This legislation would grant permission for a physician and surgeon to oversee a maximum of eight physician assistants concurrently, provided that all the physician assistants are exclusively dedicated to conducting in-home health assessments to collect patient data and conduct annual wellness check-ups or health evaluations that do not entail direct patient treatment or medication prescription. Previously, the law prohibited physicians and surgeons in California from overseeing more than four PAs simultaneously.

These evaluations encompass comprehensive physical examinations, health conditions and social determinants of health assessments, medication reviews, screening tests, and health education.

The exemption is unique to California and will go into action on January 1, 2024. The legislation applies to PAs focused on conducting health evaluations corresponding to Medicare’s “annual wellness visits.”

The Birth of the Physician Assistant: A New Role for Ex- Military Corpsmen

The PA role started as a ‘suggestion‘ offered by Dr. Charles Hudson in 1961 at a conference on medical education hosted by the American Medical Association. An internal medicine doctor, Dr. Hudson, recommended ‘assistants to doctors’ to offset the growing healthcare gap. He proposed ex-medical corpsmen as the perfect candidates because they were highly trained with little to no opportunity to practice their skills once they left the military and returned home. The first PA program took place at Duke University as a two-year program in 1965. The first three graduating students graduated on October 6, 1967.

The Impact of Physician Assistants in Healthcare

The PA role is experiencing a rapid growth spurt in the United States. The National Commission Board on Certification of Physician Assistants reported 168,318 PAs at the end of 2022. Mississippi, South Carolina, and Indiana experienced the highest percentage of growth of board-certified PAs from 2018 to 2022.

According to various research studies, employed PAs are expected to grow 31.3 % by 2029. PAs are competent associates in the ever-evolving healthcare delivery system landscape. Due to the current physician shortage, PAs are filling in the provider gaps.

Common Places PA’s are Employed

• Hospitals: Many PAs work in various departments, including emergency rooms, surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, etc. They assist in patient care, perform procedures, and collaborate with physicians and other healthcare providers.
• Physician Offices/Clinics: PAs often work in outpatient settings, providing primary care, specialty care, and preventive services. They can be found in family medicine, cardiology, dermatology, and many other specialties.
• Urgent Care Centers: Urgent care facilities employ PAs to provide immediate, non-emergency healthcare services. They diagnose and treat a wide range of illnesses and injuries.
• Community Health Centers: PAs play a significant role in community health centers providing primary care services to underserved populations. They address the healthcare needs of diverse communities.
• Surgical Settings: Some PAs specialize in surgical procedures and work closely with surgeons in the operating room. They may assist in surgeries, conduct pre-operative and post-operative care, and provide surgical consultations.
• Long-Term Care Facilities: PAs can care for elderly and chronically ill patients in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and rehabilitation centers.
• Mental Health Settings: In mental health and psychiatry, PAs work alongside psychiatrists to diagnose and manage mental health conditions, prescribe medications, and provide therapy.
• Rural and Underserved Areas: PAs are often deployed to rural and underserved regions with a shortage of healthcare providers. They help bridge the gap in healthcare access.
• Education and Research: Some PAs work in academic and research institutions, where they may be involved in training future PAs, conducting clinical research, or developing healthcare policies.
• Government and Military: PAs can serve in various government agencies, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs or the military, providing healthcare to veterans and active-duty personnel.
• Corporate Health: Some large companies employ PAs to oversee employee health and wellness programs, conduct physical exams, and provide healthcare services to their staff.
• Telemedicine: With the growth of telehealth, PAs are increasingly offering virtual healthcare services, diagnosing and treating patients remotely via video consultations.

It’s important to note that PAs specific roles and responsibilities may vary depending on the setting and state regulations. PAs can adapt to different healthcare environments and contribute significantly to improving patient care and healthcare access.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Patient Care: PAs are trained to perform thorough medical evaluations, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and diagnose and manage various medical conditions. They can also provide preventive care, such as vaccinations, health screenings, and counseling.
• Treatment Planning: Physician assistants work closely with physicians to develop and implement patient treatment plans. This may involve prescribing medication, recommending therapies, and making necessary referrals to specialists.
• Procedures: In some cases, PAs can perform medical procedures, like suturing wounds, setting fractures, and assisting in surgery. This helps in ensuring that patients receive prompt and effective care.
• Education and Counseling: PAs often educate patients about their conditions, treatment options, and ways to maintain good health. They provide valuable information to help patients make informed decisions about their healthcare.

