Two Lehighton students recently graduated from the Physician’s Assistant Program at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre.

Allison Butrie and Nicole Schnell, both of Lehighton, were among 66 students who completed the Physician Assistant Studies master’s degree program. The students received their degrees at the college’s annual summer commencement ceremonies. This class of 2019 is the 43rd graduating class of the King’s PA program.

Upon graduating, PAs must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam to receive national certification through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, the only certifying organization for PAs in the United States.

As a part of their responsibilities, PAs perform physical exams, diagnose illnesses, develop and carry out treatment plans, order and interpret lab tests, assist in surgery, provide patient education and prescribe medications.

PAs are employed in virtually all types of health care settings including private offices, clinics and hospitals. PAs can practice in almost any field of medicine including family practice, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry and orthopedics, to name just a few.

King’s PA graduates have achieved placements throughout the country and many are working in medically underserved areas.