Surgical physician assistant vs physician extender

The differences between surgical physician assistants and physician extenders 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 $153,482 average annual salary of a surgical physician assistant.

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

Surgical physician assistant vs physician extender overview

	Surgical Physician Assistant	Physician Extender
Yearly salary	$153,482	$244,718
Hourly rate	$73.79	$117.65
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	73,380	73,599
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

What does a surgical physician assistant do?

A surgical physician assistant plays a vital role in surgeries and patient care. In surgeries, they typically assist surgeons by performing physical examinations on patients, handing tools and necessary items, closing incisions, and even maintaining the cleanliness of operating rooms while adhering to the hospital's health and safety regulations. It is also their duty to assist patients before and after surgeries by answering inquiries, discussing important matters such as treatment options, prescribing or administering medicine, and counseling patients, helping them feel comfortable every step of the way.

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.

Surgical physician assistant vs physician extender salary

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

	Surgical Physician Assistant	Physician Extender
Average salary	$153,482	$244,718
Salary range	Between $89,000 And $264,000	Between $125,000 And $476,000
Highest paying City	Rochester, MN	Des Moines, IA
Highest paying state	Nebraska	New Mexico
Best paying company	Mayo Clinic	UnitedHealth Group
Best paying industry	Health Care	Professional

Differences between surgical physician assistant and physician extender education

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

	Surgical Physician Assistant	Physician Extender
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Physician Assistant	Athletic Training
Most common college	Duke University	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Surgical physician assistant vs physician extender demographics

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

	Surgical Physician Assistant	Physician Extender
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 39.5% Female, 60.5%	Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 11.4% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	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%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between surgical physician assistant and physician extender duties and responsibilities

Surgical physician assistant example responsibilities.

Manage s/p cardiac bypass in recovery unit, ICU and step down units.
Work closely with patients to manage their depression and anxiety beginning with initial diagnosis to med-initiation and follow-up care.
Certify CPR and basic first aid instructor trainer.
Perform debridement, incision and drainage, wind VAC, ostomy care.
Perform resuscitative measures in a code setting using ACLS, ATLS protocols.
Perform minor procedures including but not limit to: Foley catheter placement, drain removal, dressing changes and removals

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.

Surgical physician assistant vs physician extender skills

Common surgical physician assistant skills

Patients, 29%
Patient Care, 12%
Diagnostic Tests, 6%
Physical Examinations, 4%
Surgical Procedures, 3%
CPR, 3%

Common physician extender skills

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

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Surgical Physician Assistant
Surgical Physician Assistant vs Physician Extender

Updated January 8, 2025

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