Contrary to the popular perception that job responsibilities of a physician assistant (PA) are similar to that of the medical assistant, PA works under the supervision of a physician. PA is professionally trained to perform almost 80 percent of the physician’s tasks, including diagnosis, therapeutic processes, counseling of the patients.
Apart from these general duties, PA might also have to perform certain different functions, which differs with their respective training, experience, and country laws. They are allowed to write prescription if it is allowed in their respective state of functioning. They can work sans physician’s supervision in telemedicine but of course, complicated cases require physician’s intervention.
Physician Assistants, working under the doctors’ control, are employed in hospital units, clinics, and private settings. In rural areas, they work independently with the periodic visits by the physicians.
Physician Assistant programs require two years of college in the subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, English, and Social Sciences as well as relevant working experience in a healthcare setting. Most of the candidates hold Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the mentioned subjects and have varied backgrounds such as registered nurses, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, etc.
PA education includes teaching in biochemistry, clinical pharmacology, geriatrics, clinical medicine, microbiology, physiology, and medical ethics. Students also get clinical training in areas such as psychiatry, pediatrics, surgery, gynecology, etc. One needs to successfully complete the examinations to be accredited with the title Physician Assistant – Certified. To remain certified, PAs need to complete their medical education and pass a recertification examination after regular intervals.
There is an increasing scope of job opportunities for the physician assistants. More and more physicians and hospital settings are employing physician assistants to help them provide primary care and assist them in therapeutic processes.
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