Physician Extender Program

What is a physician assistant? 

Physician assistants (PAs) are highly skilled, regulated health-care professionals trained to deliver quality care as versatile generalists. Collaborating closely with licensed physicians – either on-site or through remote supervision – PAs play a vital role in fostering health and wellness within communities. With a background that may include nurses, paramedics, respiratory therapists or internationally trained physicians, PAs adapt seamlessly to various medical environments, ensuring comprehensive care for patients.

What to expect

As a PA student, you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience by working alongside advanced practice registered nurses and supporting physicians in both hospital and community settings. 

You’ll play a key role in addressing consults, caring for acute patients, and contributing to medical documentation, all while being part of a team focused on holistic care and cultural safety. 

In our fly-in program, you’ll provide on-call consultation to nursing staff for both primary and emergency care. 

At our drive-in site, Percy E. Moore Hospital in Hodgson, MB, you’ll work in the emergency room and clinic. 

Over the next five years, we aim to expand the role of physician extenders across all Ongomiizwin Health Services communities, improving access to quality health care where it’s needed most.

We proudly serve 18 fly-in and drive-in Indigenous communities, alongside three hospital sites in northern Manitoba. 

As a physician assistant, you will be integral to multidisciplinary teams, providing essential chronic care programs in places like Garden Hill and St. Theresa Point. 

Here, you will significantly influence the management of complex health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, while actively participating in acute care and consultation efforts.