Physician Assistant Capstone Project Report

What is a Physician Assistant? As a relatively new field of practice, this answer is often asked. Physician Assistants are also known as PAs. They practice medicine on a team all under the supervision of a doctor. The name is largely a misnomer as physician assistants are much more than mere “assistants”. They are educated to diagnose injuries and illnesses, provide treatment and examine patients. Typical responsibilities of a physician assistant include: reviewing patients’ medical histories, conducting physician exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, give treatment, evaluate and counsel patients, and prescribe medicines (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor).

The Physician Assistant (PA) is an essential component of a medical staff. Their duties include, Examining and treating patients, ordering and interpreting diagnostics, educating patients, and promoting overall health and wellness (“Physicians Assistants”. (2015, December 17). Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm). Physician Assistants work in many different areas of medicine under the direct supervision of a primary care physician. However, in some cases, the physician assistant can perform autonomously. Being a physician assistant is typically full-time work and at times can be physically and emotionally demanding. A prospective PA must be able to work long hours on their feet, have good

Volunteering at organizations, that specialize with people who have special needs have fostered my interest for a major in healthcare, specifically Occupational Therapy. For the past four years, I have volunteered at MARC, INC and Intensive Education Academy where their main focus is to prepare people with disabilities to have everyday occupational skills. When people are struggling I want to be able to help someone recover, in a way that is accustomed to their personalities and hobbies. Which is exactly what an occupational therapist does. Another experience that enhanced my interest was shadowing an occupational therapist. By watching first hand what they do, really inspired me to become an OT. The look of excitement that one patient had

Growing up it has always been my plan to seek a career in the medical field, however in the past few years I’ve become focused and very serious looking into my possible career options. In the past I was made aware of the Physician’s Assistant, as I

My interest in pathology dates back to high school. I enjoyed most sciences but especially sciences about the body. I knew then that I wanted to work in the field of pathology. I took all the sciences I could, eventually majoring in Biochemistry in college to understand the workings of the body.

Medical assistants can work in any type of job responsibilities When doing vital sign, giving medication, or even helping in the operating room are few of the many job duties they have. “They give patients injections or medications as directed by the physician and as permitted by state law. They Schedule patient appointments. Prepare blood samples for laboratory tests. Medical assistants take and record patients’ personal information.” (Bureau of Labor Statistics [BLS], 2015, What Medical Assistants Do section, para. 2) Medical assistants have to milt task a lot on a day to day basics.

Working in different settings and meeting new people that need to be taken care of has always interested me. The job I want to have while I go to college is the very challenging role of a Medical Assistant. Due to the experiences that have happened in my life, I believe that becoming a medical assistant is the best career choice for me.

The Author of this Assignment is a Health Care Assistant (HCA) student who is on work experience in a short stay hospital. For the purpose of this essay the author will highlight the skills that are involved in assisting a patient with bingo. The author will place emphasis on the communication, safety, and the promotion of independence with the patient throughout helping them with their activity. The author will also place emphasis on the importance of preserving the patient’s privacy and dignity throughout assisting the patient with bingo.

Choosing a career in the medical field can very be overwhelming, there are a multitude of options. The job that is in demand the most is Registered Nurses. This degree, at the minimum, requires an associate’s degree. By the year 2020, all R.N.’s will need to have a BSN (Bachelors of Science in Nursing); Bachelor’s degree programs are 4-year programs. But don’t stop there, after 2-3 years of on the job experience, find what area you would like to specialize in, and go on and earn that Physician Assistant degree. Pediatrics is what I plan to specialize in. I have always been interested and fascinated with babies and toddlers. There will be many benefits to becoming a Physician Assistant that will outweigh the negatives of the additional academic workload.

Ever since I can remember I have always wanted to make a difference and help anyone in need that I possibly could. From the start of my childhood, I can recall helping my mother care for my great grandparents, so they would be able to live out the rest of their lives from their home, instead of in a nursing home. As a young child it was extremely difficult to live with and watch my loved ones deteriorate as they got older, as their condition got worse and worse, and saw my mother having a difficult time keeping up with caring for both of my great grandparents 24/7, it put a lot of stress on the family. However, I am grateful to have been able to help my mother care for them. Growing up in such a caring and loving household made the situation

It is difficult to describe my entire experience with osteopathic medicine, as it has played a large part in who I am. Throughout my life, I have lived and participated in the osteopathic community. From physician father to physician friends or from my own personal family doctor, I have been exposed to the osteopathic physician. I have spent time in an osteopathic clinic. I have worked with the disabled. Even though, I have volunteered for many individuals and organizations, one of my most memorable activity was as a young girl, supporting the elderly in an assisted living home. I adopted the elderly and spent hours encouraging them. My exposure goes back to my childhood.

Discuss: This person verifies the type of benefits the patient has to cover medically necessary procedures. This allows the patient to know what the financial responsibility will be before the procedure is done. It also lets the practice know if part or all of the financial responsibility need to be taken care of up front. This is not only beneficial financially but the verifier also works on behalf of patient care by ensuring the patient get all benefits allowed for needed procedures. Communication skills are a definite asset in this position.

In 1968, American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) formerly known as the American Association of Physician Assistants was established in North Carolina by the first graduate students of Duke University Physician Assistant program. Since then PA profession has grown to tremendous heights. The mission statement of the AAPA is, “To ensure the professional growth, personal excellence, and recognition of the physician assistants, and to support their efforts to enable then to improve the quality, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness of patient-centered health care.” The physician assistant profession has shown remarkable growth since its first PAs started practice in 1967.

Having immigrated to the United States from Vietnam many years ago, from a poor family in a small town that couldn’t afford post-secondary education and didn’t need nor want it, James was the first of his family to go to college. He had no guiding hand other than that of his small number of American friends. Not knowing many colleges and being unable to research universities, he opted to go to the nearby community college, San Jose City. He was interested in construction, and decided to major in it. Soon after, he received his degree and transferred to San Jose State to pursue a 4-year degree. However, one semester into the program, he realized it was too difficult and dropped out. He is now 50 years old and in possession of an associate degree.

At 21 and with only one year of medical assisting experience. I figure it was an okay job. After all, I was getting paid more than minimum wage. Initially going into a trade school for fast pace and expensive learning that is what I wanted more money in little time requirement. I had learned different things in the medical field. I learn how to verify insurance, call in prescription and had a great deal of customer experience by now. I had the endurance to learn anything. I would be placed in front office and back office. I enjoyed back office more dealing with directly assisting the doctor. Overall, I could handle anything. I was a very flexible medical assistant. I thought I was the best medical assistant they had at Frisco Urgent Care and Clinics as I would get praised for my well-done work. However, I was soon to find out why I was hired and why I was there that day.