If you’d like to explore part-time physician assistant jobs, the good news is there’s an abundance of opportunities available! Whether you are looking to reduce your weekly hours, gain some extra income, or even just expand your clinical reach, there are lots of positions out there that could fit into your lifestyle.
That said, part-time physician assistant jobs come in many shapes and sizes and there are things to consider before applying. In this post, we’ll review what to keep in mind when looking for a part-time job, so you can find a position that works for your particular situation. Let’s get started!
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5 Things to Consider When Looking for Part-Time Physician Assistant Jobs
1. You may work odd hours.
If you’re looking for something to supplement your 9-to-5, you’ll need to consider positions with evening, overnight, or weekend shifts. The good news is part-time PA jobs come with a variety of scheduling options, so there are lots of those opportunities out there if you’re looking to supplement your income.
2. For more flexibility, you may want to consider PRN (“as needed”) positions.
If you’re looking to reduce your weekly commitment, then you can be more selective about when you’ll work. The question then becomes, how many hours are you looking to put in?
Part-time PA jobs may require 16 or more hours per week. If you can’t commit to that, you may be looking for a “PRN” (“pro re nata,” meaning “as needed”) job opportunity instead. These roles often offer less guaranteed hours or income, but they do provide a lot of flexibility in scheduling.
What’s the difference between part-time vs PRN positions?
Part-time and PRN positions are both plentiful. But the two roles differ in some key ways!
As mentioned, part-time opportunities usually require at least 16 hours per week of work. In contrast, PRN jobs may not have any required weekly hours. However, they may require you to be available on certain days or a certain number of weekends monthly. This is because PRN jobs are often offered to fill coverage gaps in the employer’s schedule.
Additionally, whereas part-time job opportunities often offer some benefits for employees, including paid time-off, retirement, and health-insurance, PRN positions don’t usually come with benefits. This may be especially important for someone who is looking to simply cut down their full-time hours. If you want to obtain these benefits, it could be important to find a part-time position rather than a PRN one.
Should you consider a PRN opportunity?
If you’re pairing your new job with a full-time job, a PRN opportunity may fit your schedule better. That way, you can have your health insurance and other benefits from your primary employer and be more selective in scheduling with your PRN role.
3. Search for part-time jobs the way you would search for full-time jobs.
If you’re looking for something part time or PRN, do it the same way you would look for a full-time position!
The best way is usually going right to hospital or clinic career pages. You can usually filter the results to see only part-time or PRN opportunities. You may also be able to find some other opportunities on search engines such as Indeed or LinkedIn.
4. Expect less training for part-time physician assistant jobs.
The specialty you choose to pursue in a part-time role is completely up to you! Maybe you want to do the same thing you do full time, or maybe you want to switch it up. A part-time role could be a great way to expand your clinical experience in a new field.
One thing to consider when applying is that some part-time (and almost all PRN positions) require someone that can step in quickly without much training. An employer may be less inclined to hire someone without experience in the specialty.
5. You may want to consider non-clinical roles!
Perhaps you want all a part-time job has to offer, but aren’t looking to take on another clinical role? Of course, you can opt for a position completely different to pursue some other hobbies. For example, I’ve recently considered becoming a pilates coach!
It’s understandable, though, if you still want to benefit from the license you worked so hard to obtain, even while desiring something that’s a bit outside the box.
The good news is, not all part-time physician assistant jobs are clinical! Take a look at this blog post on non-clinical roles for PAs. 🤩
I’m a huge advocate for pursuing non-clinical part-time opportunities if it fits your schedule! It’s so easy to get burned out with any clinical role, and even easier when you’re doing it for over 40 hours a week because you added a clinical side gig. I’m of the firm belief that part-time physician assistant jobs should supplement your life, not just your income.
So, if you’re looking for a part-time or PRN role, do something you’re passionate about. If that means taking on a non-clinical role, more power to you!
A bit about my experience in a non-clinical role…
There are lots of choices out there when it comes to non-clinical roles, but personally I’ve always been interested in education. Even when I was studying for the PANCE my clinical year, I knew I wanted to one day help others prepare for their exams. But when I decided I really wanted to get into PA education, I only had four years of experience and I felt nowhere near ready to give up a full-time clinical position.
Because of this, I opted to pursue a part-time role in education. This has been an excellent addition to my life and given me a real sense of balance. It allows me to continue practicing while also helping future PAs along the way! I feel fulfilled in this role, as it’s a change of pace from my clinical position and helps prevent burnout.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of what your motivation is, your perfect part-time job is out there! When it comes to part-time physician assistant jobs, there are clinical roles, telemedicine roles, or other opportunities for you to pursue. If you have the time to supplement a full-time role, I encourage you to be selective in your search process.
Find something that will enhance your life, not add to your stress levels. Don’t be scared to step out of your comfort zone and apply for a position that interests you. You may find something you love! 💙
