Physician Assistants are required to practice medicine under the supervision of surgeons or physicians. They diagnose and interact with patients and review case histories and test results. These assistants may work in smaller cities, villages, and rural areas where physicians are available for few hours or days in a week. They may work at private practice, nursing homes, federal government, health maintenance organizations, hospitals, uniformed services, among other facilities.

Physician Assistants usually perform many of the following tasks:
• Treating various illnesses.
• Performing therapies.
• Writing prescriptions for patients.
• Providing patient care.
• Diagnosing medical conditions.
• Interpreting test results.

• Being responsible.
• Having high attention to details.
• Being a quick learner.
• Having good reasoning skills.
• Being reliable and trustworthy.
• Having knowledge of the accurate techniques related to health care programs.
• Being able to work under supervision.
• Having interest in serving others.
• Having interpersonal skills.
• Being compassionate.

Applicants for Physician Assistant jobs are required to have a College Degree and some work experience related to this area. Educational programs in this sector take at least two years full time. These courses are offered by academic health centers, schools of allied health, community colleges, and medical schools. Most applicants to educational programs in this area already have related work experience and a college degree, including emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and registered nurses. The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants administers the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination to candidates who want to be certified professionals in this sector.