Physician Assistant Career Profile
What is a Physician Assistant (PA)?
Physician Assistants are clinicians who practice under the supervision of a licensed physician. They are highly skilled and can work in any clinical setting, including on multidisciplinary health teams. They can extend the reach of a physician, and their scope of practice is determined by supervising physicians. Under the supervision of a physician, PAs key functions can include:
- Conducting patient interviews, histories and physical exams
- Ordering and interpreting tests
- Prescribing medications
- Counselling patients on preventive health care
- Performing diagnostic/therapeutic procedures or assisting in surgery
- Performing other tasks within the supervising physician’s scope of practice that the physician deems the PA qualified to complete.
PAs are trained as generalists and can seamlessly fit into many areas within the health system.
What can I earn as a Physician Assistant?
The current pay per hour is:
- Physician Assistant - $51.10 – $62.50
In addition to the above pay bands, the SHA provides a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Extended Health and Dental benefits
- Defined-Benefit Pension Plan
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Employee and Family Assistance Program
- Annual Vacation
Physician Assistants working with the SHA are unionized employees and are members of the following union:
How do I become a Physician Assistant?
A Masters degree in Physician Assistant Studies or Bachelors Degree in Physician Assistant is required to obtain a license to practice as a Physician Assistant in Saskatchewan. The University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine is launching a new Masters of Physician Assistant Studies program in Fall 2025. Additional Canadian programs can be found on the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA) website.
After completing your program, you are required to obtain your professional designation from the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants by completing the national licensing exam. After obtaining your certification, you will apply for a license from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS).