Countries You Can Work in as a Physician Assistant

If you are a Physician Assistant (PA) who loves to travel and explore new cultures, you might wonder what countries you can practice in as a PA. The good news is that Physician Assistants have many opportunities to work internationally as volunteers, employees, or independent contractors. We will look at some countries that have established Physician Assistant roles or are developing Physician Assistant-like professions and what you need to know before you pack your bags and book your flight.

1. Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of the most advanced countries in Physician Assistant practice. Over 1800 PAs work in various settings, such as primary care, surgery, cardiology, emergency medicine, and oncology. PAs in the Netherlands have full prescriptive authority and practice mostly autonomously, under the supervision of a physician. They are also involved in teaching, research, and quality improvement projects. PAs in the Netherlands are trained in four-year master’s programs accredited by the Dutch Association of Physician Assistants (NAPA). To work as a PA in the Netherlands, you must have a valid NAPA license and register with the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa). You also need to speak fluent Dutch and pass a language proficiency test. The average salary for a PA in the Netherlands is around CAD 115,000 per year.

2. Canada

Canada is another country that has a well-established Physician Assistant profession. Over 1,000 PAs are working across the country, mainly in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and New Brunswick. PAs in Canada work in various specialties, such as family medicine, emergency medicine, orthopedics, psychiatry, and pediatrics. Physician Assistants in Canada have prescriptive authority, except for narcotics and controlled substances. They also have the ability to order tests and perform procedures within their scope of practice. Physician Assistants in Canada are trained in two-year master’s programs that are accredited by the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA). To work as a Physician Assistant in Canada, you must pass the PA Certification Exam (PACE) administered by the CAPA and register with the provincial regulatory body. Depending on the province, you must also speak fluent English or French. The average salary for a PA in Canada is around CAD 115,000 per year.

3. United Kingdom and Ireland

The United Kingdom and Ireland are two countries that are developing their PA roles. Over 600 PAs work in the UK, and over 50 PAs work in Ireland. PAs in these countries work mainly in primary care but also in some secondary care specialties, such as surgery, emergency medicine, geriatrics, and cardiology. PAs in these countries do not have prescriptive authority or test ordering capabilities yet, but they are working towards gaining these rights through legislation and regulation. PAs in these countries are trained in two-year master’s programs that are accredited by the Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA) in the UK and the Irish Society of Physician Associates (ISPA) in Ireland. To work as a PA in these countries, you need to pass the National Certification Exam (NCE) administered by the FPA or the ISPA and register with the relevant professional body. You also need to speak fluent English and meet the visa requirements for each country. The average salary for a PA in these countries is around CAD 60,000 per year.

4. Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand are two countries exploring Physician Assistants’ potential. Over 100 PAs are working in Australia, and over 20 PAs are working in New Zealand. Physician Assistants in these countries work mainly in rural and remote areas with a shortage of physicians and other healthcare providers. Physician Assistants in these countries have a limited scope of practice and face resistance from other medical professionals concerned about their role and impact on the health system. PAs in these countries are trained in two-year master’s programs that are accredited by the Australian Society of Physician Assistants (ASPA) or the New Zealand Society of Physician Associates (NZSPA). To work as a PA in these countries, you must pass the National Competency Exam (NCE) administered by the ASPA or the NZSPA and register with the relevant regulatory body. You also need to speak fluent English and meet the visa requirements for each country. The average salary for a Physician Assistant in these countries is around CAD 80,000 per year.

5. Other Countries

There are many other countries that have PAs or PA-like medical workers who provide similar services under the supervision of a physician. Some of these countries include:

• Liberia: Over 200 physician assistants work mainly in rural areas and provide primary care services.
• India: Over 1000 physician associates work mainly in urban areas and provide secondary care services.
• Ghana: Over 2000 Physician Assistants work mainly in rural areas and provide primary care services. They are called Physician Assistant (PA) Medicals or Medical Assistants, have prescriptive authority, and work under the supervision of a physician. They are trained through a 3-year program at various health training institutions.
• South Africa: Over 1000 Physician Assistants are working in South Africa, mainly in rural and district hospitals. They are called Clinical Associates and do not have prescriptive authority but can order tests and procedures under the supervision of a physician. They are trained through a 3-year program at various universities.
• Saudi Arabia: Over 500 Physician Assistants are working in Saudi Arabia, mainly in tertiary care settings. They are called Assistant Physicians and do not have prescriptive authority but can order tests and procedures under the supervision of a physician. They are trained through a 4-year program at various colleges and universities.
• Germany: Over 300 physician assistants work mainly in urban areas and provide secondary care services.
• Afghanistan: Over 200 physician assistants work mainly in rural areas and provide primary care services.
• Israel: Over 100 physician assistants work mainly in urban areas and provide secondary care services.
• Bulgaria: Over 50 physician assistants work mainly in urban areas and provide secondary care services.

To work as a Physician Assistant or a Physician Assistant-like medical worker in these countries, you should have a valid license from your home country and register with the local regulatory body. You also need to speak the local language and meet the visa requirements for each country. The average salary for a PA or a PA-like medical worker in these countries varies depending on the level of development, demand, and supply of the health system.

Benefits and Challenges of Working Abroad as a Physician Assistant (PA)

Working abroad as a PA can be a rewarding and enriching experience that can enhance your professional and personal growth. Some of the benefits of working abroad as a PA are:

• You can learn new skills and gain exposure to different healthcare systems and practices.
• You can expand your cultural awareness and sensitivity and learn new languages.
• You can positively impact the health and well-being of underserved populations and communities.
• You can travel and explore new places and cultures.

However, working abroad as a PA also comes with some challenges that you should be aware of before you decide to pursue this path. Some of the challenges of working abroad as a PA are:

• You may face legal and regulatory barriers that limit your scope of practice or recognition as a PA.
• You may encounter cultural and communication barriers affecting your patient and colleague relationship.
• You may face logistical and financial difficulties such as obtaining visas, licenses, certifications, insurance, housing, transportation, etc.
• You may experience personal and professional isolation or burnout due to a lack of support or resources.

Tips on How to Find International Physician Assistant (PA) Jobs

If you are interested in finding international Physician Assistant jobs, here are some tips on how to start your search:

• Do your research: Learn about the country where you want to work, its healthcare system, its culture, its language, and its laws and regulations regarding Physician Assistants or similar medical workers.
• Network: Connect with other PAs who have worked or are working abroad through online forums or social media platforms such as Facebook or LinkedIn. They can offer valuable advice and insights on how to find opportunities and prepare for working abroad.
• Volunteer: Consider volunteering for short-term projects or missions with organizations such as Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO), or Project HOPE. These can help you gain experience and exposure to international healthcare settings and build your resume and network.
• Apply: Look for job postings or opportunities on websites such as HospitalRecruiting.com, The Physician Assistant Life, or the International Association of Physician Assistant Educators (IAPAE). You can also contact PA programs or associations in the country where you want to work and inquire about potential openings or collaborations.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, there are many countries that you can practice in as a Physician Assistant, either as a volunteer, an employee, or an independent contractor. However, before you decide to work internationally, you should do your research and understand the legal, ethical, cultural, and professional implications of working in a different country. You also need to be flexible, adaptable, and respectful of the local norms and expectations. Working as a PA internationally can be a rewarding and enriching experience that can broaden your horizons and enhance your skills. If you want to work internationally as a Physician Assistant, you can check out some of the resources below for more information and guidance.