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| Home > Allied Health Occupations List > Physician's Assistant |
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Physician's Assistants (PAs) practice medicine under the supervision of a medical doctor. They perform a wide range of medical services in the treatment of diseases and injuries. Among them are taking medical histories, examinations, and treating and counseling patients, performing laboratory procedures, assisting in surgery and prescribing medication. They may also have managerial duties, and supervise other technicians.
Career Videotape – Watch a short video about this profession |
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Employment of Physician Assistants is expected to grow much faster than average through the year 2014. The increase in the population over 65 will have a favorable impact on employment. The growing use of technology (telemedicine) makes it easier for consultations between physicians and PAs for more accurate diagnosis. This trend, along with anticipated expansion of the health care industry and an emphasis on cost containment, is expected to increase the use of PAs by doctors and health care institutions. Job opportunities should be good particularly in rural and inner city clinics.
For additional occupational information visit the U. S. department of Labor – Occupational Outlook Handbook at: http://www.bls.gov/oco097.htm#outlook
Licenses – Certifications
Every state within the United States have enacted laws regulating the practice of Physician Assistants. They must complete an accredited formal education program and pass a national exam. In order to practice as a PA, one must meet state licensing criteria and have a supervising physician. Most states allow physicians to delegate prescriptive authority to PAs they supervise.
For additional information on licensing in the State of Connecticut visit:
http://www.ct-clic.com/trantype.asp?code=837 |
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Most Physician Assistant programs are in schools of allied health, academic health centers, medical schools, or 4-year schools. A few are in community colleges, the military, or hospitals. Many programs require 2 years of college and some work experience in the health care field for admissions. Prerequisite courses should include biology, English, chemistry, mathematics, psychology, and the social sciences. Many PAs have prior experience as registered nurses, and other occupations such as respiratory therapists, physical therapists, and emergency medical technicians and paramedics.
Classroom instruction includes biochemistry, pathology, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, clinical pharmacology, clinical medicine, geriatric and home health care, disease prevention, and medical ethics. Students receive clinical training in areas such as: family medicine, internal medicine, surgery, prenatal care and gynecology, geriatrics, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and pediatrics. |
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American Academy of Physician Assistants
950 N. Washington Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
(703) 836-2272
www.aapa.org
Association of Physician Assistant Programs
950 N Washington Street
Alexandria. Va. 22314
www.apap.org
National Commission of Physician Assistants
157 Technology Parkway, Ste 800
Norcross, Georgia 30092-2913
(770) 734-4500
www.nccpa.net
Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant
John McCarty, Executive Director
12000 Findley Road, Suite 240
Duluth, Georgia 30097
(770) 476-1224
www.arc-pa.org |
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