About the Profession

The health care system has fully embraced the important role of the Physician Assistant. Working under the direction of medical doctors, PA’s:

• Provide diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive health care services in a team-based environment.
• Can specialize, and are found in family, internal, women’s and emergency care settings, among others.
• Make diagnoses, perform routine care, and often manage others.
• Prescribe medication in all states.

The role of the PA is truly diverse. Whereas one may work in a suburban clinic, another may spend long hours in surgery. Some provide home health services; others gravitate to corporate settings. The thread that runs throughout the profession: patient-centered care.