WEBVTT

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Interested in a medical career

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with more advanced training than a

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registered nurse, but less than a doctor?

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Consider becoming a physician assistant,

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or PA.

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Under a physician's supervision,

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PAs examine and diagnose patients' injuries

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or illnesses,

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treat and educate patients,

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and prescribe medicine.

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A PA does many of the same tasks

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a doctor does, from setting broken bones,

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to ordering x rays and blood tests.

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Physician assistants work

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in all areas of medicine,

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including primary care and family medicine,

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emergency medicine, psychiatry,

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and surgery-where they assist physicians

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during procedures.

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Like other medical professionals,

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PAs spend significant time reviewing

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patient records and documenting

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patients' progress.

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Most physician assistants work in

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healthcare clinics and hospitals.

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Spending many hours each day on their feet

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to make rounds and examine patients,

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the work can be physically demanding.

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Most PAs work full time, and may work nights,

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holidays, and weekends.

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Some are required to work on-call shifts,

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ready to respond to patient needs

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at any time.

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They may make house calls

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or visit nursing homes to treat patients.

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A master's degree and license are required

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to enter the field.

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PAs bring healing and help to patients,

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while continuously learning from the

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skilled physicians in their midst,

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and from the patients

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who depend on their skills.