Best Non-Clinical Physician Assistant Jobs in 2023
Physician Assistants (PAs) repeatedly rank among the most popular career options in the US.
This job offers incredible flexibility and high earning potential but with remarkably less debt than most other professions in the healthcare industry.
However, there has been a noticeable change in the industry, with many physician assistants looking for alternative, non-clinical careers.
Although this move is not restricted to qualified Physician Assistants, doctors are now retiring at a younger age and in large numbers as compared to a decade ago.
As the field of medicine undergoes substantial changes, the growth prospects for assistants are also changing.
Why choose Non-Clinical Physician Assistant Jobs?
There have been remarkable changes in the healthcare industry. The focus on patient autonomy and rising sophistication among patients is greater than ever.
However, bureaucratic red tape and the intrusion of third-party payers are also increasing. These factors have increased the instances of clinical burnout among healthcare workers.
Parents are steadily discouraging their kids from pursuing a career in healthcare, owing to constant threats to income, dwindling respect for the profession, and several red tape bindings.
On the other hand, the interest in nonclinical careers is steadily increasing for aspiring doctors, assistants, nurses, and other healthcare workers.
Thankfully, there has been a marked increase in demand and scope for physician assistants in non-clinical careers.
5 of the Best Non Clinical Physician Assistant Jobs
Watch the video for the best non clinical physician assistant jobs
How to choose the best nonclinical physician assistant job?
There are several different types of non-clinical careers for physician assistants to choose from today.
If you’ve been thinking about changing your career path or if you are a freshly qualified PA and seeking a career in an alternate field, then you’ve come to the right place.
How to choose the best nonclinical physician assistant job
Before choosing an alternate career, you should have certain factors cleared. Answering the below-listed questions may help you to pinpoint the specific nonclinical physician assistant job you may best qualify for:
- What talents or skills do you plan to use in the non-clinical job that you are unable to use in your current employment?
- Are you passionate about a specific cause?
- What are the changes you think PAs working in non-clinical fields can bring about in the world of medicine and society at large?
- Would you prefer working on regulations and policy or are you more interested in research?
- What kind of situations bring out your problem-solving and creative talents?
Once you’ve answered these questions, you should have a clearer idea of the non-clinical career path you can choose as a certified physician assistant.
5 Best nonclinical physician assistant jobs
Below, we have listed some of the top options for nonclinical physician assistant jobs in the US:
1 – Medical device, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical companies
Companies engaged in biotechnology, pharmaceutical companies, and medical device manufacturers are on the constant lookout for certified and skilled PAs for work in research and development, regulatory affairs, medical clinical trials, communications, education as well as sales and marketing.
To find the best-suited job in these industries, we advise you to visit a reputed local employment website to learn more about the opportunities closest to you.
2 – Insurance companies
In the insurance industry, physician assistants are vital for determining the treatment and reimbursement protocols along with reviewing charts and other similar responsibilities.
As a certified PA, you can find a job in life insurance, disability and health, and also in worker’s compensation.
To learn more about this alternate non-clinical career path as a physician assistant, you can visit www.nahu.org, the official website of The National Association of Health Underwriters.
3 – Legal Medicine and Expert Witness
As a qualified physician assistant, you can also act as an expert medical witness and render an opinion on whether a fellow PA has met the standard of healthcare as set by government regulations.
The American Academy of PAs in Legal Medicine’s website, www.aapalm.org, has detailed information regarding this topic.
4 – Academic field
If the idea of teaching and mentoring the next generation of healthcare workers appeals to you, then you can choose a career in academia as a professor, instructor, or leader at PA programs across the country’s universities.
The Physician Assistant Education Association, www.paeaonline.org is an incredible directory of resources for organizations and individuals who are interested in the educational aspects of a PA career.
Apart from the satisfaction of training the next generation of PAs as a professor, you can also enjoy additional benefits, such as unrestricted access to university resources.
5 – Medical Writing and Communication
Medical communication officers are responsible for interacting with the media, public health agencies, governmental health agencies, and other healthcare-related industries in the areas of medical education, marketing/advertising, and regulatory submissions.
The American Medical Writers Association describes medical writing and communication as “writing, editing or developing materials about health and medicine.
The medical communicator does this by gathering, organizing, interpreting, and presenting information in a manner appropriate for the target audience.
Professional medical communicators have communication expertise, awareness of ethical standards, and knowledge of healthcare.”
Conclusion
These are just the top 5 non-clinical physician assistant jobs we have listed.
There are several more alternative career options for certified physician assistants. Feel free to drop in a comment and let us know of the career options that suit you best.
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I am a dedicated healthcare researcher and an enthusiast specializing in medical grants, medical education and research. Through my articles, I aim to empower healthcare professionals and researchers with valuable insights and resources to navigate these critical aspects effectively.
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