• Make a Difference: Help people improve their mental health and well-being.

• High Demand: Mental health professionals who can prescribe medications are needed across Ohio.

• Teamwork: Work closely with doctors, nurses, and therapists.

• Variety: Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to learn.

• Good Salary: PAs earn competitive wages.

As a PA in behavioral health, you'll have a rewarding career developing a strong relationship with your patients and helping others, with opportunities for growth and learning.

With a master's degree or higher: 

• Physician Assistant/Associate (PA)

PAs work directly with patients in hospitals, primary care, clinics, or mental health centers. You diagnose mental health conditions, create treatment plans, and support patients with medications and care. PAs must work under the supervision of a qualified physician or psychiatrist and have some restrictions on the types of medications they are permitted to prescribe.  

• Research Assistant (PA)

Although not as common as working in direct care, some PAs engage in research, medical clinical trials, and develop treatment or policy recommendations. [Learn more about Research careers→]

• Pharmaceutical Sales 

PAs can support the behavioral health field by providing clinical insights, educating peers about medications, and serving as advisors. 

Other job titles you may see:

• Physician Assistant/Associate - Behavioral Health

• Physician Assistant/Associate  - Psychiatric Mental Health

• Psychiatric Physician Assistant/Associate 

• Physician Assistant/Associate - Inpatient Psychiatry

• Physician Assistant/Associate - Outpatient Psychiatry

A career as a PA offers various paths and settings from patient care to research and education.

• Assess Patients: Talk with patients to understand their mental health needs.

• Diagnose Conditions: Identify issues like depression, anxiety, or substance abuse.

• Develop Treatment Plans: Create strategies to help patients feel better.

• Prescribe Medications: Provide medicines when needed.

• Collaborate with Teams: Work with other healthcare professionals to provide the best care.

PAs in behavioral health play a key role in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, often with medication, and working closely with patients and healthcare teams.

• Hospitals

• Primary Care

• Private Practices

• Inpatient and outpatient mental health centers

• Clinics

• Schools

• Community Centers

• Telehealth

PAs work in various settings, making mental health services more accessible to those in need.

• Children and Teens: Help young people with anxiety, ADHD, bullying, or family stress by offering support and treatment.

• Adults: Support individuals facing depression, trauma, substance use, or pressures from everyday life with therapy and medication management.

• Older Adults: Address mental health concerns related to aging, such as memory loss, loneliness, or grief, while promoting emotional well-being.

• Underserved Communities: Provide care in areas with few providers, helping people access mental health services they might not otherwise receive.

• People in Crisis: Offer fast, compassionate care in emergency rooms, clinics, or crisis centers during mental health emergencies.

• Veterans and Military Families: Assist those coping with PTSD, stress from deployment, or the transition back to civilian life.

• People with Chronic Illness or Disability: Support the emotional and psychological side of living with long-term health conditions.

PAs serve diverse populations across the lifespan 

To become a PA in Ohio:

1. Bachelor's degree: Earn a degree in a related field. Ensure all prerequisites are completed before applying to preferred programs. 

2. PA Program: Complete a master's program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

3. Certification: Pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).

In Ohio, to practice as a Physician Assistant:

• License: Obtain a license from the State Medical Board of Ohio.

• Certification: Maintain certification through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

• Continuing Education: Complete ongoing education to stay current.

*Ohio PAs will soon be able to practice across state lines through the PA Compact.

Click here to learn more about licenses, credentials, and certifications.