<Tr> <Th> Fields of employment </Th> <Td> Hospitals and Clinics </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Related jobs </Th> <Td> Physician </Td> </Tr> <P> A physician assistant (US) or physician associate (UK) is a healthcare professional who practices medicine as a part of a healthcare team with collaborating physicians and other providers . In the United States, PAs are nationally certified and state licensed to practice medicine . A certified PA may add "C" at the end of his / her postnominal credentials . PAs are trained with the medical model and complete these qualifications in less time than a traditional medical degree . The educational model for PAs is based on the fast - tracked training of physicians during World War II . </P> <P> PAs are concerned with preventing and treating human illness and injury by providing a plethora of health care services under a supervising physician . Their scope of practice varies by jurisdiction and healthcare setting . </P>

What is a pa c in medical terms