Physician assistants (PAs), under Act 45 of 2008, can now:
- Order durable medical equipment
- Issue oral orders to the extent permitted by a health care facility’s bylaws, rules, regulations, or administrative policies and guidelines
- Order physical therapy and dietitian referrals
- Order respiratory and occupational therapy referrals
- Perform disability assessments for the program providing temporary assistance to needy families (TANF)
- Issue homebound schooling certifications
- Perform and sign the initial assessment of methadone treatment evaluations in accordance with federal and state law, provided that any order for methadone treatment is made only be a physician
PAs must act within the scope of their collaborative agreement and under the supervision and direction of a physician. The act does not override Department of Health or Public Welfare rules and regulations pertaining to health care professionals.
Applicants for initial licensure in Pennsylvania must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a college or university and must have successfully completed at least 60 hours of pharmacology instruction.
PAs must maintain $1 million in professional liability insurance coverage. When applying for licensure, applicants have 30 days to provide a certificate of insurance or a copy of the policy declaration page as proof of insurance.