Physician's Assistant: Exploring The World Through Medicine

can a physician

Physician assistants (PAs) are directly involved in patient care and can travel for work, so long as they get the right licensing. They get to work with a varied patient population and enjoy the added guidance of supervision from physicians. PAs work in a number of different environments and can opt to work in one or more specialties such as intensive care medicine, emergency medicine, and occupational medicine.

The contemporary physician assistant/associate (PA) movement began in North America and Africa in the mid-1960s. As of 2022, at least sixteen countries have been in various stages of expansion of PA-like medical workers (nonphysician clinicians) that function under the supervision of a doctor. These include Canada, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Liberia, India, Ghana, South Africa, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Germany, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Israel, Bulgaria, Ireland, and Kenya.

For physician assistants who have the travel bug, there are travel PA jobs that can be applied for all over the country. PAs will need to be licensed in each state they wish to work in. The PA Licensure Compact is an interstate agreement that allows PAs to perform services in another member state. Once approved, PAs will be able to practice in a new area, opening up even more travel employment opportunities.

The job outlook for physician assistants looks excellent, with a 27% expected growth by 2032. There is a physician shortage and high demand for people in healthcare, so travel work will continue to be a prominent part of the industry. Traveling PAs tend to earn more than PAs who stay in one place, with an average annual salary of $139,887 compared to $120,212 for non-traveling PAs. Many PAs also have their housing and travel covered, which helps them save even more money while they work on new opportunities.

In conclusion, physician assistants can absolutely travel the world and work in different countries, as long as they have the right licensing and certifications.

Characteristics Values
Physician Assistant Roles Canada, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Liberia, India, Ghana, South Africa, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Germany, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Israel, Bulgaria, Ireland, Kenya
Physician Assistant Salary $43,27-$177,500
Physician Assistant Programs 2-3 years
Physician Assistant Associations Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA), Australian Society of Physician Assistants (ASPA), Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA) of the Royal College of Physicians, Dutch Association of Physician Assistants (NAPA), Liberia National Physician Assistant Association (LINPAA), Indian Association of Physician Assistants (IAPA), Ghana Physician Assistants Association [GPAA], The Professional Association of Clinical Associates in South Africa (PACASA), The Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACCC), Irish Society of Physician Associates

quartzmountain

Physician assistants can work internationally in countries such as Canada, the UK, the Netherlands, Liberia, India, Ghana, South Africa, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Germany, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Israel, Bulgaria, and Ireland

Physician assistants can work internationally in countries such as:

  • Canada
  • The United Kingdom
  • The Netherlands
  • Liberia
  • India
  • Ghana
  • South Africa
  • Australia
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Germany
  • New Zealand
  • Afghanistan
  • Israel
  • Bulgaria
  • Ireland

quartzmountain

Physician assistants can travel and work in the US, so long as they have the right licensing

Physician assistants (PAs) can work and travel in the US, so long as they have the right licensing. PAs are licensed to work under the supervision of a physician or doctor and usually come from a medical or healthcare background. They often have hands-on clinical experience gained from work in another medical or healthcare position.

To become a PA, you must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). It's a five-hour-long test made up of 300 questions. Once you pass this test, the next steps are to get licensed through the state, get a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number, and register with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

PAs can work in a number of different environments, including intensive care medicine and occupational medicine. They can also work in a variety of settings, from remote locations to busy metropolitan cities.

The PA Licensure Compact is an interstate agreement that allows PAs to perform services in another member state. To work in the new state, you need to notify the Compact Commission, fill out an application, and submit a background check.

The job outlook for PAs looks excellent, with a 27% expected growth by 2032. This increase in positions makes it the perfect time to get licensed and find a job. Travel PAs can expect to earn an average of $139,887 annually, while non-traveling PAs can expect to earn an average of $120,212.

quartzmountain

The PA Licensure Compact is an interstate agreement that allows PAs to perform services in another member state

States joining the compact agree to recognize a valid, unencumbered license issued by another compact member state via a compact privilege. Licensed PAs utilizing the compact can obtain a privilege in each compact member state where they want to practice. PAs using a compact privilege must adhere to the laws and regulations of the state in which they are practicing.

The compact has reached its activation threshold of seven states, but is not yet operational. The PA Compact Commission will inaugurally meet in September 2024 to begin operationalizing the compact. Historically, the process for a licensure compact to become fully operational can take up to 24 months after its activation.

The PA Licensure Compact is the result of a joint initiative that began in 2019 between the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), and the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). The Council of State Governments (CSG) has provided technical assistance in the development of the compact and its consideration by states.

quartzmountain

The job outlook for physician assistants looks excellent, with a 27% expected growth by 2032

The job outlook for physician assistants (PAs) in the United States looks excellent, with a projected growth of 27% between 2022 and 2032. This is much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for healthcare services is increasing due to the growing and aging population, and the need for more medical care. It is predicted that there will be a physician shortage of between 17,000 and 48,000 fewer doctors working by 2034. PAs can help fill this gap as they can provide many of the same services as physicians and can be trained more quickly.

PAs are highly skilled licensed patient care providers with generalist training, allowing them to work in a variety of settings and across almost every medical specialty. They perform physicals, diagnose illnesses, create treatment plans, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medication. PAs train for between two and three years and must pass a national licensure exam before they can begin working directly with patients.

The median annual wage for PAs was $101,480 in May 2016, with the lowest 10% earning less than $65,620 and the highest 10% earning more than $142,210. The job offers strong stability and good annual wages, and PAs can also enjoy the flexibility of changing specialties as needed.

quartzmountain

Traveling PAs tend to earn more than PAs who stay in one place

Physician assistants (PAs) can work internationally, and their salaries vary depending on the country. Here is a comparison of PA salaries in different countries:

  • Canada: $86,180 per year
  • United Kingdom: $43,000 to $64,000 per year
  • Netherlands: $106,000 per year
  • Liberia: 169,000 LRD per year
  • India: $2,623.07 per year
  • Ghana: $362 per month
  • South Africa: $9,416 per year
  • Australia: $68,363 per year
  • Saudi Arabia: SAR 132,000 per year
  • Germany: $4,076 per month
  • New Zealand: $96,000 per year
  • Afghanistan: Salary not reported
  • Israel: ₪ 288,644 per year
  • Bulgaria: $16,482 per year
  • Ireland: $85,702 per year

Travelling PAs tend to earn more than PAs who stay in one place because they often work in countries with higher PA salaries. For example, a PA in the United States might choose to work in Canada or the United Kingdom, where the average PA salary is higher. Additionally, travelling PAs may be able to negotiate higher salaries by taking on temporary or contract work, rather than permanent positions. They may also be able to take advantage of tax benefits and cost-of-living adjustments when working in different countries. Furthermore, travelling PAs may have access to additional income streams, such as reimbursement for travel expenses or housing allowances.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, a physician's assistant can travel the world. There are travel PA jobs all over the world, so whether you want to work in remote locations or busy cities, you can find a travel assignment that's right for you.

Travelling PAs tend to earn more than PAs who stay in one place. They can expect to earn an average of $139,887 annually, while non-travelling PAs can expect to earn an average of $120,212. Travelling PAs may also have their housing and travel covered, which helps them save money. They also have significant flexibility in their schedules and can choose from contracts of different lengths, usually from three to six months at a time.

To become a physician's assistant, you need to have a master's degree in combination with a bachelor's degree and pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). You will also need to get licensed through the state, get a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number, and register with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment