Saturday, December 4, 2010

Non Clinical Options for Physician Assistants

Author: Rachel Davis

There are various reasons why those in the medical field choose to move to a non-clinical position – the latter have reasonable and fixed working hours, the stress levels are lower, they don’t bring on frequent litigation and lawsuits, and they’re free of dealings with insurance companies. Some may be bored in their clinical positions because it’s not challenging anymore – they’ve achieved all that they wanted to and they now want to explore their options in the corporate world.


It’s always difficult to effect a change in career, even if it’s from a clinical to a non-clinical position in the world of medicine and healthcare. But for those who have the relevant experience and skills, the transition is not really that big a deal provided they’re ready to accept that the initial days are going to be a struggle and that the nature of work is completely different.

So if you’re a physician assistant and wish to move to a non-clinical position, you should know that there are a variety of options out there. If you have prior managerial experience or if you’re technically inclined, you could seek jobs in the hospital administration or in the healthcare IT sectors. The former is suitable for those who still wish to remain in a clinical setting while the latter is for those who are comfortable with technology.

Some physician assistants do choose to enter the pharmaceutical industry and others may pursue careers in research or consulting. Some go into sales, but this could involve a significant amount of travel. Another area that is suitable for physician assistants is academia; with a little more education, they can secure teaching positions at nursing schools. Some PAs even choose to go into public health administration.

The best way to enter the non-clinical healthcare industry is to settle for an entry-level job initially and then use your drive and determination to move ahead, just as you would in any industry. However, you must be prepared to accept a salary lower than you now earn, and you must be willing to start afresh like it was your first job.

In general, a move to a non-clinical position could involve one or more of the following:
• Additional education – you may have to go back to school and earn a degree or take a certificate course
• A reduction in salary (possibly)
• An entry-level position
• A completely new job experience

So before you make the transition, consider if it is worth the trouble and expense. Think through your decision, research your options, learn about the job description and responsibilities, ensure that this is really what you want, and find a non-clinical position before you quit your present job.

This guest post is contributed by Rachel Davis, she writes on the topic of Radiology programs. She welcomes your comments at her email id: racheldavis65[@]gmail[.]com.

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