PA working environment

[DrB]

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Can you tell me about the working environment of a PA. The BLS web site mentions working in a "well lit comfortable environment" what ever that means. How about the hours... sick calls... do you work 8s or 12s?

I obviously need to shadow a PA at my hospital, but any additional info is greatly appreciated. 👍

 

[Monika]

Good question...hope this answer does not sound too simple but here goes. PAs work in the exactly the same settings as physicians. PAs can be found in virtually all areas of medicine.

Depending on where you work the hours will vary. I know PAs who work (12) 12-hr shifts a month in an ER setting, and others who work in a clinic M-F 8-5, no call or weekends. Some surgical PAs will work 80 hours/wk with call, etc.

PAs are employed in hospitals (private & teaching), clinics, government settings, research facilities, surgical centers, home health agencies, inpatient & outpatient settings, etc. You should visit the American Academy of Physician Assistants website at www.aapa.org.

There is a huge amount of info about the profession there, check it out. They also give stats about the average amount of hours worked as a PA too.

Good Luck,
Mon 🙂

 

[djquick83]

Personally, 3-12hr shifts is better than 5-8 hr shifts. U have 4 days off, can possibly do two more days extra and make double what u make with overtime. Workin 5 days leaves 2 days off and if u do an extra overtime, u have one day off. Ure wastign the day either way, why not just do it in less days by workin a few hrs extra. Gotta love the 12 hr shifts. 🙂

 

[DrB]

Are your hours determined by the Doc that you are assigned to work under? Also I was wondering if you can be licenced to work under more than one Doc?

Thanks for the Tips

 

[CTS-PA]

Are your hours determined by the Doc that you are assigned to work under? Also I was wondering if you can be licenced to work under more than one Doc?

For the most part, your hours are reflective of those your suprevising Physician works. Yes you can work with more then one doc.

FYI: you are not "assigned" to work "under" anyone, you chose to work with that Doctor, as they chose to work with you.

 

[deleted6669]

"For the most part, your hours are reflective of those your suprevising Physician works. Yes you can work with more then one doc. "

In addition to the above it should also be noted that most states do not require a physician to be present in the same facility with the pa, just available for phone consults. also most states allow any doc in the supervising md's group to act as an " agent of the supervising md" meaning if your regular doc is not working you can have anyone else in the group review cases with you as needed. I have worked part time in a solo er setting for 3 years and have actually met my " supervising doc " only twice in passing( day coverage is md/pa, night coverage is pa only-I work mostly nights. the day doc reviews my charts the next day and gives feedback as needed.)

 

[nev]

wait..so do u mean that if I am a PA specialized in internal medicine, I can leave only until the doctor who supervizes me leaves?

 

[deleted6669]

wait..so do u mean that if I am a PA specialized in internal medicine, I can leave only until the doctor who supervizes me leaves?

if by that do you mean "do I have to leave work when my supervising doc does?", the answer is no. you never even have to meet your supervising doc in most states.. they just have to review your charts as often as required by state law.a few states(maybe 5) require an md present when a pa sees pts, but most do not.

 

[hospPA]

wait..so do u mean that if I am a PA specialized in internal medicine, I can leave only until the doctor who supervizes me leaves?

Huh? 😕 😕 😕