What is a Physician Assistant?
Performing examinations, diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries, taking a medical history, prescribing medications etc.
Jun 14, 2006
This is another occupation which is projected to be among the fastest growing occupations over the next decade.
Scope of Practice/Duties
Also known as a PA, the physician assistant assumes many of the physician's basic duties such as performing routine examinations, and diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries which allows the physician more time to concentrate on more complex issues with their patients.
State laws determine the Scope of Practice for the PA, and the supervising physician can further limit the duties of the physician assistants he/she supervises.
- The PA often performs physical examinations, takes medical history, prescribes diagnostic tests and lab work, diagnoses illness and injuries, and prescribes appropriate medications and treatments.
- They can apply casts and splints and suture wounds. They educate patients and counsel them in preventative care.
- Physician assistants usually practice in primary care. They often work for family practice MDs or pediatricians. They also work in specialties such as women's health, mental health, internal medicine and geriatrics.
- In some instances such as rural areas where physicians are scarce, the PA may be the primary health care provider. The supervising physician is then available for phone consults and visits if necessary. Supervisory visits would be made perhaps once a week or every other week.
Education
The physician assistant program is a two year program available from many colleges and universities. A minimum of two years of college education is required for acceptance into PA programs. Most applicants have Bachelor's or Master's degrees already, so the competition for admission can be stiff.
Licensing: All fifty states as well as the District of Columbia require PAs to pass a national certifying examination after graduating from an accredited PA program. Every six years they must pass a recertification examination as well as completing 100 hours of continuing education.
More Information: For more information see the website for the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
