Job summary
This is a new Physician Associate post to work together with our current Physician Associate within the Radiology department. This post has a focus on oncology radiology. The main aims are for the support and development of in-patient care, administrative processes, patient flow coordination as well as interventional procedural assisting (biopsy and other interventional procedures performed by Radiology for cancer patients).
Main duties of the job
- Coordinating cancer patient biopsy appointments.
- Linking with rapid access cancer diagnostic pathways e.g SCAN.
- Training in and assisting with US and image guided biopsy.
- Peri-procedural care of biopsy patients.
- Cancer MDT link for radiology diagnostic imaging - monitoring performance with audit and QIPs.
- Working with the radiology admin and management team to deliver intelligent solutions to offer faster turnaround for cancer patients.
About us
This is an exciting opportunity to join our dynamic and enthusiastic team who believe in leading from the frontline with the aim of providing outstanding care to our community and investing in the well-being and development of our people.
Diagnostic imaging is at the heart of the hospital's patient management pathways. The department provides an innovative and high quality service for inpatients and outpatients, across a wide range of subspecialties. We have a strong commitment to ensure the Radiology Department is appropriately staffed to deliver a high quality and timely diagnostic and interventional service. The Trust has been and continues to be supportive of the developments needed to ensure we maintain a first class service.
The department has excellent links with in-patient hospital teams. We run 26 local and regional MDTMs and work collaboratively with other in-patient teams.
The Royal Berkshire Hospital, in conjunction with satellite units in Bracknell, Henley (Townlands hospital), Windsor (Prince Charles Eye Unit) and Newbury (West Berkshire community hospital) serves a population of 600,000. Our Emergency Department sees approximately 90,000 new patients a year. In 2020-21 the x-ray department performed 150,000 plain radiographs, 3,200 fluoroscopy and interventional procedures, 38,400 ultrasound, 39,900 CT and 26,200 MRI studies.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical/Professional
- Coordinating cancer patient biopsy appointments.
- Linking with rapid access cancer diagnostic pathways e.g SCAN.
- Training in US and image guided biopsy.
- Cancer MDT link for radiology diagnostic imaging monitoring performance with audit and QIPs.
- Working with admin team to deliver intelligent solutons to offer faster turnaround for key cancer diagnostic studies.
- Peri-procedural care of biopsy patients. This will include the ordering of appropriate investigations, interpret results, form a list of differential diagnoses and recommend treatment accordingly.
- Perform diagnostic/ therapeutic procedures subject to training and experience. These include (but not exclusively): venepuncture, cannulation, arterial blood gases, injections, ECG, urethral catheterization, nasogastric tube insertion.
- Ensure documentation in the Enhanced Recovery Pathway is legible and clear
- Ensure all Care Bundles (Falls, Catheter etc.) are completed according to the TRUST Guidelines
- Consolidate, develop and maintain specialist medical knowledge. Keep up to date with current guidelines and maintain best practice.
- Work with the medical team to achieve the targets for CQUINS each year
- Support and contribute to timely discharge planning by attending the morning board rounds and afternoon huddles, attending the best interest meetings for complex discharges and timely completion of the EDLs
- Communicate the outcome of clinical encounters to GPs and other health professionals in a timely fashion.
- Foster good relationship by working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team
- Take part in the administration of the department and be involved in management of resources.
- Help facilitate and improve Physician Associate student placements
Organisational
- Complete Trust Mandatory training as required
- Ensure annual Appraisal is completed and agreed by the line manager at least once a year at a personal development review meeting where progress made over the last year is discussed and agreed. Focus on the following years departmental and personal objectives.
- Report all actual and potential clinical incidents involved in, in accordance with the Trusts reporting procedures for untoward events using the electronic reporting system (DATIX)
- Attend the monthly departmental Clinical Governance meeting
- To take a proactive approach in the prevention and management of complaints and when they occur to investigate and respond in accordance with the RBFT complaints policies
- To ensure effective and up to date IT skills are maintained in order to be able to fully use Trust IT systems as appropriate.
- All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
Education and Research
- Maintain knowledge and proficiency in medical practices through continuing education, staff meetings, and workshops.
- Attend and participate in the departmental educational meetings and the morbidity and mortality meeting.
- Participate/Lead any Quality improvement/ Research project within the department
- Assist in the development and mentoring of the UK Physician Associates as the profession progresses. Assist in the educational development of Physician Associate students through student shadowing and/or teaching.
- The post-holder will have the opportunity to attend regular Foundation Year /Core medical training teaching as well as departmental teaching and medical grand round.
General
- Abide by the Clinical and Corporate governance policies of the Trust
- To be accountable for care given and to comply with the Fitness to Practice and Code of Conduct standard as established by the UK Managed Voluntary Register for Physician Associates (in the Faculty of Physician Associates within the Royal College of Physicians).
- To work within the framework of the scope of professional practice.
- To take and pass the national re-certification examination every five years, as recommended by the National Examination Subcommittee of the UKUBPAE (UK Universities Board of Physician Associate Education) and subsequently as required by the statutory regulating body when in place.
- All staff are required to be appraised agreed in line with by their line managers at least once a year at a personal development review meeting where progress made over the last year is discussed and agreed. Focus on the following years departmental and personal objectives will be identified, discussed and agreed. Where necessary, help and support will be provided and development opportunities service provision and knowledge and skills competency framework.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical/Professional
- Coordinating cancer patient biopsy appointments.
- Linking with rapid access cancer diagnostic pathways e.g SCAN.
- Training in US and image guided biopsy.
- Cancer MDT link for radiology diagnostic imaging monitoring performance with audit and QIPs.
- Working with admin team to deliver intelligent solutons to offer faster turnaround for key cancer diagnostic studies.
