POSITION TITLE

Physician Assistant,

Horizon

SHIFT TYPE

Days, subject to change

DEPT/PROGRAM

Medical Affairs

JOB CLASS

MGP07

EMPLOYMENT TYPE

Full Time

RATE OF PAY

$49.83-$61.10 per hour

WORK SCHEDULE

75.00 bi-weekly as per schedule

EMPLOYEE GROUP

Non-union

POSTING TYPE

Open

POSTING DATE

November 1, 2024

HYBRID ELIGIBLE

No

NUMBER

1

Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care is a 315-bed academic and teaching hospital that provides specialized mental health, addiction and geriatric care. Located on the shores of Georgian Bay, we serve some of the most complex and disadvantaged individuals in Ontario and are the sole provider of high-secure forensic mental health services in the province.

We provide comprehensive team-based care and has included Physician Assistants in the delivery of Integrated Care since 2020. This position will join our existing team and primarily be located on the Horizon Program, a 28-bed geriatric psychiatry tertiary program which provides specialized geriatric assessments for 65 years and older or age-related illness, with a full-time, on unit geriatric psychiatrist and a compliment of physical health hospitalists.

Waypoint offers great learning opportunities within a supportive environment, with accessible supervision in a setting ideal for skill consolidation; an excellent opportunity for recent grads. Under the supervising physician, these may include: a) contributing to comprehensive patient assessments e.g. gathering collateral data, taking histories, and completing admission and discharge notes, b) providing follow up c) liaising with families, d) educating patients and families, e) communicating within the Waypoint care team and with external members of the patient care team, and f) documenting all aspects of care g) contributing to complex discharge planning. To support team members working at top of scope, Physician Assistants may complete additional responsibilities at the discretion of the supervising physician and in accordance with their formal and on-the-job training.

For information about funding incentives for nurses, housing, orientation and other employment-related information please follow this link to our employment web page. Join your team - Waypoint (waypointcentre.ca).

Waypoint is proud to be participating in the Physician Assistant Career Start Program that provides an incentive grant of $10,000 to a PA employed by our hospital after completing one year of service.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Providing support in the provision of physical health and psychiatric services within the inter-professional teams under the direct or indirect supervision of, and at the request of, a physician
Assessing patient condition and needs based on interviews, interaction and direct observation and physical examination as appropriate, contributing to the development and implementation of therapeutic patient care and transition plans
Developing therapeutic rapport with patients and families and providing education
Documenting patient care and compliance with quality standards (under physician supervision)
Ordering, and conducting preliminary review of results of, investigations (under physician supervision)
Contributing to a safe, therapeutic environment through adherence to the PACCC standards, and program/facility-wide policies and procedures, including completing mandatory trainings
Contribute directly to quality improvement initiatives both at the unit level and organizationally.
Contributing to patient assessments e.g. gathering collateral data, taking histories, and completing admission and discharge notes
Providing some follow up monitoring once the MRP-patient relationship is established and the patient consents
Educating patients, families and substitute decision makers about physician-recommended medications and psychotherapies; monitoring response to and tolerability of treatments to facilitate treatment and dosing adjustments; ordering and initially reviewing metabolic investigations
Communicating within the Waypoint care team and with external members of the patient care team.
Contribute directly to several quality improvement initiatives in the hospital, including implementation of HQO's Quality Standards for Schizophrenia care, The Ottawa Smoking Cessation Program and reduction of restraint and seclusion
Integration of physical and mental health care, and potentially expansion of outpatient services
Contribute to: screening and referring patients for evidence-based psychotherapies as indicated; providing education about metabolic health and prevention; measuring patient-reported outcomes and documenting all aspects of care including compliance with quality standards.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES:

Results oriented work ethic to work with graded responsibility, undertake tasks needed to accomplish work objectives, and deliver quality, consistent and timely results
Demonstrated collaborative, interpersonal and organizational skills
Proven written and verbal communication skills
Proven ability to adapt to change
Models and promotes core ethical practice, Waypoint Values, and reflects an optimistic and positive attitude

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduate of an accredited physician assistant training program
Certified, or eligible to be certified, through the PACCC
Previous experience in acute care medicine and mental health an asset
Experience with patient safety including emergency patient care procedures
Proficiency in English language; working knowledge of French language an asset

HOW DO I APPLY?

Waypoint employees apply through the Employee Self-Service portal at and external applicants apply to quoting Job ID WC24-99. Please Note: This posting will remain open until filled. Attach your cover letter and resume detailing why you are interested in this opportunity and how you meet the qualifications and key accountabilities specified.