs clinical physician assistant

The differences between physician extenders and clinical physician assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a physician extender has an average salary of $244,718, which is higher than the $145,549 average annual salary of a clinical physician assistant.

The top three skills for a physician extender include patients, patient care and medical care. The most important skills for a clinical physician assistant are patients, primary care, and medical care.

Physician extender vs clinical physician assistant overview

	Physician Extender	Clinical Physician Assistant
Yearly salary	$244,718	$145,549
Hourly rate	$117.65	$69.98
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	73,599	94,210
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

What does a physician extender do?

Physician extenders are not physicians. However, physician extenders perform a vital task in the overall care of patients. They diagnose and treat medical conditions, document and update patient records, consult patients, and perform physical exams. They may serve either as physician assistants or nurse practitioners. In becoming a physician extender, they must be a registered nurse or must have medical experience by working in the medical field even at a lower level. They need to be a regulatory agency certified and licensed instructor in their region or state.

What does a clinical physician assistant do?

A clinical physician assistant is in charge of performing support tasks in clinics, hospitals, and similar establishments. Typically serving as the patients' first point of contact, it is their responsibility to gather the personal and medical information of patients, identify their needs, answer inquiries, and escort them to offices and other rooms. They may also perform clerical tasks such as answering calls and correspondence, arranging appointments, preparing and filing documentation, and coordinating with other offices. Moreover, a clinical physician assistant must maintain an active communication line with physicians and nurses, assisting them as needed.

Physician extender vs clinical physician assistant salary

Physician extenders and clinical physician assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Physician Extender	Clinical Physician Assistant
Average salary	$244,718	$145,549
Salary range	Between $125,000 And $476,000	Between $84,000 And $252,000
Highest paying City	Des Moines, IA	Duluth, MN
Highest paying state	New Mexico	Minnesota
Best paying company	UnitedHealth Group	Central Ohio Primary Care
Best paying industry	Professional	Non Profits

Differences between physician extender and clinical physician assistant education

There are a few differences between a physician extender and a clinical physician assistant in terms of educational background:

	Physician Extender	Clinical Physician Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common major	Athletic Training	Physician Assistant
Most common college	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor	Duke University

Physician extender vs clinical physician assistant demographics

Here are the differences between physician extenders' and clinical physician assistants' demographics:

	Physician Extender	Clinical Physician Assistant
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6%	Male, 38.0% Female, 62.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.5% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 11.5% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between physician extender and clinical physician assistant duties and responsibilities

Physician extender example responsibilities.

Work closely with patients to manage their depression and anxiety beginning with initial diagnosis to med-initiation and follow-up care.
Render emergency medical treatment and transport patients.
Initial reading of EKG's.
Assess patients' symptoms while conducting initial injury evaluation.
Work in an outpatient orthopedic clinic with emphasis on physical medicine, rehabilitation of both chronic and acute orthopedic conditions.
Perform wound care.perform laceration repair including suturing.

Clinical physician assistant example responsibilities.

Implement and manage cardiology internship college course.
Work closely with patients to manage their depression and anxiety beginning with initial diagnosis to med-initiation and follow-up care.
Complete nursing assessments, complete care plans, perform ADL's, utilize lifts, alarms and transfer patients safely.
Care for multiple patients in a fast pace setting and provide total care including all treatments, medications and ADL's.
Perform tracheostomy care and suctioning for ventilator dependent patients.
Provide physical therapy services in the inpatient rehabilitation unit and oncology floor.

Physician extender vs clinical physician assistant skills

Common physician extender skills

Patients, 43%
Patient Care, 15%
Medical Care, 5%
Rehabilitation, 4%
Physical Therapy, 3%
Clinical Care, 3%

Common clinical physician assistant skills

Patients, 30%
Primary Care, 6%
Medical Care, 6%
Family Medicine, 5%
Urgent Care, 5%
Diagnostic Tests, 4%

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Physician Extender
Physician Extender vs Clinical Physician Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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