EMT to Physician Assistant: EMT Career Guide

How to Become a Physician Assistant: Duties, Requirements, Certifications, Job Outlook, and Salary

If you’ve worked as an EMT or Paramedic, you already know how demanding—and deeply rewarding—the role can be. The long hours, high-stakes situations, and hands-on patient care offer more than just experience; they build the foundation for a lifelong career in healthcare. It’s no wonder many EMTs begin to see their work as a launchpad for something even greater.

For those drawn to a more advanced clinical role, becoming a Physician Assistant (PA) can be a natural next step. PAs play a critical role in diagnosing illnesses, developing treatment plans, and improving patient outcomes across a wide range of medical settings. And for EMTs already familiar with the pace and pressure of emergency medicine, the transition can feel both exciting and achievable.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about how to become a PA—from core duties and educational requirements to salary* expectations and job outlook.

Feeling inspired but not sure if PA is your path? Explore these alternative jobs for EMTs and paramedics to discover even more rewarding opportunities in healthcare.

What Is a Physician Assistant (PA)?

PAs are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. Under the supervision of a physician, PAs can diagnose illnesses, develop and manage treatment plans, perform procedures, and even assist in surgeries. According to AAPA, the PA profession was established in 1967 and currently has more than 178,700 practitioners in the U.S., engaging in more than 500 million patient interactions each year.

For EMTs or paramedics considering a career shift, becoming a PA is a powerful way to build on your existing clinical experience. The path requires dedication, but it’s far more accessible than medical school—and it offers the opportunity to take your impact on patient care to the next level.

What Training is Required to Become a Physician Assistant?

If you’re an EMT or Paramedic considering a transition to a more advanced healthcare role, becoming a PA is a challenging but rewarding path. While many of the foundational skills from EMT training—such as wound care, patient stabilization, and infection control—remain relevant, the PA role requires a much deeper and broader understanding of medical science and clinical practice.

To become a PA, you’ll need to complete the following educational steps:

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: Most PA programs require applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree, typically in a health-related or science field such as biology, chemistry, or healthcare administration.
2. Complete a Master’s Degree from an Accredited PA Program: After earning your undergraduate degree, the next step is to enroll in a Master’s-level PA program accredited by the ARC-PA (Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant). These programs usually take 2 to 3 years to complete and include both classroom instruction and clinical rotations.
3. Pass the PANCE: After graduation, you’ll need to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) to become licensed and begin practicing. You can apply for the exam through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). The exam assesses the clinical knowledge, clinical reasoning and other medical skills and professional behaviors that have been deemed important for entry-level practice as a PA.

Your experience as an EMT gives you a strong foundation—but advancing to a PA role may significantly expand your scope of practice, autonomy, and career opportunities in the medical field.

Is a Career as a Physician Assistant Right for You?

If the following qualities sound like you, becoming a PA could be a fulfilling and impactful career move:

• Comfortable administering medications and performing clinical procedures
• Possess natural compassion and empathy for patients
• Excel academically and enjoy learning
• Handle responsibility with confidence and integrity
• Stay calm and focused in high-pressure situations
• Can manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously
• Communicate clearly and effectively
• Work well in team-based environments

What Does a Physician Assistant Do?

Physician Assistant Duties and Responsibilities

PA’s are vital members of the healthcare team, working alongside physicians to diagnose and treat patients across a wide range of medical specialties. From primary care and pediatrics to emergency medicine and surgery, PAs often perform many of the same functions as doctors, providing high-quality care in both hospital and outpatient settings.

