---
title: "Medical Assistants & Physician Assistants: What’s the Difference?"
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/medical-assistants-physician-assistants-whats-the-difference/"
type: post
date_published: 2012-08-29
date_modified: 2012-08-29
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 472
reading_time: 3 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/medical-assistants-physician-assistants-whats-the-difference/"
categories:
  - AZC Healthcare Programs
topic:
  - Medical Assisting
---

# Medical Assistants & Physician Assistants: What’s the Difference?

Though similarly named, the Medical Assistant and Physician Assistant fields are
actually very different. To help clarify what each of these careers entail, it
is important to understand the specific roles and duties performed by
professionals in each field.

## Physician Assistants

Physician Assistants, or PAs, are given specific duties to perform from their
supervising physicians or surgeons. Many duties that PAs perform on a regular
basis include providing diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative healthcare to
patients; examining patients; treating minor injuries; prescribing medications;
counseling patients; and helping to promote overall wellness. PAs are also
responsible for administrative duties like taking medical histories, ordering
and interpreting lab tests and X-rays, and helping to determine diagnoses.

Many Physician Assistants work in primary care specialties like family medicine,
emergency medicine, pediatrics, general surgery, internal medicine, orthopedics,
or geriatrics. It is crucial for PAs to be quick to react to emergency
situations, have a strong desire to serve the patient, and have a good bedside
manner.

## Medical Assistants

Medical Assistants, on the other hand, primarily perform clinical tasks and
administrative duties for physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other
healthcare practitioners. Depending on the office and specialty of the
practitioner, Medical Assistant duties can vary greatly. Administrative duties
often include keeping patient records accurate and up to date, arranging for
hospital visits and lab services, handling insurance information, and other
clerical responsibilities.

More hands-on duties that Medical Assistants are often expected to perform
include preparing patients for examinations, explaining treatment procedures to
patients, performing basic tests, taking medical histories, and sterilizing
medical equipment. Medical Assistants are critical to the healthcare system –
they are the face of the office and they help to keep the practice running
smoothly and efficiently.

## Education Requirements

Much like their roles and responsibilities, the educational requirements of the
Medical Assistant and the Physician Assistant career paths differ greatly. To
become a Physician Assistant, an accredited educational program _must_ be
completed. PA programs usually take at least two years of full-time study to
complete and typically lead to a master’s degree. Upon graduation from the
program, Physician Assistants are required to obtain licensure in the state in
which they wish to practice. Physician Assistants are also required to maintain
their licensure by recertifying every six years. For those wishing to become
Medical Assistants, the educational requirements are not as rigorous. Many
states require nothing more than a high school diploma. However, aspiring MAs
are encouraged to participate in a Medical Assisting program in order to learn
critical skills and knowledge, and receive hands-on training prior to entering
the field.

To learn more about pursuing a
[career as a Medical Assistant](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/all-programs/medical-assisting/become-medical-assistant/)
, [contact Arizona College](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/request-information/)
at 602-222-9300.

---

_Information in this blog post is accurate as of August 29, 2012._

**Categories:** AZC Healthcare Programs