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Physician Assistant Overview - Preparation - Day In The Life -
Earnings - Employment - Career Path Forecast - Professional Organizations


Physician assistants (PAs) practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. They should not be confused with medical assistants, who perform routine clinical and clerical tasks. PAs are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health care services, as delegated by a physician. Working as members of the health care team, they take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x-rays, and make diagnoses. They also treat minor injuries, by suturing, splinting, and casting.

PAs record progress notes, instruct and counsel patients, and order or carry out therapy. In 48 States and the District of Columbia, physician assistants may prescribe medications. PAs also may have managerial duties. Some order medical supplies or equipment and supervise technicians and assistants.

Physician assistants work under the supervision of a physician. However, PAs may be the principal care providers in rural or inner city clinics, where a physician is present for only 1 or 2 days each week. In such cases, the PA confers with the supervising physician and other medical professionals as needed and as required by law. PAs also may make house calls or go to hospitals and nursing care facilities to check on patients, after which they report back to the physician.

The duties of physician assistants are determined by the supervising physician and by State law. Aspiring PAs should investigate the laws and regulations in the States in which they wish to practice.

Many PAs work in primary care specialties, such as general internal medicine, pediatrics, and family medicine. Other specialty areas include general and thoracic surgery, emergency medicine, orthopedics, and geriatrics. PAs specializing in surgery provide preoperative and postoperative care and may work as first or second assistants during major surgery.

Physician Assistants Resources

Online

Overview:
Overview of the work of Physician Assistants

Preparation:
Programs, Degree Fields

Day in the Life:
Specialty Areas, the Workplace

Earnings:
Salary Ranges

Employment:
Statistics, Employment Options

Career Path Forecast:
Predictions for Physician Assistants

Professional Organizations:
Resources, Networking, Support

Internet Resources:
American Academy of Physician Assistants
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

Note: Some resources in this section are provided by the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
 


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