PAs may also make house calls or go to hospitals and nursing homes to check on patients and report back to the physician. The duties of physician assistants are determined by the supervising physician and by State law. Aspiring PAs should investigate the laws and regulations in the States where they wish to practice. They are advocates and health educators for patients, families, and communities. They diagnose and treat common acute illnesses and injuries.
Nurse practitioners can prescribe medications in all States and the District of Columbia.
Other advanced practice nurses include clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse-midwives. Advanced practice nurses have met higher educational and clinical practice requirements beyond the basic nursing education and licensing required of all R.N.s. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, also known as medical technologists and technicians, perform most of these tests. Clinical laboratory personnel examine and analyze body fluids, tissues, and cells. These technologists also prepare specimens for examination, count cells, and look for abnormal cells.