What is a PA?

A PA is a healthcare provider who diagnoses and treats both acute and chronic conditions.  A PA can develop and manage treatment plans as well as prescribe medications.  A PA can serve as a patient's primary care provider (PCP).

What can a PA do?

The specific responsibilities of a PA depends on their specialty, level of experience, practice setting, and state of employment.  Typically, a PA can:

  • Obtain medical histories
  • Perform physical exams
  • Diagnose and treat both acute and chronic conditions
  • Order and interpret labs and imaging
  • Prescribe medication
  • Design treatment plans
  • Discuss preventative measures
  • Perform procedures
  • Assist in surgery
  • Perform research


The AAPA has put together some information about PAs that can be accessed by the links below:

PA Fact Sheet

PA Infographic

Please contact us at spagg@wildapricot.org with any questions or inquiries.

This website was designed and is maintained by the Society of Physician Assistants in Genetics and Genomics.

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