Job responsibilities
JOB
SUMMARY
The
PA will provide care for the presenting patient from initial history taking and
clinical assessment through to the diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of care.
They will demonstrate critical thinking in the clinical decision-making process,
including assessment and diagnostic skills, leading to the delivery of safe
care for all patients. They will work collaboratively with the healthcare team
to meet the needs of the patients, supporting the delivery of policy and
procedures. The PA will provide a holistic and clinical service, with support
from GPs as required, implementing agreed management plans and following
approved protocols as appropriate. The PA will be expected on a typical day to
carry out some home visits and consult with patients who present on the day and
via booked appointments. The PA will also review and act appropriately on blood
results and referrals/correspondence regarding their patients.
Mentorship
and supervision will be provided by designated senior medical personnel. The
level and type of supervision will be dependent on the post holders acquisition
of skills and knowledge and determined by the organisations clinical
governance arrangements. The practice hold monthly education meetings and the
PA would be expected to attend and partake in these.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES
CLINICAL
Participate in all treatment and
preventative healthcare services in the Practice as delegated and agreed by the supervising GP(s).
Provide direct clinical care to
patients using established clinical guidelines.
Consult and refer
patients to physicians, medical specialists and other health professionals as indicated.
Interview patients,
take medical histories, perform physical examinations, analyse, diagnose and
explain medical problems during surgery consultations and home visits.
Recommend and explain
appropriate diagnostic tests and treatment.
Request and interpret results of laboratory
investigations when necessary.
Perform
specialised diagnostic physical exams and treatment procedures.
Instruct and educate patients in preventative health care.
Conduct telephone consultations which may
involve discussing the result and implications of laboratory investigations with patients as well as dealing appropriately with
routine and emergency complaints
Order
laboratory tests as required and agreed under supervising doctor(s).
Fully document all aspects of
patient care and complete all required paperwork for legal and administrative
purposes.
Contribute to the clinical development of the
Practice by developing a special interest and to help establish appropriate
systems to manage common chronic medical conditions, ensuring compliance with
NSF guidelines.
Participate fully in the clinicians duty rota
including the provision of home visits when appropriate.
Formulate
diagnoses and treatment plans, in consultation with or referring to Supervising
doctor(s) as appropriate.
Give
clinical instructions to nursing staff and Community Team as required.
Communicate when necessary with colleagues in
Primary Care and hospital specialists in order to discuss or refer specific
patients, plan and co-ordinate activities or exchange information in order to
improve the quality of patient care.
Deal regularly with
community hospitals, consultants and other health care providers, insurance
companies and other community organisations to refer/consult on specific cases,
participate in community service and education projects and activities and the
like.
TRAINING
/ EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ensure continuing
education, training and development is undertaken to meet clinical governance
guidelines for Continuing Professional Development and a Personal Development
Plan.
Keep up to date with relevant medical research, technology and evidence-based
medical practice by attending
continuing education courses and professional meetings, reading journals etc.
Undertake 50 hours of continuing medical
education (CPD) every year. A minimum of 25 hours must be in accredited direct
learning programmes.
Take and pass the
national re-certification exam every 6 years in accordance with the requirements
of the PA Managed Voluntary Register and as
recommended by the National Examination Sub Committee of the UKUBPAE (UK
Universities Board of Physician Associate Education) and subsequently as
required by the statutory regulating body when in place.
Perform a variety of research and analysis
tasks associated with improvement of clinical care, medical diagnosis and
treatment where appropriate using the following means:
o
Audit of clinical practice.
o
Review of relevant literature.
o
Research
unusual symptoms and treatment options, through consultation with physicians
and other medical specialists.
Provide
literature reviews and the like; review, analyse and determine the significance
of a variety of diagnostic test results
Assist in clinical instruction and supervision
of medical and nursing students as well other learners that may periodically be
attached to the practice, including the educational development and mentoring
of Physician Associate students.
Attend regular multi-disciplinary meetings
organised by the Practice in order to discuss and learn from recent significant
events relating to clinical practice occurring within the Practices.
Attend regular educational meetings organised
by the Practice in order to update clinical knowledge, practice policy and guidelines
and disseminate other useful information relevant to the provision of adequate
healthcare for patients.
Regularly reflect on own practice (and keep a
record of learning encounters) in order to identify learning needs and
encourage self-directed lifelong learning and continued professional
development.
For full Job Description please see the attached document link.