Physician’s Assistant Training
A physician’s assistant is an individual licensed to practice medicine under the direct supervision of a physician or surgeon. Many people confuse the job of the physician’s assistant with the job of the medical assistant. However, the duties of a physician’s assistant are far more in depth. Physician’s assistants are educated and trained to perform a wide variety of health care services. Some of these services include therapeutic operations, diagnostic services, preventative health screenings, medical examinations, as well as a host of others.
PAs operate under the direct supervision of a licensed physician. Physician’s assistants also take medical histories, diagnose and treat variety of diseases review x-rays and perform laboratory testing. Physician’s assistants are also licensed to treat minor injuries; they often cast broken bones, splint joint injuries, and suture open wounds. In 48 out of the 50 states including Washington, DC physician’s assistants are also allowed to prescribe medications.
PAs are often also responsible for managerial duties within a medical practice. They often delegate various duties to nursing staff and medical office staff as well as act on the doctor’s behalf during his or her absence. While physician’s assistants do not complete the amount of education and training as does a physician, they are considered a vital part of the medical staff, as they typically obtain responsibility for vital practices such as ordering medical supplies and scheduling routine maintenance of medical equipment. Physician’s assistants are often required to make house calls and complete rotations at local hospitals.
Physician’s assistants may also be the primary care giver within certain facilities. These facilities are often found in inner cities and rural areas, as well as varying health departments. In this situation, a PA answers to a physician however, a physician is not in-house. If a certain facilities, does not call for an in-house physician, PAs are required to obtain assistance as well as report to physicians at an alternate facility. This requirement is made by law in order to maintain practice.
In order to become a physician’s assistant, one must complete at least two years of a college education, continuing on to complete an accredited physician’s assistants program. These programs typically last around two years. In many cases, a physician’s assistant is also required to have some clinical experience prior to undergoing a physician’s assistant program. These programs are often offered through community colleges, junior colleges, four year universities, the military, and some hospitals. The best physicians assistants programs are accredited by the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
After education is completed, each state in the United States require PAs to complete a national exam to obtain licensure. This exam is called the Physician Assistant ational Certifying Examination. The test is administered by the NCCPA, or the National Commission for Certification of Physicians Assistants. PAs are also required to successfully complete at least 100 hours of continuing education each two years and pass a re-certifying exam every six years. The Department of Labor predicts an extreme growth trend in the field of physicians assistance through the year 2012.
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