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Get the inside scoop!
Physician Assistants (PAs) are licensed health professionals who practice medicine with the direction and supervision of a physician. The physician-PA team enhances the delivery of high-quality health care.
As part of the physician-PA team, PAs exercise autonomy in diagnosing and treating illness. Some 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. Other PAs may go to hospitals to check on patients and report back to the physician.
As a Physician Assistant you will:
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take medical histories
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perform physical examinations |
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order and interpret diagnostic tests |
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make diagnoses |
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prescribe medications
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order and carry out therapy
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provide patient education and preventive healthcare counseling
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perform emergency procedures such as suturing lacerations or applying casts
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assist in surgery
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The duties of a physician assistant vary, depending upon specific education, experience, state law, and the responsibilities delegated by the supervising physician.
PAs meet the needs of patients in a variety of clinical and hospital settings. They are recognized throughout the nation as quality healthcare providers.
Is this career for you?
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Do you enjoy working with people? |
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Are you a good communicator? |
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Do you consider yourself a problem solver? |
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Do you like science and math? |
If so, a career as a physician assistant might be for you. PAs tend to be people oriented and community oriented. They are genuinely interested in helping people.
PAs also possess strong interpersonal and communication skills. They spend a great deal of time interacting with patients, and being able to communicate effectively helps build patient trust and confidence.
Besides that, PAs are good at solving problems. Strong problem solving skills are necessary for PA's to diagnose and treat illness and injuries.
Also, PAs are interested in science, especially subjects like biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology.
Want to know more?
Jump over to Day in the Life and spend a "virtual day" with a practicing physician assistant. |
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©2002 UNMC School of Allied Health Professions
Designed and Developed by
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