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9640
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

Nature of Work
Under limited supervision, performs advanced level nursing/health care duties within limits defined and supervised by a permanently licensed physician. Provides a variety of routine primary health care services. May prescribe certain drugs at the direction of a supervising physician (WV Code Chapter § 30-3-16, as amended). Performs related work as required.

Examples of Work
Takes patient's history and records patient's progress; evaluates patient's health status from patient's history, examination, and lab work.
Performs routine and special examinations in order to screen medical problems.
Requests routine laboratory studies, X-rays, EKG's, etc.
Consults with supervising physician when necessary regarding appropriate patient treatment.
Provides therapeutic treatment according to physician's standing orders such as: control of external hemorrhage; venipuncture; intradermal tests; electrocardiogram; application of dressings and bandages; administration of medications; intravenous fluids and transfusion of blood or blood components; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; auditory screening; visual screening; and aseptic and isolation techniques.
Instructs patients in health maintenance.
Conducts educational program for non-professional staff.
Initiates appropriate evaluation and emergency management for emergency situations, within defined limits.
Starts I.V. solutions and administers I.V. medications.
Applies and removes casts and traction devices.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of the natural sciences, i.e., anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and microbiology.
Knowledge of laboratory and clinical medicine.
Knowledge of developmental and behavioral psychology, and medical ethics.
Knowledge of patient evaluation; of patient education and counseling techniques.
Knowledge of internal medicine, general surgery, surgical sub specialties, obstetrics and gynecology, dermatology, emergency medicine and psychiatry.
Skill in physical examination methods.
Skill in routine clinical procedures; in laboratory techniques; and the interpretation of data as related to the patient.
Ability to perform physical examinations and routine clinical procedures.
Ability to relate and interpret medical data and to identify normal and abnormal findings.

Minimum Qualifications       [Top]
Training:
Graduation from a program of instruction in primary health care for physician assistants approved by the American Medical Association or the American Podiatry Association.
Special Requirements:
Permanent or temporary certification by the West Virginia Board of Medicine as a Physician Assistant.

Established: 8/20/92
Revised:      8/2/93
Effective:     8/2/93

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