22 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
Most shifts start by reviewing assigned patients in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) — commonly Epic, MEDITECH, or eClinicalWorks. You examine patients, order diagnostic tests, review results, adjust treatment plans, and document all notes in the EMR or ChartWare.
Afternoons often include assisting in surgery, performing medical procedures, supervising technicians, and processing insurance paperwork like HCPCS codes. You finish by updating care plans, communicating test results to medical staff, and sending follow-up instructions via the EMR or Microsoft Outlook.
You will use EMRs such as Epic, MEDITECH, eClinicalWorks, or ChartWare for documentation, orders, and test results. Those systems store notes, orders for diagnostic tests, and medication prescriptions.
For billing and claims you’ll use procedure and condition coding systems: HCPCS for procedures and standard medical procedure/condition coding (CPT/ICD are common names). You may also use Microsoft Outlook for team messages.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were about 162,150 employed Physician Assistants in 2025. The median annual wage was $135,880, the lowest tenth earned about $99,380, and the top tenth earned about $190,280.
Pay varies by setting (hospital vs. clinic), location, specialty, and experience. BLS data gives a national snapshot but local job listings show the range in your city.
Only use AI as a drafting tool — never as the final clinical decision. Drafted notes or suggested diagnoses from AI must be verified against the patient exam, diagnostic tests, and your clinical judgment, then corrected and saved in the EMR (Epic, MEDITECH, etc.).
Be careful with patient data: follow your hospital’s privacy rules and do not paste identifiable records into external AI services unless they are approved and HIPAA-compliant. Always document that you reviewed and accepted any AI-generated content.
You need a Master’s level PA program (ARC-PA accredited) after prerequisite coursework: anatomy, physiology, biology, and often clinical experience hours. Study clinical medicine, pharmacology (so you can prescribe medications), and diagnostic reasoning (to order and interpret tests).
Practice using at least one EMR in clinical rotations (Epic is common) and learn basic coding concepts (HCPCS, CPT, ICD) so you can participate in billing, documentation, and test/result workflows.
Clinical skills: accurate patient exams, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, performing common medical procedures, and adjusting treatment plans based on progress. You must be able to diagnose and treat common diseases and provide preventive care.
Technical skills: clear, timely documentation in EMRs (Epic, MEDITECH, eClinicalWorks, ChartWare), correct use of procedure/condition coding (HCPCS/CPT/ICD) for billing, and basic device maintenance and surgery hygiene when assisting in the OR.