What Do They Do?
What Do They Do?
Physician assistants (PAs) are health care professionals who practice under physician supervision, taking medical histories, diagnosing, treating patients, ordering tests, and prescribing medications. They often work in primary care, such as internal medicine, pediatrics, and family medicine, but PAs can also specialize in areas like surgery, emergency medicine, and orthopedics. Surgical PAs assist in pre-and post-operative care, and they may serve as first or second assistants during surgeries.
Where Do They Work?
Where Do They Work?
Most PAs work in doctors’ offices. PAs also work in general acute care hospitals and in outpatient care centers, including health clinics, federal or state government institutions, and in colleges and schools.
How Much Do They Earn?
How Much Do They Earn?
Annual median salary: $141,643
Entry-level salary: $101,462
For More Information:
New York State Department of Labor Searchable Wage Database: https://dol.ny.gov/occupational-wages-0
Supply and Demand
Supply and Demand
Physician assistants are expected to grow statewide by 27% between 2022 and 2032, with more than 1,300 average annual openings.
For More Information:
New York State Department of Labor Employment Projections: https://dol.ny.gov/employment-projections
Educational Requirements
Educational Requirements
Most applicants to PA education programs already hold a bachelor’s degree and have prior health care experience, such as being a registered nurse or EMT. These programs typically take two years and lead to a master’s degree, with some offering bachelor’s degrees. Coursework includes subjects like biology, anatomy, pharmacology, and medical ethics, along with supervised clinical training. Programs must be accredited by the ARC-PA.
For More Information:
Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant:
https://www.arc-pa.org/entry-level-accreditation/accreditation-process/accredited-programs/
Licensure Requirements
Licensure Requirements
To be licensed as a PA in New York State, individuals must be a graduates of an ARC PA accredited or New York State Education Department approved PA education program and must pass the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE).
For More Information:
New York State Education Department:
https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions/physician-assistants/license-requirements
National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants: https://www.nccpa.net/become-certified/
Financial Support
Financial Support
Financial support can come from various federal, state, and private sources. Contact your college or university to learn about the financial aid options they offer, as well as other potential sources of funding that may be available.
For More Information:
PA Student Foundation: https://pa-foundation.org/scholarships-fellowships/pa-student-scholarships/
New York State Society of Physician Assistants: https://www.nysspa.org/page/ApplyforScholarships
Education Programs
Education Programs
| Institution | Degree | City/Town | Region | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
York College CUNY | MS | Jamaica | New York City | Visit |
Weill Cornell Medicine | MS | New York City | New York City | Visit |
Yeshiva University | MS | New York City | New York City | Visit |
Wagner College | BS | Staten Island | New York City | Visit |
Wagner College | MS | Staten Island | New York City | Visit |
Upstate Medical University SUNY | MS | Syracuse | Central NY | Visit |
University of Mount Sinai Vincent | MS | Riverdale | New York City | Visit |
Touro University | MS | Middletown | Hudson Valley | Visit |
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University | MS | Brooklyn | New York City | Visit |
Stony Brook University SUNY | MS | Stony Brook | Long Island | Visit |
St. Bonaventure University | MS | St. Bonaventure | Western NY | Visit |
St. John's Univeristy | MS | Queens | New York City | Visit |
Rochester Institute of Technology | BS | Rochester | Finger Lakes | Visit |
Rochester Institute of Technology | MS | Rochester | Finger Lakes | Visit |
Pace University | MS | Pleasantville | Hudson Valley | Visit |
New York Institute of Technology | MS | Old Westbury | Long Island | Visit |
Mercy University | MS | Dobbs Ferry | Hudson Valley | Visit |
Marist College | MS | Poughkeepsie | Hudson Valley | Visit |
Long Island University | MS | Brooklyn | New York City | Visit |
Le Moyne College | MS | Syracuse | Central NY | Visit |
Ithaca College | MS | Ithaca | Finger Lakes | Visit |
Hofstra University | BS | Hempstead | Long Island | Visit |
Hofstra University | MS | Hempstead | Long Island | Visit |
D'Youville University | BS | Buffalo | Western NY | Visit |
D'Youville University | MS | Buffalo | Western NY | Visit |
Daemen University | BS | Amherst | Western NY | Visit |
Daemen University | MS | Amherst | Western NY | Visit |
CUNY School of Medicine | MS | New York City | New York City | Visit |
Clarkson University | MS | Potsdam | North Country | Visit |
Canisius University | MS | Buffalo | Western NY | Visit |
Albany Medical College | MS | Albany | Capital Region | Visit |