The scope of practice is a legal statement that says what PAs can do.

We are proposing that PAs should be able to:

  • take histories and examine patients
  • order and interpret some tests
  • contribute to diagnosis and treatment
  • educate patients
  • undertake specified minor surgical procedures.

PAs will need to work ethically and practise in a culturally safe way, as part of the healthcare team.

PAs will be credentialled by their employer to show that they can do safely certain tasks in their scope of practice, such as stitching wounds, or taking a heartbeat reading (ECG).     

We also want to put in place a ‘provisional’ period when PAs first register. This will mean they are under closer watch by the Council and their supervising doctor, and need to do training (including learning about cultural safety) to help them get used to working in Aotearoa New Zealand.   

Go to:

➤    Qualifications and registration pathways – proposed 
➤    How PAs will be supervised – proposed framework
➤    Cultural safety requirements
➤    Deciding the right title for PA scopes of practice  

Have your say:

➤   Online survey questionnaire

More detailed content on what PAs can do – their scopes of practice