Non-Clinical and Hybrid Career Paths for PAs
By Jennifer Anne Hohman
As physician associates seek innovative careers, many are exploring hybrid roles that combine elements of clinical and non-clinical work. There are several fulfilling roles that offer PAs the opportunity to bridge clinical practice with technology, wellness, education, and patient advocacy.
Patient Care Navigator
The Patient Care Navigator role is rich in transferable skills for PAs and aligns powerfully with the PA profession’s passion for patient advocacy. Patient care navigators use their clinical background, healthcare systems knowledge, and patient communication skills to help patients understand their diagnosis and treatment options while overcoming barriers to care.
Their work includes guiding patients toward the most appropriate treatment options; providing logistical support in the form of analyzing insurance and payment systems; and providing emotional support through calm, steady guidance in navigating both illness and the healthcare system. Patient Care Navigators are frequently involved in the management of chronic and acute illnesses and work collaboratively with other medical providers, social workers, and social service representatives.
The Patient Care Navigator role typically requires a background in healthcare, as well as demonstrated ability to navigate insurance systems and communicate skillfully with diverse audiences. Employers of Patient Care Navigators include hospitals, health systems, and specialty clinics that focus on oncology, diabetes, and organ transplant. Community health centers hire Patient Care Navigators to improve access to care, while some public health departments hire navigators for health initiatives and to support care for veterans, children, and underserved communities.
For PAs interested in becoming a Patient Care Navigator, insurance and health systems training is available through The Alliance of Health Advocates and the Patient Advocate Foundation. PAs interested in this role should keep in mind that the salary range for patient care navigators does skew distinctly below PA salaries, with a typical range between $40,000 and $75,000.
Resources for Further Exploration:
Clinical Informatics Specialist
If you are energized by technology and systems thinking and want to bring a patient-centered perspective to the next stages of medical technology, consider becoming a Clinical Informatics Specialist. PAs working in this field can help improve how EHRs and digital tools support clinicians and patients. Prior clinical experience positions PAs well for this role, as companies seek the insights of clinicians who have interacted with medical technology firsthand.
This role’s core responsibilities include providing training, support, and education for clinical staff on records system functionality, workflow changes, and best practices. Clinical Information Specialists also collaborate with clinicians to analyze and document current clinical workflows, identify inefficiencies, and assess the information and knowledge needs of healthcare professionals. If you’ve ever been frustrated by the design of an EMR system, this role offers a chance to participate in the development and implementation of this technology.
PAs working in this role bring a critical perspective on direct patient care, along with familiarity with systems and a dedication to preserving the human side of medicine served by technology. PAs can increase their competitiveness for positions in this field with a CPHIMS (Certified Professional in Healthcare Information & Management Systems) credential. Clinical Informatics Specialists are hired by hospitals, clinics, and health systems, health tech/software companies, insurance providers, government agencies and consulting firms. Typical salary ranges are from $95,000 and $104,000 nationally.
Resources for Further Exploration:
Genomics or Precision Medicine Coordinator
This innovative role bridges clinical care, molecular genetics, and patient education.
Core responsibilities include coordinating genetic testing and counseling referrals; interpreting genetic test reports; and integrating findings into care plans. PAs would excel at educating patients and clinicians about genetic risk and targeted therapies. Team practice aspects of this role include collaborating with molecular labs, oncologists, cardiologists, or primary care teams. Another aspect of the job is managing precision medicine databases or research registries.
PAs’ skillset in clinical reasoning, patient communication, multispecialty work, and multidisciplinary teamwork is helpful, especially if supplemented with targeted genomics education. Another core PA aptitude that applies well to this field is translating complex medical concepts into language patients can more easily understand. Typical compensation for this role ranges between $57,000 and $80,000 per year.
Resources for Further Exploration:
Clinical Instructor or Faculty Member in a PA Program
PAs looking to make a personal difference within the profession while staying engaged in clinical topics may find a rewarding home in the world of PA education.
PA educators play an essential role in educating, mentoring, and preparing future PAs for clinical practice. For PAs seeking a multifaceted set of daily responsibilities, being a clinical instructor or faculty member offers an appealing blend of clinical content, mentorship, and the satisfaction of fostering the values and identity of the PA profession in a new generation of clinicians. If you have a passion for teaching, strong interpersonal and communication skills, and a passion for curriculum development and professional mentorship, becoming a PA educator may be a meaningful career path to explore.
With the continuing growth of the PA profession, the need for educators should remain strong in the coming years. The “hybrid” nature of this role offers diverse settings and roles: faculty often split their time between classroom instruction, skills lab or simulation teaching, clinical site coordination, and ongoing part-time clinical practice to stay current. Being a program administrator/director is an option for PAs seeking a leadership role with responsibilities that include long term planning, vision, and organizational acumen.
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Functional Medicine Practitioner or Health Coach
Many PAs are deeply interested in addressing the root causes of disease and are looking for ways to practice that bridge traditional and holistic approaches. Functional Medicine offers an alternative approach that blends conventional medical diagnostics and treatments with evidence-based nutrition, supplements, stress management, and lifestyle interventions to optimize overall wellness. PAs can pursue this role as part of a traditional clinical practice, or as health coaches who work with clients to guide them toward wellness with guidance on diet, exercise, and other health-supportive practices.
This may include detailed history taking with in-depth discussions about physical, social and emotional health and life patterns, and advanced lab testing. For PAs who want to develop deep, collaborative relationships with patients focused on health promotion and overall wellbeing, this may be a novel and rewarding practice path. Duke offers an Integrative Health Coach certification that specifically notes PAs as members of its target audience.
Resources for Further Exploration:
- Integrative Health Coach Professional Training: Certification Course
- The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM)
Jennifer Anne Hohman is the founder of PA Career Coach, a service dedicated to helping PAs one on one to create healthier careers: contact her at [email protected].