Pediatric medical assistants work under the supervision of pediatricians, performing physical exams, diagnosing illnesses, ordering tests, and prescribing medications. They may also assist during surgical procedures and work in various pediatric areas. The profession began in the US in the 1960s, and training programs typically take two years. Pediatric nurse practitioners also perform some tasks traditionally done by physicians.
A pediatric medical assistant treats young patients under the supervision and guidance of a pediatrician. A pediatrician is a doctor who specializes in children’s health, generally treating children from infancy to age 18. Pediatric medical assistants are licensed healthcare professionals and perform many of the same duties as physicians. They perform physical examinations, diagnose illnesses, order tests, and prescribe medications. The limitations on what a pediatric medical assistant can do depend on local licensing rules, personal experience and training, and the wishes of the supervising physician.
Pediatric medical assistants may be called upon to assist physicians during surgical procedures, provide pre- and postoperative care, suture wounds, break bones, and perform other tasks traditionally performed by physicians. Pediatric medical assistants work in private practices, children’s hospitals and clinics. They may specialize in different pediatric areas, including adolescent medicine, neonatal care, pediatric emergency care, and others.
In busy inner-city clinics or rural settings, a pediatrician may be the primary health care professional, with the doctor only periodically. By law, in most places, an attending physician must always work under the physician’s supervision, even if the physician is not physically present. Pediatric medical assistants’ work hours often vary, depending on the practice and the supervising physician’s schedule. In busy areas, they can be on call and can usually work long hours. Pediatric medical assistants who work in emergency rooms often work nights and weekends; those in private practices may have a more traditional 9-to-5 schedule.
The physician assistant profession continues to grow. The profession began in the United States in the 1960s as a way to provide quality medical care in areas where it was absent. The highly trained servicemen who returned home from the military were the initial recruits for the profession.
The training program for physician assistants typically takes about two years. Programs are offered by colleges and universities, medical schools, academic health centers, and elsewhere. Many programs offer a Master’s degree option, and some offer Bachelor’s and Associate’s options.
People looking to specialize in pediatrics take the same classes as other potential medical assistants with additional training in pediatrics. Admission requirements for physician assistant training programs vary, but prior experience in healthcare is usually required and sometimes a college degree. Upon completion of a program, a physician assistant must pass a certifying exam to be licensed.
Another name for a physician assistant is associate pediatrician. One career that often has duties closely related to a pediatric medical assistant is that of a pediatric nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners are nurses with advanced training who also perform some of the tasks traditionally performed by physicians.
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