Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.
<ul><li>Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.</li><li>Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.</li><li>Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.</li><li>Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.</li><li>Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes and results of physical examination.</li><li>Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.</li><li>Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.</li><li>Visit and observe patients on hospital rounds or house calls, updating charts, ordering therapy, and reporting back to physician.</li><li>Provide physicians with assistance during surgery or complicated medical procedures.</li><li>Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management.</li><li>Supervise and coordinate activities of technicians and technical assistants.</li></ul>