What Does A Physician's Assistant Actually Do?

By Author: J.J. Yong
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The job scope of a physician assistant is to assist the physician in carrying out its daily tasks; these people will usually act under the supervision of the acting physician in order to provide the patients with the greatest amount of care and attention which could not be achieved by just one physician. Examples of what they normally do include assessing the patients, conducting routine diagnosis, helping the physician come up with a treatment plan for the patients and others.

However, the actual role will depend on which branch of medicine they are employed in. This basically means that even though they have an extensive knowledge of various types' medicine, they can only use the knowledge in the sector that they have been employed in. So if the physician assistant was employed in the paediatrician department, not only do they have to be competent in providing health care to children they will also be expected to have the skills in dealing with them.

Another thing that needs to take into consideration is the state law in which the physician assistants employed in. This is because the laws vary from state to state ...
... and this will ultimately decide what they can or cannot do, for example in some states it is legal from them to write and sign prescriptions without going through the supervising physician first. However, it is expected of them to regularly consult with the physician especially when they encounter serious complications as the well-being the patients must always come first.
Danny Lau is a freelance writer who covers myriad topics including finance and careers. For more information about physician assistant career and physician assistant schools, visit PhysicianAssistantGuide.com.