Physician Assistant or Clinical Assistant - PRHC Medicine 1.0

Job Description

Physician Assistant (PA) / Clinical Assistant (Cl.A) Hospitalist Program | Full-Time (1.0 EFT)

Portage Regional Health Centre (PRHC), Portage la Prairie, Manitoba

Southern Health-Santé Sud is seeking a committed, collaborative, and patient-focused Physician Assistant (PA) or Clinical Assistant (Cl.A) to join the Hospitalist team in a full-time (1.0 EFT) position at Portage Regional Health Centre (PRHC) in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

Working under the supervision of Hospitalists and other Physicians at PRHC, the PA/Cl.A functions as an integral member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, supporting the delivery of high-quality inpatient medical care. The successful candidate will support the Hospitalist service during regular weekday operations and scheduled weekend coverage while assisting in the assessment, management, and coordination of care for hospitalized patients with a broad range of medical conditions.

The primary focus of this role is the provision of medical care to adult inpatients on the acute medical units, with additional responsibilities supporting patient care on surgical and rehabilitation units, as required. The PA/Cl.A works collaboratively with physicians, nursing staff, and interdisciplinary team members to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care and support continuity of service throughout the facility.

Clinical Responsibilities

The PA/Cl.A may be responsible for a designated portion of the Hospitalist inpatient caseload and, within the scope of delegated authority and supervision, may:

• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments, including obtaining medical histories and performing physical examinations.
• Complete admission assessments and documentation.
• Monitor patient progress and participate in the ongoing evaluation and management of inpatient care.
• Order, review, and interpret laboratory, diagnostic, and imaging investigations, as authorized.
• Develop, implement, and monitor treatment and care plans in collaboration with the attending Physician and interdisciplinary team.
• Participate in daily patient rounds and case discussions.
• Identify changes in patient condition and communicate findings promptly to the attending Physician.
• Assist in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of acute and chronic medical conditions.
• Provide patients and families with education regarding diagnoses, treatment plans, medications, and discharge instructions.
• Support discharge planning, transitions of care, and follow-up arrangements to promote continuity of care and reduce avoidable readmissions.
• Collaborate with nursing staff, pharmacists, rehabilitation professionals, social workers, and community service providers to coordinate patient care.
  
  

Collaborative Practice

The PA/Cl.A is expected to establish and maintain effective, respectful, and collaborative working relationships with:

• Attending Physicians and consulting specialists.
• Hospitalists, surgeons, and other members of the medical staff.
• Nursing and allied health professionals.
• Support staff and itinerant consultants.
• Health facility leadership and administrators.
• Community healthcare partners.
• Patients and their families.
  
  

The PA/Cl.A contributes to a team-based approach that promotes patient safety, quality improvement, effective communication, and positive patient outcomes.

Essential Functions And Duties

In addition to the clinical responsibilities outlined above, the PA/Cl.A:

• Performs clinical and professional duties in accordance with departmental requirements and applicable appendices.
• Primarily supports the Hospitalist Service while providing cross-coverage to other departments as required for vacation relief, workload balancing, and operational needs.
• Provides safe, high-quality, patient-centred care in accordance with applicable legislation, professional standards, organizational policies, and established clinical protocols.
• Collaborates effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team in the assessment, planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of patient care.
• Demonstrates flexibility in supporting service delivery across programs and departments to meet patient and operational requirements.
• Contributes to a culture of safety by identifying, reporting, and responding to actual or potential risks involving patients, visitors, and staff, and participating in quality improvement initiatives.
• Maintains accurate, timely, and complete clinical documentation.
• Supports the mission, vision, values, strategic priorities, and policies of Southern Health-Santé Sud.
• Provides or facilitates services in the patient's official language of choice (English or French) whenever possible, in accordance with The Regional Health Authority Act and Southern Health-Santé Sud's designation as a bilingual health authority.
• Participates in ongoing professional development and maintains all required licensure, certifications, competencies, and credentials.
• Performs other related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.
  
  

Responsibilities and accountabilities are assigned within broad organizational objectives and are subject to review through established performance management processes.

Performance Measurement

Performance reviews will be conducted by the supervising Physician, Medical Lead, or designate.

