Physician assistants


Physician assistants (PAs) provide healthcare services under the supervision of physicians. They should not be confused with medical assistants, who perform routine clinical and clerical tasks. (medical assistants are discussed elsewhere in the Handbook.) PAs are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare services, as delegated by a physician. Working as members of the healthcare team, they take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x rays, make diagnoses, and prescribe medications. 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 47 States and the District of Columbia, physician assistants may prescribe medications. PAs also may have managerial duties. Some order medical and laboratory supplies and equipment and may 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 or 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. Others 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.

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People and businesses on the move 10/16 - 16 Oct 2006
DesMoinesRegister.com,Amber Pretasky, a recent graduate of Des Moines University, has joined Schooler Medical Professionals as a physician's assistant. ...

Traveler, tutor, actor and scholar - 16 Oct 2006
Flint Journal,...medical field. Though he is not committed to one area of study, he is leaning toward becoming a physician's assistant. "The sports ...

Center fills need in rural health care - 16 Oct 2006
Online Athens (subscription),CEO Jackie Griffin, the nonprofit corporation has grown from three clinics with one doctor, one nurse-practitioner and one physician's assistant in 1992 to ...

Amanda Deal - 16 Oct 2006
DSU Bulldogs,...points. Personal/High School: Participated in field hockey in high school...team captain as a senior...physician assistant major.

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Albany Times Union,..."A lot of people see asthma as an emergency that only is dealt with when it crops up," said Kathleen Lill, a physician assistant and regional asthma ...

Physician Assistant - Oct 15, 2006
The Spokesman Review,The Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center, Walla Walla, Washington is now accepting applications for one Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner ...

Southern Bone and Joint adds physician assistant - Oct 12, 2006
Hattiesburg American,Southern Bone and Joint Specialists has announced the addition of Lee Stork as a physician assistant. He will assist fellowship-trained ...

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PCToday,Pennsylvania College of Technology’s physician assistant major was recently granted continuing accreditation for the next five years. ...

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The Spokesman Review,...• Must have a BS from an Accredited Physician Assistant Program or ARNP license. ... Must be certified as a Physician Assistant by a National Certifying Agency. ...

Governor Proclaims Oct. 6 – 12, 2006 Physician Assistant Week - Oct 4, 2006
UK News,...offices all over the state of Kentucky and the nation, it is becoming increasingly common for patients to be evaluated and treated by a physician assistant. ...

Clinic adds new physician assistant - Oct 3, 2006
Hattiesburg American,Benjamin M. Yelverton has joined the staff of Southern Bone and Joint as a physician assistant. He will assist fellowship-trained hand surgeons Drs. ...

Verispan Reports: Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant ... - Oct 11, 2006
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PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT Man gives up license to practice - Sep 15, 2006
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Physician assistant sentenced for child molestation - Sep 28, 2006
The Desert Sun,A physician assistant who was arrested for molesting two girls, ages 10 and 11, has been convicted and sentenced to 14 years in state prison, the Palm Springs ...

Physician's assistant facing drug-trafficking charges loses state ... - Sep 15, 2006
MaineToday.com,AUGUSTA - A physician's assistant from Litchfield who faces criminal charges has surrendered his license to practice medicine in Maine and agreed never to ...

Physician's Assistant Surrenders Medical License - Sep 15, 2006
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Quinnipiac Chronicle (subscription),Hospital. "Students in the physician's assistant program are exposed to the field much earlier than those in other health fields. ...

Physician's assistant reprimanded for forged prescription - Sep 26, 2006
Duluth News Tribune,BY BRANDON STAHL. A former St. Luke's physician's assistant was reprimanded last month for forging a doctor's signature to prescribe a narcotic. ...

Holt Family Practice welcomes new PA - Oct 15, 2006
Lansing State Journal,HOLT — Holt Family Practice (HFP) would like to welcome Jon Seaver PA-C as its newest Physician's Assistant. Seaver began practice on Sept. 18. ...

Physician's assistant yields license after charges filed - Sep 15, 2006
SunJournal.com (subscription),LEWISTON - A state board has pulled the license of a physician's assistant from Litchfield who has been accused of selling illegal drugs and spying on patients ...






More information on Physician assistants from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Overview of Physician assistants occupation
Number of Physician assistants in the U.S.
Salary and earnings for Physician assistants
Working conditions for Physician assistants
Significant points for Physician assistants
Training requirements for Physician assistants




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