At Andrews & Patel Associates, we have on staff Physician Extenders. This is a term given to professionals with one of two possible degrees – Physician Assistants or Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners. There are technical differences between the two degrees and their privileges, but there are more similarities than differences, and so the word Physician Extender is what is commonly used to designate either.
These individuals all have degrees from established and certified programs and are licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania after taking examinations. They practice with us and are not functioning independently. Their use is increasing in many practices every year, especially in Pennsylvania, as the physician shortage gets more and more critical. We have rules and guidelines for what they do.
They will identify themselves when they see you. And if you prefer not to be seen by a physician extender, you can certainly request to be seen by a physician, who is always in that same office. If you are a new patient in the office you will always be seen by a physician as well as the physician extender.
From our prospective, they do an excellent job, and allow us the opportunity to do more problem solving. They obtain accurate information and make sure diagnostic studies and treatment plans are on track as well as handling a multitude of routine problems.
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Amy Cleck, C.R.N.P.
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Mona Patel, PA-C
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Lori Francis, PA-C
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