Physician Assistant

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

• 3414: Other Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services*

2006 NOC-S

• D313: Other Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services*

2011 NOC

• 3124: Allied primary health practitioners

2016 NOC

• 3124: Allied primary health practitioners

2021 NOC

• 31303: Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals

2023 OaSIS

• 31303.01: Physician Assistants

*This NOC group is considered similar to the Physician Assistant occupation. Because this occupation is only similar to the NOC group, related details and labour market information may not be accurate.

Physician assistants are highly skilled health-care providers. They support supervising physicians and enhance their productivity. This allows more patients to gain access to quality health care. They can order investigations, diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and surgically assist supervising physicians, among other things.

In general, physician assistants:

• Conduct patient interviews and record medical histories
• Perform physical exams
• Counsel patients on preventive health-care practices
• Perform and evaluate routine diagnostic tests
• Diagnose and treat disease and injury
• Tend to cuts, casting, and splinting
• Provide referrals within the health-care system
• Prepare patients for surgery
• Manage patients before, during, and after surgical procedures
• Act as a first or second assistant during surgery
• Provide prescriptions and medical orders

Specific duties may vary with the physician assistant’s skill set and relationship with the physician in charge.

As part of a health-care team, physician assistants work under the direction of registered physicians to provide patient care in various clinical settings. Their schedules and working conditions depend on where they work and the role their supervising physician may have. In a hospital they may work rotating shifts of weekends, nights, or early mornings. In an outpatient clinic, they may work regular day-time hours. It can be a high-stress role.

Physician assistants work in:

• Public and military hospitals
• Community health centres
• Private offices of specialist physicians
• Clinics

Physician assistants train as generalists but work in many specialties (such as orthopaedics, oncology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry). As they gain greater clinical knowledge and experience, they can assume new duties and seek higher wages. For example, they may supervise other staff and PA students. Additional education improves career prospects.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Allied primary health practitioners
2016 NOC: 3124

94.6% of people in this occupational group work in:

• Health Care and Social Assistance

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

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3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals

2021 NOC: 31303

Balanced

Job Market

< 1500

Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

Explore emerging workplace trends in Alberta that could affect this occupation.

Alberta Health Services website: www.albertahealthservices.ca

Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA) website: capa-acam.ca

Canadian Medical Association (CMA) website: www.cma.ca

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) website: www.cpsa.ca

Physician Assistants Certification Council of Canada (PACCC) website: capa-acam.ca/paccc

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.