Physician Assistant – Pediatrics – Kingston Health Sciences Centre

Title: Physician Assistant

Department: Pediatrics

Hours of Work: Full-Time Position; rotating (8 hour shifts)

Hourly Wage: $49.05 -$63.17per hour + benefits/pension
Evening Night Premium ($2.98/hour)
Weekend Premium ($3.14 per hour)

Union: OPAA (Ontario Physician Assistant Association)
Location: Kingston General Hospital site

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Hospital will ensure that the Physician Assistant (PA) participates in pediatric care under the direction of a supervising Pediatric physician(s) at all times. At this time, The Pediatric Urgent Care Clinic runs 5 days per week and triages patients with variety of health concerns; typically seeing 160-200 patient per week. Scheduled ambulatory care occurs in parallel seeing a variety of pediatric problems. In general, the successful candidate will work primarily to provide support in the care for pediatric patients triaged in the Pediatric Urgent Care – identified for fast track assessment (CTAS 4 or 5). Other roles may be required as deemed a priority initiative within the pediatric program.  

The role may include but is not limited to:

1. Support pediatric acute care: perform comprehensive and problem-focused histories and physical examinations on children of all ages; order appropriate laboratory and diagnostic studies, and perform minor procedures. Including assessment and management for (but not limited to): MSK problems/injury, infectious disease (such as AOM, pharyngitis, URTI, gastroenteritis), constipation, asthma, rash, infant problems)
2. Provide broad clinical support in the diagnosis and management of pediatric patients with various presentations
3. Assist in transition of care for those patients that require admission to pediatric inpatient unit (At KGH site)
4. Provide education to patients and families
5. Support educational deliverables of the division including teaching of medical students and residents
6. Support research deliverables of the department including enrolment to active research projects
7. Administrative/office duties: Follow-up of lab results/imaging study reports, contact patients post-discharge as required.  Participate in pediatric quality improvement activities.

Reporting:

• In addition to the supervising Pediatric Attending Physician, the PA will also report to a Division Chair of General & Acute Care Pediatrics for clinical duties and the VP of Medical and Academic Affairs as it relates to administrative items/duties.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES INCLUDE:

The role may include but is not limited to:

• Provide clinical/professional leadership within the organization.
• Support, advise, counsel, and educate regarding options, treatments, and practices in the delivery of care.
• Conduct interventions with and/or advocate on behalf of patients.
• Determine clinical/professional educational needs; provide/coordinate programs and resources.
• Provide support and interventions to resolve issues and conflicts.
• Contribute to clinical/professional/personal development through mentoring and coaching.
• Assess and improve quality of client/system outcomes through evidence-based practice.
• Conduct and support clinical research and academic initiatives.
• Assess, develop, implement, and evaluate process/practice improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to and ensure the development and maintenance of policies, procedures, practices, and performance standards

*NOTE – The above duties are representative but are not to be construed as all-inclusive. A complete job description is available from People Services on Watkins 4.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must hold U.S. or Canadian BSc (PA), equivalent degree or equivalent experience, or Department of Defense (Military) education/experience.
• Must be certified by either the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants (in the U.S.) or the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada.
• Must meet the competencies outline by the province in the Defining the Physician Assistant Role in Ontario (http://www.healthforceontario.ca/UserFiles/file/AHP/Inside/PA-role-april-2007-en.pdf).
• Minimum of 3 years of PA experience is preferred. Prior experience or knowledge in pediatrics will be considered an asset

• Strong bedside manner, able to make emergency decisions quickly.
• Demonstrated ability to educate patients and families; additional experience with children an asset
• Demonstrated leadership and collaboration skills within the interprofessional care team
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, presentation, and documentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively with all team members
• Evidence of strong mentoring, teaching, team building, change leadership, organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to work well in stressful situations
• Demonstrated ability to effectively deal with conflict situations and proactively and effectively resolve issues impacting on quality and continuity of care
• Exceptional time management, organizational and prioritization skills
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and make evidence-based decisions
• Demonstrated critical thinking and decision-making skills
• Demonstrated ability to interpret/participate in research
• Demonstrated knowledge of computer database and data analysis and ability to work with electronic medical records
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and participate in research activities
• Satisfactory criminal reference check and Vulnerable sector search required

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The applicant must be able to meet the physical demands of this position.

We thank all applicants, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Kingston Health Sciences Centre is committed to inclusive and accessible employment practices.

If you require an accommodation to fully participate in the hiring process, please notify the Recruitment Team.

KHSC is located on the ancestral lands and waters of the Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee and serves a wider geographical area that encompasses many Indigenous communities including Tyendinaga, Katarokwi, as well as communities within the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority. As we partner in care, discovery, and learning to achieve better health outcomes for our communities, KHSC is committed to actively advocating for and acting upon the Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s Calls to Action on Health.