Physician assistants are instrumental in improving healthcare accessibility and quality. Here’s how they make a difference:

• Meeting Growing Healthcare Demands: PAs help alleviate the physician shortage and extend the reach of healthcare services to underserved communities.
• Cost-Effective Care: They offer cost-effective healthcare, reducing the burden on patients and the healthcare system.
• Enhanced Patient Experience: PAs often spend more time with patients, offering a more personalized and empathetic approach to care.
• Team-Based Care: They work collaboratively with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, creating a more comprehensive and efficient approach to patient care.

Education and Training

• Bachelor’s Degree: PAs usually start with a bachelor’s degree in a healthcare-related field, which includes prerequisite coursework in biology, chemistry, and other science subjects.
• Master’s Degree: They then enroll in a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program, which typically takes two years to complete. These programs include both classroom instruction and clinical rotations.
• Certification: After graduation, aspiring PAs must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) to become certified PAs. This certification is required in all states.
• Licensure: PAs must also obtain a state license to practice, which may include passing a state-specific exam.

Are you a healthcare facility looking to hire a Physician Assistant? Are you a PA interested in working locum tenens? Medcare Staffing is here to help you with all your staffing and locum tenens needs. Click here to connect with a recruiter today.

The post California’s Bold Move: How It’s Shaping the Future for Physician Assistants appeared first on Medcare Staffing.

1. You’ll Only Find Work in Busy Places. Wrong

While there are plenty of locums positions with an exhilarating patient workload, and a fast-paced environment, not every assignment will be like this. This is true because facilities of all types use locums to fill their temporary staffing issues.

When finding the right fit for you, the most important thing to keep in mind is that the relationship with your recruiter is a two-way street. If working in a busy place is a concern for you, talk to your recruiter and take some time to discuss other potential options. The diversity of facilities that we work with here at MedCare Staffing can help in your search for what work environment will suit you best. If something a little more slow-paced is what you’re looking for, then we have plenty of rural locations that would be perfect for you!

2. You’ll Have to Work Full-Time. False

While many of the locums healthcare professionals choose to pursue it as a full-time job, that’s not the only way to experience locum tenens work. What makes this field so accessible is the fact that you can make of it what you want. If you choose to work as a locums provider on holidays or pick up extra shifts here-and-there, you have the option to do so. You are not confined to work as a locum tenens professional full-time.
You can use part-time locum tenens work as a way to supplement your income and sharpen your clinical skills in an environment different from your full-time workplace. If you’re looking for part-time or full-time locums has plenty of both to offer.

3. Patients Won’t Want to Trust You. Myth

The main reason this myth exists is due to the rare patients that insist on being seen by a clinician they know. And while this may be true, it doesn’t happen often, and most patients are content with their needs being met. As a locums professional, you will inevitably experience some trepidation when starting work in a new clinic. Still, the truth is most patients won’t be upset seeing someone who isn’t their usual clinician. And those patients that do can usually be won over with openness, honesty, and clear communication. Some locums opportunities are less about recurring visits and more about one-off care, like walk-in clinics and hospitals. This issue is rarely a major one, and there are always ways that you can work around it if it does show up.

Do you have any questions about locum tenens? Feel free to contact us anytime! We would love the opportunity to answer any of your questions.

Who are we? MedCare Staffing is a small, veteran-owned, family-oriented team. We start every day with gratitude because we LOVE what we do! We are a team on a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients and providers.

What we do: We place Physicians, Dentists & Advanced Practitioners in Locum Tenens, Contract Positions and Permanent Jobs

To contact MedCare Staffing, call 888.474.3380 or visit or website by clicking here!

