Physician Assistants (PA) and Nurse Practitioners (NP), called Advanced
Practice Providers, are part of the healthcare team, working alongside
doctors and nurses at Campbell County Health.
What is a PA-C?
A Physician Assistant (PA-C) completes a master’s or doctoral degree
from an accredited PA educational program, is nationally certified and
licensed by the Board of Medicine and the state to practice medicine with
the supervision of a licensed physician. Team-based care is at the core
of every PA’s training. Like physicians and NPs, PAs must complete
extensive continuing medical education throughout their career. PAs have
been part of the healthcare team for nearly 50 years, and more than 100,000
physician assistants work in virtually every medical setting including
hospitals, long term care and clinics.
What is an NP?
Nurse Practitioners (NP) complete a master’s or doctoral degree
program, and have advanced clinical training beyond their initial professional
registered nurse preparation. NPs emphasize the health and well-being
of the whole person. With a focus on health promotion, disease prevention,
and health education and counseling, NPs guide patients in making healthier
lifestyle choices, which in turn can lower patients’ out-of-pocket
costs. There are more than 230,000 NPs practicing in the United States today.
NPs can work autonomously and in collaboration with health care professionals.
NPs use the designations APRN, FNP or DNP in their credentials.
PAs and NPs can:
- Order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests
- Diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions
- Prescribe medications and other treatments
- Manage patients’ overall care
- Counsel and educate patients on disease prevention and positive health
and lifestyle choices
Learn more about the providers at CCH at
www.cchwyo.org/findadoc.