Physician Associate

Job responsibilities

• To participate in all treatment and preventative healthcare services as delegated and agreed by the supervising GP(s).

  To provide first point of contact care for patients presenting with undifferentiated, undiagnosed problems by utilising history-taking, physical examinations and clinical decision-making skills to establish a working diagnosis and management plan in partnership with the patient (and their carers where applicable).

  To consult and refer patients to physicians, medical specialists and other health professionals as appropriate.

  To contribute to the clinical development of the PCN through appropriate systems to manage common chronic medical conditions, ensuring compliance with national guidelines and other quality initiatives as required.

  Dependent on practice need, to support the management of patients conditions through offering specialised clinics following appropriate training including (but not limited to) family planning, baby checks, COPD, asthma, diabetes, and anticoagulation.

  Dependent on practice need, to be part of the Care Home Team contributing to the improved delivery of care to homes.

  To utilise clinical guidelines and promote evidence-based practice and partake in clinical audits, significant event reviews and other research and analysis tasks.

  To participate in duty rotas; undertaking face-to-face, telephone, and online consultations for emergency or routine problems as determined by the PCN and each practice, including management of patients with long-term conditions.

  To undertake home and care home visits when required, either face to face or via digital technologies.

  To develop and agree a personal development plan (PDP) utilising a reflective approach to practice, operating under appropriate clinical supervision.

  To recommend and explain appropriate diagnostic tests and treatment.

  To request and interpret results of laboratory investigations when necessary, within the scope of ordering investigations appropriate to the PA role.

  To instruct and educate patients in preventative health care and provide health/disease promotion advice, alongside analysing and acting on diagnostic test results.

  To discuss history, examination and any medication discussions with clinical supervisor, to enable their safe prescribing when necessary.

  To fully document all aspects of patient care on the electronic patient care record and complete all required paperwork for legal and administrative purposes.

  To seek help and supervision when appropriate and work alongside all clinicians within the MDT to both seek guidance and support other team members as needed.

  To attend practice meetings, learning sessions, group discussions and huddles, or similar as needed.

  The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The job holder will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by Kendal Primary Care Network.

Qualifications

Essential

• Completed a post-graduate physician associate course (either PG Diploma or MSc)
• Maintained professional registration with the Faculty of Physician Associates and/or the General Medical council following implementation of statutory regulation, working within the latest code of professional conduct (CIPD).
• Evidence of UK Physician Associate (PA) National Re-Certification Exam, which needs to be retaken every six years.
• Evidence of highly specialist clinical training in relevant areas

Experience

Essential

• Understanding of NHS long term plan and priorities relevant to primary care
• Capacity to be innovative and work with the PCN to develop the role of a physician associate
• Working under supervision of a doctor as part of the medical team
• Experience of working flexibly and effectively within a multidisciplinary team, with multiple primary care clinicians in various roles
• Experience of having to prioritise caseload/ manage own time effectively
• Ability to promote best practice
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and discretion at all times
• Problem solving & analytical skills
• Ability to follow policy and procedure

Desirable

• Local knowledge of community healthcare and social care
• Knowledge of audit and research

Skills

Essential

• Excellent oral and written communication skills with people from a wide variety of backgrounds
• IT literate
• Good presentation skills and ability to present complex information in a clear and logical manner
• Advanced clinical reasoning skills
• Evidence of professional development commitment to lifelong learning
• Ability to understand and work within the organisations and practices policies
• Excellent listening skills
• Willing to engage in regular catch ups (planned and informal) with clinical supervisor and educational supervisor (PCN lead)
• Ability to work across 2 GP sites (ie 2 GP practices within Kendal)
• Ability to adapt to changes within the PA role, to suit the needs of each individual practice, and to shape the role over time to suit patient cohort needs best

Desirable

• Use of the practices clinical system (EMIS)

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Able to work cooperatively with the multi-disciplinary team
• Able and willing to develop professionally
• Able to use own initiative
• Able to work in a calm and organized manner in situations of extreme workload
• Able to promote a learning environment
• Able to adjust and respond in rapidly changing environments

Other

Essential

• Hold a current driving licence and ability to drive on home visits and to different GP sites as needed
• Enhanced DBS disclosure

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.

UK Registration

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