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Physician Assistants

SOC 29-1071.00Job Zone 5 · Extensive Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers Physician Assistant practice across primary care, specialty, urgent care, inpatient, and academic medical center environments, from supervised entry-level clinical work through executive-level health system leadership.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Patient health histories — collect and document under attending physician supervision in an ambulatory care clinic setting.
  2. Physical examination findings — perform structured assessments and record results under direct oversight in a supervised clinical rotation.
  3. Diagnostic test orders — initiate standard laboratory and imaging requests following established protocols with physician co-signature in a hospital environment.
  4. Diagnostic test results — interpret basic deviations from normal reference ranges under supervisory guidance in a primary care setting.
  5. Tentative diagnoses — formulate preliminary differential diagnoses for common, uncomplicated conditions with physician review in an outpatient clinic.
  6. Prescription medications — assist in drafting treatment recommendations for straightforward cases pending physician approval in a supervised practice.
  7. Therapeutic procedures — perform basic injections and wound care under direct supervision following sterile technique protocols in a clinical setting.
  8. Patient counseling — deliver scripted instruction on prescribed therapeutic regimens and health maintenance under a senior clinician's guidance.
  9. Electronic medical records — enter and organize patient progress notes and examination data using practice management software in a clinic environment.
  10. Clinical decision-making frameworks — apply evidence-based guidelines to routine patient scenarios under mentored supervision in an acute or primary care setting.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Patient medical data — compile comprehensive histories, physical findings, and diagnostic results independently within an established outpatient or urgent care practice.
  2. Differential diagnoses — formulate and prioritize working diagnoses for moderately complex cases with reduced physician oversight in a specialty or primary care clinic.
  3. Diagnostic imaging and ECG results — interpret findings for common deviations and integrate results into clinical decision-making in a hospital or multispecialty setting.
  4. Prescription therapies — select and prescribe appropriate medications or treatment regimens within scope-of-practice guidelines with routine physician collaboration.
  5. Diagnostic test panels — order and coordinate x-rays, electrocardiograms, and laboratory studies efficiently to support timely diagnosis in a busy clinical environment.
  6. Therapeutic procedures — perform suturing, immunizations, and infection management routinely with minimal supervision in an emergency or outpatient procedure suite.
  7. Patient counseling sessions — conduct individualized education on chronic disease management, family planning, and emotional health in a community health center.
  8. Progress documentation — author clear, legally compliant progress notes and discharge summaries using electronic health record systems in an inpatient setting.
  9. Time-sensitive clinical situations — prioritize and manage multiple patient encounters efficiently during high-volume shifts in an urgent care or hospital medicine unit.
  10. Interdisciplinary care coordination — collaborate with nursing, pharmacy, and specialist teams to align treatment plans in a hospital or integrated health system.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Complex diagnostic workups — independently design and interpret multi-system diagnostic investigations for undifferentiated or atypical presentations in a tertiary care environment.
  2. Treatment management decisions — autonomously determine and adjust comprehensive management plans for complex, multi-morbid patients across the full scope of PA practice.
  3. Advanced therapeutic procedures — execute high-acuity procedural interventions including complex wound management and critical care support protocols in an inpatient or procedural setting.
  4. Pharmacological regimens — prescribe, titrate, and modify multimodal medication plans for chronic and acute conditions, navigating drug interactions in a specialty practice environment.
  5. Diagnostic reasoning — synthesize clinical, laboratory, and imaging data using advanced inductive and deductive reasoning to resolve diagnostically challenging cases.
  6. Patient and family counseling — lead nuanced discussions on serious diagnoses, treatment trade-offs, and psychosocial dimensions of care with empathy in a complex care setting.
  7. Systems evaluation — assess clinical workflow inefficiencies and contribute to protocol refinement initiatives within a hospital or large group practice.
  8. Clinical documentation quality — produce comprehensive, medico-legally precise records and scholarly case summaries using health information systems in an academic medical center.
  9. Non-routine clinical problem solving — apply active learning and science-based reasoning to manage rare or emergent conditions without immediate physician availability in a remote or rural setting.
  10. Population health monitoring — track patient panel outcomes, identify risk trends, and recommend preventive interventions in a value-based or accountable care organization environment.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Clinical practice standards — establish and champion evidence-based protocols and scope-of-practice policies across a department or health system to elevate patient care quality.
  2. PA workforce development — design and lead structured mentorship, onboarding, and continuing education programs that build clinical competency across an organization's PA staff.
  3. Organizational diagnostic strategy — direct enterprise-wide diagnostic utilization initiatives, reducing unnecessary testing while improving accuracy across a multi-site health network.
