QualificationsGraduation from accredited PA program and National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistant (NCCPA) examination. |
Scope of PracticeMedical services delegated in writing, within supervising physician's customary practice and within PA's competence. PA may take histories; perform physical examinations; perform or assist with laboratory, screening, and therapeutic procedures; counsel patients; and assist physician in institutional settings. |
Prescribing / DispensingPA may transmit orally or in writing on patient record or in a drug order, an order to a person who may lawfully furnish the medication. Authority limited by delegation from supervising physician. Physician must adopt a practice-specific formulary. "Drug order" means an order for medication which is dispensed to or for a patient issued and signed by a PA and is treated in the same manner as a prescription or order of the supervising physician. PA signing the drug order is deemed a prescriber. Schedule II-V medications administered, provided or for which a drug order is issued require a patient-specific order from a supervising physician. Drug orders for controlled medications require PA’s DEA registration number. Medical record of patient receiving schedule II prescription medication must be countersigned by a supervising physician within seven days. PA may hand to a patient a properly labeled drug prepackaged by pharmacist, physician, or manufacturer. |
SupervisionPhysician must be available in person or by electronic communication at all times PA is caring for patients. Written guidelines for supervision must include one or more of the following: same-day examination of patient by physician; countersignature of all medical records within 30 days; protocols for some or all tasks. Supervising physician must review, countersign, and date at least 10% of medical records within 30 days for patients treated by PA, for PAs working under protocols. |
Physician assistants (PAs) practice medicine with supervision by licensed physicians. As members of the health care team, PAs provide a broad range of medical services that would otherwise be provided by physicians.
Physician assistants are health professionals licensed or, in the case of those employed by the federal government, credentialed, to practice medicine with physician supervision. Physician assistants are qualified by graduation from an accredited physician assistant educational program and/or certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Within the physician-PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision-making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. The clinical role of physician assistants includes primary and specialty care in medical and surgical practice settings in rural and urban areas. Physician assistant practice is centered on patient care and may include educational, research, and administrative activities.
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