- Physician's assistants in Tennessee must meet specific state requirements.Lovely Doctor image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com
Health care provided by medical professionals is strictly monitored and outlined by state governments. The Tennessee Department of Health outlines various requirements for physician's assistants who work within the state. These requirements are in such areas as licensure, practice, education and continuing education. The strict procedures for tracking, certifying and supervising the practice of these assistants helps to ensure that patients receive the highest quality treatment from well-trained professionals. - Students must attend an accredited physician's assistant training program.medical text image by funkatronik from Fotolia.com
Those applying for licensure as a physician assistant must meet certain educational guidelines. An individual must graduate from an accredited college physician assistant program. After graduation, the student must take and successfully pass the test administered by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants. - Those who have completed the necessary education requirements can apply for licensure with the state of Tennessee. Individuals who are already certified and have practiced for ten years in a row in another state can apply for a Tennessee license. Applicants must provide letters from past employers as proof of employment. They also need to provide letters from professionals in the medical field that attest to the applicants' moral characteristics. A criminal background check is necessary, as is notification of past suspensions or having a license revoked.
- Physician's assistants must attend continuing education classes during their employment.stethoscope image by Hubert from Fotolia.com
In Tennessee, physician's assistant licenses need to be renewed every two years. Physician's assistants need to attend at least 100 hours of continuing education classes in the medical field before renewing their license. It is the physician assistants' responsibility to provide evidence of attendance at training when they request a license renewal. - The Tennessee Committee on Physician Assistants oversees licensure, tracking of continuing education and related topics in this field of medicine. The committee, which consists of seven members chosen by the governor, is a good starting source for information:
Committee on Physician Assistants
227 French Landing, Suite 300
Nashville, TN 37243
615-532-3202
1-800-778-4123
health.state.tn.us - While working, the physician's assistant performs duties as outlined by a written policy of the primary physician. This individual is supervised by the physician during employment. Duties performed will vary depending on the area of medicine that the assistant works in. These can include areas such as orthopedics, general practice and dentistry.
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