Physician Assistant, Orthopedic Surgery
Posting #: 918710
Site: Toronto Western Hospital
Department: Schroeder Arthritis Institute, Orthopedic Surgery
Reports to: Clinical Director
Salary: $46.50 - $58.13
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Status: Temporary Full Time (12 to 18 months)
Posted Date: May 4, 2023
Until Filled: Until Filled
The University Health Network, where “above all else the needs of patients come first”, encompasses Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and the Michener Institute of Education at UHN. We are transforming lives and communities through excellence in care, discovery and learning. The breadth of research, the complexity of the cases treated, and the magnitude of its educational enterprise has made UHN a national and international resource for patient care, research and education. With a long tradition of groundbreaking firsts and a purpose of “Transforming lives and communities through excellence in care, discovery and learning”, the University Health Network (UHN), Canada’s largest research teaching hospital, brings together over 16,000 employees, more than 1,200 physicians, 8,000+ students, and many volunteers. UHN is a caring, creative place where amazing people are amazing the world.
Using a patient-centred approach, the Division of Orthopedic Surgery expert care focuses on treating the bone, joint and spine problems that cause pain and limit function for thousands of people each year. Our division specializes in hip and knee replacements, complex foot and ankle care, shoulder and elbow reconstructive surgery, sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery, management of back pain and spinal disorders, minimally invasive spine surgery, hand and wrist conditions and hand therapy, and fracture repair. As part of the largest Arthritis Program in Canada, we see over 2,000 patients each year. The Division of Orthopedics collaborates in interdisciplinary and integrated models of care with other specialists at UHN. The Division has an interprofessional approach to care including physicians, physician assistants, orthopedic technologists and physiotherapist practitioners. We have developed and are expanding existing integrated models of care with orthopedics supporting our patients through transitions along their surgical journey and wrapping services around the patients and their families to support recovery at home.
The Physician Assistant (PA) is a medically educated clinician who practices medicine under the supervision of a registered physician in a variety of clinical settings. At present, in Ontario, this is in accordance with the delegated medical act. The PA-Physician relationship will be formalized in a practice agreement consisting of a signed acknowledgement of the PA policy, a detailed listing of the delegated tasks constituting the PA’s scope of practice at that point in time, and all relevant medical directives. The PA has the knowledge, skills and judgement to function in a patient/client centered team in order to assess and manage an individual’s health and medical needs. PAs, initially trained as generalists, are medical experts who can adapt to work in a large variety of clinical settings. With time and experience, the PA will continue to build on their existing knowledge base and their scope of practice will expand to the clinical setting in which they work within the boundaries of the formalized PA-Physician practice agreement.
Duties
Working under the direction of the supervising physician and in accordance with the delegated medical act, the principal responsibilities of the PA may include but are not limited to:
- Conducting patient interviews
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Taking medical histories
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Performing physical examinations
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Ordering and interpreting tests
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Diagnosing and treating illness
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Performing therapeutic or diagnostic procedures, providing medical orders and prescriptions
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Counseling on preventative health care
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The PA will work with the Supervising Physician to ensure that all aspects of the care provided are clinically indicated and in keeping with best practice guidelines. Throughout their careers, PAs also take part in quality improvement initiatives, policy development, education, research, health advocacy, professional development, and leadership opportunities
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The PA will also be involved with Division of Orthopedics Integrated Care Initiatives supported by UHN Connected Care including an innovative Patient Navigation initiative and remote care monitoring to support our ambulatory surgical population
Qualifications
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Eligible to work in Canada/Ontario
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At minimum, a Bachelor’s Degree in an accredited Physician Assistant program or recognized equivalent
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At minimum, 3 years practical and related work experience; Orthopaedic experience preferred
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Must be a Canadian Certified Physician Assistant (CCPA) and/or a American Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C)
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Must be a current member of the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA)
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Maintain certification and CCPA/PA-C designation by completing the required CPD/CME credits
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Ability to perform duties in a professional and courteous manner and produce high quality work while meeting deadlines in accordance to UHN standards
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Exercise initiative and good judgement with ability to multi-task
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Compliance with confidentiality requirements
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Effective organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
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Knowledge of applicable legislative, UHN and/or departmental policies
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Patient service oriented, with the ability to effectively work with diversity and appreciate that people with different opinions, backgrounds and characteristics bring richness to the challenge or situation at hand
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Effective patient service skills required
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Excellent time management skills required
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Excellent decision-making, problem recognition and problem solving skills required
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Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills required
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Program planning and evaluation methodology skills required
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Commitment to collaborative practice required
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Ability to work effectively independently and under stressful conditions required
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Ability to utilize information technology required
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Ability to interpret and communicate appropriate policies and procedures to staff
Why join UHN?
In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.
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Competitive offer packages
- Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/)
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Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
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A flexible work environment
- Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
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Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)
Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.
Vaccines (COVID and others) are a requirement of the job unless you have an exemption on a medical ground pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code.
UHN is a respectful, caring, and inclusive workplace. We are committed to championing accessibility, diversity and equal opportunity. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known in advance. Any information received related to an accommodation will be addressed confidentially.
University Health Network thanks all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
