A physician assistant’s duties and responsibilities depend on his training, experience, and state laws. A physician assistant assists his physician. So, it can be said that the physician performs complicated procedures while the PA performs simple and routine procedures. However, the PA practice is growing rapidly. Many doctors allow their PAs to treat patients independently. States are loading more responsibilities on PAs. PAs specializing in surgical procedures are also allowed to perform some procedures independently. As the physician assistant gains experience, the doctor starts relying more on him. Then the line between what the physician assistant can do and what he is allowed to do starts to blur. So, how can we define what a physician assistant can or cannot do?
A physician assistant is a dependent healthcare practitioner. This means that he has to always work under the supervision of a licensed doctor. The licensed doctor is responsible for the actions of his physician assistant. He therefore allots him normal work based on his training and experience. A physician assistant performs many healthcare functions, including the following :
Assess 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 has the ability to initiate patient monitoring plans, treat patients in both hospitals and other healthcare facilities. A physician assistant can also aid the doctor with his patient rounds and jot down patient assessments.
Analyzing patients: He can conduct and analyze lab, cardio, radiology and other procedural results.
Perform therapeutics: Physician assistants can conduct injections and immunizations. The have the authority to stitch up and treat wounds and take care of medical situations induced by trauma or infections. They are able to help while the physician handles difficult life threatening situations. They can overlook and guide blood withdrawal in a DUI/DWI case.
Administer advice to patients: Physician assistant can tell patients about the benefits of sticking to the doctor’s planned 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.
Referring patients : PAs can refer patients to other medical professionals and social service agencies as required.
What a physician is not allowed to do:
Physician assistants are not allowed to do other specialized requests for professions such as optometry or radiologic technology. They are not allowed to sign the death certificate, but they can create the death declaration.
How the law places limitations on the physician assistant’s practice range.
The reach of a physician assistant’s practice is just an idea basically. Even the theory is not clear because it states that these services are a part of the physician’s range 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:
When a physician assistant administers drugs, the prescriptions have to have the PA’s state identification number on them. The PA’s doctor has to write down instructions concerning indications and contraindications in reference to drug prescriptions. If the physician assistant does not get this information in writing, then he does not have the authority to initiate the drug prescription. The doctor also has to provide his physician assistant written guidelines for drug prescriptions. If the physician assistant does not get this written directive, then he cannot issue the drug prescription. If he does it anyway, then he has broken the law. The state has the ability to restrict a physician assistant’s authority to prescribe drugs. So, all physician assistants should research their state laws before they issue drug prescriptions.
It is okay for a physician assistant to issue drug prescriptions if it is done with the guidance of a licensed doctor and not limited by state laws.
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 healthcare facility that is ordered to conduct the tests or the treatment must have written policy and procedures in force that authorize the verification of any orders written by a physician assistant. They must ensure that these orders are in the interest of patient safety. The state too may prescribe specific restrictions on what kind of tests or treatments a PA can order.
All PAs are required to maintain a current and active license, an active registration with the state board, and have a current Intent of Practice filed with the state board.
Now, it is not so hard to comprehend how a physician assistant can have various roles that are in 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 state laws
(b) The scope of the physician assistant’s normal responsibilities are defined as well as state rules.
(c) Written authorization from his supervising doctor, so long as the written instructions are in conformity with state rules.
The PA is also subjected to checks and balances because his orders are double-checked by other healthcare facilities. This is what a PA can, and cannot, do.
For more information about the limitations of a physician assistant, please visit: Physician Assistant Salary