Career Profile for Physician Assistants

Picture this: A dedicated healthcare professional examining a patient in an urgent care center, making quick but thorough assessments, prescribing treatments, and coordinating with supervising physicians – all while maintaining their own patient panel.

Think about having the ability to practice medicine with significant autonomy while working within a collaborative healthcare team. Physician Assistants (PAs) bridge the crucial gap between nurses and physicians, providing comprehensive patient care across various medical settings.

These professionals deliver essential healthcare services in rural and urban settings alike. Their unique value lies in their ability to provide high-quality, cost-effective medical care while helping to address physician shortages.

Total employment: 153,400 (2023)

Common Names for Physician Assistants

• Cardiology Physician Assistant
• Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant (Emergency Medicine PA)
• Family Practice Physician Assistant
• Orthopedic Physician Assistant
• Orthopedic Physician Assistant
• Physician Assistant (PA)
• Surgical Physician Assistant (Surgical PA)

What Physician Assistants Do

Physician Assistants (PAs) are vital healthcare professionals who work under the supervision of physicians to provide medical care. Core responsibilities include:

• Treatment Implementation: Provide direct patient care including prescribing medications, performing procedures, ordering tests, and developing treatment strategies to address diagnosed conditions while following established protocols and physician guidance.
• Medical Documentation: Maintain detailed, accurate electronic health records and clinical documentation to ensure continuity of care, meet legal requirements, and facilitate communication among healthcare team members.
• Patient Education and Counseling: Educate patients and families about health conditions, preventive care, medications, and treatment plans to improve health outcomes and promote better understanding of medical situations.
• Clinical Collaboration: Work closely with supervising physicians and other healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care, participate in team meetings, and ensure integrated treatment approaches.
• Emergency Response: Evaluate and treat urgent medical conditions, making critical decisions about patient care within scope of practice while coordinating with emergency services when needed.
• Preventive Care Management: Develop and implement preventive care strategies, including health screenings, immunizations, and lifestyle counseling to promote long-term patient wellness and prevent disease progression.
• Quality Assurance: Participate in quality improvement initiatives, follow clinical guidelines, and maintain professional certifications to ensure high standards of patient care and compliance with regulations.