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Physician Assistant Certification

Physician Assistant Certification



Physician assistants carry a crucial role in their services to delivery healthcare. As such, physician assistants must be well-trained, disciplined, knowledgeable, and competent when rendering care and making healthcare decisions. Physician assistants practice medicine under the supervision of respective physicians.

All States in the U.S. including the District of Columbia have laws that govern the scope of practice for physician assistants. All jurisdictions require that before being eligible to work the profession, physician assistants must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) which is administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). The exam is composed of 360 practical medical and surgical questions, and taken on a computer-based testing center. Certification is only available for PA graduates who have come from physician assistant master’s degree programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. With that said, most working PA’s graduate with a master’s degree rather than a certificate or associate’s degree.

In addition to national certification, state legislations mandate that physician assistants are also required to become registered physician assistants in the State Medical Board of the state they wish to work in. Requirements for the eligibility and admission processes for registration vary from state to state, but it typically consists of an examination similar to the national certification exam.

To maintain the certified status, physician assistants must finish 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years. Continuing education units can be secured by attending and participating in national meetings, conferences, seminars, workshops, or by conducting research and home-study programs provided by many physician assistant schools. They must also take the Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam (PANRE) every six years, or take an alternative program instead that combines learning experiences and take-home examinations. The PANRE is a 300-question test which can be retaken if failed by the test taker. There is however a 90-day waiting period between tests and it can only be taken twice a year. Continuing education helps PA’s get updated with the current trends and changes in the profession, which will make them render better healthcare services.

As patients continue to flow in and increasing every day, more and more competent physician assistants are being demanded across the country. Physician assistants practice medicine, that is, being able to diagnose illnesses and other health problems, plan the treatment of the patient, prescribe the necessary medications, order special procedures, or perform minor procedures, but they are required to report to physicians on a constant basis. Only those with the right qualifications to become certified and registered physician assistants can practice medicine and be of service to others.

Physician Assistant Career

Physician assistants are healthcare providers that perform various clinical duties such as patient diagnosis, healthcare planning and prescription, as well as patient evaluation while under the supervision of physicians. They can assess, perform examinations, compiles medical data, and take health histories. They can also perform minor surgeries, such as suturing open wounds. The road to [...]

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