Physician Assistant

Physician Assistant

Make a difference in a growing, innovative mental health organization and centre of excellence in people-centered care. Work with supportive colleagues who are passionate about improving lives and champions for quality and continuous learning.

Position Summary

A full-time opportunity for a physician assistant, starting immediately. You will play a crucial role in assessing patients' mental health conditions, prescribing appropriate medications, and implementing treatment plans to support their recovery journey. Through collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, your aim is to ensure the holistic well-being of our patients by addressing both their physical and mental health needs.

Care is delivered on-site at the Homewood Health Centre in Guelph, in a collaborative manner, with a supportive interdisciplinary team, which includes nursing, social work, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, music therapy and horticulture therapy. In this role, you will be responsible for clinical psychiatric care of patients as they engage in their recovery journey.

If you are looking for an organization that is constantly moving forward in pursuit of successful outcomes, get ready to love it here!

What you’ll be doing:

Utilizing a comprehensive theoretical knowledge base and an advanced level of clinical competence in caring for patients, which will include health assessments and diagnosis of medical and cognitive problems, developing and implementing a plan of care, providing health counselling and emotional support in the areas of health promotion and the prevention of illness, injury and complication

• Working in collaboration with the supervising physician to facilitate early assessment and intervention for patients requiring consults
• Supporting the management of patients in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team including comprehensive nursing/medical history, physical and psychosocial assessment of the patients’ status
• Utilizing established care paths and order sets to guide care practices for the patient population from admission through to discharge
• Supporting the health team through the completion of comprehensive initial patient assessments and established individualized treatment and care plans for the complex patients in collaboration with physicians and psychiatrists
• Assisting in/coordinates care with patients, families and communities
• Creating and maintaining a climate for and a commitment to healing within a therapeutic relationship.
• Documenting and communicating the patient’s beliefs, values, and wishes, honoring them as much as possible given respect for others and legal, ethical and professional boundaries
• Demonstrating sensitivity to culture, situation and family dynamics
• Maximizing the patient’s participation and control in their own treatment, providing information and support for decision making
• Facilitating change directed by the patient, mapped out by mutually developed goals
• Assessing problems rapidly, noting and documenting significant changes. The physicians assistant in collaboration with the supervising physician assesses the potential for risk accurately and demonstrates leadership and skill in extreme or life threatening emergencies
• Documenting according to professional standards, the principles of clear communication, and Homewood policy and procedure

What we are looking for:

• Membership in good standing with the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants
• Registered membership as a PA in the CPSO
• Experience in mental health treatment
• Certified through the Physician Assistant’s Certification Council of Canada (PACCC) or National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
• Comprehensive knowledge of Psychosocial Rehabilitation methodology, chemical dependency and addictions treatment, psychopharmacology (indications and side-effects) and psychotherapeutic and counseling skills
• Comprehensive knowledge of mental disorders, addictions and concurrent disorders and the treatment and principles of recovery in mental illness and addictions including suicide prevention, treatment, and emergency response
• Knowledge of evidence-based best practices and issues in the care and treatment of mental disorders, addictions and concurrent disorders
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act as it applies to the rights and obligations of clients and staff.
• Knowledge of community, social and mental health resources
• Advanced assessment and diagnostic reasoning skills
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to build strong teams
• Effective communication demonstrates active listening and communicates skillfully with the patient and family as well as with the team members.
• Ability to effectively manage conflict situations and aggressive behaviour and use non-violent crisis intervention and behavioural management techniques.
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Accurate observation and record keeping skills
• Problem-solving and critical thinking
• Proficient with computer programs including medication administration software
• Exhibits positive service behaviours to both internal and external stakeholders

As part of our commitment to the health and safety of our patients, staff and community from COVID-19, subject to any accommodation required by applicable human rights legislation, Homewood Health Centre requires that all staff have received all required doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada.

Why work with us?

Homewood Health is Canada’s largest and leading service provider for medically focused, evidence-based treatment of mental health and addiction disorders. Our organizational culture values service excellence, integrity, collaboration and innovation. Our people make a difference!

As an equal opportunity employer, Homewood Health is committed to employment accessibility, diversity, equity and inclusion. For this reason, we encourage applications from members of equity-seeking groups including women, racialized and indigenous communities, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.

Join us at Homewood Health and be part of a diverse team helping Canadians live healthier, more productive and fulfilling lives.