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 As may perform virtually
all tasks or services delegated to them by their supervising
physician. The scope of practice of
the supervising physician determines the type of services rendered
by the PA.
Medical procedures and tasks PAs may perform in California
include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Take a thorough history, perform an appropriate physical
examination and make an assessment and diagnosis therefrom,
and record and
present pertinent data in a manner meaningful to the physician.
2. Order or perform routine laboratory and screening procedures
including, but not limited to, these examples:
- The drawing of venous blood and routine examination of the blood
- Radiological studies
- Catheterization and routine urinalysis
- Nasogastric intubation and gastric lavage
- Pelvic examinations, including bimanual examinations and Papanicolaou smears.
3. Order
or perform routine therapeutic procedures including, but not
limited to, these examples:
- Injections
- Immunizations
- Debridement, suturing and care of superficial wounds
- Strapping, casting and splinting of sprains
- Incision and drainage of superficial skin infections
4. Order
or perform many specialized therapeutic and diagnostic procedures
following appropriate training and demonstrated competency.
Including but not limited to:
- Biopsies
- Lumbar punctures
- Vein harvesting
- And many others depending on specialty
5. Recognize and evaluate
situations which call for immediate attention of the primary
care physician and institute, when necessary, emergency treatment
procedures essential for the life of the patient.
6. Instruct and counsel patients
regarding matters pertaining to
their physical
and mental health,
such as diets, social habits, family
planning, normal
growth and development, and the
aging process.
7. Assist the physician in the
institutional setting by arranging
hospital and
nursing home admissions, providing
services
to patients requiring
continuing
care, including the review of treatment
and therapy plans, and by evaluating
patients and performing
the procedures and tasks specified
in subsections 1, 2 and 3 above.
8. Serve as first or second assistant
in surgery.
9. Initiate and facilitate the
referral of patients to the appropriate
health
facilities, agencies
and resources of the community.
10. Administer
or furnish medication, write
a drug order or transmit an oral
or written prescription
for medication, subject to
certain limitations.
PAs are subject to the limitations set forth by their supervising
physicians and to the policies of the employing institutions, in addition to the laws and regulations governing utilization of PAs in California.
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