About the Role
A Physician Assistant (PA) is a licensed medical professional who practices medicine under the supervision of a physician. PAs provide a wide range of healthcare services, including diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, and performing minor procedures.
Key Responsibilities:
Conduct patient examinations: Perform physical exams and gather medical histories to assess patients' health conditions.
Diagnose illnesses: Identify and diagnose medical conditions based on symptoms, medical history, and diagnostic tests.
Prescribe medications: Order and prescribe medications, ensuring proper dosage and monitoring for side effects.
Develop treatment plans: Create individualized treatment plans to address patients' medical needs and promote recovery.
Perform minor procedures: Conduct minor surgical procedures, such as setting broken bones or stitching wounds.
Order diagnostic tests: Request and interpret lab tests, imaging studies, and other diagnostic procedures.
Provide patient education: Educate patients and their families about health maintenance, disease prevention, and treatment options.
Collaborate with healthcare team: Work with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care.
Maintain patient records: Keep accurate and detailed records of patient interactions, treatments, and outcomes.
Requirements
Education: Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) from an accredited program.
Licensure: Current state licensure to practice as a Physician Assistant, typically requiring passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Experience: Clinical experience during education and possibly additional experience in a healthcare setting.
Skills: Strong clinical skills, attention to detail, excellent communication abilities, critical thinking, empathy, and the ability to work under pressure.
Specialization: PAs can specialize in areas such as family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, or other medical fields, requiring additional training and certification.
About the Company