Canadian PA Podcast

Justin Lautenbach is a McMaster-trained PA who has spent over a decade building a multi-specialty career that spans outpatient Orthopedics, chronic pain, and now aesthetic medicine under his own brand, Hamilton Botox . What you'll learn: How to move from a PA student in clinical clerkship to a licensed, practicing PA in Orthopaedic Surgery What milestones are required to co-found and manage an outpatient medical practice How to master ultrasound guided injections, procedures through pattern recognition and expert feedback What the physician-directed model looks like for PAs in the business of aesthetic medicine View full episode show notes & resources: ⁠canadianpa.ca/podcast/37⁠ Follow Justin: Instagram: @ HamiltonBotox Visit Justin's Website: hamiltonbotox.ca EPISODE OUTLINE PA SCHOOL & EARLY CAREER: 00:00 Introduction: Meet Justin 04:51 Justin's First Job as an Orthopaedic Surgery PA BUILDING A PRACTICE 09:18 ArthroBiologix: Co-Founding an Outpatient Orthopaedic Practice 16:24 Finding PA Mentorship through Networking PROCEDURAL MEDICINE & ULTRASOUND 17:41 Building Competency in Procedural Medicine & Ultrasound-Guided Injections 28:50 Orthopaedics vs. Chronic Pain: Differences in Approach AESTHETIC MEDICINE 34:39 From Botox for Migraines to Aesthetic Medicine 39:30 Founding Hamilton Botox: Running a PA-Led, Physician-Directed Aesthetic Business 41:06 How PAs Can Get Started in Aesthetic Medicine 43:05 Aesthetics: The Business Side of Medicine WORK-LIFE & CAREER SUSTAINABILITY 48:26 Managing Multiple Clinical Roles without Burning Out 54:36 OrthoPA Network: Building a Community of PAs PA ADVICE & THE FUTURE OF THE PROFESSION 56:12 Advice Justin Would Give to His New PA Grad Self 58:34 Challenges of Pioneering the PA Profession in New Provinces & Territories FOR PA EMPLOYERS: WORKING WITH PAs 1:00:49 The Business Case for Hiring a PA 1:06:17 How to Advocate for Your Own Learning 1:08:23 Final Notes

Allie Penrose is a graduate of the inaugural Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) cohort at Dalhousie University and part of the first group of Physician Assistants practicing in Nova Scotia. Prior to PA school, she spent six years in specialized clinical roles at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, working in organ and tissue donation and stem cell transplantation. This experience provided direct exposure to high-acuity care, surgical environments, and longitudinal patient interaction, reinforcing her decision to pursue clinical medicine through a non-physician pathway. Before committing to the PA profession, she evaluated multiple healthcare roles including respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, anesthesia assisting, and physiotherapy. In this episode, she outlines her approach to the Dalhousie MPAS application process, including managing a compressed timeline and preparing for the MMI with limited lead time. She also discusses first-year workload and burnout, second-year clinical training, and the realities of entering practice in a province where the PA role is still emerging. View full show notes, resources and transcript: 👉 canadianpa.ca/podcast/36 IN THIS EPISODE: Part 1: Allie’s Pre-PA Journey 00:22 Meet Allie 01:28 Discovering the PA profession 04:49 Getting healthcare exposure 06:51 PA awareness in Nova Scotia Part 2: Dalhousie PA Admissions 08:05 Dalhousie PA Admissions overview 14:44 Building strong healthcare experience 16:55 Staying organized during PA Apps 19:56 MMI interview prep 24:13 Does GPA determine competitiveness Part 3: Inside Dalhousie PA School 25:46 Inside Dalhousie MPAS 31:09 Study strategies that worked 32:42 Clerkship as the first PA student 34:44 Can you work during PA school 35:30 Rural vs urban rotations 37:22 Licensing and first PA jobs 37:57 How PA school prepared Allie 39:16 Explaining the PA role to employers Part 4: Advice for Future Applicants 41:44 Advice for Pre-PA students 43:33 Study tools and apps 45:25 Final thoughts CONNECT: Instagram @ alliepenrose_ @ dal.mpas @ canadian.pa @ canadianpapodcast RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED Recommended Books for MMI Preparation Dalhousie MPAS Admissions Information Nova Scotia PA Pilot Project Practicing as a PA: College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (CPSNS) PA Resource Page: CPSNS Celebrating PAs in Nova Scotia for PA Day LEARN MORE ABOUT PAs IN CANADA Free Canadian PA Admissions Comparison Chart 👉 http://canadianpa.ca/admissionspdf List of PA Programs in Canada 👉 ⁠http://canadianpa.ca/paprograms⁠ What is a PA? 👉 http://canadianpa.ca/whatisapa CANADIAN PA COMMUNITY Facebook Group 👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/canadaprepa Discord Community 👉 canadianpa.ca/discord Join the Community 👉 ⁠ canadianpa.ca/join

