Physician assistant (PA)

>Medical histories and physical examinations: a PA is usually can perform histories and physical examinations that do not go beyond a particular level.

>Laboratory tests: a PA can order any test which he or she is competent to interpret and provide the appropriate treatment.

>Follow-up: PAs follow patients through their hospital course, their course of treatment in a clinic setting, etc.</LI></UL> PAs can practice in virtually all medical and surgical specialties, provided they are properly trained and supervised.

Thus, PAs can assist in surgeries.</P> A PA must have at least a bachelor's degree.

Although there is not yet a requirement to hold a degree beyond the bachelor's level, the current trend is for PAs to have a master's degree.

PA training programs are accredited by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Each state in the U.S.

Has its own specific licensing and practicing restrictions for PAs.

Most states require PAs to pass the certification examination of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.