Although they are not accredited, PA postgraduate residency training programs are available in gynecology, geriatrics, surgery, pediatrics, neonatology and occupational medicine. Candidates must be graduates of an accredited program and be certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Others, as they attain greater clinical knowledge and experience, advance to added responsibilities and higher earnings. However, by the very nature of the profession, individual PA's are usually supervised by physicians. Some PA's may attend medical school and become physicians.
Income varies by specialty, practice setting, geographical location, and years of experience.
Sixty-six percent were in the offices and clinics of physicians, dentists or other health practitioners. Almost 20 percent were in hospitals. The rest were mostly in public health clinics, nursing homes, prisons, home health care agencies and the Department of Veterans Affairs. According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants, about one-third of all PA's provide health care to communities having fewer than 50,000 residents where physicians may be in limited supply. Employment opportunities are expected to be excellent for physician assistants, particularly in areas or settings that have difficulty attracting physicians, such as rural and inner city clinics.