Physician Assistant
Field of Study — Medicine
Physician assistants perform medical exams and may assume many responsibilities as assigned by physicians. They order laboratory tests, initiate treatment or therapy and counsel patients under the direction of a physician. Physician assistants may work alone or directly with a supervising physician. Their job responsibilities depend, in part, on the laws of the state in which they practice.
Physician assistants:
- take detailed medical histories and perform physical examinations.
- order laboratory tests, X-rays, EKGs and other diagnostic studies.
- diagnose patients and decide treatment plans.
- prescribe medications.
- initiate therapy or treatment.
- suture wounds, assist in surgery, apply and remove casts and perform other therapeutic procedures.
- make hospital rounds to observe and record patients’ progress and order or carry out indicated therapy.
- provide continuous medical care to patients at home, in nursing homes or other extended health care facilities.
- coordinate and supervise other health care professionals.
- counsel patients and their families on preventive care, medical problems and prescribed treatments and drugs.
Physician assistants may have specialized training in geriatrics, surgery, neonatology, pediatrics, emergency medicine or occupational medicine. They work under the supervision and direction of a licensed physician. Some work in satellite offices away from direct supervision and communicate by telephone or radio. They may work alone or with nursing staffs.
Educational Requirements
Students wishing to pursue a physician assistant career should take the most challenging high school courses available in science, math and English, including advanced placement courses.
Licensed physician assistants must complete approved and accredited courses of study. Applicants also must pass examinations given by the National Commission for Certification of Physician assistants.
To enter a program for physician assistants, students often are required to have completed one or more years of direct patient care. The curriculum includes courses in the basic medical sciences, along with clinical clerkships.
Educational Institutions
Virginia Colleges and Universities
Eastern Virginia Medical School
James Madison University
Jefferson College of Health Sciences
Shenandoah University
Professional Associations
- American Academy of Physician Assistants
950 N. Washington St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 836-2272
http://www.aapa.org - Virginia Academy of Physician Assistants
10301 Democracy Lane
Suite 203
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 691-0896
http://www.vapa.org