Physician Assistants
Since 1989, the physician assistants (PAs) at HSS have been involved in all aspects of perioperative inpatient and outpatient management, acting on behalf and under the supervision of their attending physician within their scope of practice and licensure.
The Physician Assistant Department is a leader in provider clinical operations working closely with our medical staff to ensure outstanding patient care and a supportive environment for our academic mission. PAs exemplify the concept of collaborative, interdisciplinary care acting, under the guidance of their supervising physicians and in conjunction with all disciplines that support the medical team.
PAs are board certified and licensed to provide medical and surgical care as an integral part of the orthopedic surgical team, which is composed of surgeons, fellows and residents. PA responsibilities include, but are not limited to, serving as the first assistant to the surgeon in the operating room, performing patient examinations, making daily rounds, diagnosing conditions, interpreting labs and studies, and ordering or prescribing medical interventions. PAs can be found in a variety of settings and specialties or subspecialties including:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement (ARJR)
- Spine
- Sports Medicine/Shoulder
- Trauma
- Foot/Ankle
- Hand
- Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction
- Pediatrics
- Anesthesia (PACU/OSCU/SDU)
- Medicine/Rheumatology
- Radiology
- Pain Management
- Private Physician Offices
Education and Training
All PAs undergo rigorous training in the medical education model. Most PA programs require the same prerequisite courses as medical school, requiring students to have about three (3) years of healthcare training and experience, culminating in a master’s degree. All PAs are required to receive training in surgery. As delegated by their supervising physician, PAs can practice autonomously or in a collaborative relationship with other members of the healthcare team.
HSS PAs maintain PA licenses in the state in which they practice (New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut), their national board certification, and are credentialed and privileged to practice at the institution.
Services
PAs are at the center of provider-delivered care.
At HSS, PAs:
- Obtain health histories and conduct physical exams
- Diagnose and treat medical problems
- Perform surgery, acting as a first or second assistant for the surgeon
- Perform surgical procedures (eg, applying stitches, placing a chest tube, etc)
- Prescribe medications and other treatments (eg, physical therapy)
- Order and interpret diagnostic (eg, X-rays) and laboratory tests
- Educate and counsel patients and caregivers
- Manage patients’ overall pre- and postoperative care
- Work collaboratively with specialty practice physicians, surgeons and NPs
- Provide care for patients in specialty services (acute and critical care settings; ambulatory settings and clinics)
- Refer patients to other healthcare professionals as needed
Mentoring and Student Clinical Rotations
During student clinical rotations at HSS, physician assistant students receive structured training. Training includes exposure to all PA roles and responsibilities within their scope of practice and specialty.