Primary Care Physician Assistant Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Primary Care Physician Assistant

Best Schools to become a Primary Care Physician Assistant in U.S. 2024

University of Lynchburg

Lynchburg, VA

In-State Tuition:$34,500
Out-of-State Tuition:$34,500
Admission Rate:96%
Graduation Rate:60%
Total Enrollment:2,394

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

New Brunswick, NJ

In-State Tuition:$12,900
Out-of-State Tuition:$30,600
Admission Rate:66%
Graduation Rate:84%
Total Enrollment:50,637

Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis

Indianapolis, IN

In-State Tuition:$8,972
Out-of-State Tuition:$31,410
Admission Rate:83%
Graduation Rate:56%
Total Enrollment:25,979

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL

In-State Tuition:$12,396
Out-of-State Tuition:$27,765
Admission Rate:79%
Graduation Rate:62%
Total Enrollment:33,747

Wayne State University

Detroit, MI

In-State Tuition:$14,140
Out-of-State Tuition:$32,457
Admission Rate:75%
Graduation Rate:60%
Total Enrollment:23,630

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, PA

In-State Tuition:$43,100
Out-of-State Tuition:$43,100
Admission Rate:89%
Graduation Rate:68%
Total Enrollment:8,286
Primary Care Physician Assistant Job Description:
  • Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician.
  • Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients.
  • May, in some cases, prescribe medication.
  • Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Primary Care Physician Assistant

Job Duties for Primary Care Physician Assistants

  • Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.

  • Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.

  • Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.

Technologies and Skills Used by Primary Care Physician Assistants

Electronic mail software

  • Microsoft Outlook

Medical software

  • Epic Systems
  • eClinicalWorks EHR software

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Basic Skills

  • Reading work related information
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

People and Technology Systems

  • Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Primary Care Physician Assistant

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Primary Care Physician Assistant

FAQs About Becoming a Primary Care Physician Assistant