Physician Assistant

Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Cardiology Physician Assistant; Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C); Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant (Emergency Medicine PA); Family Practice Physician Assistant; Orthopaedic Physician Assistant; Orthopedic Physician Assistant; Physician Assistant (PA); Physician's Assistant; Surgical Critical Care Physician Assistant (Surgical Critical Care PA); Surgical Physician Assistant (Surgical PA)

Tasks

• Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.
• Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
• Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
• Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.
• Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.
• Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.
• Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
• Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management.
• Visit and observe patients on hospital rounds or house calls, updating charts, ordering therapy, and reporting back to physician.
• Provide physicians with assistance during surgery or complicated medical procedures.
• Supervise and coordinate activities of technicians and technical assistants.
• Order medical and laboratory supplies and equipment.

Knowledge

• Medicine and Dentistry
• Biology
• Psychology
• English Language
• Therapy and Counseling
• Customer and Personal Service
• Education and Training
• Sociology and Anthropology
• Computers and Electronics
• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Public Safety and Security

Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Critical Thinking
• Active Listening
• Writing
• Speaking
• Active Learning
• Monitoring
• Science
• Learning Strategies
• Mathematics

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Problem Sensitivity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Written Expression
• Information Ordering
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity
• Near Vision
• Category Flexibility
• Flexibility of Closure
• Fluency of Ideas
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Perceptual Speed
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Finger Dexterity
• Far Vision
• Visual Color Discrimination