PA Programs in Alabama > AL Physician Assistant Information

Last Updated on October 21, 2021 by admin

How To Become A Physician Assistant In Alabama

If you have decided to pursue a lucrative career as a physician assistant in the state of Alabama, then it is important to be aware of the strict prerequisite requirements that all applicants must complete, in order to be eligible for applying for a Physician Assistant training program. There are several different such programs across the state of Alabama, and it is important for all students who want to work as PAs in this state to opt only for accredited educational programs that have been reviewed and approved by the AAPA, or the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

These training programs last for 3 years usually and they will result in a Bachelor’s Degree, but those who want to make the best of their career can also apply for a Master’s Degree followed by a license. The license is crucial in order to work legally in Alabama, and every student must apply for one upon graduating from an AAPA certified program. Once again, there are several strict requirements that applicants must adhere to in order to get licensed – these requirements are set by the ARCE, or the Accreditation Review Commission in Alabama.

Physician Assistant Job Description: Duties And Responsibilities

This is one of the most demanding jobs in the health care industry, yet it is also one of the most rewarding ones from a professional and from a financial standpoint. In a nutshell, physician assistants (also known as PAs) are trained health care professionals who provide high quality medical services under the close supervision of a licensed physician. These professionals offer a variety of services, including patient counseling, complete physical exams as well as treatment administration.

In addition to this, it often happens that physician assistants in Alabama also order and examine diagnostic test results in order to check and see whether there are any deviations from the normal range. These professionals often compile and record the medical information of patients, including the results of the thorough physical examination or the health history of patients. It is also common for physician assistants to make decisions regarding the illness management and the treatment that must be given to patients. Ultimately, PAs can observe the patients throughout their stay in the hospital, they must constantly update the patient charts as well as report back to the licensed physicians on a constant basis. In some cases, the physician assistant might also order different treatments or therapies, if they believe these might benefit the patient.

Physician assistants play a very important role for the correct functioning of every health care unit, be it a public hospital or a private clinic, as it is their duty to constantly evaluate the medical status of the patients and to evaluate and address any and all medical problems as soon as they arise. These professionals must work closely not only with the licensed physician, but also with other technicians and technical assistants, as offering the best medical services is often a case of team work. Moreover, in some cases the physician assistants might also assist the physicians during basic medical interventions.

Exams And Certification Options For Physician Assistants In Alabama

If you want to become a physician assistant in Alabama, then it is important to know that in addition to getting your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited training program, you must also sit for the PANCE exam and pass it. After passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam, which is a multiple choice examination, these professionals will be able to submit their application to their licensing board, where it will be reviewed. The certification is then provided, and it is valid for a period of six years, and a renewal is required.

Salary and Career Info

The interactive chart above is a visual representation of the annual salary of Alabama PA’s compared to the national annual salaries, all based on the latest May 2013 Occupational Employment Statistics figures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Physician Assistant Programs In Alabama

There are three important and accredited PA training schools where students who want to become physician assistants can enroll. At the end of the training program, students will receive an Associate’s Degree or a Master’s Degree. Having said that, the three most important training programs for PAs in this state are the University of Alabama located in Birmingham, the Oakwood University located in Huntsville, Alabama as well as the University of South Alabama.