Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants (PA) are highly skilled health professionals who support physicians in all health care settings. Depending on the agreement between the physician and the PA, activities may include conducting patient interviews, histories, physical examinations; assist in surgery; performing selected diagnostic and therapeutic interventions; and counseling on preventive health care. The PA is a physician extender and not an independent practitioner; they work under the direction of supervising physicians within the client/patient-centered care team.

Average Hourly

$54.68

Range Hourly

$35.89 – $61.05

Average Yearly

$96,502

Range Yearly

$70,000 – $120,000

NOC Code

3124 Allied primary health practitioners

Alias Job Titles

Physician Assistant, Clinical Assistant, Civilian Physician Assistant

Qualifications Required

Masters/Bachelor in Physician Assistant Program

Job Demand

Fair

Growth opportunity

Needs further education for advancement in jobs.

Years’ Experience Required

A minimum or combined total of at least one full year of supervised hands-on training after completion of undergraduate medical education.

Training Options (if available)

Some provinces provide an accreditation

The Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre in Ontario, together with the University of Nebraska, offers a physician assistant baccalaureate degree program for experienced medical technicians of the Canadian Armed Forces.
McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario offers a Physician Assistant Education Program, which leads to a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Physician Assistant) degree.
The University of Manitoba, Faculty of Medicine offers a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies program.
The University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine offers a Bachelor of Science Physician Assistant degree (BScPA).

Personal Qualities

Critical thinking
Problem solving
Ability to empathize with patients
Work under pressure
Self-motivation and desire to help patients
Collaboration and teamwork
Interested in pharmacology and anatomy

Notes/Other Information

To be eligible to practice as a physician assistant (PA) individuals must have graduated from a Canadian Medical Association accredited program or have obtained the Physician Assistant Certification (PA-C), American designation.

Physician assistant is now being regulated since this year (April 2021) in Alberta. More information available on the website of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) is available.

The Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACCC) administers and maintains the physician assistant certification process

In Alberta, there is no pathway to residency through these positions.

Potential employers /Workplaces

Public and military hospitals
Community health centers
Private practice specially physicians’ offices
Clinics
Health care and social assistance industry (Alberta)

Steps towards capacity building to become competitive for this job

For an IMG obtaining this position Regulation is handled differently in each province/territory. In the provinces of Manitoba and New Brunswick, PAs are regulated through the Provincial College of Physicians and Surgeons. In Alberta, PAs are registered through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta. In the province of Ontario, PAs work under Delegated Medical Acts and directions of their Physician.

1. For Alberta residents, they must follow all the requirements which are available at AHS website
2. For Ontario and Manitoba residents, they can apply for the accredited programs; and they must check for the pre-enrollment criteria

References

i. Alberta Learning Information Service
ii. Job Bank Canada
iii. National Occupation Classification ESDC
iv. Neuvoo
v. Indeed