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People no longer need a doctorate to pursue a fulfilling healthcare career. This industry continues to increase in demand, and healthcare practitioners can now diagnose and treat patients without becoming an MD. Physician assistants take on this role every day and remain in high demand.
Those who want to treat patients but don’t wish to attend medical school find this is the perfect career for their needs. A master’s degree is all that is needed to take on this role, which means schooling is usually completed in only two years. However, this individual must possess specific skills to thrive in the industry. What skills might be of benefit when researching physician assistant job openings?
Adaptability
Physician assistants see many patients each day. They must be able to transition from patient to patient easily. A PA might be asked to work with a new admission, handle an emergency procedure, or consult other healthcare professionals to provide the highest level of patient care. They must switch tasks effortlessly and make decisions rapidly, as their lives often depend on their work.
Collaboration
Physician assistants work with many other healthcare professionals as they go about their days. They must be able to communicate and collaborate effectively when doing so. The PA must be willing to take advice from others, defer to experts, and stand up for themselves when they believe they are right. When doing so, they must be fluent in complex medical terminology while explaining a medical condition in simple terms to a patient.
Compassion
One thing many people feel is lacking in healthcare today is compassion. Patients often say they feel they are nothing more than a name and number to healthcare practitioners. Physician assistants need to be compassionate when dealing with patients, as research shows that kindness and empathy lead to better patient outcomes. PAs must work to keep their patients calm and comfortable, which will show patients they are in good hands.
Confidence and Decisiveness
While medical doctors supervise PAs, they often work autonomously. They must make decisions rapidly and confidently. A PA is often asked to take information in and draw a conclusion from it. Critical-thinking skills are needed to allow them to operate independently, only turning to the supervising medical doctor when other options have been exhausted.
Diplomacy
PAs must interact with individuals throughout the day. They may like some of these men and women, while others will try their patience. However, the PA must be diplomatic at all times. Strong interpersonal skills are needed to accomplish this goal. Working with patients from different social classes, backgrounds, and cultures will require these skills.
Humility
One of the most important characteristics a PA must have is humility. They must be willing to admit when they make a mistake and learn from this mistake. Asking for help from others is a sign of strength rather than weakness. In addition, the PA must recognize they cannot help every patient. Medical science is limited, and PAs cannot transcend these limits. They also cannot force patients to follow the established treatment plan. Only the patient can make that decision.
Any person who feels healthcare is their calling should consider a career as a PA. The rewards are immense. While this work can be stressful due to its nature, those who become PAs find they love helping people and providing the highest level of care. That’s all one can do today. Everything else is beyond the PA’s control.