Sonya P. is a first-year student at the University of Calgary’s MPAS program who gained acceptance into PA school in her 3rd round of applications. In this video, she shares how she navigated rejection, what changed the second time around, and what life’s been like in her first year of PA school. View full episode show notes: canadianpa.ca/podcast/35 IN THIS EPISODE: Part 1: Discovering the PA Path ​00:42 How Sonya Found the PA profession ​03:26 Shadowing PAs First Time ​04:10 Sonya’s Pre-PA Stats ​07:01 Her Acceptance Journey Part 2: Sonya’s Experience with PA Admissions ​07:50 Reapplying After Rejection ​13:14 Applying Out-of-Province ​14:46 Inside Calgary Admissions ​16:49 CASPer Test Strategy ​19:43 References That Matter Part 3: Inside PA School ​22:50 Starting PA School ​23:47 Calgary MPAS Program Structure ​27:44 How PA Students Study ​30:58 Best Study Tools Part 4: Real PA Student Life ​34:54 Day in PA School ​38:00 Balancing School and Life ​40:02 What Second Year Brings Part 5: Advice for Applicants ​42:28 Preparing for PA Practice ​44:13 Advice for Pre-PAs ​45:14 Fixing Application Weaknesses ​47:30 Managing Application Deadlines CONNECT WITH CANADIAN PA IG @ canadian . pa IG @ canadianpapodcast YT: youtube.com/CanadianPA Canadian PA Community: Pre-PA Facebook Group Pre-PA Discord Chat Subscribe to the Canadian PA Community

Nawal shares how she gained multiple Canadian PA program offers of admissions. She talks about what helped her stand out, how she found patient care experience, tips for interviews, navigating the Casper test, and what life is actually like as a PA student.Connect with Nawal: http://instagram.com/nawal_arshi_________________✰ IN THIS VIDEO:00:00 From Undergrad to Accepted PA Student04:23 Exploring Career Paths: Why PA Made SensePA ADMISISONS:05:16 Gaining Health Care Experiences from scratch09:52 Securing Strong references with Limited Connections12:00 Leveraging Extracurriculars in your PA Application14:47 Pre-PA Snapshot: My Application Stats18:10 Choosing the Right Program: Why I Picked Calgary MPAS27:19 A Walkthrough of the PA Admissions Timeline28:48 Casper Test Prep: What Worked for Me36:22 Preparing for MMI Interviews: Strategies and Insights40:44 Developing Professional Communication Skills: Learning Early and FastLIFE AS A CALGARY MPAS STUDENT:43:50 Relocating and Starting PA School in Calgary49:10 A Day in the Life: Calgary MPAS Year 1 (PA-S1)54:07 Study Tools That Help Me Stay Organized and Focused57:00 How I Study: Adapting to the Demands of PA School01:01:18 Making Group Study Effective in PA School01:05:59 What to Expect from 2nd Year Clinical Placements (PA-S2)FINAL NOTES:01:07:24 Advice I’d Give Every Pre-PA Student01:10:14 Final Thoughts and Staying Connected_________________✰ MORE ABOUT CALGARY MPAS:Calgary MPAS Program Website ➡︎ : https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/physician-assistantCalgary MPAS Instagram ➡︎ http://instagram.com/calgarympas

Curious about the University of Calgary’s Master of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies? Join us for an engaging webinar featuring current PA students who share their experiences, insights, and advice about the program. Learn about the application process, program structure, and what it’s like to be a PA student in Canada. Featuring 1st year Calgary MPAS Students, Anithra, and Jayden. Moderated by Sonya. Thank you to Calgary's MPAS Student Association for agreeing to put this on!📚 Topics Covered:- Day-to-day life as a PA student- Tips for prospective applicants- Program highlights and clinical placements- Balancing school, work, and personal life

