Michael Begg PA-C

To better serve our patients, the physicians of Animas Orthopedic

Associates have three highly trained Physician Assistants working as

part of the medical team. Below is information about Physician

Assistants and how they are incorporated into our medical practice.

WHAT IS A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT?

Physician Assistants (PAs) are healthcare professionals licensed to

practice medicine with the supervision of a physician. PAs work in a

variety of practice settings including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes

and research centers.

HOW DOES A PA WORK WITH THEIR SUPERVISING

PHYSICIANS?

A Physician Assistant must be supervised by a physician. The

physician supervises the PA, when both are at the same

location or by telephone. The supervising physician must always be

available to the PA should the need arise. The supervising physician

is responsible for following each patient's progress. 

WHAT DOES PA-C STAND FOR? WHAT DOES THE C MEAN?

PA-C stands for Physician Assistant-Certified. It means that the

person who holds that title has met the defined course of study and

has undergone testing by the National Commission of Certification of

Physician Assistants (NCCPA). To maintain the "C" after PA, a

physician assistant must log 100 hours of continuing Medical

education every two years and take the recertification exam every

six years.

WHAT TYPE OF SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY A PHYSICIAN

ASSISTANT?

A PA performs various diagnostic, preventative and health

maintenance service. These services include, but are not limited to

the following list:

• Taking health histories
• Performing physical examinations
• Ordering x-rays and laboratory tests
• Acting as first or second assistant during surgeries
• Performing routine diagnostics
• Establishing diagnoses
• Treating and managing patient health problems
• Administering immunizations and injections
• Instructing and counseling patients
• Providing continuing care to patients in the home, hospital or extended care facility
• Providing referrals within the healthcare system
• Performing minor surgery
• Providing preventative health care services
• Responding to life-threatening emergencies