Overview
Physician assistants and midwives provide primary health care and treatment in conjunction with physicians and in collaboration with other health professionals. Physician assistants provide a range of health services to patients delivering preventive and continuous care toward the management of patients' health. Midwives provide full-course care to women and their babies during the pre- and post-natal period. This unit group also includes professionals, such as genetic counsellors, orthoptists and pathologists’ assistants, who work in collaboration with primary health occupations. Genetic counsellors assess individual or family risk of genetic conditions, and provide information to individuals, families and healthcare providers to promote informed choice. Orthoptists diagnose and treat binocular disorders. Pathologists’ assistants assist at autopsies and examinations of surgical specimens, or perform autopsies under a pathologist’s supervision. Physician assistants usually work under physicians in private practice, including group or team practices, hospitals and clinics. Midwives are employed in hospitals, clinics, birthing centres or in private practice. Genetic counsellors usually work in private practice, hospitals, clinics and research institutes. Orthoptists work under an ophthalmologist, particularly in private practices or clinics. Pathologists’ assistants are usually employed in hospitals and universities.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Physician assistants
Conduct patient interviews, physical assessments and take medical histories
Perform or order diagnostic tests and interpret results
In consultation with a supervising physician, formulate and implement treatment plans and monitor patients' progress
Perform and assist in minor surgery
Provide health maintenance education
May participate in research activities
May prescribe from a limited list of medications.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$100,476
$144,330
$182,862
Usual Hours Worked Weekly: 62.63
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
Strong job outlook
British Columbia
72expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Physician assistants
Physician assistants require completion of a university degree in a physician assistant program.
Physician assistants require registration with a regulatory body in Manitoba and New Brunswick.
Additional information
There is no mobility between these occupations without further training.
Certification requirements
Mandatory: You need the following certifications to practice as Physician assistants in B.C.
- Registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia - Physician Assistants
- Certification with the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada
Optional: The following certification are optional to practice as Physician assistants in B.C.
- Membership with the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants
Registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia - Physician Assistants
To practice as a physician assistant in B.C., you must register with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. Eligibility is achieved by holding certification with the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada, or the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Additionally, you must currently be in physician assistant practice and be sponsored by a health authority.
Certification with the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To practice as a physician assistant in B.C., you will need to be certified by the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada. Eligibility is achieved through successful completion of a recognized program and writing of the PA Entry to practice certification examination.
Membership with the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To work as a physician assistant in B.C., you may choose to become a member of the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants. Purchasing a membership allows you to write the Physician Assistant Entry to Practice Certification Examination, which also requires completing a recognized program.
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
No programs available in B.C.
There are currently no programs offered at public post-secondary institutions in BC that will qualify you for this career. Please see the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants website for other options.