Canadian Armed Forces creates new officer occupation for Physician Assistants
News Release
June 3, 2016 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) today announced the creation of a new officer occupation for Physician Assistants (PA).
This is the first time in CAF history that an occupation has gone from a non-commissioned member occupation to an officer occupation. There are 171 PAs in the CAF and the first to be commissioned and promoted to the rank of captain are as follows:
- Chief Warrant Officer Danyal Beale of 1 Canadian Field Hospital;
- Chief Warrant Officer Patrick Stringfellow of 1 Field Ambulance;
- Chief Petty Officer 1 Raymond Racine of Canadian Forces Health Services Centre (Halifax); and
- Master Warrant Officer Mario Gulin of Canadian Forces Health Services Group (Headquarters Ottawa).
Quotes
“Today’s ceremony represents a meaningful first for the Canadian Armed Forces as the Physician Assistants move from non-commissioned members to officers as a result of the entire trade being commissioned. It is with great pride that I congratulate all of its members for their vital service.”
General Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff
“Today we mark a significant event for the Canadian Forces Health Services Group with the long-awaited creation of this officer occupation. I am proud of the men and women who serve as members of our health-care team every day to ensure our members receive the best care possible.”
Brigadier General H.C MacKay, Surgeon General
Quick Facts
- Serving in both domestic and international operations, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has been training and employing military Physician Assistants (PAs) since the 1960s.
- PAs have the skills and experience to deal with the daily health-care needs of CAF patients and can also function effectively in various specialty-practice environments.
- A PA’s activities may include the following: conducting patient interviews; documenting health histories; performing comprehensive physical examinations; performing selected diagnostic and therapeutic interventions; counseling patients on preventive healthcare; assisting the supervising physician in developing and implementing patient management plans; prescribing medication in accordance with medical directives; and other tasks as directed by the supervising physician.
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Contacts
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
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