- Cardiovascular Interventional Technology
- Clinical Perfusion Education
- Computed Tomography
- Diagnostic Cytology
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Genetic Counseling
- Health Professions Teaching & Technology (Certificate)
- Health Professions Teaching & Technology (Master’s)
- Healthcare Delivery Science (Master’s)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Medical Nutrition
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Physician Assistant
- Admission to the Program
- Our Program
- About the Profession
- PA Program Accreditation
- Physician Assistant Degree Advancement Option
- Military Programs
- Physician Assistant Faculty
- For Preceptors
- Dual MBA Degree
- Radiation Therapy
- Radiography
- Online Degree Advancement Options
- Pathway Programs
- Dual MBA Degree
- Non-Degree Seeking
- Certificate in Applied Health Informatics
- Certificate in Healthcare Quality Improvement
What is a Physician Assistant?
PAs practice medicine. PAs are medical providers licensed to diagnose and treat illness and disease.
PAs work collaboratively with physicians to provide care in a variety of settings, including physician offices, hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. After completing an intensive training program modeled after physician education, PAs can treat patients with significant autonomy.
PAs work together with physicians as part of an integrated medical team. PAs provide almost all the clinical services that physicians provide, including making clinical decisions and providing a broad range of diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive, and health maintenance services, including prescribing medications. The physician-PA team relationship is fundamental to the PA profession and enhances the delivery of high-quality health care.
PAs are qualified to practice by graduation from an accredited PA educational program and passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Only those passing the examination can use the title “Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C).” PAs keep up with medical advances through continuing medical education requirements.
Brief History of the PA Profession
The PA profession began in the 1960s during a period of primary care shortages. The profession’s roots are in the military. The first PA class, in 1965, was composed of Navy corpsmen who had served during the Vietnam War who wanted to use their medical knowledge and experience in civilian life.
Additional information about the profession may be obtained from:
PA Focus: http://pafocus.org/what-is-a-pa/
AAPA - American Academy of Physician Assistants: https://www.aapa.org/
- Cardiovascular Interventional Technology
- Clinical Perfusion Education
- Computed Tomography
- Diagnostic Cytology
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Genetic Counseling
- Health Professions Teaching & Technology (Certificate)
- Health Professions Teaching & Technology (Master’s)
- Healthcare Delivery Science (Master’s)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Medical Nutrition
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Physician Assistant
- Admission to the Program
- Our Program
- About the Profession
- PA Program Accreditation
- Physician Assistant Degree Advancement Option
- Military Programs
- Physician Assistant Faculty
- For Preceptors
- Dual MBA Degree
- Radiation Therapy
- Radiography
- Online Degree Advancement Options
- Pathway Programs
- Dual MBA Degree
- Non-Degree Seeking
- Certificate in Applied Health Informatics
- Certificate in Healthcare Quality Improvement