Job summary
Physicians Associate - Gastroenterology & Diabetes Specialities
2 Posts available -
- Gastroenterology & Hepatology (1 position)
- Diabetes & Endocrinology (1 position)
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust is one of the largest and most successful healthcare employers in the UK. We offer fantastic opportunities for career progression, training and development.
As part of our focus on continuously improving care the Medicine and Pharmacy Services Care Group is looking for an interested and enthusiastic Physician Associates to join their Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Diabetes & Endocrinology Directorates
Main duties of the job
Gastroenterology
The Physician Associate will work within the multi-disciplinary team to provide the medical component of a comprehensive Gastroenterology service. This will involve the initial assessment of Gastroenterology and Hepatology patients presenting acutely to the Trust. Working alongside Specialist Doctors to assess, examine the acutely ill Gastroenterology in-patients, present them, initiate and interpret investigations and recommend treatment. A holistic approach is essential and will involve liaising with the other members of the MDT.Diabetes & Endocrinology
The Physician Associate will work with the multi-disciplinary team to provide the medical component of a comprehensive Diabetes and Endocrinology Service. This will involve the initial assessment including taking medical histories; assessing and examining patients; initiating and interpreting investigative laboratory, imaging and diagnostic tests; recommending appropriate patient management and presenting patient data and plans to the wider multidisciplinary team.
About us
Gastroenterology & Hepatology Directorate
The Academic Directorate of G&H provides a comprehensive specialist service for the management of patients, including the provision of emergency and elective inpatient care, outpatient care and diagnostic services. There are regional services in small bowel, liver, nutrition and advanced endoscopy and services are provided cross city. The clinical team includes 30 consultants, physician associates, clinical nurse specialists and more in service, but the service also works closely with other directorates, particularly with surgery who have an active role in a number of patient pathways. The directorate has a large volume of patients referred in on a range of pathways including 2 week wait, diagnostic and routine 18 week referral to treatment care.
Diabetes & Endocrine Directorate
The Directorate of D&E provides a range of local, and regional services at both the Northern General and Royal Hallamshire Hospitals. Services are delivered via cross site outpatients appointments, inpatient wards and elective testing for endocrinology at the Endocrine Investigation Unit (RHH). The Diabetes team is made up of dedicated consultants, research fellows, specialist nurses and secretarial staff who work to manage a complex patient group.
Key aspects of the physician associate role within the service include Supporting the D&E Acute Take, training and support of Junior Doctors, support of specialist MDT clinics
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see detailed job description for each Directorate position - the key knowledge, skills and performance apply to both speciality PA posts
Knowledge, skills, and performance
- To manage a caseload of patients as determined by the consultant, exercising a high level of professional judgement and expertise when delivering care. This could include taking medical histories, undertaking physical examinations, discharge planning, making complex diagnoses and explaining conditions during consultations.
- To assess and examine patients, initiate, and interpret investigations and recommend treatment
- To exercise a high degree of personal autonomy in assessing, managing, planning and co-ordinating care for patients in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team
- To develop extensive specialist knowledge and experience within the speciality, acting as a resource to the wider clinical team
- Perform diagnostic/therapeutic procedures related to direct patient care as required subject to appropriate training and experience e.g. venepuncture, cannulation, ECG, administering local anaesthetic, lumbar puncture, insertion of long lines, bone marrow biopsy
- Ensure use of evidence-based practice within the specialty, proposing and supporting the implementation of change in policy or practice as required.
- To lead and participate in the development and implementation of service improvement initiatives and effective ways of working to continuously progress the performance of the service and the delivery of quality outcomes.
- To undertake any other duties that may be required and are consistent with the responsibility and grade of this post
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see detailed job description for each Directorate position - the key knowledge, skills and performance apply to both speciality PA posts
Knowledge, skills, and performance
- To manage a caseload of patients as determined by the consultant, exercising a high level of professional judgement and expertise when delivering care. This could include taking medical histories, undertaking physical examinations, discharge planning, making complex diagnoses and explaining conditions during consultations.
- To assess and examine patients, initiate, and interpret investigations and recommend treatment
- To exercise a high degree of personal autonomy in assessing, managing, planning and co-ordinating care for patients in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team
- To develop extensive specialist knowledge and experience within the speciality, acting as a resource to the wider clinical team
- Perform diagnostic/therapeutic procedures related to direct patient care as required subject to appropriate training and experience e.g. venepuncture, cannulation, ECG, administering local anaesthetic, lumbar puncture, insertion of long lines, bone marrow biopsy
- Ensure use of evidence-based practice within the specialty, proposing and supporting the implementation of change in policy or practice as required.
- To lead and participate in the development and implementation of service improvement initiatives and effective ways of working to continuously progress the performance of the service and the delivery of quality outcomes.
