Job responsibilities
The Physician Associate (PA) will provide expert assistance to the adult memory pathway in the provision of a high quality service to Service Users. The post holder will work under the direction of a supervising Consultant and Senior Operational Manager / Advanced clinical practitioner (ACP) Lead and with other members of the clinical team within the scope of policies and clinical guidelines. The job will involve Service User / carer direct contact and clinic / community work. Successful appointees will perform delegated duties with a high degree of clinical skill and knowledge.
It is not mandatory that the Physician Associate has prior experience of a relevant speciality. The post-holders will undergo training, supervision relevant to the required clinical tasks. The candidate will be trained in a broad range of skills as part of our diagnostic pathway for adult memory and will be expected to liaise with other professionals and specialities as required and complete necessary documentation relating to their Service Users / carers.
PAs will be clinically supervised by a designated Consultant and line managed by the ACP Lead. The Service will aim to offer dedicated formal and informal clinical supervision each week together with half a day for professional development.
It is expected that the Physician Associate may become involved in all activities of the Service including clinical governance, quality improvement projects, research and teaching as requested.
The post holder will be involved with initial assessment for adult memory including taking medical histories; administering structured diagnostic instruments and determining diagnosis; assessing and examining Service Users; initiating and interpreting investigations as appropriate; developing management plans in consultation with the Service Users.
The range of duties will be developed over the course of a planned 12 months in conjunction with the post holders capability and development.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Service User Care
- Perform, duties with regards to the adult memory diagnostic pathway delegated and agreed by the supervising clinician(s).
- With clinical supervision as considered appropriate:
o Undertake Service User consultations, assessments and examinations.
o Recommend and explain appropriate diagnostic tests and treatment.
o Request and interpret results of laboratory investigations when necessary.
o Consult and refer as appropriate to other health professional/specialists in order to discuss or refer specific Service Users, plan and co-ordinate activities or exchange information in order to improve the quality-of-Service User care
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o Determine a list of differential and/or actual diagnoses.
o Recommend a management / treatment plan
o Perform diagnostic / therapeutic procedures, subject to training / experience and competency assessment.
- Act with empathy and consideration, involving the Service User in decisions about their care.
- Ensure provision of good clinical care at all times using established clinical guidelines.
- Liaise with members of the multi-disciplinary team and allied services such as Community Nursing, dietitian, community mental health team.
- Maintain accurate and appropriate documentation for legal and administrative purposes.
Management and Leadership
- Develop own leadership skills within the clinical environment and team.
- Contribute to the development of the service and act as a change agent and facilitate the change process whilst encouraging others to be innovative and adaptable in the approach to change.
- Networking and maintaining relationships with other PAs
- Promote a positive image of PAs both externally and internally
- Support and influence the development of new models of care
- Implement evidence based policies and procedures specifically required by the Team.
- Develop and maintain effective communication with the multidisciplinary team to ensure high standards of care.
- Work collaboratively with representatives of other clinical areas, disciplines and services to provide a seamless pathway of care.
- Be conversant with all policies and procedures and ensure they are correctly implemented.
- Raise concerns with regards to risk, danger, malpractice or wrong doing by following the Whistle Blowing policy and supporting practices
Training, Education and 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 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 the UK PA National Re-certification Examination every six years, as required for Physician Associates.
- Undertake the acquisition and development of new skills, knowledge and experience based on curriculum framework.
- Help identify, plan and assist in the implementation of goals for clinical development Physician Associates.
- Assist in clinical instruction and supervision of medical and nursing students as well other learners that may periodically be attached to the practice/department, including the educational development and mentoring of Physician Associate students.
- Attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings organised by the Service in order to discuss and learn from recent significant events relating to clinical practice occurring within the Practice/department.
- 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.
- Deliver and share updates in clinical practice to the whole team.
- Support as appropriate other clinical and non-clinical staff members.
- Complete all necessary mandatory and statutory training.
- Attend, and prepare for, all scheduled academic and clinical teaching and assessments
- Engage with feedback mechanisms to evaluate own learning experience both during academic and clinical placements
Clinical Governance, Audit, Research and Quality Improvement
- Support quality and process improvement work within the Service.
- Undertake and feedback on clinical audit work.
- Contribute/assist in the development of multidisciplinary research in the service area, implementing effective and evidence based practice.
- Develop research skills and provide support and appropriate implementation strategies for changes in clinical practice.
- Participate and contribute to any ongoing regional and national research to evaluate the effectiveness of care strategies related to the Service User experience.
Professional Responsibilities
- Adhere to relevant NHS Codes of Practice and own professional Code of Conduct.
- Maintain voluntary registration and complete required re validation process of the Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Registration Commission (PAMVRC) and the appropriate regulating body when this is in place.
- Support the development of the Physician Associate role.
Navigo Values:
Navigo is committed to ensuring the highest standards of care and treatment and expects that all staff treat people e.g, service users, their carers, relatives, friends, colleagues, visitors etc, with dignity and respect at all time. The post holder must all time act in accordance with the Navigo Values:
Honest, open, transparent
Respectful
Person first and in the centre
Improve and be outstanding
Relevant today, ready for tomorrow
Families and carers matter
Safeguarding:
Report any concerns regarding the safety or wellbeing of children, adults service users, members of their families etc, in accordance with Navigo Policy.
Prevent and respond appropriately to abuse and understand own role in this by undertaking Safeguarding training.
