What is an NP or PA?

In addition to our wonderful doctors at Carbon Health, we also employ nurse practitioners and physician assistants. We've found that this blend of clinicians can meet (and often exceed) the needs of our patients and complement scheduling to keep wait times as short as possible. In the Carbon Health Clinics, all nurse practitioners and physician assistants work under the supervision of a board-certified doctor who is responsible for your care.

What’s an NP? It's a Nurse Practitioner

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who've gone on to earn a master's or doctorate degree in a specialty area of practice (such as adult medicine, family practice, pediatrics, or women's health). The duties that nurse practitioners can perform vary by state, but generally they include diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions, prescribing medication, ordering and interpreting x-rays and other diagnostic procedures, counseling patients, and managing patients' overall care. State regulations also determine whether an NP can work independently or if they must collaborate with a licensed physician.

Licensed as nurse practitioners and registered nurses, NPs follow the rules and regulations of the Nurse Practice Act of the state where they work. Most NPs maintain close working relationships with doctors and consult with them as needed. NPs are licensed in all 50 states and can dispense most medicines. Some states require a doctor to co-sign prescriptions. In a few states, NPs can practice and prescribe without physician supervision.

Like doctors, NPs are involved in more than just direct patient care. Many participate in education, research, and legislative activities to improve the quality of healthcare in the United States.

What’s a PA? It's a Physician Assistant

Physician assistants practice medicine under their own license and the license of a supervising physician. They examine, diagnose, and treat patients, in addition to ordering x-rays and lab tests and interpreting their results. PAs also prescribe medications, conduct therapy, and can stitch, splint, or cast injuries.

They can work in a number of specialties, including internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, or surgery. The exact duties of physician assistants are dictated by supervising physicians, and state law.