Aurthi is a Canadian Certified Physician Assistant working in Emergency Medicine and in her first year of PA practice! We first interviewed Aurthi when was just starting the second semester in her first year of PA school! She now reflects back on her journey. JUMP TO: 00:53 Update from Aurthi Since 1st year PA School2:41 Finding work after Completing PA school in OntarioWORKING IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE:4:13 What drew me to Emergency Medicine5:30 Where PAs work in the Our Emergency Department7:23 Benefits of adding a PA to the ED8:49 Common Conditions seen in the ED10:22 Procedures PAs performing in the ED11:53 Different Patients we treat in the ED12:51 What a Patient can expect when seeing by a PA13:44 Orientation to the ED as a New PA Hire15:29 How PA School prepared me for my first PA Job16:36 What can Doctors Expect when working with a PA18:24 PA Scope of Practice in the Emergency Department17:50 The PA/MD Relationship in the Emergency Department21:41 Who do PAs work with in the Emergency Dept22:30 Impact COVID-19 has had on Aurthi's practiceRESOURCES FOR EMERGENCY MEDICINE: 24:09 Tips to Succeed in your Emergency Medicine Rotation (Tips for PA Students)25:49 Preparing for End-of-Rotation Exam in Emergency Medicine (Tips for PA Students)26:24 Helpful Resources for Emergency Department PAsPA JOB HUNT: 27:34 Tips for Securing Employment after PA School29:37 Job Market for New PA Grads in OntarioREFLECTING ON PA PRACTICE: 31:13 Reflecting on my Decision to Become a PA in Canada322:10 What I enjoy about being a PA

The webinar will briefly go over the different PA school program application requirements and then we will go into detail about what each component is and how the first-year PA students approached each aspect.Original webinar was hosted by Pradha (@pradha_the_pre_pa) on instagram, reposted with permission from Pradha and webinar panelists. Please note: Always check the PA program websites for the most up-to-date information on admissions. This webinar was presented for the 2021-2022 Admissions Cycle based on information available on October 17, 2021. ___HOST: Pradha: https://www.instagram.com/pradha_the_pre_pa/𝐌𝐜𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐀𝐄𝐏 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:▫️ Heidi (@thesunnypa)▫️ Jaimin (@jpegg_thepa)▫️ Olivia (@thesurferpa )▫️ Selina (@selinathepa)𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐚 𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐒 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:▫️ Dana (dana_skaritko)▫️ Laural (@lkthepa)𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐒𝐜𝐏𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:▫️ Carolyn (@thenwopa)▫️ Casey (@caseythepa) Original publish date: October 21, 2021

From a Live Q&A with 1st year University of Toronto PA Students Hannah and MC. JUMP TO A SPECIFIC QUESTION IN THE Q&A:Part 1: Pre-PA Journey• 1:53 Why did you choose to become a PA?• 5:24 What helped you stand out on your application?• 9:15 What were your Pre-PA Stats?Part 2: Life in PA School• 13:03 Why did you chose to attend UofT's PA Program?• 16:56 What is 1st year PA School like at UofT?• 19:35 What is the best way to stay on top of studies in an online delivery model? • 23:25 What happens in 2nd year PA School?• 24:38 How are you graded in PA school? (pass/fail/%?)• 26:44 How hard is PA School? • 29:46 Is it possible to work while in PA School? Part 3: Applying to PA School - Admission Requirements, Interview Tips• 32:10 What makes a strong candidate for UofT's PA Program?• 35:09 UofT PA program Admission Requirements• 37:34 Health Care Experience Hours for PA School• 39:37 UofT's PA Supplemental Application: Tips & Approach• 43:57 Format of UofT's PA School Interviews this year (2021 Application cycle)• 46:58 How to practice for the MMI• 53:56 Waitlisted for the MMIPart 4: Reapplying to PA School• 55:57 Rejection from PA School: How to strengthen your application for next year• 1:00:15 Time it takes to process the initial PA school rejection• 1:04:02 Changing your PA school app when re-applying• 1:06:03 Parting words, words of advice from Hannah & MC

Getting In, Problem-Based Learning, and Interview Prep In this episode, I sit down with Shada and Toni, two first-year McMaster PA students who survived the application cycle and lived to tell the tale. We pull back the curtain on the "med school mindset" trap, the reality of McMaster’s Problem-Based Learning (PBL) style, and why your summer camp job might actually be your greatest interview asset. IN THIS EPISODE: 02:00 Why did you choose to become a PA? 06:03 How did you choose your undergraduate degree? 11:57 Experiences that made you a strong PA school candidate 20:26 Why McMaster's PA program? 28:05 What problem-based learning looks like in PA school 35:38 What first year PA school is really like 41:11 What happens during second year and clerkship 44:29 Admission requirements explained 47:20 Are patient care hours required? 49:25 Tips for the McMaster supplementary application 54:26 What the MMI interview is really like 55:47 How is a virtual MMI different than in-person? 58:59 Preparing for PA school interviews 01:12:07 How should you dress for the virtual MMI? 01:16:23 Managing nerves during the MMI 01:23:22 Final advice for future PA applicants ABOUT OUR GUESTS Toni, PA-S1 Toni is a first-year PA student at McMaster University with a background in Honors Biochemistry and Psychology. Before PA school, she was a lead planner for McMaster’s Science Welcome Week and a volunteer assisting individuals with spinal cord injuries. Shada, PA-S1 Shada is a first-year PA student at McMaster University who completed her undergrad in Biomedical Science and Neuroscience at the University of Guelph. A long-time camp counselor turned senior staff member, she brings a deep focus on advocacy and community to her journey toward becoming a PA. Originally published: April 22, 2021

Ever wondered if you can actually survive the University of Manitoba’s PA program without completely disappearing from your own life? In this episode I'm joined by Rachel and Kelsey, two current students who pull back the curtain on the "Master’s" side of PA education, from managing remote work during the didactic year to navigating the stress of the MMI. KEY TAKEAWAYS Leverage the U of M shadowing program. If you are in Winnipeg, stop guessing what the job is like and apply for the WRHA's formal shadowing program; it affirmed everything for Rachel and will give you concrete stories for your interview. Journal your "competency stories" now. Don't just read about the MMI; look at the PA competencies and the university’s mission statement, then write out specific life experiences that prove you align with them so you aren't digging through your memory mid-interview. Choose references who actually know you. Pick people who have seen you handle a disagreement or a heavy workload rather than someone who will just list generic qualities; the admissions committee wants to see how you'll act in a real-world team. Embrace the generalist mindset. Remember that unlike an MD who specializes early, you are being trained to move between fields; focus your "Why PA" answer on that flexibility and the desire for constant, frontline patient interaction. Don't sweat the "perfect" undergrad degree. Whether it's Arts or Science, Manitoba just wants to see a four-year degree and high performance; pick a major you actually enjoy so you can keep your GPA high and your options open. ABOUT OUR GUESTS Rachel and Kelsie, PA-S are current students in the University of Manitoba Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program. Rachel came to the program with a background in clinical psychology and research, while Kelsey navigated the application process as a successful out-of-province candidate. Originally published April 18, 2021

What does it actually look like to build a PA role from the ground up in a high-needs environment? In this episode, I sit down with Anthony, a 2018 Toronto PA program grad who walked away from a stable neurosurgery gig to tackle the "wild west" of addictions and mental health in downtown Ottawa. It’s a raw, honest look at the grit required to serve stigmatized populations and why being a PA is sometimes about much more than just the medicine WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO: • 0:15 Working with Vulnerable Populations• 1:48 Working in Primary Care, Addictions & Mental Health as a PA• 5:03 A Typical Day in the Life of a PA in Primary Care, Addictions & Mental Health• 6:40 Medical Directives to work with Indirect Supervision• 7:08 Getting Oriented to a New Practice as a new PA Hire• 8:27 Common Conditions Seen• 9:18 Less Common Conditions Seen• 11:14 Working with Marginalized Populations• 13:57 Challenges on the Job ABOUT OUR GUEST Anthony, i s a 2018 graduate of the University of Toronto PA program. After gaining experience in neurosurgery, he transitioned to full-time practice in downtown Ottawa, where he focuses on the intersection of primary care, mental health, and addictions medicine. He is currently the primary PA resource for a multi-clinic organization serving the city's most vulnerable populations. Originally published March 5, 2021