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1. A Good Quality Webcam

While a webcam is not technically considered telemedicine equipment, excellent video quality that comes with a good webcam can make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful virtual visit. Not only does a high-quality video present a professional image to patients, but it helps to ensure a more accurate assessment of the patient and ensure clear communication. For those facilities that have multiple telemedicine rooms, a higher-end consumer-grade webcam may be expensive but is an overall worth-it expense. Not all telemedicine consultations require such high-quality video, but those that do can benefit from a good webcam, such as a dermatologist.

2. Reliable High-Speed Internet

Once you’ve chosen your webcam, it’s time to check on your internet connectivity. Internet speed and bandwidth are crucial to both delivering data to and receiving data from patients. To ensure that your internet is both reliable and capable of supporting telemedicine, check with your service provider and see if they can provide you with the bandwidth you’ll need. Your internet provider should be able to configure your network correctly, so it works best with the ‘two-way’ traffic that telemedicine calls require. The influx of uploading and downloading that is necessary when video conferencing requires a sufficient network to support it. Your internet provider should be able to give you solutions that will help you to maintain a higher level of network reliability without spending enormous amounts of money on networking equipment and services.

3. Digital Medical Scopes and Other Accessories

Digital stethoscopes are the functional, high-tech tool that telemedicine has been waiting for. The digital stethoscope works by using the microphone on the patient’s device to capture and stream audio files to the provider. This requires very little from the provider except for a pair of high-quality, over the ear headphones, and allows them to analyze the audio data in real-time. If providers and their facilities wish to keep these audio files for future study or reference, they may want to consider investing in a HIPAA-compliant network file storage system.

4. Tablets

Tablets are the perfect tool for any healthcare facility to invest money in. They are incredibly versatile, which makes it easier to adapt to any practice with just the download of an app or hardware purchase. Providers can use the tablet as an advanced clipboard, allowing them to take detailed notes that are transferred efficiently to an electronic health record system. Many digital health accessories, such as the digital stethoscope, have apps that allow medical providers to transmit, store, and then analyze their patients’ data. While a tablet can’t take the place of a PC, it can be a vital tool in the workplace. 

5. Visual Aids

Just as visual aids are used in an in-person visit, they can also have the same use in a telemedicine visit. Common aids such as pain scales, portion size guides, can help ensure that telemedicine visits run smoothly, efficiently, and quickly. For visual aids to be useful in telemedicine, they need to be large and clear enough to see in a video chat window or be shared through a digital screen-share in their digital form. These familiar aids can help to act as reminders that telemedicine, while it may be new, can be just as useful as a traditional appointment.

Are you considering Telemedicine? Contact a team member at MedCare Staffing today and let’s start the conversation.

Who are we? MedCare Staffing is a small, veteran-owned, family-oriented team. We start every day with gratitude because we LOVE what we do! We are a team on a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients and providers.

What we do: We place Physicians, Dentists & Advanced Practitioners in Locum Tenens, Contract Positions and Permanent Jobs

To contact MedCare Staffing, call 888.474.3380 or visit or website by clicking here!

The post 5 Telemedicine Tools You Need appeared first on Medcare Staffing.

New Mexico

For those who love the outdoors, this Southwestern gem has plenty of miles of untamed wilderness to explore. Incredible snippets of culture and exotic cuisine are readily available in places such as Santa Fe and Taos. New Mexico offers many historical sites with dinosaur relics! The state is also home to the country’s largest hot air balloon festival. Not only does New Mexico have plenty of exciting things to do, but it also offers warm weather, modest housing prices, and 85 state hospitals.

Ohio

Ohio offers many opportunities for those who prefer to practice rural medicine. While the state does offer some larger cities that give you that ‘big city’ feeling, it is more likely that you’ll be practicing small-town medicine in Ohio. An excellent example of both rural medicine feel with big-city amenities would be Columbus, Ohio. There are excellent schools, job opportunities for your spouse, and the basic amenities of a bigger city. Ohio offers the best of both worlds.

Oklahoma

The Sooner State offers many opportunities to a wide variety of locum tenens jobs. The state itself is peaceful and relaxing, yet rugged wilderness is just around the corner. In Oklahoma, you have an opportunity to work either in rural or urban medicine! Oklahoma is also home to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, and over 100 hospitals.

