WHAT IS A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT (PA-C) OR NURSE PRACTITIONER (CRNP)?

Certified Physician Assistants (PA-C) are health professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Physician Assistants (PAs) are qualified by graduation from an accredited physician assistant educational program and/or certified by by the National Commission on Certification of PAs. Within the physician/PA relationship, PAs exercise autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. The clinical role of PAs include primary and specialty care in medical and surgical practice settings in rural and urban areas. PA practice is centered on patient care and may include educational, research and administrative activities.

A CRNP is an Advanced Practice Nurse licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who is certified by the Pennsylvania Board Of Nursing in a particular clinical specialty area and who, while functioning in the expanded role as a professional nurse, performs acts of medical diagnosis or prescription of medical therapeutic or corrective measures in collaboration with and under the direction of a physician licensed to practice medicine in Pennsylvania.  Most nurse practitioners are also nationally certified in their specialty area.  They usually work with patients and families of all ages, providing information people need to make informed decisions about their health care and lifestyle choices.

Our Midlevel Providers:

• Paul Augenstein, PA-C:  BS PA Science, St. Francis University

• Marsha Riley, PA-C:  BS PA Science, St. Francis University         

• Kathy Skebeck, CRNP:  Master of Science in Nursing, Univ. of Pittsburgh

•  Rich Robertson, PA-C:  Master of PA Science, St. Francis University

• Dave Finochio, PA-C:  BS PA Science, St. Francis University         

• David Beck, PA-C:  Master of PA Science, St. Francis University