Physician Assistant

Physician assistants, frequently called P.A.'s, have a broad scope of duties and responsibilities, largely governed by the medical setting in which they work. Standards of P.A.'s are set by the State Board of Medical Examiners, and P.A.'s work under the supervision of physicians. While some states require that P.A.'s be licensed, Texas does not. Voluntary certification can be obtained in Texas from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants after passing the credentialing examination developed by the National Board of Medical Examiners.

The clinical phase of P.A. programs in Texas are between two and two and a half years in length. A baccalaureate degree is awarded the student after the successful completion of all course work at the institution which offers the program. The exception is Baylor, which offers a master's degree. Upon graduation, the P.A. is eligible to take the credentialing examination.

Duties of P.A.'s working under a primary care physician include: performing appropriate interviews and physical examinations; ordering and screening results of laboratory diagnostic studies; organizing and integrating information derived from the interview, examination and laboratory tests; assisting with the performance of clinical procedures; instructing and counseling patients regarding preventive health care behaviors; monitoring responses to physician-directed programs of therapy; responding independently to life-threatening situations; facilitating patient access to appropriate health care services; making tentative assessments; making tentative diagnostic and therapeutic plans in such a way that the physician can perceive the medical problems and determine appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic steps; assisting the physician by performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures; managing various common medical problems; treating minor cuts and wounds; removing casts; changing dressings, etc.

In addition, P.A.'s are employed as first and second assistants in surgery, particularly in cardiovascular and orthopedic surgery. Five P.A. educational programs exist in Texas. The Baylor College of Medicine requires a minimum of 90 semester hours while the other programs require 60 semester hours minimum before matriculation into the professional curriculum. An overall 3.0 grade point average is required by Baylor College of Medicine and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 is required by the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Allied Health Sciences at Galveston and 2.75 is required by University of North Texas at Fort Worth.

For further information on physician assistant programs in Texas, see Dr. M. E. Warren (Hayes Biology, Room 101) and/or write: