Recruitment spotlight: Physician assistants

 

Physician assistant positions have been growing in demand every year since 2011 and that growth shows few signs of slowing down. According to the American Academy of PAs (AAPA), demand for physician assistants grew by 300 percent between 2011 and 2014.

This is further backed up by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which reported that the 10-year job outlook for physician assistants is growing much faster than most fields of work. By 2024, BLS expects the number of physician assistant jobs to increase by 30 percent - 23 percent faster than average.

This growth presents an amazing opportunity for recruiters, job seekers, providers and patients. Recruiters will likely see a steady flow of PA searches, job seekers will find many opportunities for work, providers will get the help they need to improve care, and patients will be able to meet with trained, highly educated professionals.

The physician assistant job market

In 2014, there were more than 94,000 physician assistant positions in the U.S. If the industry sustains its predicted 30 percent growth rate, there will be an additional 28,700 jobs by 2024.

In 2016, the median pay for physician assistant positions was roughly $101,408, according to BLS.

A survey sponsored by AAPA found that 95 percent of hospitals expect to accelerate PA hiring in the near future, and 58 percent anticipate extending PA job functions. Recent graduates may find a very positive job market as they enter the workforce.

Appealing to recent graduates

Most employers look for candidates with a master's degree and several years of experience in a clinical setting. They expect to see job applicants who are comfortable with patients, work well in a team setting and are constantly looking for ways to improve their skills.

To find these candidates, recruiters may scour social media channels for recruits  - but the results are often disappointing.

If you're looking for candidates who work hard to stay at the top of their game, consider narrowing your searches to those who read professional publications or stay up-to-date on the latest medical research. Ambitious, career-minded clinical professionals frequently read content in peer-reviewed journals and expert-curated websites.

By posting your job vacancies on myHealthTalent, or other Elsevier content platforms you can gain access to these highly-qualified physician assistant candidates.

To learn more about how leveraging the multi-channel Elsevier network can help you access your next qualified physician assistant, visit myHealthTalent.com today! Physician assistant positions have been growing in demand every year since 2011 and that growth shows few signs of slowing down.