--- title: "Your Advanced Practice Clinician Team at Sutter Health" description: "Find out how nurse practitioners (NP) and physician assistants (PA) offer care as a part of your healthcare team. And discover how they’re similar and different from a doctor and each other." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/care-team" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Patient resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources) / 3. Your Advanced Practice Clinician Team # Your Advanced Practice Clinician Team Meet our nurse practitioners and physician assistants. **Section menu** - [Patient resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources "Patient resources") - [Billing and Insurance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/billing-and-insurance "Billing and Insurance") - [Bioethics services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/bioethics-services "Bioethics services") - [Bioethics team](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/bioethics-services/team "Bioethics team") - [Pacific Employment Program](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/pacific-employment-program "Pacific Employment Program") - [Sutter Care Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/sutter-care-management "Sutter Care Management") - [Classes and events](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/classes-events "Classes and events") - [Flu and COVID-19 resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/flu-and-covid-19-resources "Flu and COVID-19 resources") - [Health Education Resource Centers](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/health-education-resource-centers "Health Education Resource Centers") - [Language assistance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/language-assistance "Language assistance") - [My Health Online](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online "My Health Online") - [Help center](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center "Help center") - [Account and technical FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/account-technical-questions "Account and technical FAQs") - [Billing and insurance FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/billing-and-insurance-questions "Billing and insurance FAQs") - [Care and clinical FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/care-and-clinical-questions "Care and clinical FAQs") - [Emmie - AI assistant FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/emmie-ai-assistant-questions "Emmie - AI assistant FAQs") - [Sansum patients FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/sansum-patients "Sansum patients FAQs") - [Video Visit FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/video-visit-questions "Video Visit FAQs") - [Register for delivery](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/delivery-pre-register "Register for delivery") - [How to enroll](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/enroll "How to enroll") - [Proxy access](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/proxy-access "Proxy access") - [My Health Online teen enrollment](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/teen-enrollment "My Health Online teen enrollment") - [On-demand video visit waiting room](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/odvv-waiting-room "On-demand video visit waiting room") - [Patient and Family Advisory Councils](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/patient-advisory-council "Patient and Family Advisory Councils") - [Privacy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy "Privacy") - [Notice of privacy practices](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/hipaa-privacy "Notice of privacy practices") - [Patient rights and responsibilities](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/patient-rights-and-responsibilities "Patient rights and responsibilities") - [Privacy policy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/privacy-policy "Privacy policy") - [Secure Health Information Exchange FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/health-information-exchange "Secure Health Information Exchange FAQs") - [Terms of Use](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/terms-of-use "Terms of Use") - [Records planning](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning "Records planning") - [Advance Health Care Directive](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/advance-directive "Advance Health Care Directive") - [End of Life Option](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/end-of-life-option "End of Life Option") - [Request Medical Records](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/request-medical-records "Request Medical Records") - [Remington Lab](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory "Remington Lab") - [Clinician Information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/clinician-information "Clinician Information") - [FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/frequently-asked-questions "FAQs") - [Patient Information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/patient-information "Patient Information") - [Remington Lab Tests Menu and Information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/serology-tests "Remington Lab Tests Menu and Information") - [Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/spiritual-care-and-chaplaincy-services "Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Services") - [Patient resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources "Patient resources") - [Billing and Insurance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/billing-and-insurance "Billing and Insurance") - [Bioethics services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/bioethics-services "Bioethics services") - [Bioethics team](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/bioethics-services/team "Bioethics team") - [Pacific Employment Program](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/pacific-employment-program "Pacific Employment Program") - [Sutter Care Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/sutter-care-management "Sutter Care Management") - [Classes and events](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/classes-events "Classes and events") - [Flu and COVID-19 resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/flu-and-covid-19-resources "Flu and COVID-19 resources") - [Health Education Resource Centers](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/health-education-resource-centers "Health Education Resource Centers") - [Language assistance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/language-assistance "Language assistance") - [My Health Online](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online "My Health Online") - [Help center](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center "Help center") - [Account and technical FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/account-technical-questions "Account and technical FAQs") - [Billing and insurance FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/billing-and-insurance-questions "Billing and insurance FAQs") - [Care and clinical FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/care-and-clinical-questions "Care and clinical FAQs") - [Emmie - AI assistant FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/emmie-ai-assistant-questions "Emmie - AI assistant FAQs") - [Sansum patients FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/sansum-patients "Sansum patients FAQs") - [Video Visit FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/video-visit-questions "Video Visit FAQs") - [Register for delivery](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/delivery-pre-register "Register for delivery") - [How to enroll](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/enroll "How to enroll") - [Proxy access](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/proxy-access "Proxy access") - [My Health Online teen enrollment](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/teen-enrollment "My Health Online teen enrollment") - [On-demand video visit waiting room](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/odvv-waiting-room "On-demand video visit waiting room") - [Patient and Family Advisory Councils](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/patient-advisory-council "Patient and Family Advisory Councils") - [Privacy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy "Privacy") - [Notice of privacy practices](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/hipaa-privacy "Notice of privacy practices") - [Patient rights and responsibilities](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/patient-rights-and-responsibilities "Patient rights and responsibilities") - [Privacy policy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/privacy-policy "Privacy policy") - [Secure Health Information Exchange FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/health-information-exchange "Secure Health Information Exchange FAQs") - [Terms of Use](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/terms-of-use "Terms of Use") - [Records planning](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning "Records planning") - [Advance Health Care Directive](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/advance-directive "Advance Health Care Directive") - [End of Life Option](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/end-of-life-option "End of Life Option") - [Request Medical Records](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/request-medical-records "Request Medical Records") - [Remington Lab](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory "Remington Lab") - [Clinician Information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/clinician-information "Clinician Information") - [FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/frequently-asked-questions "FAQs") - [Patient Information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/patient-information "Patient Information") - [Remington Lab Tests Menu and Information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/serology-tests "Remington Lab Tests Menu and Information") - [Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/spiritual-care-and-chaplaincy-services "Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Services") When you book a doctor’s appointment, you want to see a primary care provider who knows you and understands your health history. So, it’s understandable if you have some questions when someone else from the care team is scheduled for your visit. NP, PA, APC — it can all feel like alphabet soup. There are two types of advanced practice clinicians (APC) you can schedule with for your visit: nurse practitioners (NP) and physician assistants (PA). These specially trained clinicians have thousands of hours of clinical experience. Many also have a master’s-level degree and, in some cases, have earned a doctorate-level degree. The best part? Whether you book a visit with a NP or a PA, you’re seeing a trusted member of your care team that works in tandem with your doctor to help you feel your best. ## Benefits of Seeing an NP or PA There are several advantages to seeing a nurse practitioner or physician assistant for your care. At Sutter, these providers partner with your doctor to provide you with the best possible treatment. When you have an appointment with one of these providers, you have access to: - Earlier appointments with decreased wait times. - More scheduling options, including longer appointments. - Trusted partners that can often stand in for your doctor when needed. - Clinicians with high patient satisfaction. - Longer, less-rushed appointment times, if needed. - High-quality, affordable care. These providers work with your doctor to put you first and take care of your healthcare needs. ## Frequently Asked Questions **How do I schedule an appointment with a NP or PA?** There are several ways you can schedule an appointment with your doctor’s APC. ### My Health Online If your doctor has an associated NP or PA and you’d like to schedule with them for the first time, go to “Schedule an Appointment” and select your doctor. Once you see their available visits, choose “Show Available Appointments for Other Providers” at the top. From there, you’ll be taken to a screen showing your doctor’s associated APC and their open timeslots. After seeing an NP or PA, they can then be found in the “Your Care Team and Recent Providers” module. This means you can quickly and conveniently book to see them as you would with other providers. ### Over the Phone If you’d like to schedule with your doctor’s APC over the phone, you can call their office directly and request an appointment. **How are NPs and PAs different?** NPs and PAs offer similar types of care with comparable levels of education, with some having master’s-level, and in some cases, doctorate-level degrees. But there are differences in their training, specialty focus, certifications and licenses. ### Nurse Practitioners Nurse practitioners are trained using a nursing model. This means they focus on caring for the patient with steps defined in the nursing process, which are assessment, diagnosis, plan, implementation and evaluation. This process focuses on caring for the whole person: physical, emotional and mental. NPs can specialize in offering care for specific types of patients. Many NPs work in acute, adult, family, neonatal, oncology, pediatric, or women’s health settings and in specialty care offices. NPs require supervised clinical practice hours and the following certifications and licenses: - National board certification - State NP licensure and registration - Graduate nursing education - RN license - Bachelor’s degree in nursing ### Physician Assistants Physician assistants are trained using the medical model. This is the same training methodology that doctors undergo. The focus on the medical model is to understand diseases and their effect on the human body. This requires an emphasis on pathology, biology, assessment, diagnosis and treatment. PAs are typically generalists that offer care for many fields in healthcare and can be specialized with additional training and experience. PAs require supervised clinical hours and the following certifications and licenses: - National board certification - State PA licensure and registration - Graduate PA education - Bachelor’s degree **Can I see a NP or PA instead of a doctor?** Yes, you can often see a NP or PA instead of your doctor. In some cases, a NP or PA may act as your primary care provider if you would prefer to see them for checkups and minor-to-moderate illnesses and injuries. **Do NPs or PAs work with my doctor?** Yes, both NPs and PAs work with your doctor for your care. This tandem approach means you get the best care guided by your doctor’s expertise and understanding of your health. **Can NPs and PAs prescribe medication?** Yes, NPs and PAs can both administer and prescribe medications. ## Download Our Advanced Practice Clinicians Guide [Download the Guide (PDF)](https://www.sutterhealth.org/-/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Files/PatientResources/your-visit/advanced-practice-clinicians-guide.pdf) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","name":"Your Advanced Practice Clinician Team at Sutter Health","description":"Find out how nurse practitioners (NP) and physician assistants (PA) offer care as a part of your healthcare team. 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