Physician assistants perform a range of medical duties. They do basic care such as interviewing patients, performing physical examinations, and ordering lab tests. Assistants make basic diagnoses and give shots. PAs may sew up wounds, provide treatment for common illnesses, and prescribe medicine. Assistants are trained to deal with many medical emergencies.
Some assistants manage doctorsoffices by ordering supplies and equipment.
Assistants also may supervise technicians and assistants. They may work as first and second assistants during major surgery. They also care for patients before and after surgery. In areas where doctors are in short supply, PAs may be the only providers of health care. They are required to confer with supervising physicians .