  4. Interdisciplinary leadership — lead collaborative, cross-functional care teams including physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals in delivering complex patient care programs.
  5. Health system quality improvement — drive institution-level quality and patient safety initiatives by analyzing clinical outcome data and implementing systemic corrective measures.
  6. Advanced prescribing governance — develop formulary guidance and prescribing policy frameworks adopted across a hospital system or regional integrated health network.
  7. Strategic patient education programs — architect system-level patient counseling and health literacy initiatives targeting chronic disease, family planning, and behavioral health outcomes.
  8. Clinical technology integration — lead the evaluation and implementation of medical software, EHR upgrades, and telehealth platforms to optimize clinical operations at an organizational level.
  9. Regulatory and credentialing leadership — represent the PA profession in institutional credentialing committees, regulatory bodies, and scope-of-practice advocacy forums at state or national level.
  10. Research and knowledge translation — lead applied clinical research, publish findings, and translate emerging evidence into actionable practice changes across a healthcare system or academic institution.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted literature lookup — queries an AI assistant to retrieve clinical guidelines or drug interaction summaries, then cross-checks results against institutional formularies before acting Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  2. Automated documentation drafting — uses AI-generated templates to populate routine progress notes and health history fields, reviewing every entry for accuracy before signing Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Developing
  1. Diagnostic test interpretation support — feeds lab values and imaging findings into an AI tool to flag deviations from normal ranges, retaining independent clinical judgment on all results Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Differential diagnosis narrowing — prompts an AI assistant with patient history and symptom clusters to surface candidate diagnoses, then evaluates each against physical examination findings Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. Patient communication drafting — directs an AI tool to generate discharge instructions or patient education text, editing for clinical accuracy and health literacy before distribution WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Complex history synthesis — directs an AI assistant to compile and summarize multi-visit records and comorbidity timelines, then integrates that synthesis into a treatment decision with physician oversight Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  2. Prescription decision scaffolding — uses AI-generated medication options and dosing guidance as a structured starting point, applying clinical reasoning and prescribing authority to finalize orders Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Time-critical workflow acceleration — delegates documentation, coding suggestions, and referral drafting to AI tools during high-volume shifts, reclaiming clinical attention for direct patient examination Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  4. Evidence appraisal — tasks an AI assistant with summarizing recent trial data relevant to a patient case, then critically evaluates the output for study quality and applicability before adjusting the care plan Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. Autonomous AI handoff governance — defines the boundary conditions under which AI-generated clinical outputs require immediate physician escalation versus PA-level adjudication, institutionalizing those thresholds in departmental protocols Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. AI-augmented diagnostic accuracy assurance — audits patterns in AI-flagged versus missed diagnoses across a patient panel, feeding findings back into workflow design to close systematic gaps Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Mentored AI adoption — trains supervising-physician teams and junior PAs on productive prompt construction, output validation, and documentation liability when using AI tools in clinical settings WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  4. Human-technology integration design — leads interdisciplinary review of AI tool performance within the practice, recommending adoption, modification, or rejection of specific models based on patient safety outcomes and workflow evidence [SAAFI] WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
AEI usage
Task observations: 687
Augment share: 68.7%
Time saved: 86.6%
AI autonomy: 3.36
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Reading Comprehension
Score: 45.5 / 100
Quadrant: Q2_ai_augmented
precision: exact
WEF cluster
Human-Technology Interaction
human_technology_interaction
Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication13 statements
Emerging
  1. Patient history intake — elicits chief complaint and basic symptom timeline through structured questioning during initial patient encounters Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Diagnostic result explanation — conveys basic laboratory or imaging findings to patients using accessible language under physician supervision O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Clinical documentation — records patient progress notes and physical examination findings in the medical record with guidance on format and completeness Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Therapeutic regimen instruction — explains prescribed medications, dosages, and expected outcomes to patients and caregivers with increasing independence during follow-up visits Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Interdisciplinary communication — presents patient cases to supervising physicians and specialist teams using SBAR or structured handoff formats Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Health counseling dialogue — discusses family planning, nutrition, and emotional health concerns with patients adapting language to health literacy level O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Informed consent communication — delivers clear procedural explanations for injections, suturing, and minor surgical interventions, confirming patient understanding before proceeding Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Diagnostic reasoning documentation — produces comprehensive, legally sound progress notes that reflect clinical reasoning, differential diagnosis, and management plans Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Cross-cultural patient engagement — adjusts verbal and nonverbal communication strategies to accommodate diverse patient backgrounds and cultural health beliefs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  4. Urgent finding disclosure — communicates critical diagnostic deviations, including abnormal EKG or lab panic values, to patients and care teams with precision and appropriate urgency O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Patient education program development — designs and delivers structured counseling curricula on chronic disease management, health maintenance, and preventive care for clinical populations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Mentorship communication modeling — coaches PA students and junior clinicians on effective patient interviewing, active listening, and documentation standards through direct observation and feedback Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Institutional written communication — authors clinical protocols, patient-facing educational materials, and quality improvement reports disseminated across the practice or health system Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