California

California is a fantastic place to work and live in if you enjoy the hustle-and-bustle of a state that’s always on the move. The state has much to offer in the way of entertainment, with historic landmarks and cities, as well as incredible natural wonders like the redwood forest. Whether you want to work in one of the state’s prestigious hospitals or a smaller clinic, the opportunities are endless. California is known to have more locum tenens jobs than any other state, and there are opportunities in almost every medical specialty.

If any of these states interest you, contact a MedCare Staffing consultant today. Or feel free to visit our job board by clicking here. We are adding new permanent and locum assignments weekly.

Who are we? MedCare Staffing is a small, veteran-owned, family-oriented team. We start every day with gratitude because we LOVE what we do! We are a team on a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients and providers.

What we do: We place Physicians, Dentists & Advanced Practitioners in Locum Tenens, Contract Positions and Permanent Jobs

To contact MedCare Staffing, call 888.474.3380 or visit or website by clicking here!

The post Four States To Consider For Assignments in 2020 appeared first on Medcare Staffing.

While locum tenens professionals work with a staffing agency, they are not employees of that agency or the healthcare facilities they work in; they are independent contractors. This brings its own fiscal responsibilities, so we have compiled some tips for being money-smart while working locum tenens jobs.

Set Aside Funds for Taxes

Locum tenens workers are compensated in gross, which means that they are paid in full for the hours they work without any state and federal tax deductions. You are still responsible for paying taxes on your income earned during each contract. Most contract workers and financial advisors suggest that you set aside a portion of each paycheck to account for tax payments. That way, when April 15 rolls around, you won’t be caught off guard with a hefty tax bill. The IRS has a helpful form, IRS Form 1040-ES, that helps you calculate how much you will owe in taxes. 

Pay Estimated Quarterly Taxes

Most state tax agencies and the IRS encourage contract workers to make estimated payments every quarter, which means paying them in April, June, September, and January of the following year. There could even be late fees applied for missing these deadlines. It is also essential to know that contract workers are required to pay self-employment tax. This tax covers social security and medicare, and this payment typically occurs when filing your annual tax return.

Contribute to Retirement Accounts

A great idea to make sure that you have a retirement fund set up. An easy way to make sure that you pay into it is by putting away some money when paying your quarterly taxes. Not only are you helping to set yourself up in the future, but most of these contributions can be considered tax-free, thus lowering your overall taxable income. 

Keep Track of Records While on the Road

Conveniently, locum tenens staffing companies take on the cost of housing and transportation for assignments. While they take care of the basics, you are going to inevitably have some expenses while on contract, including meals. The IRS allows you, as a contract worker, to deduct costs of doing business away from home that are not typically reimbursed (i.e., meals). 

You should be keeping track of your receipts for the purchases made while you’re on contract. Still, you should also maintain a record of healthcare insurance premiums, licensing, and professional services, such as hiring a lawyer or accountant. These can be submitted as deductions, which are typically done with a profit and loss statement in your tax return. 

Dailyfinance.com states that contract workers who claim less than $5,000 in business expenses and who do not report net losses can use the Schedule C-EZ Net Profit From Business form.

Whenever taxes or finances are involved, it is always a good idea to be safe and check in with a tax specialist or a certified financial advisor, to make sure that you are on track.

While a locum tenens lifestyle requires you to assume a more proactive approach to managing finances, it is also true that this lifestyle can provide an impressive return on your investment in it. 

Who are we? MedCare Staffing is a small, veteran-owned, family-oriented team. We start every day with gratitude because we LOVE what we do! We are a team on a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients and providers.

What we do: We place Physicians, Dentists & Advanced Practitioners in Locum Tenens, Contract Positions and Permanent Jobs

To contact MedCare Staffing call 888.474.3380 or visit or website by clicking here!

The post Taxes and Locum Tenens. Tips For You To Consider appeared first on Medcare Staffing.

We all know germs are prevalent in airports and airplanes, but did you know that research suggests that changes in your sleep cycle (i.e., when you are jet-lagged) can throw off your circadian rhythm, which can affect your immune response. The stress of travel also has a significant effect on your immune health, as well. Here are some travel tips to help keep you on top of your game.

