Physicians Assistant

Melissa Taylor holds two bachelor of science degrees, one in biology and one in health science from Lee University in Cleveland, TN. She holds a Masters of Medicine degree from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN. She is NCCPA certified. She is a member of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants, the Tennessee Association of Physicians Assistants, and the Society of Dermatology Physicians Assistants. She has been with the Tri-Cities Skin & Cancer since June 2001. Mrs. Taylor specializes in cosmetic procedures.

*WHAT IS A PHYSICIANS ASSISTANT?

Physician Assistants are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventative health care, assist in surgery, and in most states, can write prescriptions

*PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS IN DERMATOLOGY

Building on their primary care training and experience, PAs are trained in dermatology in a variety of ways. Most dermatology PAs are trained on-the-job by their supervising dermatologist. All PAs have suture training, can biopsy, and many are able to perform simple and complex surgeries.

*THE DEMATOLOGIST-PA TEAM

PA's are inter-dependent providers. As with all PAs, dermatology PAs are legally and ethically bound to practice only under their supervising physician. PAs have been practicing with dermatologists for over 30 years. What a PA does varies with training, experience, and state law. In general, a PA will see many of the same types of patients as the physician. The cases handled by the physician are generally more complicated medical cases. Referral to the physician, or close consultation between the patient, PA, and physician, is done for unusual or hard to manage cases. PAs are taught to "know their limits" and refer to physicians appropriately. This is an important part of PA training.

*WHAT DOES PA-C STAND FOR? WHAT DOES THE C MEAN?

PA-C stands for Physician Assistant-Certified. It means that the person who holds the title has met the defined course of study and has undergone testing by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) To maintain that "C" after "PA", a PA must log 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and take the recertification exam every six years.