Physician Assistant or Clinical Assistant - PRHC Surgery 1.0

Job Description

Physician Assistant (PA) / Clinical Assistant (Cl.A) Surgery Services | 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 Surgery team at Portage Regional Health Centre (PRHC) in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

Working under the supervision of General Surgeons and Otolaryngologists, the PA/Cl.A functions as an integral member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, providing comprehensive inpatient, perioperative, and outpatient clinical support. The successful candidate will play a key role in enhancing the quality, continuity, and efficiency of surgical care while supporting positive patient outcomes across the continuum of care.

Position Overview

The PA/Cl.A will primarily provide ward-based inpatient care, with a principal focus on the assessment, management, and coordination of care for hospitalized patients. A significant component of the role will be supporting the Surgery team.

Working collaboratively with attending physicians and interdisciplinary team members, the PA/Cl.A will contribute to the delivery of high-quality, evidence-informed, patient- and family-centred care across surgical and perioperative settings.

Clinical Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the attending physician, the PA/Cl.A will participate in the day-to-day management of hospitalized surgical patients and may:

• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments, including obtaining medical histories and performing physical examinations.
• Complete admission assessments and associated clinical documentation.
• Develop, implement, and monitor patient management plans in collaboration with the attending surgeon.
• Monitor postoperative recovery and identify changes in patient condition.
• Order, review, and interpret laboratory, diagnostic, and imaging investigations within delegated authority.
• Coordinate consultations and communicate effectively with consultants and healthcare providers.
• Participate in patient rounds, case discussions, and interdisciplinary care planning.
• Provide patient and family education regarding diagnoses, treatment plans, procedures, medications, and discharge instructions.
• Facilitate discharge planning, complete discharge summaries, and coordinate follow-up care to support continuity of care.
• Collaborate with nursing staff, rehabilitation professionals, pharmacists, social workers, and community healthcare providers to optimize patient outcomes.
  
  

Operating Room Responsibilities

A component of this position includes providing first-assist support in the operating room.

Within approved scope of practice, demonstrated competency, and delegated authority, the PA/Cl.A may:

• Assist during elective and emergency surgical procedures.
• Participate in patient preparation and positioning.
• Assist with surgical site preparation and maintenance of sterile technique.
• Provide tissue handling, surgical exposure, and retraction.
• Assist with hemostasis and wound closure.
• Apply dressings and postoperative wound management.
• Perform other delegated operative tasks appropriate to education, training, and demonstrated competency.
• Contribute to the safe and efficient functioning of the operating room environment.
  
  

Procedural Responsibilities

The PA/Cl.A may perform common bedside and minor surgical procedures within approved scope of practice and demonstrated competency, including:

• Wound assessment and management.
• Incision and drainage of abscesses.
• Laceration repair.
• Skin lesion and soft tissue excisions.
• Suture and staple removal.
• Drain management and removal.
• Dressing changes.
• Negative-pressure wound therapy management.
• Urinary catheter insertion and management.
• Nasogastric tube insertion and management.
• Other delegated procedures as authorized.
  
  

Otolaryngology (ENT) Responsibilities

The PA/Cl.A will provide clinical support to the ENT Service under the supervision of the attending Otolaryngologist.

Responsibilities May Include:

• Participating in outpatient clinics and procedure sessions.
• Assisting with patient assessments and consultations.
• Supporting postoperative follow-up care.
• Assisting with office-based procedures.
• Tympanostomy (T-tube) assessment and management.
• Postoperative dressing and packing removal.
• Wound assessment and management.
• Suture removal.
• Skin lesion and soft tissue excisions.
• Assisting with biopsies and minor procedures.
• Ear microscopy and cerumen removal.
• Nasal packing management.
• Other delegated procedures consistent with the PA/Cl.A's scope of practice, training, and demonstrated competency.
  
  

Collaborative Practice

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

• General Surgeons.
• Otolaryngologists (ENT Specialists).
• Anesthesiologists.
• Family Physicians and consulting specialists.
• Nursing and allied health professionals.
• Operating room personnel.
• Hospital leadership and administrative staff.
• Community healthcare partners.
• Patients and their families.
  
  

Success in this role depends on the ability to function as an integral member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, communication, patient safety, and clinical excellence.

Essential Functions And Duties

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

• Performs clinical and professional duties in accordance with departmental requirements and applicable practice standards.
• 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 the interdisciplinary healthcare team in the assessment, planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of patient care.
• Demonstrates flexibility in supporting service delivery across programs and departments as required.
• Contributes to a culture of safety by identifying, reporting, and responding to actual or potential risks involving patients, visitors, and staff.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives and patient safety activities.
• Maintains accurate, timely, and complete clinical documentation.
• Supports the mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities of Southern Health-Santé Sud.
• Provides or facilitates services in the patient's official language of choice (English or French) whenever possible.
• Participates in ongoing professional development and maintains all required licensure, certifications, competencies, and credentials.
• Performs other related duties as assigned and consistent with the scope and intent of the position.
  
  

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 ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements and professional standards established by the CPSM and applicable regulatory bodies.
  
  

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 experience in surgery, perioperative care, hospital medicine, emergency medicine, or a related clinical setting.
• Experience providing first-assist support in the operating room is considered an asset.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The Successful Candidate Will Demonstrate:

• Strong clinical assessment and procedural skills.
• Sound clinical judgment, critical thinking, and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced clinical environment.
• Ability to work independently within delegated scope while collaborating closely with supervising physicians.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Commitment to patient-centred care, quality improvement, and workplace safety.
• Ability to provide culturally safe and respectful care to diverse populations.
• Proficiency in electronic medical records and healthcare technologies.
• Ability to maintain 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.
  
  

About Portage Regional Health Centre

Portage Regional Health Centre is an 88-bed regional referral facility serving more than 50,000 residents throughout the region. PRHC provides a broad range of acute care, emergency, medical, surgical, rehabilitation, diagnostic, and ambulatory services.

The facility is currently undergoing a significant redevelopment project, with a new regional health centre scheduled to open in early 2027. The redevelopment will include expanded emergency services, enhanced ambulatory care programs, dedicated mental health treatment spaces, additional operating room capacity, and increased inpatient capacity from 88 to 114 beds.

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 applicable PCAM Collective Agreement.

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