Individuals who are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive health care services as delegated by a physician. Working as members of the health care team, they take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x-rays, make diagnoses and prescribe medications. They also treat minor injuries by suturing, splinting and casting; record progress notes; instruct and counsel patients; and order or carry out therapy. PAs may be the principal care providers in rural or inner city clinics where a physician is present for only one or two days each week. In such cases, the PA confers with the supervising physician and other medical professionals as needed or as required by law. PAs also may make house calls or go to hospitals and nursing care facilities to check on patients, after which they report back to the physician.
No programs.