A PA may develop a working diagnosis and implement a treatment plan. When appropriate the PA may confer with supervising physicians and other health care professionals to develop a patient treatment plan. In Texas, PAs may be delegated prescriptive authority by their supervising physician with approval from the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners. Patient Education and counseling are also important aspects of a PAs daily activities. PAs advise patients concerning preventive health care and provide education concerning patient medical problems.
PAs are well known for being patient advocates and are well accepted by patients.
PAs are trained to provide quality health care and are extensions or agents of the physician's medical practice. PAs work in a wide variety of settings including private and group practices, hospitals, HMOs, nursing homes, student health services, and urban and rural health clinics. PAs may also be employed in the areas of medical education, health administration, and research. PAs are employed in the federal services in the military, Veterans Administration, Bureau of Prisons, Public Health Service, and other agencies. In the military, PAs are commissioned officers.