Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant

Physician Assistant - Island Health

24/7 OEMS has extensive experience with the employment of physician assistants in Canada. Our leadership is delighted to see that the physician assistant profession is being recognized as a part of the solution to enhance access to care for British Columbians.  We are assisting Island Health with the recruitment and integration of PAs into the Emergency Department at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital.

The Saanich Peninsula Hospital (SPH) is a short twenty-minute drive from downtown Victoria.  The SPH emergency room is currently closed overnight with a goal to resume twenty-four-hour operations in the future.  The Department is staffed with emergency medicine physicians with augmentation with family physicians for less acute patients.  It has on-site CT, x-ray, and ultrasound as well as lab throughout most hours. 

It is a very tight-knit community in Canada’s warmest capital, experiencing less rainfall than Toronto and ranked as the 10^th driest of 41 major Canadian cities.  Vancouver Island offers numerous recreational activities such as cycling, world-class mountain biking, hiking, boating, golf year-round, and is on the doorstep of Whistler, Mount Washington, and other major ski areas.  Enchanting Tofino is the perfect destination for surfers or those that just want to storm watch!  A short ferry-ride to both Vancouver and Seattle, allow you to enjoy the culture and sporting events of these two world-class cities.  Direct flights to Hawaii and Mexico allow you to be in a tropical paradise in just five hours!  Please follow this link to discover all that southern Vancouver Island has to offer (https://www.tourismvictoria.com)!

In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, and Values, and strategic direction of the Vancouver Island Health Authority (Island Health), patient and staff safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

The Physician Assistant (PA), Emergency, performs clinical duties and responsibilities in accordance with the guidance provided by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC). Clinical care provided by the PA will occur at Saanich Peninsula Hospital (SPH) under the supervision of the Physician Supervisor. The PA reports to a Site Administrative Manager but is accountable to the Physician Supervisor or delegate for overall provision of quality of care and professional development. The PA supports the provision of continuous care in a team-based environment working collaboratively with the Emergency Department attending physicians (ED Physicians), medical residents, nursing, and allied health professionals to care for patients.

SCHEDULE:

• Rotating 5 days per week
  
• 37.5 hours per week
  
• Day or Evening shifts with Night shifts probable in the future
  
• Island Health recognizes that not all Physician Assistants are able to work a full-time position, so part-time positions will be entertained on a case-by-case basis to accommodate individual needs
  

• $97,197.00 - $118,797.00
  
• 1950 hours per year at $49.84 - $60.92 per hour
  
• Relocation assistance is available.
  
• Benefits package that has an additional value of approximately 20% 
  

• Municipal Pension Plan Municipal home - Municipal - Municipal (pensionsbc.ca)
  
• Vacation time (20 days per year. Prorated for part-time employees)
  
• Significant support for continuing professional development funding
  
• Dental, individual and dependent life insurance, AD&D, and long term disability.
  
• Short Term Sick Leave Plan
  
• Improved parental leave provisions
  
• Extended Health:
  
• Eye exams and vision care
  
• Acupuncturist
  
• Chiropractor
  
• Dietitian / Nutritionist
  
• Massage Therapist
  
• Naturopathic Physician
  
• Physiotherapist
  
• Podiatrist
  
• Psychologist
  
• Speech Therapist
  
• Orthopedic shoes and Orthotics
  
• Hearing aids
  
• Wigs or Hairpieces 
  

1.  Under the supervision of an Emergency Department (ED) Physician, with the level of oversight relative to the severity of the patient’s condition, Physician Assistant’s provide patient care in accordance with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) Bylaws found at  https://www.cpsbc.ca/files/pdf/HPA-Bylaws.pdf.

2.  Communicates effectively with patients, families, and care givers in a culturally sensitive and compassionate manner, ensuring patients are engaged and involved in their care.

3.  Communicates effectively and expeditiously with the ED Attending for significant changes in patient medical condition.

4.   Functions as an effective member of the multidisciplinary team, including nursing, respiratory therapists, and allied health professions to ensure high quality patient care.

5.   Actively participates in patient sign over both at the beginning and end of shift.

6.   Participates in Emergency Department quality improvement initiatives.

7.   Participates in standardized reporting, evaluation, and professional development activities as required by the CPSBC and Island Health.

• Two-years’ experience working in an emergency department or acute care setting is preferred
  
• Registration as a Physician Assistant with the College of Physicians of British Columbia (CPSBC) (See https://www.cpsbc.ca/registrants/current-registrants/registration-and-licensing/physician-assistant. Note: Assistance with costs of application and registration process is available.)
  
• Proof of compliance with the continuing professional development requirements of the PACCC or the NCCPA, and satisfactory to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia.
  
• Throughout the duration of employment, the PA must maintain Physician Assistant licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC).
  
• Must meet the CPSBC’s English language proficiency requirements.
  
• Must hold Canadian Citizenship, be a permanent resident or be legally able to live and work in British Columbia.
  
• Must maintain all Island Health educational/training requirements.
  
• Must maintain professional liability insurance while employed. 
  

1.    Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (with current Basic Life Support)

2.    Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (Advanced Pediatric Life Support may be considered as an equivalent)

• Advanced Trauma Life Support
  
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program
  
• Independent Practitioner Status for FAST Point of Care Ultrasound
  
• Airway Interventions & Management in Emergencies (AIME) Course in previous four years
  
• CASTED Course
  

1.   Proficient English communication skills, including with patients, families, care givers, and other health care professionals.

2.   Effective and efficient computer and written communication skills including order entry and clinical documentation.

3.   Demonstrated ability to work in a team-based environment and under the supervision of the assigned supervisor.

4.   Carries out professional duties in the face of multiple, competing demands.

5.   Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position, including evening and overnight shifts.

6.   Demonstrated the ability to communicate effectively and build relationships with other health professionals and disciplines.

7.   Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work productively under supervision and within a team environment.

8.   Demonstrated ability to document in accordance with the CPSBC and organizational standards, policies, and guidelines.

Ongoing employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the assessment period required by the CPSBC, the Island Health probationary period, and ongoing annual reviews.

• Vaccination Notification: To keep our employees, clients and the communities we serve safe, Island Health is enforcing an employee mandatory vaccination policy which is intended to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. As such, Island Health requires Proof of BC Provincial Immunization Registration as a condition of employment, and any offers of employment are contingent on you providing proof of vaccination prior to commencement of the offered effective date. If an offer of employment is extended, but proof of vaccination is not provided, the offer will be rescinded.
  
• Although Night shifts are not included in the initial schedule, they will be part of future rotations so candidates should be prepared to complete overnight shifts as well.
  

We thank all applicants for their interest in; however, only Physician Assistants that are eligible for registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia will be considered and only those selected for an interview will be contacted.