PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

Sophia Chahine, Jannette Nguyen, Evelyn Mora, Jolena Co, Delia Benitez
 OBJECTIVES
1. Identify what is a Physician Assistant

2. What is the minimum level of education required

3. Functions of the PA

4. The level of autonomy that is available to the PA

5. Types of certifications needed to become a PA

6. The role of the PA in a collaborative setting

 EDUCATION
• Bachelors and Master's degree

• Average length for education is 2-3 years 

• The program has two components it to it 

• First half is didactic 
• Second half is clinicals and rotations

• No certification required for specialization 

• However there is a voluntary certification available (CAQS)
 ROLE IN THE HEALTHCARE TEAM
• Practices under physician supervision
• Examines and diagnoses patients
• Prescribes medications
• Works interprofessionally
• “Physician Assistants (and Nurse Practitioners) have helped drastically increase the
number of providers available to patients.”
 PA AND PHYSICIAN REFERRALS
• Referrals are required based on the insurance of the patient. 
• If the patient wants to make an appointment and see a Physician, they can do so as
long as the referral is accommodated by their Insurance. 
• Referrals should be made to facilities that are within the Physician Assistants plan of
care 
• Ethical conduct: 
o Must be referred to qualified providers 
o Referrals should not restrict a patient from access to healthcare
 CERTIFICATION
• Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE)
o 5-hour exam
o 300 multiple choice questions
• 10-year renewal (PANRE)
• Specialty Certificates of Added Qualifications (CAQ)
o Voluntary
 ROLE OF PA IN INTERPROFESSIONAL
AND COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE
PA’s are in contact with:
• Nurses – treatment, medications, imaging, diagnostic procedures
• Pharmacists – medications and drug coverage
• Social Workers – best treatment for patient
• Physical Therapists - rehabilitation
 RESOURCES
Specialty Certificates of Added Qualifications (CAQs). (n.d.). Retrieved October 30, 2020, from
https://www.nccpa.net/specialty-caqs
What is a PA? Learn more about the PA profession. (2020, July 25). AAPA. https://www.aapa.org/what-is-a-pa/