Many people have opted for a career in health care. A physician assistant practices medicine under the supervision and guidance of a physician or a surgeon. A physician assistant is different from a medical assistant, who carries out routine administrative and clinical functions for medical practitioners.
Physician assistants have undergone formal training and are taught to provide therapeutic, preventive and diagnostic health care services, as designated by the physician.
Working as integral members of the health care team, some of their duties include examining and treating patients, making diagnoses, interpreting laboratory tests and X-ray results, taking medical histories of patients, treating minor injuries by splinting, casting, or suturing.
They also monitor the progress of patients and record notes about it, carry out therapy, and instruct or counsel patients. In 48 states and in District Of Columbia, physician assistants may give certain drug prescriptions.
In some medical institutions, a physician assistant is in charge of managerial tasks such as supervision of technicians and assistants and ordering medical supplies and tools. Physician assistants work under a physicians watchful eye.
However, in rural or inner city clinics, they may be the primary care providers because in those places, a physician is usually present for just a maximum of two days in a week. In such instances, the physician assistant deliberates with the supervising physician and other medical specialists as needed and as required by the law.
Physician assistants may also make house calls or visit hospitals, nursing care institutions and other medical facilities to check on patients, after which they report back to they supervising physician.
The duties of a physician assistant are determined by the supervising physician and the state law; this is why aspiring physician assistants should study the laws in the states where they plan to practice.
Other areas of specialization include emergency medicine, general and thoracic surgery, geriatrics, and orthopedics. Many physician assistants work in primary care specialties, such as pediatrics, general internal medicine, and family medicine.
Those who specialize in surgery provide care prior to and after an operation. They may work first as first or second assistants during a major surgery.
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