Here are some of the core responsibilities and what they mean in day-to-day practice:

• Taking Medical Histories – Gathering detailed information about a patient’s symptoms, past illnesses, surgeries, medications, and family history.
• Performing Physical Exams – Conducting head-to-toe assessments to identify signs of illness or injury.
• Ordering and Interpreting Tests – Requesting diagnostic exams such as blood work, MRIs, or X-rays and analyzing results to make informed clinical decisions.
• Diagnosing Illnesses or Injuries – Identifying medical conditions based on exams, test results, and patient history.
• Prescribing Medications – Writing prescriptions for antibiotics, pain relievers, or other medications as needed, under a physician’s supervision.
• Developing Treatment Plans – Creating and adjusting care strategies to help patients recover or manage chronic conditions.
• Performing Medical Procedures – Suturing wounds, administering injections, setting fractures, and assisting in surgeries, depending on their specialty.
• Educating Patients – Explaining diagnoses, treatment options, preventive care, and medication instructions in a way that patients can understand.
• Monitoring Patient Progress – Tracking recovery, following up on treatments, and updating medical records to reflect current care.
• Collaborating with Healthcare Teams – Working closely with doctors, nurses, therapists, and specialists to ensure comprehensive patient care.
• Researching Medical Advancements – Staying current with the latest in medical technology, treatments, and best practices to provide optimal care.

Specialty-Based Variation

The specific duties of a PA can vary significantly depending on their chosen field. For example:

• In emergency medicine, a PA may treat acute trauma or stabilize critical conditions.
• In pediatrics, a PA might focus on growth, development, and childhood illnesses.
• In surgery, a PA often assists in operations and handles pre- and post-operative care.

Ultimately, PAs are trained to adapt to a wide range of medical environments—making them one of the most versatile and in-demand roles in healthcare today.

A Day in the Life of a Physician Assistant

Whether in a family practice or a fast-paced ER, PAs serve as trusted healthcare providers, offering front-line care while supporting the broader medical team. Their role requires both clinical expertise and human connection—qualities that make the job both challenging and fulfilling.

The daily routine of a PA is dynamic and hands-on. While the specific schedule can vary widely depending on the PA’s specialty, practice setting, and patient population, most days are a fast-paced mix of patient care, diagnostics, communication, and coordination.

Here’s what a typical day might look like for a PA in a primary care or family medicine clinic:

Preparing for the Day: The PA arrives at the clinic or hospital and begins by reviewing the day’s patient schedule. They may go over patient charts, lab results, imaging reports, and any physician notes from the previous day. This preparation helps them anticipate what each visit will require.

Morning Appointments: The first half of the day is usually filled with back-to-back patient visits. In a family medicine setting, this might include:

• A child with a high fever
• An adult needing a routine physical
• A teenager with sports-related joint pain
• An elderly patient with chronic respiratory symptoms

During each appointment, the PA takes medical histories, performs physical exams, orders or reviews test results, diagnoses conditions, and prescribes treatments—all while communicating clearly and compassionately with patients and their families.

Lunch and Charting: Lunch often doubles as time to catch up on electronic medical records (EMRs), return phone calls to patients, or consult with supervising physicians about complex cases.

Afternoon Appointments: The afternoon typically continues with patient care. Appointments might include:

• Follow-ups on lab results or imaging
• Managing chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension
• Addressing urgent but non-emergency issues, like allergic reactions or skin rashes
• Conducting preventive care visits, such as immunizations or cancer screenings

In more specialized settings—like orthopedics, dermatology, or emergency medicine—the patient mix and procedures would look quite different. An orthopedic PA, for example, may assist in joint injections, cast fittings, or pre-operative assessments.

Wrapping Up: As the day winds down, the PA may spend time:

• Finalizing patient notes and updating charts
• Reviewing diagnostic test results that came in late in the day
• Coordinating care with specialists, physical therapists, or case managers
• Making follow-up calls to patients or answering clinical questions over the phone

Behind the Scenes: Administrative and Collaborative Work: Outside of direct patient care, PAs are often involved in:

• Participating in team meetings or case reviews
• Educating patients about lifestyle changes or medication use
• Researching new treatments, medications, or technologies
• Mentoring students or newly hired staff

How Many Hours Does a Physician Assistant Work?

Most PA’s work full-time, averaging around 40 hours per week, though exact schedules can vary widely depending on their specialty and work setting. In outpatient clinics, a PA might work a standard Monday through Friday schedule with regular daytime hours. In hospitals or urgent care settings, however, shifts may include evenings, weekends, or holidays.

Additionally, some PAs—especially those in surgical or emergency medicine—may be required to take on-call shifts. This means they must remain available outside of normal work hours to respond to urgent medical situations, sometimes with little notice.

