Physician Assistant – Thoracic Surgery

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton is an Academic Health Science Centre affiliated with McMaster University and a tertiary referral centre for Central South Ontario offering services at three main sites, including St. Joseph's Hospital (Charlton Campus), the Centre for Ambulatory Health Services (King Campus), and the Margaret and Charles Juravinski Centre for Integrated Healthcare (West 5th Campus). Internationally renowned tertiary-care Interstitial lung disease referral center.

Reporting to the Manager of Medical & Academic Affairs in collaboration with the physician leadership in the department and primary supervising physician Dr. Christian Finley, the Physician Assistant (PA) works collaboratively with the interprofessional Thoracic surgery team to deliver healthcare to patients. Under the supervision of the physician, the PA is authorized to extend physician services through the comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, intervention, referral, management, treatment, and evaluation of patients requiring acute health services.

The initial priority will be ambulatory assessment and longitudinal follow-up of patients with pulmonary nodules, including patients identified through the NEVER LOST incidental pulmonary nodule initiative. This work addresses an important gap in ensuring that patients with incidentally detected nodules receive timely assessment, appropriate investigations and reliable follow-up. The PA will also support follow-up of thoracic surgery patients, including postoperative and surveillance care, and will contribute to selected activities in the operating room and endoscopy. Working under physician supervision and within an established multidisciplinary thoracic program, the PA will help improve access, continuity, timeliness and coordination of care while creating additional clinical capacity for the surgical team. The long‑term goal is to develop a PA who is fully integrated across the continuum of thoracic surgical care.

Key Responsibilities

• The primary initial responsibility will be ambulatory care, particularly assessment and longitudinal follow‑up of patients with pulmonary nodules, including patients identified through the NEVER LOST incidental pulmonary nodule initiative.
• Activities will include history and physical assessment, review of imaging and investigations, documentation, patient education, coordination of appropriate testing and referrals, and ensuring planned surveillance and follow‑up are completed, all within the PA's scope and under physician supervision.
• The PA will also participate in postoperative and surveillance follow‑up of thoracic surgery patients and assist with continuity of care for the supervising surgeon's clinical practice.
• As competence develops, the role will include selected support in the operating room and endoscopy.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Canadian or US PA training program.
• Certification (CCPA or PA-C) or eligible for certification through the PA Certification Council of Canada (PACCC) or United States (NCCPA).
• Registered and in good standing with the CPSO as a Physician Assistant.
• Preference given to candidates with experience in respirology, thoracic surgery, oncology, or internal medicine.
• Preference given to new graduate candidates.
• Demonstrates superior communication skills.
• Demonstrates support for the Mission Statement of St Joseph’s Healthcare.
• Preference given to applicants with previous internal medicine or cardiology experience.
• Able to work effectively in a multidisciplinary healthcare team environment.
• Able to work independently within their scope of practice and within the physician-PA relationship.
• Willing to work a variety of shifts to support optimal patient care (i.e. daytime, evenings, overnight, weekends or alternative hours as needed).
• Will bring energy and enthusiasm to this position.

Company Culture

St. Joseph’s Health System (SJHS) and its member organizations are equal opportunity employers and strive for equity, inclusiveness, and diversity in all programs, practices, facilities, and people. We foster a culture of patient and staff safety where all positions comply and work in conjunction with the Mission, Vision, and Core Values. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. SJHS and its member organizations are committed to a barrier‑free recruitment and selection process - please inform us should accommodation be required at any point in the recruitment process (recruit@stjoes.ca). At St. Joe’s Hamilton, we believe in nurturing new talent, providing an inclusive and supportive work environment with meaningful growth opportunities, and exciting benefits and rewards. Whether you're passionate about providing compassionate care or eager to gain new skills, there’s a place here for you to grow, learn, and succeed! Dignity. Respect. Service. Justice. Responsibility. Enquiry.