Physician's Assitant

A physician assistant provides many services that frequently would otherwise be provided by a physician. PA's are qualified to take medical histories, counsel patients, order laboratory tests, perform physical exams, determine treatment, assist in surgery, set fractures, and perform other medical procedures. While PA’s practice medicine with the supervision of a physician, their role has become more and more important over the past decade as the profession has grown dramatically.

Physician assistants work in hospitals, HMO's, community clinics, nursing homes, physician offices, public health agencies, and any other setting where physicians work.

There are over 129 accredited programs of study for physician assistants located in colleges, universities and hospitals. While some of these programs offer certification or a bachelor's degree, most offer entry-level master's programs. Many programs participate in a central application known as CASPA.

American Academy of Physician Assistants
Physician Assistant Education Associationy
Association of Post-Graduate Physician Assistant Programs