Qualifications Education, Certification And Registration

The successful candidate must:

• Successfully complete an approved assessment process.
• Hold and maintain registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) in the appropriate category of practice.
• Be eligible for and maintain a Medical Staff Appointment with Southern Health-Santé Sud.
• Maintain all Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements and professional standards established by the CPSM and any applicable regulatory body.
  
  

Physician Assistant (PA) Requirements

Candidates Applying As a Physician Assistant Must

• Be a graduate of a Physician Assistant Education Program approved and acceptable to the CPSM.
• Be eligible for, or hold, national certification as a Physician Assistant.
• Meet all CPSM requirements for registration, licensure, and ongoing professional practice.
  
  

Clinical Assistant (Cl.A) Requirements

Candidates Applying As a Clinical Assistant Must

• Be a graduate of an accredited medical school, either in Canada or internationally.
• Meet the eligibility requirements for registration and licensure as a Clinical Assistant with the CPSM.
• Have successfully completed at least one of the following:
• Clinical Assistant Assessment;
• National Assessment Collaboration Objective Structured Clinical Examination (NAC OSCE);
• Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC); or
• Another assessment or qualification recognized by the CPSM as equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification, or willingness to obtain and maintain certification.
• Previous clinical experience, particularly in acute care, internal medicine, hospitalist medicine, or a related setting, is preferred.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The Successful Candidate Will Demonstrate

• Strong clinical judgment, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing demands.
• Ability to work independently within the delegated scope of practice while collaborating effectively within an interdisciplinary team.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, families, healthcare providers, and community partners.
• Commitment to patient-centred care, continuous quality improvement, and workplace safety.
• Ability to respect and promote cultural diversity and provide culturally safe care.
• Proficiency in the use of electronic medical records and other healthcare technologies.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise professional discretion.
• Ability to meet the physical and mental demands of the position.
• Satisfactory employment history, including a strong attendance and reliability record.
• Proficiency in both official languages (English and French) is required for designated bilingual positions and considered an asset for non-designated positions.
  
  

Hours of Work

The Anticipated Schedule Is

Monday to Friday, 0800 to 1630 hours, with participation in scheduled weekend coverage as required.

About Portage Regional Health Centre

PRHC is an 88-bed regional health centre serving more than 50,000 residents throughout the region. As a key regional healthcare facility, PRHC provides a broad range of acute care, emergency, medical, surgical, rehabilitation, diagnostic, and ambulatory services.

PRHC Is Currently Undergoing a Significant Redevelopment Project, With a New Regional Health Centre Scheduled To Open In Early 2027. The New Facility Will Enhance Healthcare Services And Capacity Through

• Expanded Emergency Department treatment areas.
• Dedicated mental health assessment and treatment spaces.
• Increased ambulatory care and outpatient treatment areas.
• A dedicated cultural and healing space.
• Three operating suites.
• Expanded inpatient capacity from 88 to 114 beds.
  
  

As part of the Southern Health-Santé Sud regional healthcare network, PRHC plays a vital role in supporting access to quality healthcare services and works collaboratively with healthcare providers, community partners, and regional facilities to meet the evolving needs of the populations it serves.

Working Conditions

• Primarily performed in a hospital and healthcare environment with the demands and pressures associated with inpatient care.
• May be required to provide weekend coverage and occasional non-standard hours to meet operational requirements.
• May be required to support patient care across acute medical, surgical, and rehabilitation units.
• Must be able to adapt to changing patient volumes, clinical priorities, and organizational requirements.
• May be required to respond to urgent or emergent situations within the scope of practice and assigned responsibilities.
  
  

The incumbent is expected to comply with all applicable workplace health and safety policies, procedures, and practices.

Conditions of Employment

The Successful Candidate Must

• Comply with all immunization requirements in accordance with Southern Health-Santé Sud policies.
• Successfully complete and maintain satisfactory:
• Criminal Record Check, including Vulnerable Sector Search;
• Adult Abuse Registry Check; and
• Child Abuse Registry Check.
  

Any costs associated with obtaining required checks are the responsibility of the successful candidate.

Candidates invited to participate in the selection process may be required to complete skills assessments and provide verification of education, credentials, licensure, and other qualifications relevant to the position.

Salary

As per the PCAM Collective Agreement.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.