| The role of the certified physician assistant is to medically manage individuals and families under the supervision of a physician. The PA-C provides treatment of acute and chronic conditions using diagnostic skills and therapeutic intervention commensurate with their level of education, specialization, and experience and in accordance with state law. In most states, this includes such responsibilities as, ordering and interpreting x-rays and other diagnostic tests, and collaboratively planning for rehabilitation measures. PA-C can prescribe medicine in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.
What Does the Certified Physician Assistant Do?
assesses patients by performing a comprehensive history, physical examination, and appropriate diagnostic testing performs or orders tests that will help in making a diagnosis and interprets test findings formulates a plan to medically manage the patient’s condition with the aim of optimal patient response to treatment serves as a health information resource through interactions with patients and families collaborates with other health care providers and uses community resources to assess the patient’s areas of need and plan appropriate care makes recommendations in order to maintain or improve the patient’s independence prescribes, orders and implements interventions and treatments in accordance with state law serves as an advocate for the patient and family within the health care facility, the community and the legislative arena The PA may be involved in program planning, validation and research.
Where Does a Certified Physician Assistant Work?
The PA-C provides care in a variety of settings including private practice, hospitals, managed care practice, rehabilitation units, and long-term care facilities. Practice varies according to the demands of the work setting.
What Kind of Training Does a Certified Physician Assistant Have?
Some PA-Cs have completed a formal entry-level program leading to a Bachelor’s degree. Currently 78 % of the entry level programs are at the graduate level leading to a Master’s degree. Programs, usually including approximately 12 months of didactic courses, and an average of 2000 hours of supervised clinical practice prepare PAs to be effective providers of physician-directed patient care. PA-Cs maintains state licensure and is required to be nationally board certified by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). To maintain their certification the PA-C must maintain 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years. Every six years the PA-C must sit for a re-certification examination.
For additional information, contact the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals, 2200 Lake Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA 30319, and (404) 633-3777.
June 2008 (Revised) Practice & Membership and Executive Committee
October 2002 (Revised) Executive Committee
2001-2002 (Revised) Professional Papers Task Force
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