Physician Assistants perform many time-consuming tasks normally done by doctors. They interview patients, take medical histories, give physical examinations, order laboratory tests, make diagnoses, and prescribe appropriate treatment. They perform routine therapeutic procedures, such as giving injections and immunizations, cleaning and stitching minor wounds, applying splints, and removing casts. Routine laboratory procedures may include drawing and examining blood, taking cultures, and performing and reading skin tests. By doing these tasks for the doctor, PAs allow physicians more time to treat more seriously ill patients.
Some PAs help physicians in such specialty areas as pediatrics or surgery.
They perform routine procedures such as physical examinations, provide postoperative care and help during complicated medical procedures such as cardiac catherizations. These specialist PAs include child health associates, urologic Physician Assistants, surgeon assistants, and emergency room Physician Assistants. Hospitals, clinics, and physicians' offices usually provide a comfortable, well-lighted environment, although PAs must often stand for long periods and do considerable walking. Workplaces are sometimes stressful environments filled with sick or dying people who need constant attention. Physician Assistants belong to the California chapter of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.