Physician & Clinical Assistants

Physician Assistants / Clinical Assistants (PA / Cl.A.s) are healthcare providers who practice medicine under physician supervision. These medical practitioners are physician extenders and not independent practitioners; they work with a degree of autonomy, formalized in a Practice Description. The supervisory relationship between physicians and PA / ClAs, as outlined in the Contract of Supervision is the principle on which the profession is founded. PA / Cl.A.s in Manitoba are are Regulated Health Professionals licensed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba. (CPSM). Please check CPSM website for further information.

Physician Assistants and Clinical Assistants improve access to healthcare services, assist in waiting time reduction, provide both acute and chronic disease management and enhance the collaborative practice model with other healthcare professionals.

For further questions regarding PA’s in Manitoba contact the PA / CIA Program.

Physician Assistants

Physician Assistant Education Program (PAEP)

In 2008, the Province welcomed the first class of PA students to the Physician Assistant Education Program (PAEP) at the University of Manitoba. A joint partnership between the faculties of Graduate Studies and Medicine, the two-year program is the only Master’s level program in Canada. The education and training the students receive in this program enable them to practice in a wide range of healthcare settings. For more information on the program, please visit the University of Manitoba.

Physician Assistant Regulation in Manitoba

Manitoba is currently the only jurisdiction in Canada that has specific legislation in place regarding physician assistant (PA) practice. PAs are regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) and have their own distinct category of registration.

Resources for Physician Assistants in Manitoba

• American Academy of Physician Assistants
• Canadian Association of Physician Assistants
• Canadian Medical Association
• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM)
• National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants

For further questions regarding PA’s in Manitoba contact the PA/CA Program.

Clinical Assistants

A clinical assistant (Cl.A.) is a highly skilled health professionals with healthcare/medical background that provides medical services under the supervision of a licensed physician. The principal difference between a clinical assistant and a physician assistant (PA) is that a Cl.A. is not a graduate of a PA degree program.

All Cl.A.s are required to undergo an assessment of their skills before they are eligible for registration with the CPSM. This assessment is conducted through the Department of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) at the University of Manitoba.

For more information on requirements for registration visit the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba.