As their title suggests, physician assistants (PA's) support physicians. PA's are formally trained to perform many of the routine but time-consuming tasks physicians usually do. They take medical histories, examine patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x rays, and make preliminary diagnoses. PA's record progress notes, instruct and counsel patients, and order or carry out therapy. Physician assistants may also prescribe medications.

Physician assistants always work under the supervision of a physician. PA's in specialty areas, such as cardiothoracic surgery, provide pre-and post-operative care and work as first or second assistants during major surgery. All Cardiovascular & Vascular Surgical Associates' PA's assisting in open heart surgery are certified in endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting.

All Cardiovascular & Vascular Surgical Associates PA's are certified (PA-C). Issued by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), the Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C) credential is a mark of professional accomplishment, indicating the achievement and maintenance of established levels of knowledge and clinical skills.

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The content on this web site is intended to provide you and your family with a better understanding of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery including coronary artery disease, beating heart bypass surgery and endoscopic vein harvesting. This information is not intended as a substitute for an informed discussion with your physician.  We encourage you to maintain an open dialogue with you and your primary care physician.  Please feel free to print the information contained on this web site and share this information with your family and physician(s).

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Last Updated: Tuesday, November 20, 2001 Rev A

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