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Physician Assistant

Medical Specialist Corps Jobs		End of Category

Physician Assistant - 65D


  • Active/Reserve:Both
  • Officer/Enlisted:Officer
  • Restrictions:None

Overview

Physician assistants provide a variety of services to troops that are traditionally performed by physicians. As an officer in the Medical Specialist corps, they play an important role in improving the overall quality of life for Soldiers and their families. Within a physician-PA relationship, PAs exercise significant professional autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services.

Job Duties

  • Delivers primary and specialty medical care with physician supervision
  • Performs comprehensive exams and prescribes medications
  • Counsels patients and obtains medical histories
  • Interprets lab tests and xray results
  • Supervises combat medics and performs as a medical section/platoon leader
  • Advises on medicallyrelated matters pertinent to unit readiness for missions
  • Functions as medical staff officer at various levels
  • Serves as commander of companies, battalions, brigades and medical treatment facilities

    • Requirements

    Active Duty

  • Bachelor's degree, plus completion of an accredited physician assistant program acceptable to the Army Surgeon General
  • Certification by the National Commission for Certified Physician Assistants
  • Eligibility for board certification
  • Must be between 21 and 42 years of age
  • Students graduating within six months (with a qualifying degree from a U.S. – accredited school) may apply for active army service
    • Army Reserve
  • In addition to the above qualifications, permanent U.S. residency is required for Reserve duty officers.
  • Must be between 21 and 42 years of age (may request a waiver, Locate A Recruiter for more information)

    • Training

    Job training for the Army Medical Specialist Corps will offer you the unique opportunity to teach, research and learn at various health education programs. You will work in U.S. Army medical centers, hospitals, clinics and field medical units to gain experience in a wide range of practice environments.

    Helpful Skills

  • Ability to make accurate, immediate decisions
  • Perform under stress
  • Apply critical technical and thinking skills
  • Tremendous concentration

    • ASVAB

    The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is an examination that is administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command. It is used to determine qualification and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military.

  • No ASVAB

    • Compensation

    Active Duty

  • Health Professions Loan Repayment, which can be applied toward qualified education loans
  • Specialty Pay for boardcertified physician assistants
  • May receive pay for continuing education
    • Army Reserve
  • May receive pay for continuing education and training
  • Noncontributory retirement benefits at age 60 with 20 years of qualifying service
  • Travel opportunities, including humanitarian missions

    • See the whole list of Army Occupational Specialties here

    To learn more about the Army's rank structure, see our complete list of Army ranks.
    To see a list of military medals and decorations that can be earned by servicemembers in the Army and other branches of the military, see our list of military decorations and medals.