2Leadership10 statements
Emerging
  1. Clinical task ownership — accepts responsibility for assigned patient panels and completes diagnostic workups within scope under direct physician oversight Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Patient advocate initiation — identifies patient needs beyond immediate chief complaint and raises concerns with supervising physician or care team Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Care coordination leadership — coordinates referrals, specialist consultations, and follow-up scheduling to ensure continuity of patient care Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Team huddle participation — contributes clinical observations and patient status updates during multidisciplinary team meetings, influencing care decisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Autonomous patient management — leads evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment planning for a defined patient population within collaborative practice agreement, escalating appropriately O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Clinical student supervision — guides PA or medical students through physical examination techniques, clinical reasoning, and procedural skills with structured feedback Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Quality initiative ownership — leads clinic-level quality improvement efforts such as chronic disease screening compliance or medication reconciliation accuracy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Practice-level clinical leadership — serves as lead PA in a specialty or primary care practice, setting standards for clinical protocols, peer review, and scope-of-practice policies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Organizational change leadership — drives implementation of evidence-based practice changes, navigating institutional resistance and aligning stakeholders across departments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Emerging PA workforce development — mentors new graduates into the profession, modeling ethical clinical leadership, professional identity, and autonomous decision-making Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition9 statements
Emerging
  1. Diagnostic uncertainty recognition — identifies gaps in clinical knowledge during patient encounters and seeks guidance from supervising physicians before acting Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Learning reflection initiation — reviews errors or near-misses in clinical judgment with a supervisor to understand breakdowns in reasoning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Clinical reasoning self-monitoring — pauses during complex diagnostic workups to evaluate whether the current reasoning path is supported by available evidence and patient data Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Continuing education strategy — selects targeted CME activities based on identified personal knowledge gaps in medicine, pharmacology, or procedural skills Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Differential diagnosis calibration — routinely evaluates own cognitive biases such as anchoring or premature closure when forming diagnoses for complex or atypical presentations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Scope-of-practice self-assessment — accurately determines personal clinical competency boundaries and adjusts patient management or escalates care accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Post-encounter reflection practice — systematically debriefs difficult or unexpected patient outcomes to extract learning and refine future clinical decision-making Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Teaching metacognitive strategy — explicitly models and teaches clinical self-monitoring techniques to PA students, demonstrating how to recognize and correct reasoning errors in real time Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Longitudinal competency mapping — maintains a structured self-assessment portfolio tracking clinical skill development, procedural competency, and knowledge growth across practice years Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking10 statements
Emerging
  1. Symptom pattern recognition — identifies common symptom clusters associated with high-prevalence diagnoses during supervised patient evaluations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Diagnostic test selection rationale — articulates basic reasoning for ordering laboratory or imaging studies based on clinical presentation and differential considerations O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Differential diagnosis construction — develops prioritized differential diagnoses for undifferentiated complaints by systematically weighing probability, danger, and treatability Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Abnormal result interpretation — evaluates deviations in laboratory values, EKG tracings, or imaging reports against clinical context to determine significance and urgency O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Evidence-based guideline application — applies clinical practice guidelines and current evidence to patient management decisions, noting when individual patient factors require deviation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Complex case analysis — analyzes multimorbid patients with competing diagnoses, reconciling contradictory findings and comorbidity interactions to form coherent management plans Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Risk stratification judgment — applies validated clinical decision tools to stratify patient risk for adverse outcomes and determines appropriate level of care O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Medication safety critical review — evaluates prescribed regimens for drug interactions, contraindications, and dose appropriateness before signing or transmitting prescriptions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Diagnostic ambiguity resolution — leads workup of diagnostically challenging cases involving rare presentations, synthesizing multi-system findings and specialist input into unified clinical conclusions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Institutional clinical reasoning audit — reviews aggregated case data or quality metrics to identify systemic diagnostic errors or treatment gaps and proposes corrective protocols Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration9 statements
Emerging
