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Physician Assistant
The physician assistant is educated and trained in primary care medicine and works under the supervision of a physician. Physician assistants are able to provide diagnostic and therapeutic care to patients which enables the supervising physician to spend more time with complex patient problems that only the physician can treat.
The majority of physician assistants work with physicians in primary care specialties, such as family medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics, and general internal medicine. The wide range of routine medical procedures that the assistant performs depends upon the particular medical practice of the physician and state regulations.
| Some of the responsibilities might include: |
| • | Taking medical histories |
| • | Conducting routine physical examinations |
| • | Performing certain diagnostic procedures and laboratory tests, such as drawing blood, conducting urinalysis and electrocardiographic tests |
| • | Treating minor cuts and wounds, burns and common ailments |
| • | Suturing wounds and changing dressings |
| • | Administering injections and immunizations |
| • | Making patient rounds in hospitals and administering intravenous fluids |
| • | Advising patients on diet, follow-up treatment, counseling and teaching |
Physician assistants work mainly in physician offices, hospitals and clinics. Others are employed by health maintenance organizations, student health services, community health centers and with the Armed Forces. Other assistant specialty areas include surgeon assistant and anesthesiologist's assistant.
Job Outlook
The physician assistant positions are relatively new; thus, there is a greater demand than supply. As more and more types of physicians find ways to incorporate these professionals into their practices, the demand will increase.
Educational Requirements
Educational programs vary in length depending on the school. Most programs are two years of undergraduate study in clinical instruction and practice. The minimum educational requirement for physician assistant training programs is generally two years of college with course emphasis in the physical and biological sciences and at least one year of experience working in a health profession. A baccalaureate degree is a prerequisite for the anesthesiologist assistant program which is a two-year program on a master's degree model.
Certification is awarded by the National Committee on Certification of Physician Assistants after graduating from an accredited physician assistant training program and successfully passing the national certifying exam.
Educational Programs - Chicago Area
Other Programs - Midwest
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