Which type of provider is referred to as a mid-level provider?

A mid-level provider refers to healthcare professionals who have advanced training and can perform many clinical tasks similar to those of a physician but do not have the same level of training or authority. Physician assistants are specifically trained to assess patients, diagnose conditions, interpret diagnostic tests, and develop treatment plans under the supervision of a physician. They play a crucial role in the healthcare system, often providing care in primary care settings, emergency medicine, and specialty fields.

Nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists are also considered mid-level providers due to their advanced nursing education and capabilities, but in many contexts, the term "mid-level provider" is most frequently associated specifically with physician assistants. Primary care physicians are fully licensed medical doctors and thus do not fall into the mid-level provider category. This clarity on the roles and training of different provider types is essential in understanding their positions within healthcare delivery.