  1. Care team integration — participates respectfully in multidisciplinary rounds and clinic workflows, fulfilling assigned clinical responsibilities without disrupting team function Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Physician collaboration initiation — communicates patient status to supervising physicians in a timely manner, providing relevant clinical data to support joint decision-making O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Specialist referral coordination — collaborates with specialists by providing comprehensive referral documentation and integrating consultant recommendations into ongoing patient care Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Allied health partnership — works alongside nurses, pharmacists, and social workers to address patients' physical, psychosocial, and logistical care needs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Interprofessional conflict navigation — facilitates resolution of clinical disagreements within the care team by grounding discussions in patient-centered evidence and shared goals Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Collaborative practice agreement execution — operates within formal PA-physician collaborative agreements, maintaining transparent communication and mutual accountability for patient outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Community resource coordination — collaborates with case managers and community health workers to connect patients with social determinants support, mental health services, and specialty care O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. System-wide care model design — contributes to or leads design of interprofessional care delivery models, defining role boundaries and communication protocols across disciplines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Research collaboration leadership — partners with physician researchers, academic institutions, or public health teams on clinical studies, contributing PA-level patient data and clinical expertise Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
6Character9 statements
Emerging
  1. Patient confidentiality adherence — maintains HIPAA compliance in documentation, verbal communication, and electronic health record access during all patient interactions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional boundary recognition — identifies and defers to appropriate scope-of-practice limits, disclosing uncertainty to supervisors without minimizing patient safety Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Informed consent integrity — obtains genuine informed consent for procedures and treatments, ensuring patients understand risks, benefits, and alternatives without coercion Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Accountability in error reporting — discloses clinical errors or near-misses to supervising physicians and follows institutional reporting protocols without concealment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Ethical dilemma navigation — applies medical ethics principles including autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice when managing end-of-life discussions, treatment refusals, or resource allocation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cultural humility practice — approaches all patients with equitable, nonjudgmental care that acknowledges personal bias and prioritizes the patient's values and lived experience Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Professional conduct maintenance — upholds standards of the PA profession under pressure, fatigue, or institutional conflict, modeling integrity in all clinical and collegial interactions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Ethics consultation leadership — initiates or leads formal ethics committee consultations for complex cases involving patient rights, surrogate decision-making, or end-of-life conflicts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional accountability mentorship — models and teaches ethical clinical behavior to students and peers, creating a culture of transparency, humility, and patient-first accountability Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
7Creativity9 statements
Emerging
  1. Alternative diagnosis consideration — generates non-obvious differential diagnoses when initial clinical pattern does not fit common presentations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Patient engagement adaptation — modifies patient education approaches when standard methods fail to achieve comprehension, experimenting with analogies or visual aids Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Treatment plan individualization — tailors therapeutic regimens to patient-specific factors including comorbidities, social circumstances, and patient preferences beyond standard protocols Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Diagnostic resource innovation — identifies creative use of available diagnostic tools in resource-limited settings to approximate information otherwise obtained from unavailable tests Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Complex case problem-solving — constructs novel management strategies for patients who have failed standard therapeutic approaches, integrating multi-specialty input and emerging evidence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Patient adherence solution design — develops customized strategies to overcome specific patient barriers to medication, lifestyle, or follow-up adherence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Clinical workflow improvement — proposes and pilots innovative changes to patient flow, documentation efficiency, or triage processes that improve clinical outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Clinical protocol innovation — develops new clinical pathways or screening algorithms based on emerging evidence and local population health data, piloting them within the practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-disciplinary integration — imports frameworks from behavioral science, public health, or technology into clinical practice design, creating novel patient engagement or diagnostic models Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset9 statements
Emerging
  1. Feedback receptivity — accepts corrective clinical feedback from supervising physicians without defensiveness, incorporating suggestions into subsequent patient encounters Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Procedural skill development — approaches new procedural skills such as suturing or joint injection with willingness to practice repeatedly despite initial imperfection Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Clinical setback analysis — reflects on diagnostic misses or treatment failures to extract lessons rather than attributing outcomes solely to external factors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Certification pursuit — actively pursues NCCPA recertification requirements and selects CME topics that stretch beyond current clinical comfort zones Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Specialty knowledge expansion — seeks supervised exposure to clinical areas outside primary training, building competency in new patient populations or procedural domains Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Evidence integration habit — consistently monitors medical literature, clinical guidelines, and pharmacological updates to incorporate current evidence into practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. High-acuity challenge acceptance — volunteers for complex, ambiguous, or high-stakes patient cases as a vehicle for accelerating clinical skill and judgment development Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Growth culture facilitation — creates a team environment where clinical mistakes are analyzed constructively, and continuous learning is normalized and celebrated Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Career trajectory modeling — demonstrates sustained professional evolution across specialties or roles, serving as evidence that deliberate learning drives clinical excellence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness9 statements
