I became very familiar with the field of oncology when my father was admitted to the hospital with cancer a few years ago. As I was the only person able to organize his care, I learned a great deal about the various specialties and how the doctors and nurses worked together. For the longest time, I thought the person I was seeing so frequently at first was a doctor, and it wasn’t until my father had been in the hospital that I found out “Dr. John” was actually a physician assistant.

His primary oncologist was Dr. Butler, which I knew, I simply thought Dr. John was another doctor on the team. I saw him more often than Dr. Butler, although I liked them both equally. Throughout my father’s various treatments and hospitalizations, I would come to realize that there are numerous physician assistants in the field of oncology.

A physician assistant can do many of the things a doctor can, such as ordering lab tests and x-rays, taking a medical history, making a diagnosis, recording notes, counseling and instructing patients and their families, and prescribing some medications. Dr. John did all of these things in conjunction with Dr. Butler. I found that while Dr. Butler was certainly keeping an eye on my father’s case, Dr. John did more of the day-to-day routine work and visiting with patients. He was also my contact person if something seemed off or there was a problem at the hospital. I was able to call him when my father took a turn for the worse one night and the nurses were not as concerned as I thought they should have been. The ability to get in touch with the “doctor” actually saved my father’s life because there had been a mistake with one of his medications.

Once my father finished his treatment and was released from the hospital, we began having quarterly appointments at the oncology clinic to watch for reoccurrence of the cancer. While we usually saw Dr. Butler, we often saw another of his physician assistants as well. She has been a great asset in follow up care, and is usually who we speak to first to ask questions. Usually she is able to help us, but the questions she isn’t able to address are given over to Dr. Butler to handle.

As we have established in previous posts, I’m a chatter. Fortunately for me, all of the physician assistants that worked with my family were open to taking the time to chat with me whether about my dad or just to satisfy my general curiosity. I found that Dr. John had become a physician assistant in oncology because of a family history of cancer and that he was so inspired he wanted to become an oncologist. The last time I spoke with him, he was pursuing his degree in medicine. Jill, the physician assistant at the oncology clinic, chose the field because she had enjoyed volunteering in the cancer wing when she was younger and was quite satisfied with her position.

What made you decide to work in oncology? Was becoming a physician assistant your primary goal or is it a step on the path towards another goal?

Physician Assistants in Oncology is a post from: Sunbelt Staffing

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1. The Difference Between a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and a Physician Assistant (PA)
2. What Does a Physical Therapist Assistant Do?

As many patients know, people rarely see a medical doctor for routine physical examinations anymore. They are far more likely to have an appointment with a Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA) who works in the practice. Many people are unaware of what each title actually means. I’m embarrassed to admit that I didn’t know the difference for a very long time. What is the difference between a Nurse Practitioner and a Physician Assistant?

Nurse Practitioners

A Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse (RN) who also has a Master’s degree and clinical experience. The NP may work independently or as a member of a health care team. He or she helps to educate patients, with a focus on health maintenance, counseling, and disease prevention. A nurse practitioner must choose a particular specialty during his or her training. This training allows him or her to empower patients and ensure better patient outcomes, and may involve the patient’s family in their treatment plan. A Nurse Practitioner has a collaborative relationship with physicians.

Nurse Practitioners have a median 36-hour work week, with a median salary of $73,000 annually. They may work in a variety of settings and specialties, including family medicine, neonatal, pediatrics, geriatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, acute care, occupational health, or as Certified Nurse Midwives and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists.

Physician Assistants

A Physician Assistant is a licensed health professional who has passed the national certificated exam that is administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. He or she does not choose a specialty, but must complete a clinical rotation through various specialties without regard to post-graduation career path. The PA works under the supervision of a physician to provide preventative, diagnostic, and therapeutic health care services. He or she helps take medical histories, examine patients, treat patients, order and interpret lab tests, order and interpret x-rays, make diagnoses, and provide treatment for minor injuries. In most states, a PA also has prescribing privileges. A Physician Assistant may also participate in managerial or supervisory duties.

Physician Assistants have a median 32-hour work week, with a median salary of $69,000. They may work in a variety of settings and specialties, including family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, emergency medicine, orthopedics, general surgery, thoracic surgery, and geriatrics. Those who specialize in surgery are involved in preoperative and postoperative care; they may also work as assistants during major surgery.

Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant?

Both Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants can play important roles in health care practices. Patients are in good hands, whether they are treated by a PA or NP. Prospective students should consider becoming a Nurse Practitioner if they favor the nursing model or a Physician Assistant if they favor the medical model.

The Difference Between a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and a Physician Assistant (PA) is a post from: Sunbelt Staffing

Related posts:

1. Physician Assistants in Oncology
2. What Does a Physical Therapist Assistant Do?
3. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners