Become a Physician Assistant at Medical Shoes

Physician assistants in scrubs and scrubs help perform routine clinical and administrative tasks to keep the offices of physicians, surgeons, podiatrists, and other healthcare professionals running smoothly. Physician assistant is not the same as physician assistant: Physician assistants are trained to examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the supervision of a physician. Their duties vary from office to office, depending on the size and location of the practice, and the professional’s specialty.

In a small practice, a physician assistant is typically a general practitioner responsible for administrative and clinical duties and reports to a physician, office manager, or other healthcare professional. Physician assistants in large practices generally specialize in one or more particular areas and work under the supervision of department administrators. The many administrative tasks performed include answering phones, greeting patients, filing and updating patient medical records, completing correspondence handling, completing insurance forms, scheduling appointments, handling accounting and billing, and organizing laboratory services and hospital admission. Clinical duties vary from state to state and include taking patients’ medical records, recording their vital signs, explaining the treatment procedure to patients, preparing them for the exam, and helping the doctor perform the exam. Physician assistants in Dickies scrubs are responsible for collecting and preparing laboratory samples and performing basic laboratory tests, sterilizing medical instruments, and disposing of contaminated supplies. They instruct patients on medications or special diets, prepare and administer medications under physician direction, authorize medication refills when indicated, and telephone prescriptions to pharmacies. They also draw blood from patients, take EKGs, prepare patients for X-rays, change bandages, and remove sutures. They often organize exam room equipment and instruments, purchase and maintain equipment and supplies, and keep exam and waiting rooms clean and orderly.

Physician assistants who choose specialties have additional duties. Ophthalmic physician assistants provide eye care under the direction of ophthalmologists by performing diagnostic tests, measuring and recording vision, and evaluating eye muscle function. They show patients how to insert, remove, and care for contact lenses. They apply bandages to the eyes and administer eye medications under the direction of a doctor. They also maintain optical and surgical instruments and assist the ophthalmologist during surgery. Podiatric physician assistants assist podiatrists during surgery, make foot casts, and expose and develop x-rays. They work in clean, well-lit environments and must constantly interact with other people and be able to handle multiple responsibilities at once. Most full-timers work regular forty-hour weeks. Some work only part time, at night or on weekends. While some medical shoe assistants receive their training on the job, most complete one- or two-year programs at vocational/technical high schools, post-secondary vocational schools, and junior and community colleges. Healthcare assisting is projected to be the fastest growing occupation during the decade from 2002 to 2012, and job prospects are most promising for those with formal certification or training and experience.