Medical Assistant

Canadian Armed Forces; Ontario; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization as a Medical Assistant, where you will play a crucial role in supporting medical teams to treat the sick and injured. This part-time position offers the opportunity to work in diverse environments, including military operations, while receiving comprehensive training to enhance your skills. As you assist with patient care, conduct health assessments, and manage medical supplies, you will also face the challenges of military life, including physically demanding conditions. If you are passionate about healthcare and ready to make a difference, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Grade 11 Biology, Grade 10 Science, and Grade 10 Math required.
• Practical Nursing Diploma needed for Practical Nurse applicants.

Responsibilities

• Provide initial care and basic life support in trauma cases.
• Assist with health assessments and maintain medical records.
• Operate medical equipment and conduct training.

Skills

Basic Life Support

Patient Care

Medical Record Management

First Aid Training

Environmental Health Duties

Education

Grade 11 Biology

Grade 10 Science

Grade 10 Math

Practical Nursing Diploma

Job description

As a member of the military, Medical Assistants are employed to assist and support Medical Officers and Nursing Officers to treat the sick and injured in Canadian Armed Forces units and on operations. This position is only available for part-time employment through the Health Services Reserve.

The Medical Assistant occupation will be renamed Combat Medic in 2025. The new occupation will see minor changes in training and career requirements. To learn about the changes and impacts to enrolment into this occupation please contact the Field Ambulance nearest you which can be found at: Find a Recruiting Centre | Canadian Armed Forces (click on Reserve Force (part time) and select “Health Service” from the drop-down menu).

Primary Duties

1. Provide initial care for patients
2. Provide basic life support treatments in trauma cases
3. Assist with health assessments (to include: perform electrocardiograms; conduct hearing and vision tests; assist with immunizations; collect specimens and perform basic laboratory procedures)
4. Perform specific environmental health and preventive medicine duties
5. Initiate, maintain and distribute medical records, documents, reports and returns
6. Provide medical support on weapons ranges and during training exercises
7. Operate and maintain medical and life-support equipment
8. Maintain, replenish and account for general and medical supplies
9. Conduct first aid, medical and military training

Work Environment

Medical Assistants belonging to Reserve Field Ambulance units generally wear army uniforms but may serve with the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force or the Canadian Army as part of the Canadian Forces Health Services Group.

They primarily work and train within their unit (usually located in an armoury) in order to provide support to the Reserve Force and augment the Regular Force as required. When on exercise and deployed on operations, Medical Assistants are exposed to the same discomforts, threats and risks as the forces they support. Medical Assistants are expected to work long hours in physically demanding circumstances, including severe weather conditions, and to endure significant mental stress.

Training

The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training. This training typically takes place over a period of weekends in your local area. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.

After Basic Training, all Medical Assistant recruits go to a Military Training centre for the Soldier Qualification course, which is an extension of the Basic Military Qualification, for approximately one month, which covers the following topics:

• Army Physical Fitness
• Dismounted Offensive and Defensive Operations

Reserve Force members usually begin training with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required basic professional military standards. Following basic military training and further training to Soldier Qualification, Medical Assistants attend the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre in Borden, Ontario to achieve their qualification. As with any military occupation, Medical Assistants are also able to take communications training and the military driver’s course.

Medical Assistant training consists of six areas of practice, namely: Prehospital Care; Operational Casualty Care; Medical Service Specific Field Skills; Primary Care; Administration and Clinic Support; and In-Patient Care.

Medical Assistants may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including:

• Primary Care Paramedic Course (qualified individuals will have an opportunity to be selected to take this training)
• Medical Supply Training (order and maintain medical supplies within the CAF)
• In-Patient Care Training (provide short-term care for patients in a holding facility)

Minimum Requirements

Medical Assistant: Applicants must have a minimum of Grade 11 Biology, Grade 10 Science, and Grade 10 Math – specific provincial information can be obtained from your local recruiter. Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) towards training can be granted for applicants who have completed training as an Emergency Medical Responder.

Practical Nurse: Applicants must have completed a Practical Nursing Diploma program and be registered/license in good standing with a provincial/territorial nursing regulator as a Registered Practical Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse. Foreign education may be accepted.

Part Time Options

This position is only available for part-time employment through the Reserve Force. Reservists generally work part-time for a Health Services unit in their community. They are not posted or required to do a military move. However, they can volunteer to move to another base. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.

Reservists train with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required professional standards of the job. If additional training is required, arrangements will be made by the home unit.