Physician Associate

Job responsibilities

Ensure that patients are referred to the appropriate healthcare professional for the appropriate level of care within an appropriate period of time e.g. pathology results, common/minor ailments, acute conditions, long term condition reviews etc.

Participate in the effective care planning and management of high risk patients as part of the multidisciplinary team

Participate in audit activities in practices and with groups of practices to optimise the use of prescribing resource

Feedback results of clinical audit activities in areas agreed with GPs and implement recommendations and completing full audit cycle

Make recommendations based on the outcomes of audit and shared learning activities

Work with practices to proactively identify and recall patients due for review ensuring all appropriate monitoring tests performed

Analyse, interpret and present prescribing information at practice and population level to support effective decision making and change in evidence based clinical practice

Work with the general practice team to ensure the practice is compliant with CQC standards

To support public health campaigns.

To provide specialist knowledge on all public health programmes available to the general public.

Recognises the roles of other colleagues within the organisation and their role to patient care

Demonstrates use of appropriate communication to gain the co-operation of relevant stakeholders (including patients, senior and peer colleagues, and other professionals, other NHS/private organisations

Demonstrates ability to work as a member of a team

Is able to recognise personal limitations and refer to more appropriate colleague(s) when necessary

Actively work toward developing and maintaining effective working relationships both within and outside the practice and locality

Foster and maintain strong links with all services across locality

Explores the potential for collaborative working and takes opportunities to initiate and sustain such relationships

Demonstrates ability to integrate general practice with community and hospital teams

Liaises with other stakeholders as needed for the collective benefit of patients including but not limited to:

Patients

GP, nurses and other practice staff

Other healthcare professionals, optometrists, dentists, health and social care teams and dieticians etc.

Locality / GP leads

Locality managers

Community nurses and other allied health professionals

Community and hospital pharmacy teams

Hospital staff

Completion of a postgraduate medical training in Physician Associate studies (UK)

Preferably a Minimum of 2 years’ experience as a Physician Associate, demonstrated within a practice portfolio

Mandatory Registration with the Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register (PAMVR)

Have experience and an awareness of common acute and long-term conditions that are likely to be seen in general practice

Recognises priorities when problem-solving and identifies deviations from normal pattern and is able to refer to seniors or GPs when appropriate

Able to follow legal, ethical, professional and organisational policies/procedures and codes of conduct

Demonstrate understanding of their role in governance and is able to implement this appropriately within the workplace.

Demonstrate understanding of, and contributes to, the workplace vision

Engages with Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) and involves PPGs in development of the role and practices

Demonstrates ability to improve quality within limitations of service

Reviews yearly progress and develops clear plans to achieve results within priorities set by others.

Demonstrate ability to motivate self to achieve goals

Promotes diversity and equality in people management techniques and leads by example.

Demonstrate understanding of the implications of national priorities for the team and/or service

Demonstrate understanding of the process for effective resource utilisation

Demonstrate understanding of, and conforms to, relevant standards of practice

Demonstrates ability to identify and resolve risk management issues according to policy/protocol

Demonstrate ability to extend boundaries of service delivery within the team

Ensure continuing education, training 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 meeting, reading journals etc

Undertake 50 hours of continuing medical education (CPD) every year. A minimum of 25 hours must be 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:

Audit of clinical practice

Review of relevant literature

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 practices in order to discuss and learn from recent significant events relating to clinical practice occurring within practices

Attend regular educational meetings organised by practices 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

Demonstration of learning which contributes either directly to performance within the role or to personal development. This should be discussed at the annual appraisal and courses and learning should be agreed with the clinical supervisor

Learning activities should be supported by reflective learning entries demonstrating the application of learning to clinical scenarios

Qualifications

Essential

• Postgraduate medical training in Physician Associate Studies (UK)

Desirable

• Mandatory registration with the Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register (PAMVR)
• Appropriate certification in Information Governance

Knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Desirable

• Broad knowledge within General Practice and Primary Care.

Experience

Essential

• High level of personal and professional accountability and autonomy.
• Experience of dealing with a range of clinical conditions.
• Understanding and experience of research and audit.
• Experience of developing effective working relationships.

Desirable

• Experience of working as a physician associate
• Understand the importance of evidence-based practice
• Video Consultation Skills

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Ability to effectively triage, assess and diagnose
• Able to demonstrate promotion of Best Practice through clinical governance mechanisms.
• Able to promote or create a climate of clinical inquiry within practices and network.
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to GPs
• Able to prioritise own workload.
• Full Driving Licence and Use of Own Vehicle
• Able to use Information Technology systems.
• Good interpersonal skills, including negotiation and communication.
• Able to teach skills to all levels, to patients and health professionals.
• Organisational skills.
• Leadership skills
• Able to self-manage and work independently, showing initiative.

Desirable

• Presentation skills.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Flexible and adaptable to team and service needs.
• Flexible approach to change.
• Reliable and confident.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).