The Physician Assistant Program Admissions Required Technical Standards Prerequisites Curriculum for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Costs Financial Assistance Role of the Physician Assistant Physician assistants are highly sought after members of the health care team, who, working with physicians, provide diagnostic and therapeutic patient care.
PAs take medical histories, perform physical examinations, and order laboratory tests.
After diagnosing a problem, the PA develops and implements a treatment plan in consultation with the supervising physician. In most states, PAs prescribe medication. Patient education and counseling are important aspects of a PA's function. PAs advise patients on preventive health care as well as the treatment and management of health problems. One distinctive feature of the PA profession is that PAs are dependent practitioners.