Shada is a 1st year PA student at McMaster University and she shares her experience exploring different careers in health care, applying to PA school and studying as a PA student. What you'll learn in this interview with Shada:• 1:15 How Shada heard about the PA profession• 5:13 What drew me to the PA profession• 6:20 Speaking to my Family about becoming a PA• 8:28 Exploring Different Careers in Health Care• 10:56 My Pre-PA Shadowing Experience• 14:16 Applying to Canadian PA programs• 14:55 Standing out on PA Admissions• 18:01 Experiences I attribute to My Success• 20:53 Self-Reflective Questions Pre-PAs can Ask• 23:01 Habits I had to maintain a good GPA• 25:35 How I Prepared for PA Admissions• 28:40 My Experience in PA School• 31:26 Adjusting to Online learning during COVID-19• 33:37 Documenting my PA Journey on Instagram• 38:57 What I find challenging about the PA profession Originally published: January 30, 2021

How Journaling Helped Hannah Build a Competitive PA School Application When you’re navigating the road to becoming a Physician Assistant in Canada, there are a lot of unknowns. This is especially true when you're choosing between different career paths, managing self-doubt, and trying to stand out in an increasingly competitive applicant pool. In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Hannah Keith, a first-year PA student at the University of Toronto, who shares her honest and thoughtful journey to PA school. Hannah was accepted to both McMaster and U of T and what helped guide her was something simple but powerful: journaling. EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Hannah Keith, a first-year PA student at the University of Toronto, who shares her honest and thoughtful journey to PA school. Hannah was accepted to both McMaster and U of T, and what helped guide her was something simple but powerful: journaling. What We Cover in This Episode: The “Why PA” Pivot: How Hannah shifted her focus from a lifelong goal of medical school to the PA profession through intentional research and journaling. Building Your Experience Bank: Hannah’s strategy for using an Excel sheet to map her volunteer and work experiences (like being a fitness instructor and teaching calculus) to the CanMEDS-PA roles. Direct vs. Indirect Patient Care: Why working as a medical receptionist provided the “rapport-building” skills necessary for PA school, even without prior certifications. Resilience and GPA: A candid look at overcoming a rocky start in undergrad and why a high GPA is about long-term perseverance, not a perfect score on every test. Family & the “New” Profession: Tips on how to bring family members along your journey to help them understand and support your choice of a non-traditional medical career. Interview Prep: Using resources like Doing Right and Mock MMIs to prepare for the Kira Talent and virtual interview process. ABOUT OUR GUEST Hannah is a first-year PA student at the University of Toronto. Originally from British Columbia, she has a background in biology and specialized graduate training in aging and health. With experience ranging from overseas clinical observation in Malawi to working in local family practices, she is passionate about team-based care and the future of the PA profession in Canada. Follow Hannah’s PA journey on Instagram @ hannah.the.pa

