Physician Assistant

Unit Summary

Step into a job that opens countless doors. As one of Canada’s largest and most diverse hospitals, we are providing advanced care to people of all ages from across the province. You can explore advancement opportunities, take professional development courses, and stretch yourself as a leader, all at HHS. We are the largest employer in the greater Hamilton region, and play a vital role in training the next generation of health professionals in collaboration with our academic partners, including McMaster University and Mohawk College. Hamilton Health Sciences is a hospital system of 18,000 staff, physicians, researchers and volunteers that proudly serves south central Ontario residents. We also provide specialized, advanced care to people from across the province.

McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH), located in Hamilton’s west-end, is the second largest children’s hospital in Canada, providing care to children aged 0 – 17 years. We are home to the fastest-growing kids-only emergency department in Ontario, one of Canada’s most advanced neonatal intensive care units, and a range of programs and clinics with unique expertise in a number of areas including children’s cancer, digestive diseases, and mental health.

The Pediatric Surgical services at MCH provide general and specialized surgical services to infants, children, and adolescents suffering from a wide range of congenital and acquired diseases. The Pediatric Surgical Services Regional Programs for Central South Ontario utilizing a multidisciplinary and collaborative team approach to patient care.

Position Summary

The Physician Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Pediatric Surgeons as directed. The Physician Assistant will play a major role in facilitating consistent application of clinical protocols and continuity of care, utilizing the principles of evidence based practice. The Physician Assistant will work in partnership with Pediatric Surgeons, consultants, nursing and other members of the health care team to provide comprehensive medical assessment, management and education. This role will support the clinical activity, the associated patient care and interventions of the of Pediatric Surgery services. This includes the Pediatric General Surgery and Pediatric Orthopedic Clinics, Pediatric Emergency Department, Pediatric Inpatient Units, and Operating Room. The Physician Assistant will provide a full range of physician assistant services, requesting consultation with appropriate physicians, clinicians, or other health care resources as indicated. The Physician Assistant will order diagnostic tests as applicable, prescribe and dispense medications as delineated by the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. The Physician Assistant will participate in the education of other health professional trainees as appropriate, as well as research and academic pursuits as directed by the identified Physician Supervisor.

Schedule Work Hours

Monday to Friday, days. Evening and weekends (as needed)

Qualifications

• Graduate of Physician Assistant Program
• Prior experience in Pediatric Acute Care settings an asset
• Minimum 2-3 years’ experience in applying advanced Pediatric knowledge, physical assessment skills, diagnostic interventions and self-care or caregiver-lead management skills for pediatric patients in an ambulatory setting
• Proficiency in performing history and examination of the infant, toddler, child and adolescent
• Knowledge and assessment of developmental milestones at all stages of pediatric development including the unique aspects of adolescent development
• Experience and ability to lead and facilitate the development and implementation of basic and advanced education programs for patients, families, staff, other health professionals
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions in times of emergencies
• Demonstrated ability to work alongside Intensivists, Nurses and other Health Care Professionals
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to promote professional development
• Demonstrated leadership and critical thinking skills
• Demonstrated commitment to patient and family-centered care
• Demonstrated ability for independent action, initiative, problem-solving, organization and prioritization
• Able to handle significant daily psychological and emotional stress in dealing with parents of critically or chronically ill children

Hamilton Health Sciences fosters a culture of patient and staff safety, whereby all employees are guided by our Mission, Vision, Values, and Values Based Code of Conduct. Hamilton Health Sciences is a teaching hospital and all staff and physicians are expected to support students and other learners.

To be considered for this opportunity applicants must apply during the posting period. All internal and external applicants may ONLY apply via the Careers website.

Hamilton Health Sciences is an equal opportunity employer and we will accommodate any needs under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Hiring processes will be modified to remove barriers to accommodate those with disabilities, if requested. Should any applicant require accommodation through the application processes, please contact HR Operations at 905-521-2100, Ext. 46947 for assistance. If the applicant requires a specific accommodation because of a disability during an interview, the applicant will need to advise the hiring manager when scheduling the interview and the appropriate accommodations can be made.

This competition is open to all qualified applicants, however, qualified internal applicants will be considered first. Past performance will be considered as part of the selection process. If you are a previous employee of Hamilton Health Sciences, please note : the circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment. Proficiency in both Official Languages, French and English, is considered an asset