# Physician Assistants

> Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.

- Code: 29-1071.00 (O*NET-SOC; SOC 2018 29-1071)
- Family: [Healthcare Practitioners](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations#family-29), one of its 96 occupations
- Tasks: 12 tasks (12 core)
- Page: https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1071.00
- JSON: https://foundation.org.ai/data/tasks/29-1071.00.json

## What the work is made of

1. Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.  
   Core task · Task 4075 · Rated by 36 occupational experts, August 2021
2. Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.  
   Core task · Task 4074 · Rated by 37 occupational experts, August 2021
3. Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.  
   Core task · Task 4078 · Rated by 37 occupational experts, August 2021
4. Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.  
   Core task · Task 4076 · Rated by 37 occupational experts, August 2021
5. Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.  
   Core task · Task 4073 · Rated by 37 occupational experts, August 2021
6. Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.  
   Core task · Task 4077 · Rated by 37 occupational experts, August 2021
7. Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.  
   Core task · Task 4080 · Rated by 37 occupational experts, August 2021
8. Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management.  
   Core task · Task 4079 · Rated by 37 occupational experts, August 2021
9. Visit and observe patients on hospital rounds or house calls, updating charts, ordering therapy, and reporting back to physician.  
   Core task · Task 4083 · Rated by 37 occupational experts, August 2021
10. Provide physicians with assistance during surgery or complicated medical procedures.  
   Core task · Task 4081 · Rated by 37 occupational experts, August 2021
11. Supervise and coordinate activities of technicians and technical assistants.  
   Core task · Task 4082 · Rated by 37 occupational experts, August 2021
12. Order medical and laboratory supplies and equipment.  
   Core task · Task 4084 · Rated by 37 occupational experts, August 2021

## More in Healthcare Practitioners

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- [Acute Care Nurses](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1141.01): 26 tasks
- [Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1141.02): 24 tasks
- [Allergists and Immunologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1229.01): 16 tasks
- [Anesthesiologist Assistants](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1071.01): 16 tasks
- [Anesthesiologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1211.00): 18 tasks
- [Art Therapists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1129.01): 25 tasks
- [Athletic Trainers](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-9091.00): 23 tasks
- [Audiologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1181.00): 22 tasks
- [Cardiologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1212.00): 26 tasks
- [Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2031.00): 21 tasks
- [Chiropractors](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1011.00): 11 tasks
- [Clinical Nurse Specialists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1141.04): 30 tasks
- [Critical Care Nurses](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1141.03): 29 tasks
- [Cytogenetic Technologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2011.01): 30 tasks
- [Cytotechnologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2011.02): 13 tasks
- [Dental Hygienists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1292.00): 16 tasks
- [Dentists, All Other Specialists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1029.00): no tasks listed
- [Dentists, General](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1021.00): 20 tasks
- [Dermatologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1213.00): 18 tasks
- [Diagnostic Medical Sonographers](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2032.00): 20 tasks
- [Dietetic Technicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2051.00): 13 tasks
- [Dietitians and Nutritionists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1031.00): 28 tasks
- [Emergency Medical Technicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2042.00): 12 tasks
- [Emergency Medicine Physicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1214.00): 17 tasks
- [Exercise Physiologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1128.00): 25 tasks
- [Family Medicine Physicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1215.00): 12 tasks
- [General Internal Medicine Physicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1216.00): 19 tasks
- [Genetic Counselors](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-9092.00): 19 tasks
- [Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-9021.00): 16 tasks
- [Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2099.00): no tasks listed
- [Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1299.00): no tasks listed
- [Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-9099.00): no tasks listed
- [Hearing Aid Specialists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2092.00): 11 tasks
- [Histology Technicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2012.01): 8 tasks
- [Histotechnologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2011.04): 16 tasks
- [Hospitalists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1229.02): 14 tasks
- [Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2061.00): 22 tasks
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- [Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2035.00): 24 tasks
- [Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2012.00): 13 tasks
- [Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2011.00): 15 tasks
- [Medical Dosimetrists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2036.00): 19 tasks
- [Medical Records Specialists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2072.00): 17 tasks
- [Midwives](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-9099.01): 36 tasks
- [Music Therapists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1129.02): 30 tasks
- [Naturopathic Physicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1299.01): 20 tasks
- [Neurodiagnostic Technologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2099.01): 16 tasks
- [Neurologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1217.00): 24 tasks
- [Nuclear Medicine Technologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2033.00): 17 tasks
- [Nurse Anesthetists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1151.00): 24 tasks
- [Nurse Midwives](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1161.00): 21 tasks
- [Nurse Practitioners](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1171.00): 27 tasks
- [Obstetricians and Gynecologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1218.00): 15 tasks
- [Occupational Therapists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1122.00): 17 tasks
- [Ophthalmic Medical Technicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2057.00): 20 tasks
- [Ophthalmic Medical Technologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2099.05): 31 tasks
- [Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1241.00): 18 tasks
- [Opticians, Dispensing](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2081.00): 21 tasks
- [Optometrists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1041.00): 10 tasks
- [Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1022.00): 14 tasks
- [Orthodontists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1023.00): 11 tasks
- [Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1242.00): 15 tasks
- [Orthoptists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1299.02): 16 tasks
- [Orthotists and Prosthetists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2091.00): 15 tasks
- [Paramedics](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2043.00): 13 tasks
- [Patient Representatives](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2099.08): 13 tasks
- [Pediatric Surgeons](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1243.00): 18 tasks
- [Pediatricians, General](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1221.00): 17 tasks
- [Pharmacists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1051.00): 20 tasks
- [Pharmacy Technicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2052.00): 21 tasks
- [Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1229.04): 15 tasks
- [Physical Therapists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1123.00): 24 tasks
- [Physicians, All Other](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1229.00): no tasks listed
- [Physicians, Pathologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1222.00): 19 tasks
- [Podiatrists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1081.00): 11 tasks
- [Preventive Medicine Physicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1229.05): 15 tasks
- [Prosthodontists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1024.00): 12 tasks
- [Psychiatric Technicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2053.00): 16 tasks
- [Psychiatrists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1223.00): 12 tasks
- [Radiation Therapists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1124.00): 22 tasks
- [Radiologic Technologists and Technicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2034.00): 30 tasks
- [Radiologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1224.00): 30 tasks
- [Recreational Therapists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1125.00): 11 tasks
- [Registered Nurses](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1141.00): 27 tasks
- [Respiratory Therapists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1126.00): 22 tasks
- [Speech-Language Pathologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1127.00): 23 tasks
- [Sports Medicine Physicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1229.06): 27 tasks
- [Surgeons, All Other](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1249.00): no tasks listed
- [Surgical Assistants](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-9093.00): 28 tasks
- [Surgical Technologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2055.00): 16 tasks
- [Therapists, All Other](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1129.00): no tasks listed
- [Urologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1229.03): 14 tasks
- [Veterinarians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1131.00): 21 tasks
- [Veterinary Technologists and Technicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2056.00): 31 tasks

## Where this comes from

Quoted from O*NET 29.0, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0: free to copy and reuse, with credit. Nothing on this page is written by the Org.AI Foundation.