- To undertake any other duties that may be required and are consistent with the responsibility and grade of this post
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- BA/BS Degree prior to undertaking PA program at 2:2 level or above
- PG Dip in Physician Associate Studies or equivalent from a UK training programme
- Current and valid certification or re-certification by the Physician Associate National Examination
- Member of the Faculty of Physician Associates at RCP, which includes registration on the UK PA Register (PA Managed Voluntary Register)
- If US Trained: Current and valid certification with the National Commission on Certification for Physician Associates (NCCPA)
- If US Trained: Registration with the UK Managed Voluntary Registry for Physician Associates Member of the UKAPA
Desirable
- Life support certification e.g. ILS or ALS
- Higher degree
Experience
Essential
- Experience in the effective organisation and prioritisation of workload
Desirable
- Experience of conducting clinical audit / service improvement projects
- Experience of working within a multi-professional setting
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to work under pressure, whilst demonstrating energy and enthusiasm
- Ability to adopt an inquiring and critical approach to work
- Ability to manage self and maintain professional conduct in sometimes difficult and challenging situations
- Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues within and external to the Trust
- Ability to exercise sound judgements when faced with conflicting pressures
- Ability to act with empathy and sensitivity, and understands when appropriate to do so
- Demonstrable understanding of patient confidentiality
- Ability to respond to questions in a tactful and professional manner
- Ability to work cohesively within the multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to adhere to regulations as well as work flexibly to meet the needs of the Trust
- Awareness of current developments and initiatives in medicine services
- Knowledge of medical procedures and terminology
- Ability to assess the medical condition of patients and formulate appropriate diagnoses and management plans
- Understanding of how to undertake effective management of acutely unwell patients alongside the multidisciplinary team
- Ability to order and interpret appropriate clinical investigations
- History taking and examination skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to identify potential areas of risk and take action to mitigate
- Ability to competently use a variety of medical tools and equipment for the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of patients
- Able to undertake frequent periods of physical exertion e.g. moving, lifting and manoeuvring patients as required
Desirable
- Ability to demonstrate an interest in the specific speciality
- Understanding of management principles relating to healthcare
Personal qualities
Essential
- Caring attitude toward patients and relatives
- Commitment to continued professional development
- Shows respect, courtesy, and professionalism in all contacts
- Patient focussed with a 'can do' attitude
- Demonstrates honesty, integrity, fairness, and tenacity
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- BA/BS Degree prior to undertaking PA program at 2:2 level or above
- PG Dip in Physician Associate Studies or equivalent from a UK training programme
- Current and valid certification or re-certification by the Physician Associate National Examination
- Member of the Faculty of Physician Associates at RCP, which includes registration on the UK PA Register (PA Managed Voluntary Register)
- If US Trained: Current and valid certification with the National Commission on Certification for Physician Associates (NCCPA)
- If US Trained: Registration with the UK Managed Voluntary Registry for Physician Associates Member of the UKAPA
Desirable
- Life support certification e.g. ILS or ALS
- Higher degree
Experience
Essential
- Experience in the effective organisation and prioritisation of workload
Desirable
- Experience of conducting clinical audit / service improvement projects
- Experience of working within a multi-professional setting
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to work under pressure, whilst demonstrating energy and enthusiasm
- Ability to adopt an inquiring and critical approach to work
- Ability to manage self and maintain professional conduct in sometimes difficult and challenging situations
- Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues within and external to the Trust
- Ability to exercise sound judgements when faced with conflicting pressures
- Ability to act with empathy and sensitivity, and understands when appropriate to do so
- Demonstrable understanding of patient confidentiality
- Ability to respond to questions in a tactful and professional manner
- Ability to work cohesively within the multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to adhere to regulations as well as work flexibly to meet the needs of the Trust
- Awareness of current developments and initiatives in medicine services
- Knowledge of medical procedures and terminology
- Ability to assess the medical condition of patients and formulate appropriate diagnoses and management plans
- Understanding of how to undertake effective management of acutely unwell patients alongside the multidisciplinary team
- Ability to order and interpret appropriate clinical investigations
- History taking and examination skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to identify potential areas of risk and take action to mitigate
- Ability to competently use a variety of medical tools and equipment for the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of patients
- Able to undertake frequent periods of physical exertion e.g. moving, lifting and manoeuvring patients as required
Desirable
- Ability to demonstrate an interest in the specific speciality
- Understanding of management principles relating to healthcare
Personal qualities
Essential
- Caring attitude toward patients and relatives
- Commitment to continued professional development
- Shows respect, courtesy, and professionalism in all contacts
- Patient focussed with a 'can do' attitude
- Demonstrates honesty, integrity, fairness, and tenacity
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