- Peri-procedural care of biopsy patients. This will include the ordering of appropriate investigations, interpret results, form a list of differential diagnoses and recommend treatment accordingly.
- Perform diagnostic/ therapeutic procedures subject to training and experience. These include (but not exclusively): venepuncture, cannulation, arterial blood gases, injections, ECG, urethral catheterization, nasogastric tube insertion.
- Ensure documentation in the Enhanced Recovery Pathway is legible and clear
- Ensure all Care Bundles (Falls, Catheter etc.) are completed according to the TRUST Guidelines
- Consolidate, develop and maintain specialist medical knowledge. Keep up to date with current guidelines and maintain best practice.
- Work with the medical team to achieve the targets for CQUINS each year
- Support and contribute to timely discharge planning by attending the morning board rounds and afternoon huddles, attending the best interest meetings for complex discharges and timely completion of the EDLs
- Communicate the outcome of clinical encounters to GPs and other health professionals in a timely fashion.
- Foster good relationship by working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team
- Take part in the administration of the department and be involved in management of resources.
- Help facilitate and improve Physician Associate student placements
Organisational
- Complete Trust Mandatory training as required
- Ensure annual Appraisal is completed and agreed by the line manager at least once a year at a personal development review meeting where progress made over the last year is discussed and agreed. Focus on the following years departmental and personal objectives.
- Report all actual and potential clinical incidents involved in, in accordance with the Trusts reporting procedures for untoward events using the electronic reporting system (DATIX)
- Attend the monthly departmental Clinical Governance meeting
- To take a proactive approach in the prevention and management of complaints and when they occur to investigate and respond in accordance with the RBFT complaints policies
- To ensure effective and up to date IT skills are maintained in order to be able to fully use Trust IT systems as appropriate.
- All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
Education and Research
- Maintain knowledge and proficiency in medical practices through continuing education, staff meetings, and workshops.
- Attend and participate in the departmental educational meetings and the morbidity and mortality meeting.
- Participate/Lead any Quality improvement/ Research project within the department
- Assist in the development and mentoring of the UK Physician Associates as the profession progresses. Assist in the educational development of Physician Associate students through student shadowing and/or teaching.
- The post-holder will have the opportunity to attend regular Foundation Year /Core medical training teaching as well as departmental teaching and medical grand round.
General
- Abide by the Clinical and Corporate governance policies of the Trust
- To be accountable for care given and to comply with the Fitness to Practice and Code of Conduct standard as established by the UK Managed Voluntary Register for Physician Associates (in the Faculty of Physician Associates within the Royal College of Physicians).
- To work within the framework of the scope of professional practice.
- To take and pass the national re-certification examination every five years, as recommended by the National Examination Subcommittee of the UKUBPAE (UK Universities Board of Physician Associate Education) and subsequently as required by the statutory regulating body when in place.
- All staff are required to be appraised agreed in line with by their line managers at least once a year at a personal development review meeting where progress made over the last year is discussed and agreed. Focus on the following years departmental and personal objectives will be identified, discussed and agreed. Where necessary, help and support will be provided and development opportunities service provision and knowledge and skills competency framework.
Person Specification
Professional Qualifications
Essential
- BA/BS degree prior to undertaking PA programme
- PG Dip in Physician Associate from a UK training Programme
- Current & Valid certification or recertification by the PA National examination
- Registration with the UK Managed Voluntary Registry for PAs
- Membership of the Faculty of Physician Associates (RCP)
- If US trained: current & valid certification with the national commission on PA Certification for Physician Assistants
Desirable
- ILS certification
- ACLS certification
Clinical Experience & Skills
Essential
- Ability to organise & prioritise workload effectively
- Ability to exercise sound judgements when faced with conflicting pressures
- Ability to adhere to regulations as well as work flexibly to meet the needs of the Trust
- Caring attitude toward patients Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, patients, relatives, nurses, other staff and agencies
Desirable
- Experience of conducting clinical audit
Clinical Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of medical procedures and terminology
Audit Management & IT
Essential
- Ability to work within clinical governance guidelines.
- Good IT skills, use of patient and hospital database.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to communicate with clarity and intelligently in written and spoken English. Willingness to take responsibility, and exert appropriate authority.
- Excellent Interpersonal Skills, and able to work within MDT
- Accountability; ability to take responsibility within scope of practice.
- Interpersonal Skills; ability to see patients as people, ability to empathize and work co-operatively with others.
Person Specification
Professional Qualifications
Essential
- BA/BS degree prior to undertaking PA programme
- PG Dip in Physician Associate from a UK training Programme
- Current & Valid certification or recertification by the PA National examination
- Registration with the UK Managed Voluntary Registry for PAs
- Membership of the Faculty of Physician Associates (RCP)
- If US trained: current & valid certification with the national commission on PA Certification for Physician Assistants
Desirable
- ILS certification
- ACLS certification
Clinical Experience & Skills
Essential
- Ability to organise & prioritise workload effectively
- Ability to exercise sound judgements when faced with conflicting pressures
- Ability to adhere to regulations as well as work flexibly to meet the needs of the Trust
- Caring attitude toward patients Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, patients, relatives, nurses, other staff and agencies
Desirable
- Experience of conducting clinical audit
Clinical Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of medical procedures and terminology
Audit Management & IT
Essential
- Ability to work within clinical governance guidelines.
- Good IT skills, use of patient and hospital database.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to communicate with clarity and intelligently in written and spoken English. Willingness to take responsibility, and exert appropriate authority.
- Excellent Interpersonal Skills, and able to work within MDT
- Accountability; ability to take responsibility within scope of practice.
- Interpersonal Skills; ability to see patients as people, ability to empathize and work co-operatively with others.
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).
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
