Job Title

Overview As a member of the military, a Physician Assistant (PA) is a health care provider who extends the hand of the supervising physician to remote or isolated locations. A Canadian Armed Forces Physician Assistant is part of the greater military health services team, provides primary and emergency health care for Canadian Armed Forces members domestically and abroad. PAs are employed throughout Canada in Health Services Clinics, on board ship or overseas in support of operational missions. Responsibilities The primary responsibilities of a Physician Assistant are to: Provide primary health care Provide emergency care Promote health protection and education Practice environmental medicine and hyperbaric medicine Promote occupational health and safety Work Environment Physician Assistants may serve anywhere that CAF members are based. They work in fully equipped medical clinics at bases or garrisons, or in temporary clinics while supporting operations. PAs can also be employed independently in isolated locations including on board ships and submarines. If you choose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with postings, accommodations may not always be made; thus, expect to move at some point in your career. If you join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a parttime basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate. Entry Plans Direct Entry Options Paid Education Options Applicants who already hold a baccalaureate or masters degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program, are certified by the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACCC), and are registered to practise in a Canadian province or territory, may be placed directly into the required onthejob training program following basic training. Because CAF officers must obtain a university degree, the CAF will pay successful recruits to complete a twoyear bachelor degree program at an approved civilian Canadian university. Candidates receive a fulltime salary, medical and dental care, and vacation time with full pay in exchange for working in the CAF for a period. Recruits must attend a civilian Canadian university as the Royal Canadian Military College System does not offer a matching degree. Applicants must apply to the CAF and a Canadian university concurrently. Training After enrolment, Physician Assistants attend Basic Officer Military Qualification training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in SaintJeansurRichelieu, Quebec, for 12 weeks. Topics include general military knowledge, principles of leadership, regulations and customs of the Forces, basic weapons handling, and first aid. Physical fitness is also emphasized. The training is in English or French and successful completion is required for further training. Physician Assistants complete the Common Health Services Officer (CHSO) eightday elearning course, which introduces them to CAF policies, procedures and HR management of military members and civilian personnel. They then attend the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre in Borden, Ontario, where they learn the organisational structure and history of the Canadian Forces Medical Service and the unique circumstances of practising military medicine. As they progress, PAs who demonstrate required ability and potential may be offered advanced training. Available training includes Basic Aviation Medicine, Basic Dive Medicine, and Advanced Dive Medicine. PartTime Options The Canadian Forces Health Services Reserves provide trained personnel to support, augment and sustain Canadian Forces Health Services organisations. As a health care professional in the Health Service Reserves, you must have an unrestricted licence to practise in your clinical field (including specialty certification) and the ability to maintain clinical currency within your civilian workplace. This position is available for parttime employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve parttime with a military unit in their community, and may serve while going to school or working at a civilian job. They are paid during training. They are not posted or required to move, although they may volunteer for relocation or deployment on a mission within or outside Canada. Related Careers Medical Radiation Technologist Medical Laboratory Technologist Dental Technician For further information, please contact a Canadian Forces Health Services Recruiter: #J-18808-Ljbffr