Career Opportunities
Physician Careers & Adult Autism Assessment Training
Adult Autism Assessment & Diagnosis Training Program
Autism Exists Diagnosis Clinic offers CPSA-licensed physicians the opportunity to develop expertise in the assessment and diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in adults.
Led by Dr. Gregory Skinner, one of Canada’s leading experts in adult ASD diagnosis, the program is structured, comprehensive, and clinically focused. Dr. Skinner provides hands-on instruction, personalized mentorship, case consultation, and ongoing clinical guidance throughout the training process.
Across Alberta, there remains a critical shortage of physicians qualified to provide timely, publicly funded adult ASD assessments. Our clinic is committed to helping close this gap by equipping motivated physicians with the knowledge, practical experience, and clinical skills needed to serve this growing and underserved population.
Training Structure and Commitment
Participants progress from observation to supervised participation and, as competency develops, increasingly independent assessments.
Training schedules are flexible and arranged according to mutual availability. However, physicians must be able to commit and complete approximately 45 hours of in-clinic training within two months. Physicians must also wear scrubs to maintain a cohesive standard within our clinic.
Training That Integrates with Clinical Practice
Eligible clinicians may have opportunities to participate in billable clinical work during the training period, allowing them to continue earning professional income while developing competency in adult ASD assessment and diagnosis. Training is integrated into clinical practice with ongoing mentorship and support.
Participants will learn to:
- Conduct comprehensive clinical assessments for ASD in adults.
- Gather and interpret developmental, behavioural, psychosocial, and relevant medical information.
- Recognize co-occurring conditions and relevant differential diagnoses.
- Assess adults whose autistic traits may have been masked, overlooked, or attributed to other conditions.
- Apply appropriate clinical reasoning when determining whether diagnostic criteria are met.
- Communicate diagnostic findings and recommendations clearly and compassionately.
- Connect patients with appropriate resources, services, and community supports.
- Identify potential eligibility for government programs and supports, including the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH).
- Prepare appropriate clinical documentation to support eligible patients’ applications.
- Participants receive ongoing feedback and mentorship throughout the program. Eligible billable clinical services completed during training are compensated according to the applicable training arrangement.
Practice Opportunities
Following successful completion of training, physicians may incorporate adult ASD assessments into their existing practices elsewhere or may have the opportunity to practise with Autism Exists Diagnosis Clinic on a part-time or full-time basis.
Autism Exists Diagnosis Clinic operates alongside Southcentre Family Medical Clinic in the same Calgary location. This integrated setting allows interested physicians to combine specialized adult ASD assessments with general family medicine and move easily between the two types of clinical work.
Depending on their interests and professional goals, physicians may:
- Focus primarily on adult ASD assessments.
- Divide their schedules between ASD assessments and family medicine.
- Build a family medicine patient panel toward participation in Alberta’s Primary Care Physician Compensation Model (PCPCM), where eligible.
- Develop a varied practice while building specialized expertise in adult autism assessments.
- Receive ongoing clinical mentorship and administrative support.
- Adjust the balance between family medicine and ASD assessment work based on mutual agreement, patient demand, and clinic operational needs.
- Flexible part-time and full-time arrangements may be available. Compensation, overhead, scheduling, billing arrangements, and practice expectations are discussed individually with selected physicians.
- Continued practice with either clinic is based on successful completion of training, clinical readiness, mutual suitability, physician availability, patient demand, and clinic operational needs.
Who We Are Looking For
We welcome physicians who are genuinely passionate about adult autism, neurodiversity, equitable access to healthcare, and improving the lives of autistic adults.
Applicants must have:
- A valid license to practice with the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA).
- A valid Alberta Practitioner ID (PracID).
- Current Malpractice coverage.
- The ability to complete approximately 45 hours of in-clinic training within two months.
- A strong commitment to completing the full training program and participating consistently.
- Sound clinical judgment and strong communication and documentation skills.
- A compassionate, respectful, and patient-centred approach to care.
- A willingness to receive feedback, participate in mentorship, and work collaboratively.
- The ability to comply with clinic policies, privacy requirements, professional standards, and EMR documentation expectations.
- Previous experience in medical autism is welcome but not required. An interest or background in mental health, neurodevelopmental conditions, complex patient care, or family medicine is considered an asset.
How to Apply
Interested physicians are invited to submit:
- A current curriculum vitae.
- A brief introduction outlining their clinical background and interest in adult ASD assessment.
- Their anticipated availability for training.
- Whether they are interested in ASD assessments only; or a combination of both Family Medicine and Adult ASD Assessments.
- Confirmation of current CPSA licensure, PracID, and professional liability coverage.
Please send applications or inquiries to:
Ms. Qyreenia Ancajas
Clinic Manager
Email: qyreenia.ancajas@southcentrefmc.com