Andrew Lim is a Canadian Certified Physician Assistant who works in Orthopaedic Surgery at Sunnybrook alongside their department of 16 Orthopaedic Surgeons, many residents and fellows. He is a graduate of McMaster's PA program.This video is the FULL interview. You can jump to a certain section of the interview: Part A: Andrew's Journey to Becoming a PA• 00:27 Before becoming a PA• 2:31 What I enjoy about being a PA• 3:15 My Experience in PA School• 4:48 Tips for Excelling in your Clerkship Year• 5:33 How PA School Prepared me• 6:18 Securing Employment after Graduating from PA SchoolPart B: Working in Orthopaedic Surgery:• 7:28 What is the Specialty of Orthopaedic Surgery?• 8:39 Describing the Department I work in• 9:21 How the PA role fills in the Gaps in Care• 10:25 Day in the life - Inpatient/Ward Management• 12:09 Day in the Life - On-Call Responsibilities• 13:49 Common Conditions I come across, and Procedures I perform• 16:48 My role in the Fracture Clinic• 18:37 Teaching with Residents and Fellows• 19:34 A typical Week in the Life of a PA in Ortho TraumaPart C: Integrating a PA into an Orthopaedic Surgery Department: • 20:37 Hows PAs are Utilized in the Orthopaedic Surgery Department• 21:38 Tracking PA Productivity• 22:59 Steps to Integrating a PA into the Department• 24:02 What are Medical Directives?• 24:49 Prescribing Medication as a PA• 25:25 What to Expect when adding a PA to your Practice• 26:40 Scope of Practice of Orthopaedic Surgery PAsPart D: Reflecting on PA Practice:• 27:25 What I enjoy about Orthopaedic Surgery• 28:20 Challenges of Working in Orthopaedic Surgery• 29:34 Working with a PA vs. Resident/Fellow: Similarities and Differences• 30:30 The PA/MD Relationship: Attributes of a Physician who would work well with a PA• 31:24 Staying on top of Updates in Orthopaedic Surgery: CME and Ortho Conferences• 32:45 Tips for PA students/PAs interested in Orthopaedic Surgery• 33:45 How I see my role evolving as an Orthopaedic Surgery PA• 34:35 Reflecting on My Decision to become a PA• 35:19 How I answer the question, "What is a PA?"• 36:31 Coming to the CAPA Annual PA Conference🩺 Link to the full post with Andrew: ➡ http://canadianpa.ca/orthotraumapaRead about Andrew's experience with finding employment through Ontario's PA Career Start Program: __________________________❐ 𝗠𝗖𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗔 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗦 ❏🇨🇦Official McMaster PA program website https://fhs.mcmaster.ca/physicianassistant/🇨🇦McMaster PA Student Resource Website http://mcmasterpa.weebly.com❐ 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗣𝗔 𝗔𝗗𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 ❏🔏Articles for PRE-PA STUDENTS: https://canadianpa.ca/prepa🔏Books for Getting Into PA School: https://canadianpa.ca/books/🔏Canadian PA Program Comparison Chart https://manitobapafellowship.weebly.com/comparing-pa-schools.html🎓Canadian Pre-PA Facebook Group | https://facebook.com/groups/canadaprepa/❐ 𝗦𝗘𝗘 𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗔 / 𝗣𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪𝗦 ❏🩺Practicing Canadian PA Interviews: https://canadianpa.ca/paprofiles🩺More Canadian PA Student Interviews: https://canadianpa.ca/studentprofiles/________________________________▓ ▓ ▓ DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PA ADMISSIONS PDF ➡ http://canadianpa.ca/admissionspdf❐ 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗦 𝗔 𝗣𝗛𝗬𝗦𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗡 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧? ❏⭐️ What is a PA? EXPLAINED: http://canadianpa.ca/whatisapa⭐️ PA Infographics: http://canadianpa.ca/infographics❐ 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗡 𝗣𝗔 ❏✅ Blog | http://www.canadianpa.ca✅ Facebook | http://facebook.com/CanadianPA✅ Instagram | http://instagram.com/canadian.pa✅ Pinterest | http://pinterest.com/canadianpa✅ Twitter | http://twitter.com/CanadianPAThe Canadian PA Youtube Channel is not affiliated with any official organization or education program. All views expressed on this video are that of the individuals', and not representative of any organization or education program.