Key Schedule Considerations

• Full-time hours (typically 40 per week)
• Variable shifts in hospital or emergency settings
• Weekend and holiday coverage may be required
• On-call duty depending on the role and department
• Flexible schedules are more common in outpatient or private practice environments

Overall, while PA hours can be demanding, many find the role offers a balance of meaningful work and manageable flexibility—especially compared to the intense schedules often required of physicians.

What Do Physician Assistants Wear?

PA uniforms can vary depending on their workplace and specialty, but most PAs typically wear medical scrubs during their shifts. Scrubs are practical, comfortable, and appropriate for a wide range of clinical settings—from family practice to surgery.

In some settings, especially in hospitals or outpatient clinics, PAs may also wear a white lab coat over their scrubs. The white coat adds a layer of professionalism and helps distinguish them as licensed medical providers, similar to doctors and nurse practitioners.

Common Attire for PAs: While specific dress codes may vary by facility, the focus remains on functionality, cleanliness, and professionalism.

• Scrubs – Standard clinical uniform for comfort and hygiene
• White lab coat – Worn in many settings for professional appearance and identification
• Closed-toe shoes – Often required for safety in clinical environments
• ID badge – Typically worn at all times to identify role and credentials

What You’ll Learn in a Physician Assistant Program

While course offerings may vary slightly between institutions, most accredited PA programs follow a rigorous curriculum designed to prepare students for a wide range of clinical responsibilities. These programs typically span 2 to 3 years and include both classroom instruction and extensive hands-on clinical rotations.

Most entry-level PA programs have the following prerequisites:

• Anatomy– Study of the structure of the human body.
• Physiology– Explores how body systems function.
• Biochemistry– Examines the chemical processes within living organisms.
• Biology– Foundation in life sciences, covering cells, organisms, and ecosystems.
• Microbiology– Focuses on microorganisms and their role in health and disease.
• Chemistry– General principles of matter and chemical reactions.
• Organic Chemistry– Study of carbon-based compounds and their interactions.
• English Composition/Writing– Develops clear, professional communication skills.
• Genetics– Covers inheritance, DNA structure, and gene function.
• Medical Terminology– Introduces the language used in healthcare settings.
• Psychology (general)– Basics of human behavior and mental processes.
• Statistics– Teaches data analysis and interpretation in scientific research.

Many programs also integrate coursework in medical ethics, public health, and patient communication, helping to prepare PAs for the human side of healthcare as well as the scientific.

By the end of the program, students are not only well-versed in medical science—they’re ready to step into clinical settings and make a real difference in patient care.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Physician Assistant?

The path to becoming a PA varies based on your starting point. Generally, becoming a PA takes four to six years, depending on your current education and experience.

• If you’re already an EMT or Paramedic with a bachelor’s degree, you can typically complete the master’s-level PA program in 2 to 3 years. This allows you to build on your existing healthcare experience and education to advance your career more quickly.
• If you haven’t yet earned a Bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to complete your undergraduate coursework first, which can add an additional 2 to 4 years, depending on your credits and course load.

What Skills Are Essential to Succeed as a Physician Assistant?

Beyond the educational and certification requirements, successful PAs demonstrate a range of important skills, including:

• Effective Communication— PAs collaborate closely with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, but they also need to communicate clearly and compassionately with patients, many of whom may be anxious, confused, or in need of guidance about their diagnosis or treatment.
• Compassion and Empathy— Treating patients of all ages and backgrounds, often facing serious injuries or illnesses, requires a strong bedside manner and genuine care to build trust and provide comfort.
• Strong Organizational Skills— Managing multiple patients means keeping detailed records, test results, and treatment plans well-organized, while ensuring schedules run smoothly and procedures are coordinated efficiently.
• Attention to Detail— Accuracy is critical, not only in managing patient information but also in diagnosing conditions and administering treatments to ensure the highest quality of care.
• Problem-Solving Ability— Although PAs work under physician supervision, they are expected to independently assess situations, identify issues, and recommend effective solutions, much like physicians do.
• Emotional Resilience— The role comes with significant responsibility and pressure, often involving life-or-death decisions. Successful PAs remain calm and focused even in stressful, high-stakes environments.

