Prospective Students

Overview of PAs in Ontario
The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care’s (MOHLTC) 2006 Health Human Resources plan called for the introduction of Physician Assistants into the Ontario healthcare system to contribute to decreased wait times and improved access to primary care. HealthForce Ontario Pilot and Demonstration projects began in 2007 with PAs in various clinical positions in Ontario.

The Physician Assistant (PA) works entirely under the CPSO's Delegation of Controlled Acts Policy Number: #8-10, both as a student and as a medical professional. Exactly the same as medical students. Their duties and responsibilities fall directly under the supervision of a licenced physician. The PAs Scope of Practice is directly aligned with their supervising physician's Scope of Practice, which can be tailored by the supervising physician and to the facilities policies.

PAs are not presently licensed and are not a regulated health profession in Ontario at this time and do not fall under the Regulated Health Professions Act of 1991. There are ongoing focus groups exploring this particular aspect at present with recommendations to follow as to which route should be considered for a regulatory process. Some possible options - regulation under the CPSO, Regulated Health Professions Act or other means. As with all new professions, this is part of the on going development process.

The Canadian Association of Physician Assistance (CAPA) is the national governing body for the profession, www.caopa.net, which has developed the National Competency Profile (NCP) and a Scope of Practice documents. At arms length from CAPA, the Physician Assistant Certification Council provides and monitors the certification process.


Interviews
As part of the selection process, the Program will invite approximately 80 applicants to attend an MMI session (Multiple Mini Interview) in Toronto. Applicants are responsible for their own travel expenses. All interviews will be conducted on a single day. Alternate dates will not be provided. Invitation to interview will be e-mailed out to the selected applicants approximately two weeks prior to the MMI date.


Supplemental Application
All applicants are required to submit a supplemental application, found on the program website (www.PAconsortium.ca). Applicants are strongly advised to read through the Supplemental Application Guide prior to commencement of the supplemental application.

Applicants who do not submit the supplemental application by April 30, 2012 will not be considered for interview.

In some cases, the Admissions Office may wish to verify additional information about activities that are described in the supplemental application form. Therefore, the applicant must provide the name, address (or e-mail address) and phone number of at least one contact person (Verifier) for each activity that the applicant considers to be of major importance. Please notify your verifiers so that they may be contacted by the Admissions Office.


Disabilities and Admission to the BScPA Program
The Faculty of Medicine, in accord with the Ontario Human Rights Code and University Policy, is committed to provision of equal access opportunities to all qualified applicants. To fulfill the requirements of the PA program and to avoid serious risk to the health and safety of patients/clients, students are required to acquire competency in a wide range of knowledge, skills and abilities. Individuals with special needs are advised to contact the Office of Admissions, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, and to carefully review the Council of Ontario Faculties of Medicine (COFM) Policy Document: Essential Skills and Abilities Required for the Study of Medicine.


Criminal Records Check and Disclosure
As all PA students undertake significant portions of their education in settings with exposure to vulnerable populations, students are required to complete a Vulnerable Persons Criminal Record Check, at their own expense, prior to the program start date. This mandatory process informs us of any pending criminal charge, or convictions for which you have not received a pardon, as well as of any pardoned sexual offences. The Program will also request disclosure of any convictions in any jurisdiction and/or any findings of professional misconduct. The Program reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission or cancel registration based on a review of this information.


Program Information
Program at a Glance
Model Route