Adam joins us to share a career path that is as diverse as the general surgery ward he manages. From his early days as a rural LPN and RN to becoming a pioneer PA in Manitoba, he explains why he traded the nursing care model for the medical model to "keep things fresh." Adam proves that previous can be a launchpad, not a hurdle. We dive into the "drinking from a firehose" intensity of PA school and what it actually looks like to carve out a niche in a surgical subspecialty where no PA has worked before. IN THIS EPISODE: BEFORE PA SCHOOL: 0:15 Where I'm from 0:40 Adam's Experience Before PA School: Licensed Practical Nursing 2:00 How Adam came across the PA Profession EXPERIENCE IN PA SCHOOL: 3:28 Adam's Experience in 1st year PA school at Manitoba 4:50 What's involved in 2nd year PA school at Manitoba 6:02 Core Rotations in 2nd year PA school 7:28 Locations of 2nd year PA Clinical Rotations 9:13 Finding work after graduating from Manitoba's PA Program (Class of 2013) WORKING IN GENERAL SURGERY AS A PA 11:24 Working as a General Surgery PA in Manitoba 13:21 Getting Oriented as a new PA Hire in General Surgery 19:09 Day in the Life of a General Surgery PA 22:03 Common Conditions seen in General Surgery 23:53 Adam's Role as a PA in the Operating Room - Surgical First Assist 26:41 Procedures done by a General Surgery PA SCOPE OF PRACTICE + BUILD ING COMPETENCY AS A PA 27:55 Learning Procedures as a General Surgery PA 29:13 Building Competency as a PA 30:58 What Patients can Expect from me as a PA 32:35 How Adam interacts with nursing & allied health on the ward 34:10 The PA/MD Relationship: Interacting with a Supervising Physician 35:19 Level of Autonomy as an Experienced Practicing PA 37:02 Defining PA Scope of Practice 38:22 What Adam enjoys about being a PA 39:51 How Regulation affects PA Practice in Manitoba 41:21 The Impact of Having a PA in a General Surgery Service FINAL NOTES 43:18 Opportunities for Growth after becoming a PA 45:23 Adam's Current Research Interests KEY TAKEAWAYS: Move away from “I can work part-time" mindset of PA school. Adam learned quickly that the PA curriculum is condensed medicine at a relentless pace. You need to be ready to fully immerse yourself in the didactic year because the volume of information is exactly like drinking from a firehose. Leverage “scut work” as a relationship builder. Don't turn your nose up at ward management or patient rounding. Use those constant bedside interactions to build trust with the nursing staff and allied health teams; it's how you become the "resident who never leaves" and gain true autonomy. Advocate for a role that doesn't exist yet. If your dream specialty doesn't have a PA posting, create one. Adam highlights how many of his peers materialized jobs by tracking down physicians, demonstrating their competence during electives, and proving how they improve system efficiency. Master the "what if" of every procedure. Learning a skill like opening an infected wound or inserting a central line is more than just "see one, do one, teach one." You have a professional responsibility to study the complications of every step so you are prepared when things don't go according to plan. Think of your career as a long-term evolution. Moving into a PA role isn't the end of your growth. Whether it's switching specialties after a decade or pursuing an MBA to influence healthcare policy from the top down, the portability of this profession is its greatest strength. ABOUT ADAM: Adam is a Manitoba PA working in General Surgery at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. With a decade of nursing experience (LPN and RN) before transition to the medical model, he now specializes in surgical oncology and HPB (liver, pancreas, and bile duct) surgery. He is currently completing his MBA to focus on healthcare sustainability and leadership. Originally published: June 14, 2020

Inside the University of Manitoba PA Program: First-Year Intensity, Second-Year Rotations, and Thriving in Clinical Training Carmen, a second-year PA student at the University of Manitoba, describes first year as an intense whirlwind with an undergrad-like first semester (biochem, anatomy, physiology) followed by an overwhelming second semester focused on adult and emergency medicine and pharmacology, then a third semester that feels more manageable as study strategies solidify. She explains that learning medicine requires broad, concept-based critical thinking rather than memorization, alongside an 8-to-5 classroom schedule, limited lunch breaks, and increasing hands-on experiences like anatomy labs, patient assessment, procedure labs, and weekly early exposures shadowing clinicians. Carmen outlines second year as more clinical with about nine rotations (including pediatrics, community health, emergency, surgery, psychiatry, OB/GYN, family, internal medicine, plus electives like pediatric ICU and cardiology), discusses long ward hours and call shifts, emphasizes advocating to be hands-on, and shares approaches to procedures, burnout prevention, capstone research requirements, and PA advocacy work through student representative roles. IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Meet Carmen 00:14 First Year Overview 01:11 Learning Medicine Mindset 01:44 Classroom Schedule 02:05 Hands On Labs 02:41 Typical Day Routine 03:31 Weekend Study Balance 04:04 Capstone Explained 05:05 Second Year Clinical Shift 05:46 Rotations Breakdown 06:49 Rotation Expectations 07:47 Long Hours Reality 08:34 Pediatric ICU Highlights 09:12 First Year Prep Value 09:50 Procedures And Prescribing 10:27 Avoiding Burnout 11:33 Decompress After Shifts 12:19 Ideal PA Student Traits 13:00 KAPPA Student Rep Role 14:38 No Regrets Choosing PA Originally published: April 20, 2020

