Overview

As a member of the military, a Physician Assistant (PA), is a health care provider who extends the hand of the supervising physician to remote or isolated locations. A Canadian Armed Forces Physician Assistant is part of the greater military health services team, they provides primary and emergency health care for Canadian Armed Forces members domestically and abroad. Physician Assistants are employed throughout Canada in Health Services Clinics, onboard ship or overseas in support of a myriad of operational missions.

The primary responsibilities of a Physician Assistant are to:

Provide primary health care;
Provide emergency care;
Promote health protection and education;
Practice environmental medicine and hyperbaric medicine; and
Promote occupational health and safety.

Work environment

Physician Assistants may serve anywhere that CAF members are based. They work in fully equipped medical clinics, whether at a base or garrison, or in a temporary clinic while supporting operations. PAs are also employed independently in isolated locations including on-board ships and submarines.

If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

Training Basic Military Officer Qualification After enrolment, Physician Assistants attend Basic Officer Military Qualification training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, for 12 weeks. Topics covered include general military knowledge, the principles of leadership, regulations and customs of the Forces, basic weapons handling, and first aid. Opportunities will also be provided to apply such newly acquired military skills in training exercises involving force protection, field training, navigation and leadership. A rigorous physical fitness program is also a vital part of basic training. Basic Military Officer Qualification training is provided in English or French and successful completion is a prerequisite for further training. Learn more about Basic Training here. Available Professional Training Physician Assistants must complete the Common Health Services Officer (CHSO) course which is an eight-day e-learning course available on the Defence Learning Network (DLN). The CHSO course introduces Physician Assistants to Canadian Armed Forces policies and procedures as well as HR management of military members and civilian personnel. Physician Assistants attend the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre in Borden, Ontario, where they are introduced to the organizational structure and history of the Canadian Forces Medical Service and the unique circumstances of practicing military medicine. This training provides new Physician Assistant Officers the foundation for working with other Health Service professionals, and delivering health care in a military environment. Available Advanced Training As they progress in their career, Physician Assistants who demonstrate the required ability and potential may be offered advanced training. Available training includes: Basic Aviation Medicine; Basic Dive Medicine; and Advanced Dive Medicine.

Entry plans

Direct Entry Options
Paid Education Options

If you already have a Baccalaureate or Master’s degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program, are a Certified PA holding a current Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACCC) Certification and current registration to practise as a Physician Assistant in a Canadian province or territory, the CAF may place you directly into the required on-the-job training program following basic training.

Due to the requirement for CAF officers to obtain a university degree, the CAF will pay successful recruits to complete a two-year bachelor degree program at an approved civilian Canadian University. Recruits will receive full-time salary including medical and dental care, as well as vacation time with full pay in exchange for working in the CAF for a period of time. Candidates must attend a civilian Canadian University as the Royal Canadian Military College System does not offer a degree that matches this occupation. If you are applying for this program, you must apply to the CAF and a Canadian university concurrently as the CAF does not have reserved seats.

For further information, please contact a Canadian Forces Health Services Recruiter: HSRecruiting-RecrutementSS@forces.gc.ca

Learn more about our Paid Education programs here.

Part time options Serve with the Reserve Force The role of the Canadian Forces Health Services Reserves is to provide trained personnel to support, augment and sustain Canadian Forces Health Services organizations for CAF operations and training activities, while building and maintaining links between the CAF and the local community. As a health care professional in the Health Service Reserves, you must have an unrestricted licence to practise in your clinical field (including certification in your specific specialty) and have the ability to maintain clinical currency within your civilian workplace. This position is available for part-time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part time with a military unit in their community, and may serve while going to school or working at a civilian job. They are paid during their training. They are not posted or required to do a military move. However, they can volunteer to move to another base. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.

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