Physician's Assistant

What is a Physician's Assistant (PA)?

PAs obtain medical histories and perform examinations and procedures, order treatments, diagnose illnesses, prescribe medication, interpret diagnostic tests, refer patients to specialists when appropriate and first-assist in surgery. PAs may practice in any medical or surgical specialty, and have the ability to move to different medical and surgical fields during their careers.

PAs are licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision, which may be either in person, by telecommunication system or by other reliable means. The physician supervision, in most cases, need not be direct or on-site, and many PAs practice in remote or underserved areas in satellite clinics. Their scope of practice and autonomy are only limited by their supervising physician's scope of practice, the physician's comfort level, and the PA's clinical experience.*
*Quoted from Wikipedia

Physician's Assistant was selected as one of the Best Jobs in America by Money Magazine in 2007. For details: Money Magazine

For information on historical background, Current State of PA Education, and Future Directions and Controversies:
Physician Assistant Education in the
United States
P. Eugene Jones, PhD, PA-C
Academic Medicine, Vol. 82, No. 9 / September 2007