Jordan, a University of Toronto PA graduate, shares how early hands-on experience through patient transfers and Saint John Ambulance led him to a career in paediatric emergency medicine at SickKids in Toronto. He walks through his decision to choose the PA path over paramedicine, emphasizing long-term career sustainability, clinical autonomy, and team-based care. PA training, including northern clinical rotations, ICU electives, and how those experiences shaped his clinical judgment and confidence. His transition into practice highlights how strategic electives and timing with the Career Start Grant directly influenced landing a role at SickKids before even writing his licensing exam. The conversation offers a detailed look at paediatric emergency medicine, from managing high patient volumes to treating everything from viral illnesses to complex genetic conditions. Jordan explains how PAs improve department flow, standardize care, and support physicians by managing lower acuity cases while maintaining flexibility for urgent presentations. View full episode show notes and resources: https://canadianpa.ca/podcast/21 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN How to build early clinical experience that strengthens your PA application What paediatric emergency medicine looks like in a tertiary care centre like SickKids How to use clinical rotations strategically to secure a job after graduation What skills matter most for succeeding as a PA in a high-acuity environment

Stephanie is a McMaster-trained PA who graduated in 2015 and landed her dream job in maternal fetal medicine (MFM) at McMaster University Medical Centre. Four years later, she's still there seeing high-risk pregnancies, first-assisting on cesarean sections, and teaching PBL tutorials at the very program that trained her. She explored other professions like genetic counselling, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and even applied to an accelerated nursing program before stumbling across the PA profession online one night. What she found in the McMaster PA program was a self-directed learning model that immediately clicked, and a four-week MFM elective that quietly became a job interview. Stephanie shares what work as a subspecialty PA practice looks like in Canada. She discusses the clinical depth of MFM and the emotional weight of working with patients facing the hardest moments of a pregnancy. View full episode show notes & resources: https://canadianpa.ca/podcast/20 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN How to use elective rotations strategically as a “working interview“ What the day-to-day PA role looks like in a tertiary maternal fetal medicine service from triage to the operating room How to build credibility in a specialty where almost no one knows what a PA is What to expect when PA autonomy shifts in a high-acuity subspecialty setting

Maggie is a PA practicing physiatry in Hamilton. She divides her time between an outpatient MSK clinic and a spinal cord injury unit. After graduating from McMaster with a background in kinesiology, she secured her first position by building professional relationships during her clinical electives. Physiatry focuses on the intersection of musculoskeletal medicine and neurology. In this role, Maggie performs ultrasound-guided injections and manages Botox treatments for spasticity. Her daily responsibilities also include conducting new consults, seeing follow-up patients, and completing medical documentation. The transition into a specialized field required a significant learning curve. To manage this, Maggie spent her first six months working closely with her supervising physician. They debriefed after clinics and she observed his appointments to understand the clinical reasoning behind his decisions. Maggie also addresses common misconceptions about the profession. She views being a PA as a distinct career choice rather than a backup for medical school. For those interested in physiatry, she suggests completing an elective and speaking directly with clinicians in the field. View full episode show notes & resources: https://canadianpa.ca/podcast/19 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN How to use clinical placements to secure a job The daily responsibilities of a PA in physiatry How to navigate the learning curve of a specialized role The professional distinction between a PA and a physician

Brooke Grant is a second-year PA student at McMaster University who made a deliberate choice to start clerkship in an elective rather than a core rotation. Over her first month in radiation oncology at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, she saw new patients independently, presented a complex case at tumor board, and contributed to a quality improvement project redesigning H&P templates across multiple cancer site groups. In this episode, Brooke reflects on what those first weeks looked like in practice. From navigating the mindset shift between student and clinician, to learning what the PA role actually looks like in a subspecialty setting. View full episode show notes and resources: https://canadianpa.ca/podcast/18 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN How to choose your first clinical placement based on learning environment rather than perceived skill transfer What presenting a complex oncology case at a multidisciplinary tumor board looks like as a PA student How to build clinical confidence when you're being evaluated from day one What the PA role actually looks like in a subspecialty, from a student who observed it firsthand