O*NET-SOC 29-1071.00

Physician Assistants

Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 5 – Extensive preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresExtensive skill, knowledge, or experience is needed
Broad occupation in O*NETTrue (Yes)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Critical Thinking2.A.2.a4.1208/2021
Reading Comprehension2.A.1.a4.1208/2021
Active Listening2.A.1.b4.008/2021
Judgment and Decision Making2.B.4.e4.008/2021
Service Orientation2.B.1.f4.008/2021
Social Perceptiveness2.B.1.a4.008/2021

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Deductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.44.1208/2021
Inductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.54.1208/2021
Oral Comprehension1.A.1.a.14.1208/2021
Problem Sensitivity1.A.1.b.34.1208/2021
Information Ordering1.A.1.b.64.008/2021
Oral Expression1.A.1.a.34.008/2021

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.Core3608/2021
Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.Core3708/2021
Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.Core3708/2021
Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.Core3708/2021
Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.Core3708/2021

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Social5.8111/2023
Investigative4.9811/2023
Conventional4.5611/2023
Realistic3.7911/2023
Enterprising2.0711/2023
Artistic1.2311/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 5

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.