Emerging
  1. Present-moment patient focus — maintains full attention on the patient during physical examination and history-taking, minimizing distraction from electronic devices or workflow demands Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotional baseline awareness — recognizes personal stress or fatigue states that may impair clinical judgment and reports concerns to supervisors before affecting patient care Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. High-volume workflow regulation — manages attention and decision quality across a full patient panel by using structured transitions between encounters to reset focus Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Difficult encounter composure — maintains calm and professional presence during patient interactions involving hostility, grief, or distressing disclosures Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Clinical intuition monitoring — notices and investigates subtle patient cues, physical signs, or situational incongruences that trigger diagnostic concern, even when initial data appears reassuring Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. End-of-life encounter intentionality — approaches terminal diagnosis conversations and goals-of-care discussions with deliberate emotional regulation and compassionate presence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Procedural focus maintenance — sustains concentrated attention during technical procedures such as laceration repair or lumbar puncture, minimizing environmental distractors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Burnout prevention modeling — actively practices and teaches sustainable attention management, self-care, and recovery strategies to colleagues facing compassion fatigue or moral distress Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Systemic mindfulness integration — advocates for and implements structural changes in clinical workflows that protect practitioner cognitive load and promote patient safety through sustained attention Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude9 statements
Emerging
  1. Diagnostic uncertainty tolerance — continues to gather clinical data and seek guidance rather than withdrawing or acting impulsively when a patient presentation is ambiguous Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. High-acuity exposure endurance — remains functional and task-focused during first encounters with medical emergencies or critical patient deterioration Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Sustained high-volume performance — maintains clinical accuracy and empathy across extended shifts or high patient census periods without significant degradation in care quality Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Adverse outcome recovery — returns to full clinical function following a poor patient outcome or unexpected complication, processing the event constructively without avoidance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Moral distress navigation — perseveres through ethically complex situations involving patient harm, resource scarcity, or systemic injustice without abandoning professional obligations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Scope-of-practice advocacy — persists in advocating for appropriate PA scope and collaborative practice arrangements despite institutional resistance or hierarchical pressure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Pandemic or crisis response — sustains clinical effectiveness during public health emergencies, resource shortages, or mass casualty events requiring prolonged high-stakes performance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Institutional reform perseverance — champions patient safety or equity initiatives through prolonged organizational resistance, maintaining commitment over months or years Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Crisis leadership resilience — leads clinical teams through sustained high-stakes periods such as surge capacity events, providing stabilizing presence and clear decision-making under extreme stress Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Show O*NET source anchors66 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Advanced Practice Provider (AAP) · Anesthetic Assistant · Cardiology Physician Assistant · Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) · Certified Physician's Assistant (PA-C) · Doctor Assistant · Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant (Emergency Medicine PA) · Family Medicine PA (Family Medicine Physician Assistant) · Family Physician Assistant · Family Practice Physician Assistant · Gynecological Assistant · Medical Service Technician
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingService OrientationActive ListeningWritingSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessComplex Problem SolvingMonitoringActive LearningScienceSystems EvaluationTime ManagementCoordinationPersuasionLearning StrategiesNegotiationInstructingSystems AnalysisManagement of Personnel ResourcesMathematics
Knowledge domains
Medicine and DentistryBiologyEnglish LanguagePsychologyTherapy and CounselingCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingSociology and AnthropologyComputers and ElectronicsChemistryMathematicsPublic Safety and Security
Abilities
Oral ComprehensionInductive ReasoningDeductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityInformation OrderingSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionWritten ExpressionOral ExpressionWritten Comprehension
Work styles
Attention to DetailDependabilityIntegrityCooperationCautiousnessSelf-Control
Technology
Medical softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing softwareStorage media loading softwareVideo conferencing softwareInternet browser software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Make tentative diagnoses and decisions about management and treatment of patients.
  2. Interpret diagnostic test results for deviations from normal.
  3. Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
  4. Obtain, compile, and record patient medical data, including health history, progress notes, and results of physical examination.
  5. Examine patients to obtain information about their physical condition.
  6. Administer or order diagnostic tests, such as x-ray, electrocardiogram, and laboratory tests.
  7. Instruct and counsel patients about prescribed therapeutic regimens, normal growth and development, family planning, emotional problems of daily living, and health maintenance.
  8. Perform therapeutic procedures, such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management.
CIP education codes
51.091260.090160.090260.090360.090460.090560.090660.090760.090860.090960.091060.091160.091260.091360.091460.091560.091660.091760.091860.091960.092060.0999

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.