Posted by Ram on September 5, 2007, 1:54 am, in reply to "other 2 yr programs"
not really. PAs average 85K, but a lot depends on speciality and the hours vary. the lowest paying may be pediatric PA, where a cardiothoracic or ER PA can earn easily 125K+. PAs can practice in any field of medicine, except anesthesia, w/o further schooling. you can go from being a FP PA to working for an ortho, then do ER, etc.
RAs are still not licensed in many states and they actually function within their old license as a radtech (like an extension of the license). to be accepted to a RA program, most require 2yrs fulltime experience as a radtech (associates degree). most RA programs award a BS. i think right now the biggest issue is reimbursement. insurance companies and medicare wont reimburse a radiology group for the RA services, whereas a PA or NP can bill for 85% of the physicians fee. (same for a CRNA or AA who can bill for anesthesia versus a NP or PA who cannot get reimbursed) so the group is thinking why should i pay Bill, RA 70k-90k a yr when our billings (and thus collections) arent increased? take that versus a NP or PA can easily make $$$ for a rad group, just like a CRNA/AA can make $$$ for an anesthesia group. http://www.asrt.org/Content/RadiologistAssistants/_radiologistassistant.aspx
