Job DescriptionThe Physician Assistant (PA) will support both Toronto General and Toronto Western sites, working within the General Surgery healthcare team of physicians, nurses, trainees and other allied health professionals (in accordance with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario's policy on delegation). The Physician Assistant will function as a consistent member of the Acute Care Surgery team, helping improve continuity of care, patient flow, and communication across the inpatient surgical service.
Principal responsibilities include utilizing and demonstrating a theoretical knowledge and advanced level of clinical competence and excellence in caring for General Surgery patients. This involves collecting and interpreting data regarding the health of patients, symptom management, developing a medical diagnosis and management plan - in a collaborative team environment. The PA will play a vital role in the interprofessional team and will have quality improvement, research and administrative responsibilities. There will also be opportunities to participate in policy or clinical pathway development as well as education and professional development. The PA will perform other duties consistent with the job classification, as required.
Accountabilities- Conducting patient interviews and taking medical histories
- Performing physical examinations and interpret findings
- Organizing laboratory and diagnostic investigations
- Performing certain controlled acts under medical directives delegated to you by a physician
- In consultation with a supervising physician, formulate and implement treatment plans and monitor patient's progress
- Counselling patients on preventive health care
- Organizing patient follow-up
- Provide health maintenance education
- May participate in research activities
- Performing other duties within your competencies as a physician assistant
Primary Responsibilities- Inpatient Care
- Conduct rounds with the surgical team, assisting with documentation of daily progress notes
- Perform focused physical exams and interpret laboratory and imaging results
- Assist with emergency department consultations.
- Monitor post-operative patients for complications and escalate concerns appropriately in a timely manner
- Coordinate urgent investigations and liaise with other medical teams when further consultation is required
- Assist with bedside procedures (e.g., wound care, drain removal, dressing changes)
- Complete discharge summaries, discharge prescriptions, and coordinate safe discharge plans, including sending referrals and ordering tests for follow up
- Communicate effectively with nursing and allied health teams in patient care and discharge optimization
- Liaise with patients and their families/caregivers to ensure timely communication and escalate any concerns in a timely manner
- Administrative & Coordination Duties
- Participate in multidisciplinary rounds with nursing and allied health teams
- Collaborate with nursing staff to standardize care protocols
- Track patient outcomes and contribute to quality improvement initiatives
- Serve as liaison between surgical team and other hospital departments
- Participate in the education of learners, including students, residents and fellows
Qualifications- 2026 Graduate of the McMaster University or Consortium of PA Education program and must be eligible for certification through the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada.
- Certified Physician Assistant (CCPA) or eligible for certification through the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACCC)
- Current Basic Cardiac Life Support required
- Experience working in with General Surgery Acute Care Surgery, General Surgery, emergency medicine, critical care, trauma or hospital medicine preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and with respect in both a verbal and written format with patients, public, colleagues and other health disciplines.
- Demonstrated competency to perform complete and appropriate clinical assessment and development of a treatment plan in accordance with medical directives.
- Proven problem solving and critical thinking skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative medical model of care with all members of the health care team.
- A team player with the ability to develop and maintain partnerships with multiple, diverse stakeholders.
- Flexible, organized, and self-directed within scope of practice, has initiative and independent judgement.
Additional InformationWhy join UHN?In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.
- Competitive offer packages
- Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/)
- Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
- A flexible work environment
- Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
- Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)
Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.
All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.
UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly. At University Health Network (UHN), artificial intelligence technologies may be used to assist in the screening, assessment, and selection of candidates for this position.
Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.
