How to Become a Physician Assistant in Canada

You can become a physician assistant in Canada.

In Canada, physician assistants provide a range of direct patient care tasks in conjunction with a supervising medical physician. Their duties and responsibilities include recording patient histories, conducting physical examinations, performing basic diagnostic tests, applying therapeutic interventions and providing preventative health care counseling. The profession has only been recently integrated into the public health care system in Canada through the founding of three new university degree programs at the University of Toronto, McMaster University and the University of Manitoba.

Things You'll Need

• High school diploma
• Prerequisite university-level coursework or degree
• Physician assistant degree
• National certification examination

Instructions

1. Earn a high school diploma or equivalent designation, such as a GED. Upper-level coursework in math, physics, biology, chemistry and English is recommended and often required.

2. Complete two to four years of prerequisite postsecondary coursework with an overall GPA at 3.0 or better. The undergraduate physician assistant degree programs at the University of Toronto and McMaster University both require two years of university-level study that include courses in human anatomy, chemistry and physiology. The Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree at the University of Manitoba requires a four-year bachelor's degree, preferably in a subject pertaining to health sciences, with courses in anatomy, physiology and biochemistry.

3. Apply for admission. Additional requirements typically include letters of recommendation that attest to professional and academic capability and a formal interview.

4. Earn a physician assistant degree. Undergraduate programs consist of two years of theoretical instruction and hands-on practice in a clinical environment. Course topics include pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical ethics, diagnostic procedures and health promotion. The graduate degree program consists of two years of advanced study in addition to clinical rotations. Course topics include statistics, research methods, epidemiology, genetics, emergency and critical care, obstetrics and gynecology, surgical principles and patient assessment.

5. Pass the National Physician Assistant Certification Examination that is administered by the Physician Assistant Certification Council (PACC). The credential of Certified Physician Assistant is then awarded. Example test questions and information on dates and locations can be found on the official website of the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants.

References

• Canadian Association of Physician Assistants: What is a Physician Assistant?
• University of Toronto: Physician Assistant Program
• McMaster University: Physician Assistant Program
• University of Manitoba: Master of Physician Assistant Studies
• Canadian Association of Physician Assistants: Certification

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Canadian Association of Physician Assistants: Continuing Education