A physician assistant (P.A.) is a licensed health professional who practices medicine under the supervision of a physician. A physician assistant provides a broad range of health care services that were traditionally performed by a doctor. What a physician assistant does varies with training, experience, and state law. In addition, the scope of the P.A.'s practice corresponds to the supervising physician's practice. In general, a physician assistant will see many of the same types of patients as the physician. The cases handled by physicians are generally the more complicated medical cases or those cases requiring care that is not a routine part of the P.A.'s scope of work. Referral to the physician, or close consultation between the patient, P.A., and physician, is done in unusual or hard to manage cases. Physician assistants are taught to know their limits and refer to or consult with physicians appropriately.
The West Virginia Physician's Assistant Employment Agreement outlines the terms and conditions for the employment of physician's assistants (PAs) in the state of West Virginia. This legally binding document serves as a comprehensive guide for both employers and PAs, ensuring a clear understanding of the working relationship, responsibilities, and compensation. The agreement typically covers various key aspects, including job description, scope of practice, financial arrangements, benefits, termination clauses, and confidentiality agreements. It provides a framework for PAs to fulfill their duties while adhering to legal and ethical standards. Different types of West Virginia Physician's Assistant Employment Agreements may exist based on the specific work setting or employer requirements. Some common variations include: 1. Hospital or Medical Center Employment Agreement: This type of agreement pertains to PAs employed by hospitals or medical centers. It may contain additional clauses related to departmental assignments, on-call duties, and coordination with other healthcare professionals. 2. Private Practice Employment Agreement: Here, the agreement is tailored for PAs working in a private medical practice. It may include provisions for patient load, clinic hours, billing practices, and collaboration with supervising physicians. 3. Research or Academic Institution Employment Agreement: For PAs involved in research or academic institutions, this agreement may address research responsibilities, scholarly activities, grant obligations, and teaching commitments. 4. Rural Health Clinic or Community Health Center Employment Agreement: PAs working within rural health clinics or community health centers may have specific employment agreements tailored to their unique practice settings. These agreements may focus on obligations related to underserved populations, outreach programs, and coordination with community resources. It is important for PAs and potential employers to carefully review and negotiate the terms within the West Virginia Physician's Assistant Employment Agreement to ensure a fair and mutually beneficial working relationship. Seeking legal advice is advisable to ensure compliance with state laws and regulations governing physician's assistants' practice in West Virginia.
