Labor and Delivery Physician Assistant Salary
Being a labor and delivery physician assistant will offer you the opportunity to help women receive the great care they deserve and deliver two lives into this world. You’ll be able to provide expert pain relief and extremely safe and effective care for mom, dad, the unborn child, and newborn baby. In some cases, you may work alongside obstetricians or family practice doctors.
Labor and Delivery Physician Assistant Salary
As the demand for labor and delivery services increases, the role of labor and delivery physician assistants is becoming increasingly important. Because of this, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the growth of this profession will be faster than average over the next decade.
The average salary for a labor and delivery physician assistant is $85,000 annually. However, there are many factors that can impact your salary as a labor and delivery physician assistant. For example, if you are working in a large metropolitan area with plenty of opportunities for advancement, you may make more than someone who works in a rural area where there are fewer opportunities for advancement. Another factor that impacts salary is experience: As you gain more experience as a labor and delivery physician assistant, you will likely earn more money per year than someone who has fewer years of experience on the job.
You’ll work with patients of all ages and backgrounds, including pregnant women and new mothers. You’ll focus on providing medical care to patients who need it most, while also helping them to avoid unnecessary surgeries or other procedures. You’ll also take on administrative tasks like scheduling appointments and handling paperwork related to those appointments.
The demand for PAs in this field is growing rapidly as well. In fact, according to research by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for PAs are projected to grow by 32% between now and 2024—much faster than average—and there are currently more than 300,000 PAs working in the US today.
Labor and Delivery Physician Assistant Qualifications
Labor and delivery physician assistant requirements are highly specific, which means that you must be sure that you meet each and every one of these qualifications before applying for the position.
1. Must be a licensed physician assistant
To be a licensed physician assistant, you must be a graduate of an accredited physician assistant program.
The PA program is a post-baccalaureate, professional degree program that leads to eligibility for national certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and licensure in all 50 states. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCCPA Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam, which is necessary to become certified and licensed as a physician assistant in the United States. The purpose of this exam is to determine whether the applicant has mastered the knowledge necessary to practice safely and competently.
2. Must have a minimum of two years of experience in labor and delivery
If you are looking for a job in labor and delivery, it is important to know that you must have at least two years of experience working with mothers and babies.
Labor and delivery is a fast-paced and stressful environment, so you need to be able to handle pressure well. You also need to be able to work well under pressure, because sometimes things happen quickly in labor and delivery, and you cannot always wait for the perfect moment to do something.
It is also important that you know how to care for pregnant women, as they are sensitive people who may be experiencing a lot of pain or discomfort. You should know how to help them feel comfortable during their pregnancy and after they give birth.
3. Must have received training in obstetrics and gynecology as well as labor and delivery management
You must have received training in obstetrics and gynecology as well as labor and delivery management. Your training must be supervised by an experienced physician and should include at least 36 weeks of in-depth study. You should also have completed at least 12 weeks of clinical rotations in obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, internal medicine and surgery.
4. Must have completed at least thirty hours of coursework related to pregnancy, labor, delivery, post-partum care, and newborn care
You must have completed at least thirty hours of coursework related to pregnancy, labor, delivery, post-partum care, and newborn care.
The reason for this requirement is simple: it’s necessary for you to be able to provide safe and effective care to patients. Pregnant women are vulnerable and need someone who has the knowledge and training to help them navigate their pregnancy. Newborns are fragile and require special care—you need to know what you’re doing when it comes to caring for newborns.
5. Must have passed the NCCPA certification exam
The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCPA) is the only organization that certifies medical transcriptionists. It’s a voluntary credentialing program that ensures you’re qualified to do your job, and it’s recommended by most employers.
The NCCPA certification exam is made up of multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge of the national standards for medical transcription.
Labor and delivery physician assistants work in hospitals, outpatient clinics and private practices. They provide medical care for pregnant women during labor and delivery, including performing ultrasounds and other tests on the mother’s fetus. They also monitor the progress of labor, administer medications as ordered by the doctor and conduct follow-up visits with patients after they give birth.
To be eligible for certification as a labor and delivery physician assistant (LAPA), you must pass the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) exam after completing an accredited program. In addition to passing this exam, you must complete a residency program that typically lasts between 18 months and two years.
The Labor and Delivery Physician Assistant assists physicians in the delivery of medical care to patients. The Labor and Delivery Physician Assistant must be able to clearly communicate with patients, physicians, and other staff members. They must be proficient in both written and verbal communication.
The Labor and Delivery Physician Assistant must have excellent interpersonal skills in order to work effectively with patients, physicians, and other staff members. The Labor and Delivery Physician Assistant should also be able to provide patient education about labor and delivery procedures and postpartum care.
Labor and Delivery Physician Assistants may need to perform physical exams on pregnant women or newborns, which requires training in basic medical procedures such as taking blood pressure readings or checking heart rate using a stethoscope.
How Much Do Physician Associates / Assistants Make?
Physician associates, who fall under the category of medical support personnel, generally collaborate with doctors or surgeons in clinical settings. While the two professions share identical clinical responsibilities, physician associates only make half of doctors’ average yearly income, which is $208,000, as reported by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS 2019). Physician associates’ earning potential is influenced by a variety of variables, including their place of employment, clinical specializations, cost of living in their state or metropolitan area, and prior healthcare-related work experience.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2019), here is a broad breakdown of the 114,710 physician associates’ wages in the United States:
- Average annual salary: $108,430
- 10th percentile: $69,120
- 25th percentile: $90,150
- 50th percentile (median): $108,610
- 75th percentile: $127,220
- 90th percentile: $151,850
The fact that this profession has a high degree of reported job satisfaction may please future physician associates. According to an AAPA survey from 2018, 88.5 percent of physician assistants are very satisfied with their careers. Most survey participants responded that they would prefer to become physician associates again if they could pick a different job in the future (AAPA 2018).
Physician associates, according to self-reported statistics from PayScale.com, are quite satisfied with their careers, scoring 4.1 out of 5 based on 1,304 individual ratings (PayScale.com Jan. 2020).
Not just physician associates are enthusiastic about their employment. Physician associates are ranked first among healthcare careers by U.S. News & World Report (2019), and third among the top 100 jobs and STEM jobs. In comparison to becoming a physician, which needs about twice as many years of postsecondary education and training, becoming a physician associate requires only a master’s degree and no prior professional experience for entry-level roles.
Another significant advantage for people looking to become physician associates is employability. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2019) reveals that the demand for physician associates is expanding at a pace of 31% (2018–2028), which is more than six times faster than the national average for all occupations. This occupation is one of the fastest-growing in the country. By 2028, it is anticipated that 37,000 additional physician associate posts would be required (BLS 2019).
So why is there such a huge need for physician associates? An older population and improved access to healthcare are the two causes. More people than ever before are seeking medical care due to the Affordable Healthcare Act’s implementation and a sizable aging population.
A physician associate can be obtained with just six years of postsecondary education and training by aspiring medical professionals who desire to work in clinical capacities, as opposed to the typical 12 or more years of study and residency requirements needed to become a physician. More medical professionals are required to meet the clinical needs of an increased patient population. The demand for physician assistants is expected to increase due to the fact that they can perform many of the same medical procedures as doctors while requiring only half the education and training.
The high demand for physician associates in the US is understandable given that entry-level physician associates can pursue a patient-focused career in medicine by enrolling in a two-year master’s degree program. Physician associates can practice medicine in a clinical setting and select a specialization that fits their professional and financial goals with average yearly wages ranging from $87,887 (PayScale.com Jan. 2020) to $108,610 (BLS 2019).