Before you go

To help prevent jet lag, you can pick up some melatonin at your local grocery store or pharmacy. The best way to use the melatonin is to take it at a time that you would typically go to bed but in your new time zone. Taking this step can help with getting you accustomed to a new sleep routine as quickly as possible.

Checking the Travelers’ Health section of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website for travel health warnings, vaccination recommendations, and preventive health tips can help prepare you for what might happen in your new location. 

On your way there

If you suffer from motion sickness, a natural and safe remedy is ginger. You can take ginger powder with water, ginger capsules, ginger root tea, or ginger chews. Ginger, unlike Dramamine, will not make you tired, making it is okay to take at any point.

Antibacterial wipes are a great product to carry with you so that everything you touch is clean. The best way to ensure that you stay clean is to wipe down everything you might contact on a plane, especially the tray table in front of your seat as it does not always get wiped down after every use.

When you arrive

Making sure that you do some sort of exercise after getting off the plane is a sure-fire way to ensure that you get the blood flowing again. Doing this will also help to knock out any sickness you might have caught on the journey.

Vitamin C is crucial to keeping your immune system in tip-top shape and can help ensure that you don’t feel terrible after a long journey. You can drink it in juices, a water-soluble powder or gummies and chews. 

Making sure you are taking care of your health is one way to ensure that your locum tenens assignment is as enjoyable as possible. When you feel healthy, you are able to help your patients do the same. 

Who are we?MedCare Staffing is a small, veteran-owned, family-oriented team. We start every day with gratitude because we LOVE what we do! We are a team on a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients and providers.

What we do: We place Physicians, Advanced Practitioners, Dentists and Pharmacists in Locum Tenens, Contract Positions and Permanent Jobs

To contact MedCare Staffing call 888.474.3380 or visit or website by clicking here!

The post How to Stay Healthy While Traveling appeared first on Medcare Staffing.

UPMC Physician Resources

UPMC Physician Resources helps to provide access to over 200 courses that cover all aspects of care. The classes they offer cover many specific topics that allow you to explore areas that can benefit your career and your patients. You can move through the courses at your convenience and use the provided reading material to explore those topics even further. After using the free course materials, you have the opportunity to log in and take evaluations to test your knowledge.

American College of Physicians

The American College of Physicians has designed its CME courses to fit your busy schedule. You can log in at any time to earn credits by watching course material, attending live lectures, and going through the online activities. Throughout their courses, they explore how care practices and technology will continue to evolve through a variety of fascinating topics. Their specialized courses give you access to virtual patient modules, various learning tools, and conference recordings.

MyCME

At MyCME, you have access to a wide array of continuing medical education courses that cover all specialties. When you make an account with them, you will gain access to all the courses you need to accelerate your locum tenens career. They provide personalized recommendations on courses, all of which help to keep you informed of industry changes. Their courses also help to give you all the information you need to know about maintaining your licenses in every state.

Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Development

Through their online CME system, the Mayo Clinic wants to make sure that continuing education courses are accessible to all clinicians, physicians, and others working in the medical field. All you have to do is register for courses that pique your interests and work your way through the learning materials at your own pace. When you complete a course, you are not only gaining crucial knowledge but credits as well.

AMA Ed Hub

The AMA Ed Hub platform offers courses in clinical, practice transformation, and professionalism, plus many more. This site grants you access to a vast number of informative courses that explore trends and proven practices across the medical field. You can sign up for an account to test your knowledge and track the credits you earn with the completion of each course. When you sign up for an account, you gain the opportunity to test your knowledge, as well as keep track of the credits you earn by taking the courses. They also help by providing state CME requirements to ensure you comply with all regulations. 

Who are we?MedCare Staffing is a small, veteran-owned, family-oriented team. We start every day with gratitude because we LOVE what we do! We are a team on a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients and providers.

What we do: We place Physicians, Advanced Practitioners, Dentists and Pharmacists in Locum Tenens, Contract Positions and Permanent Jobs

To contact MedCare Staffing call 888.474.3380 or visit or website by clicking here!

The post Resources for Continuing Medical Education appeared first on Medcare Staffing.