Physician Assistant: Course, Eligibility, Job and Salary

For all aspiring candidates who wish to see their career in healthcare, this blog is for you. A physician assistant is one such spectrum who works under a physician. You get trained to practice medical services. The duties include services like a diagnosis of illness, primary treatment, medications, first-aid, and other services following a physician. Get into a renowned institute to seek a medical specialisation. The training prepares you for the medical needs that a patient may come up with.

A Physician Assistant includes job opportunities in healthcare sectors, colleges and universities, medical insurance companies, healthcare service providers, hospitals, and clinics. The pay package begins from 4 lakhs for different job profiles. Candidates should be 12th pass-outs to be eligible for the course.

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Physician Assistant Course Information

Physician Assistant is a 3-year bachelor's degree. The course prepares the candidates to examine patients, run medical tests, assist doctors in diagnosing patients, collect medical records, provide them with medications, and advise theories. The training offers specialization services. Candidates can take up specialization in the medical field for M.Sc in Physician Assistant. The course prepares them for any unforeseen circumstances for patients. Candidates with a B.Sc degree in Physician Assistant help improve patients' medical services and enhance nursing productivity.

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Candidates with a Physician Assistant degree contribute to the healthcare sector. The course requires students to go for internships. They learn varied expertise in the medical field. Training occurs in healthcare services like colleges and universities, medical insurance companies, healthcare service providers, hospitals, and clinics. They get trained under the physicians and assist them in every way.

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The course enables the candidates to get well-versed in various medical equipment. The candidates collect and maintain patient data records electronically. It advances the way data is collected and recorded. The digital world has made a difference from the world of medical science. Various wellness apps ensure patient care. The wellness apps help patients get consultancy services without visiting the doctor in person. The course is widely-spread with subjects enabling them to learn and earn the job profile of a physician assistant.

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The Physician Assistant course opens the doors of several top job recruiters. The program enables the candidates to learn biology, physiology, pediatrics, anatomy, genetics, neurology, and technical writing. Upon completion of the course, there are placement opportunities in the healthcare sectors like medical institutions, universities, medical tourism companies, Pharmaceutical companies, and other healthcare services.

The Physician Assistant course is a 3-year bachelor course. It is a full-time course. The exams take place semester-wise or annually, as the institute may think fit.

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The course fees range from Rs. 1,00,000 to Rs. 4,00,000

Students who have passed 12th with Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English as their subjects in High school from a recognised Indian university with a minimum of 55% can opt for the course. Students must have Indian citizenship status. Students with NRI or foreign status apply under NRI or foreign category.

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Admissions for Physician Assistant take place merit-wise based on the marks of 12th. You get access to B.Sc (Physician Assistant). Some colleges may conduct entrance exams and personal interviews to gain admission to the course.

Many institutes demand aggregate scores for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. If your 12th class score is 55% and above, you are eligible for the course on a merit basis.

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It takes three years to complete the Physician Assistant course. The curriculum is widespread with theoretical and practical sessions.

The curriculum is vast, and it is as follows:

YEAR 1

• Dietetics and Nutrition
• Biochemistry Anatomy Physiology 
• Microbiology (Physician Assistant)
• Introduction to Psychology 
• Mathematics I
• Introduction to Computers
• Biological Chemistry
• Mathematics II
• Scientific measurements
• Clinical Biochemistry
• Paediatrics & Geriatrics

YEAR 2

• Pharmacology Molecular Biology 
• Cell Paediatrics Molecular Genetics
• Community and Public Health 
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology 
• Principles of Management
• Technical Report Writing
• In-service Training - I
• Introduction to Surgery
• Introduction to Medicine
• Molecular Genetics
• Data Processing
• In-service Training - II

YEAR 3

• Cardiology Gastroenterology 
• Introduction to surgery Paediatrics Cardiac Surgery,
• Clinical Decision Making
• Neurology Pathophysiology Practical
• Anesthesiology
• Cardiac Nursing
• Pharmacology & Toxicity
• Biostatistics
• In-service Training - III
• Principles of Emergency Medicine
• Medical Instrumentation
• Advances in Cardiology
• Advances in Cardiac Surgery
• Management Information Systems
• In-service Training – IV

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The salary will depend upon the kind of healthcare service you enter. The minimum pay scale starts from 4 lacs p.a and keeps rising with each year of experience and career growth. A physician assistant may get perks such as free medical consultation for a family of 4, medical bill discounts on doctor-prescribed medicines, traveling allowance, one-month paid holidays, and other add-ons, depending upon organization and HR policies.

Healthcare services demand professionals who are well-versed in medical terms and procedures. The scope of job opportunities for physician assistants is as follows:

• Patient Care Technicians
• Dieticians
• Teachers
• Drug Safety Associates
• Ortho Physician Assistants 
• Personal Health Counselor
• Neurosurgery Physician Assistant
• Medical Laboratory Assistant
• Clinical Physician Assistant
• Clinical Research Co-ordinator
• Emergency medicine, Physician Assistant
• Family practice Physician Assistant
• General surgery Physician Assistant
• Hospitalist physician Assistant
• Pediatric Physician Assistant

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You are well-groomed and aware of your craft when you enter a renowned college. The course gives you a better understanding of the patient's problem and how to identify it. It gives you the knack for dealing with challenging situations in a patient's life. It makes you a good listener. At the end of the course, you develop problem-solving skills, improved critical thinking abilities, enhanced analytical skills, and a positive attitude.

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