A physician assistant is licensed to practice medicine with the supervision of a licensed physician. Physician assistants provide medical care in various settings, including physician offices, multispecialty clinics, satellite clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and patients' homes. Here are some of the professional services PAs provide:

• Take medical histories
• Perform physical exams
• Provide routine immunizations
• Perform minor surgeries
• Suture simple wounds
• Cast uncomplicated fractures
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests
• Diagnose and treat illnesses
• Prescribe medications (most states)

For more information about Physician Assistants, please visit these websites:

American Academy of Physician Assistants
Physician Assistant Education Association
Iowa Physician Assistant Society

Information about average salaries for Physician Assistants can be found at the Bureau of Labor Statistics website or Salary.com