These skills, combined with strong medical knowledge, prepare PA’s to deliver exceptional patient care every day.

How Will My EMT Experience Help Me Become a Physician Assistant?

Many of the skills and experiences you’ve gained as an EMT and Paramedic naturally overlap with those needed to succeed as a PA. Building on the foundational skills we discussed earlier, your EMT background offers several unique advantages on your path to becoming a PA:

• Shift Experience & Flexibility— PAs often work varied hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, especially in emergency or hospital settings. Your experience managing demanding, unpredictable shifts as an EMT prepares you well for this schedule flexibility.
• Proven Ability to Perform Under Pressure— Treating injuries and illnesses in emergency situations means you’re accustomed to high-stress environments. This proven capacity to stay calm and make quick decisions is invaluable in PA roles, where lives often depend on your judgment.
• Hands-On Patient Care & Bedside Manner— Working directly with injured or distressed patients in the field teaches compassion and effective patient interaction—skills that textbooks can’t fully capture but are essential to quality care as a PA.
• Effective Communication— You’re already familiar with medical terminology and know how to communicate crucial information rapidly and clearly among medical teams and patients—skills that make collaboration in clinical settings much smoother.
• Organizational Expertise— Collecting, documenting, and relaying accurate patient information during emergencies gives you a strong foundation in maintaining detailed records and managing multiple cases—a core part of PA responsibilities.
• Emotional Resilience — Having encountered a wide range of medical emergencies, you’ve developed the emotional strength to handle difficult, graphic, or intense situations without losing focus, a vital attribute for any PA.
• Clinical Knowledge Base— Many core principles from EMT training, such as patient stabilization, wound care, and infection control, directly contribute to the medical knowledge you’ll continue to build as a PA student and professional.

By leveraging these skills and experiences, your EMT or Paramedic background not only gives you a head start in PA training but also helps you thrive in the demanding and rewarding work of a PA.

How Much Does a Physician Assistant Make?

According to the BLS, the mean annual wage for PAs was $136,900 as of May 2024. Salaries can vary substantially depending on level of experience, specialization, and geographic location.

Top Paying States for Physician Assistants

According to the BLS, these are the highest-paying states for PAs as of May 2022. Salaries can vary depending on geographic location, level of experience and certifications.

State	Average mean wage	Annual mean salary
Washington	$69.90	$145,390
California	$69.48	$144,520
Alaska	$69.45	$144,460
Connecticut	$68.89	$143,280
Nevada	$67.96	$141,360

Top Paying Cities for Physician Assistants

According to the BLS, these are the highest-paying cities for PAs as of May 2022. Salaries can vary depending on geographic location, level of experience and certifications.

City	Average mean wage	Annual mean salary
San Jose, CA	$82.87	$172,370
Napa, CA	$79.52	$165,400
San Francisco, CA	$78.11	$162,480
Vallejo, CA	$76.72	$159,570
Fairbanks, AK	$75.78	$157,610
Beaumont, TX	$75.41	$156,850
Yuba City, CA	$74.72	$155,420
Leominster, MA	$74.07	$154,060
Sacramento, CA	$73.34	$152,540
Santa Rosa, CA	$72.57	$150,950

Start Strong and Begin Your Physician Assistant Journey with EMT Training

Many successful PAs begin their journey in emergency medicine, gaining hands-on experience as EMTs or paramedics. EMT training is not only a valuable steppingstone but also a powerful way to build the real-world skills and confidence needed to excel in advanced healthcare roles.

If you’re not yet an EMT, enrolling in an EMT basic training program is a smart first move. Unitek EMT provides accelerated boot camps that deliver the hands-on training you need to thrive as a first responder, with convenient options for different schedules. This foundational training introduces you to fast-paced medical environments, patient care, and emergency response—key experiences that can set you apart on your path to becoming a PA.

While EMT certification isn’t a requirement for PA school, it’s an excellent way to gain clinical hours, strengthen your application, and explore your passion for helping others. With rising demand for both EMTs and PAs, now is the perfect time to take action.

Take the first step toward a brighter future—enroll in an EMT basic training program.