A physician assistant’s responsibilities rely on how he was trained, his overall experience and the laws of the state in which he practices. Basically, a physician assistant main function is to assist the physician. So, it can be said that the physician performs complicated procedures while the PA performs simple and routine procedures. However, the number of physician assistants is rising. As a result, a lot of doctors let the physician assistants take care of patients on their own. Also, the individual states are assigning more job duties to physician assistants. Physician assistants that practice in surgical processes can also conduct medical procedures on their own. As the physician assistant learns more skills, his physician will depend on them more and more. The job responsibilities of a physician assistant start to get co-mingled with that of his physician and gets blurred. So, how do you know what is okay for a physician to do and not to do?
The job responsibilities of a physician assistant are based upon others. This means that he has to always work under the supervision of a licensed doctor. The licensed health practitioner is liable for the actions of his physician assistant. He therefore allots him normal work based on his training and experience. A physician assistant has various job function, which include some of the following:
Evaluate patients A physician assistant has the ability to look at a patient’s records, ask him about is medical circumstances, do physical tests , write up reports and forward them to the doctor.
Monitor patients: Watch patients A physician assistant can start up patient monitoring plans and give treatment to patients who are in the hospital or in other medical locations. He can also help the doctor in his hospital rounds, and record the patient’s progress.
Diagnosing patients : He has the authority to do labs and analyze the outcome of lab, radiology , cardio and general procedures.
Performing therapeutics : Treat patients: Physician assistants can conduct injections and immunizations. They have the training to sew up injuries and handle medical conditions that were the result of distress or infections. They can assist while the doctor manages complex and life-threatening conditions. They can supervise and direct blood withdrawal in a DUI/DWI case.
Counsel patients: Physician assistants can advise patients to adhere to their regular plan of treatment. They can also chime in and talk to patients about maintaining a healthy lifestyle, help them with stressful problems and other basic health concerns.
Refer patients: Physician assistants have the authority to move patients to other healthcare practitioners and social organizations if they think it is beneficial for the patient.
What a physician assistant cannot do:
A physician assistant cannot initiate tasks for other professions such as optometry and radiologic. They are not allowed to sign the death certificate, but they can create the death declaration.
How the law puts restrictions on the reach of the physician assistant’s practice.
The scope of practice outlined above is in theory. Even the theory is vague because it says that these services are “included” within the PA’s scope of practice. Take for instance the way that a particular North Carolina law places limitations on a physician assistant’s scope of practice. Other states might place the same limitations. However, before discussing what is allowed by a physician assistant and what is not, please note that he cannot conduct any medical procedures if his license is not current. So, this is how he is limited:
Drug prescriptions written by a PA must contain his identification number issued by the state. The PA’s doctor must give him written instructions about indications and contraindications about prescribing drugs. If the PA does not have these in writing, he cannot prescribe drugs. The PA’s doctor must also give the PA a written policy for prescribing drugs. If the physician assistant does not get this written directive, then he cannot issue the drug prescription. If he issues the prescription without it, then this is against the law. The state may also issue more limitations on the PA’s drug prescription powers. Therefore every PA must check the state laws before writing a prescription.
A PA can compound and dispense drugs if the action is performed under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist and as per the regulations laid down by the state’s Board of Pharmacy.
A PA can order tests, treatments and medications in hospitals and other healthcare facilities only if his supervising doctor has given him specific instructions in writing about ordering such procedures. If the case is complex then the order written by the PA must be reviewed by the physician within a reasonable time frame as specified by the state. The hospital, healthcare facility or doctor’s office that will provide treatment should have written rules set in place that state that physician assistant orders should be verified. They have to make sure that these orders are beneficial for the patient. The state too may prescribe specific restrictions on what kind of tests or treatments a PA can order.
Every physician assistant has to keep his license up to date, be registered with the state, and possess an up to date Intent of Practice on file with the state.
Now, it is easy to understand how a physician assistant can do all of the functions that are within his scope of practice. This is only acceptable if it is approved by his supervising doctor and follows the state’s rules. The bottom line is that the things that a physician assistant is authorized to do can be summarized as the following:
(a) The laws of the state
(b) The range of the physician assistant’s functions described overall and by the state
(c) The doctor that supervises him have provided his authorization and nothing contradicts the state’s guidelines.
Also, the physician assistant has requests that have to be confirmed by the checks and balances system that is setup by different medical offices, hospitals and other healthcare offices. This is what a PA can, and cannot, do.
For more information about the limitations of a physician assistant, please visit: Physician Assistant Salary