A physician assistant’s responsibilities rely on how he was trained, his overall experience and the laws of the state in which he practices.Simply put, the main duty of a physician assistant is to help his physician.So, it could be said that the physician assistant works with the simple processes and the physician tackles the more serious cases.But, professional physician assistants are growing more in number everyday.Many doctors allow their PAs to treat patients independently.In addition, various states are now giving more job responsibilities over 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 which job responsibilities are approved for physician assistants?

A physician assistant is a medical professional that is dependent on others.This means that he has to always work under the supervision of a licensed doctor.The licensed doctor is responsible for the actions of his physician assistant.He therefore allots him normal work based on his training and experience.A physician assistant has various job function, which include some of the following:

Assess patients A physician assistant is allowed to analyze a patient’s medical records, inquire about his condition, perform a physical exam, generate reports and give them to the physician.

Monitor patients: Watch patients A physician assistant can start up patient monitoring plans and give treatment to patients who are in the hospital or in other medical locations.He can also help the doctor in his hospital rounds, and record the patient’s progress.

Helping Out Patients: He has the authority to do labs and analyze the outcome of lab, radiology , cardio and general procedures.

Perform therapeutics:PAs can administer injections and immunizations.The have the authority to stitch up and treat wounds and take care of medical situations induced by trauma or infections.They are able to help while the physician handles difficult life threatening situations.They can overlook and guide blood withdrawal in a DUI/DWI case.

Counseling patients : PAs can direct patients to stick to their prescribed treatment plans.They can also advise patients on general health, emotional issues, and health maintenance.

Transfer patients:Physician assistants have the authority to move patients to other healthcare practitioners and social organizations if they think it is beneficial for the patient.

What a physician assistant is prohibited from doing:

PAs cannot perform specified tasks for other allied professions like radiologic technology and optometry practice.They cannot sign a death certificate, but can make a death pronouncement.

How the law puts restrictions on the reach of the physician assistant’s practice.

The range of practice is just in concept only.Even the theory is vague because it says that these services are “included” within the PA’s scope of practice. Take for instance the way that a particular North Carolina law places limitations on a physician assistant’s scope of practice.Other states may end up doing the same thing.Before we talk about what can and cannot be done by a physician assistant, you have to realize that he cannot form any duties with an expired license.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 doctor also has to provide his physician assistant written guidelines for drug prescriptions.If the doctor does not give this to his PA, then the PA cannot write up the prescription.If he does, he will be in violation of law.The state may also issue more limitations on the PA’s drug prescription powers.So, all physician assistants should research their state laws before they issue drug prescriptions.

It is okay for a physician assistant to issue drug prescriptions if it is done with the guidance of a licensed doctor and not limited by state laws.

A physician assistant can ask for certain hospital and healthcare facilities if his direct supervising physician as written down precise directives on how it should be done.If it is a complicated matter, then the physician assistant’s supervising doctor has to look at the written order during a specified time that has been set by the state. The healthcare facility that is ordered to conduct the tests or the treatment must have written policy and procedures in force that authorize the verification of any orders written by a physician assistant.They must ensure that these orders are in the interest of patient safety.The state might want to place restrictions on the sorts of tests and patient care that physician assistants are able to ask for.

All PAs are required to maintain a current and active license, an active registration with the state board, and have a current Intent of Practice filed with the state board.

Now, it is easy to understand how a physician assistant can do all of the functions that are within his scope of practice.This is only acceptable if it is approved by his supervising doctor and follows the state’s rules.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 range of the physician assistant’s functions described overall and by the state

(c) The doctor that supervises him have provided his authorization and nothing contradicts the state’s guidelines.

Also, the physician assistant has requests that have to be confirmed by the checks and balances system that is setup by different medical offices, hospitals and other healthcare offices. Simply put, this is what physician assistants are able to do , as well as restrictions.