A physician assistant’s duties are based upon his job knowledge, skill level and the laws of the state.A physician assistant assists his physician.So, it could be said that the physician assistant works with the simple processes and the physician tackles the more serious cases.However, the PA practice is growing rapidly.Many doctors allow their PAs to treat patients independently.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 becomes more skillful, the physician will rely on his skills more.It gets to the point where it is a thin line between what a physician assistant can and cannot do.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 be supervised by a licensed health practitioner.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 is responsible for many things which include the following:
Evaluate patientsA 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.
Monitoring patients : A physician assistant has the ability to initiate patient monitoring plans, treat patients in both hospitals and other healthcare facilities.He can also assist the doctor by seeing his patients and writing down the progress of each patient.
Analyzing 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 are authorized to initiate immunizations and injections.They can suture and care for wounds and manage medical conditions brought about by trauma or infections.They can assist while the doctor manages complex and life-threatening conditions.They have the ability to administer and withdraw blood during a DUI/DWI case.
Counsel patients: PAs can direct patients to stick to their prescribed treatment plans.They also have the ability to give patients information about basic health, emotional problems and healthy guidelines.
Transfer patients:PAs can refer patients to other medical professionals and social service agencies as required.
What a physician assistant cannot do:
A physician assistant cannot initiate tasks for other professions such as optometry and radiologic.They do not have the authority to sign the death certificate, however, they can produce the death statement.
How the law puts restrictions on the reach of the physician assistant’s practice.
The range of practice is just in concept only.Even when it comes to theory it is thin because it indicates that these services come with the physician’s scope of practice.For example look at the law in North Carolina that puts restrictions on a physician assistant’s scope of practice.Other states might place the same limitations.Before we get into what a PA can or cannot do, you must know that no PA can perform any healthcare duty if his license is inactive or not current.So, these are the restrictions:
Drug prescriptions written by a PA must contain his identification number issued by the state.The PA’s doctor has to write down instructions concerning indications and contraindications in reference to drug prescriptions.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 does it anyway, then he has broken the law.The state can do a lot to limit a physician assistant’s ability to initiate drug prescriptions.Therefore every PA must check the state laws before writing a prescription.
It is fine for physician assistants to prescribe drugs if it is done under the direct supervision of a licensed physician and within the guidelines that have been issued by the state.
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 it is a difficult situation, then the supervising physician has to review his physician assistant’s written request by a certain amount of time, which has been designated by state guidelines.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 must confirm that these requested orders are advantageous for patients.The state too may prescribe specific restrictions on what kind of tests or treatments a PA can order.
All physician assistants should have an current license, a current state registration and a current Intent of Practice on file with the state as well.
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 if it is okay with both his physician and the state’s guidelines.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 scope of a PA’s work as defined in general and by the state
(c) The doctor that supervises him have provided his authorization and nothing contradicts the state’s guidelines.
The PA is also subjected to checks and balances because his orders are double-checked by other healthcare facilities.Basically, this explains the things that physician assistants are allowed to do.