Understanding the job description of a physician assistant is important when considering a career in this field as it defines what you are going to do, the various tasks that you have to perform and who you will work with. If your desire is to become a physician assistant, you should read the job description carefully before signing up for classes. A few of the crucial information regarding the job description of a physician assistant are provided below.
A physician assistant or sometimes referred to as doctor?s assistant is a person who is allowed to practice medicine under a physician?s supervision. Physician assistants should not be confused with medical assistants for the latter only do clerical and routine clinic tasks. There are a lot of job opportunities as a physician assistant, as the career is heavily in demand. Even though more people are getting physician assistant degrees, you will be surprised to know that some of them don?t even know what the job entails.
Since a physician assistant practices medicine, you might be wondering about how you will differ from doctors and nurse practitioners. A doctor is licensed to perform patient care. A doctor?s assistant on the other hand can do these tasks even without a license but under the doctor?s supervision, under the umbrella of the doctor?s license. Whereas, a nurse practitioner has studied advanced levels of nursing. You are essential trained as a general practitioner responsible in the provision of patient care as a physician assistant.
What are the responsibilities of a physician assistant? According to the job description, you are an important member of the health care team. You are trained to provide healthcare services to patients as assigned by the doctor including preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic services. Other tasks you may be required to do include recording patient medical history, performing examinations, diagnosing diseases, ordering laboratory tests, interpreting the results, prescribing drugs and making referrals to specialist when required. In order to carry out these tasks satisfactorily, you are expected to have a firm knowledge of the various common health conditions.
As stated above, a physician assistant works under the supervision of a physician. Due to the shortages of doctors, physician assistants will often work independently of their doctors in rural areas and in such case, the supervising doctor must be available via phone at all times. Also, you may need to go out of your way to visit patients in nursing homes and hospitals to check on them and report back to your doctor.
If you are keen in a certain medical field, you can specialize further for better job opportunities. Pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, surgery, orthopedics, geriatrics and emergency medicine are just some of the common specialties you can branch into. When you have a specialization, then you will be able to focus on a certain field and you will have a better chance of getting a better job.
In conclusion, the job description of a physician assistant is determined by the state law and the supervising doctor. Should you decide to become a physician assistant, it is wise to be familiar with the physician assistant job description so you know what to expect of this exciting career.
The physician assistant job description depends on the individual state law and as defined by your supervising physician. For more information, please visit my website here: Physician Assistant Job
Source: http://newhealthandfitness.org/2012/03/02/physician-assistant-career-job-description/
rod blagojevich rod blagojevich harry morgan john lennon death john lennon death c.j. wilson three stooges
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.