The Limited Duties Of A Physician Assistant
A physician assistant\’s duties are based upon his job knowledge, skill level and the laws of the state. A physician assistant assists his physician. So, it can be said that the physician performs complicated procedures while the PA performs simple and routine procedures. However, the PA practice is growing rapidly. Many doctors allow their PAs to treat patients independently. States are loading more responsibilities on PAs. PAs specializing in surgical procedures are also allowed to perform some procedures independently. As the physician assistant becomes more skillful, the physician will rely on his skills more. The job responsibilities of a physician assistant start to get co-mingled with that of his physician and gets blurred. So, how can we define what a physician assistant can or cannot do?
A physician assistant is a dependent healthcare practitioner. This means that he has to always work under the supervision of a licensed doctor. The licensed health practitioner is liable 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:
Evaluating patients : A physician assistant can go through a patient\’s medical history, ask him questions, conduct a physical examination, create a report and present it to the doctor.
Monitoring patients : A physician assistant has the ability to initiate patient monitoring plans, treat patients in both hospitals and other healthcare facilities. He can also help the doctor in his hospital rounds, and record the patient\’s progress.
Diagnosing patients : He can perform and interpret the results of lab, radiology, cardio, and other procedures.
Perform therapeutics: Physician assistants are authorized to initiate immunizations and injections. 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 supervise and direct blood withdrawal in a DUI/DWI case.
Counsel 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.
Refer 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:
Physician assistants are not allowed to do other specialized requests for professions such as optometry or radiologic technology. They cannot sign a death certificate, but can make a death pronouncement.
How the law places limitations on the physician assistant\’s practice range.
The reach of a physician assistant\’s practice is just an idea basically. Even the theory is vague because it says that these services are \”included\” within the PA\’s scope of practice. Let us take North Carolina\’s law that places limitations on a PA\’s scope of practice as an example. Other states may end up doing the same thing. Before we get into what a PA can or cannot do, you must know that no PA can perform any healthcare duty if his license is inactive or not current. Now, here\’re the limitations :
Whenever a physician assistant prescribes medication, it has to list his state issued id number on it. The physician assistant\’s doctor must jot down directions in reference to contraindications and indications and how they relate to the prescribed drugs in question. If the physician assistant does not get this information in writing, then he does not have the authority to initiate the drug prescription. The doctor is also responsibile for giving his physician assistant written directives for prescription drugs. If the doctor does not give this to his PA, then the PA cannot write up the prescription. If he does it anyway, then he has broken the law. The state may also issue more limitations on the PA\’s drug prescription powers. So, each physician assistant must study state laws before they write a drug prescription.
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 PA can order tests, treatments and medications in hospitals and other healthcare facilities only if his supervising doctor has given him specific instructions in writing about ordering such procedures. 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 confirm that these requested orders are advantageous for patients. The state might also come up with limitations on the types of tests that physician assistants can request.
All physician assistants should have an current license, a current state registration and a current Intent of Practice on file with the state as well.
Now, as you can see, a PA can perform all the duties that lie within his scope of practice. This is so long as he is authorized by his supervising physician and such authorization does not contradict the state\’s regulations. 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 scope of the physician assistant\’s normal responsibilities are defined as well as state rules.
(c) His physician authorizes this actions and it is okay with the state.
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. This is what a PA can, and cannot, do.
For more information about the limitations of a physician assistant, please visit: Physician Assistant Salary