Physician Assistant (PA) are healthcare professionals who practice medicine with physician supervision. They are authorized to practice via state licensure or credentialing by a federal employer. A PA in critical care works with a certified intensivist or a physician with equivalent qualifications and experience in ICU care. The PA is allowed within the scope of applicable state law, policies of the institution, and delegation from the supervising physician to perform diagnostic and therapeutic interventions without the physical presence of the supervising physician, who is always available by beeper or phone call.

The mission of the PA in critical care medicine is to provide continuity of patient care. The PA acts as a liaison between the primary physicians, attendings, house staff, and nursing staff to ensure the necessary communication between these groups and the implementation of coordinated patient care.

Vision Statement
The Physician Assistant (PA) Section has a threefold vision: provide a common link between PA's who practice and are deeply committed to critical care medicine; further education and foster the interdisciplinary practice of critical care medicine by PA's; and advise the Society on matters pertaining to PA's and the practice of multi-professional critical care medicine. 

For information on how to become a member of the Physician Assistant Section, please contact Carol Prendergast at:
cprendergast@sccm.org

You may also contact:
Byron E. Turkett, PA-C, MPAS
Section Chair
byron.turkett@lmunet.edu 
critcarepa@gmail.com