Job summary
We are recruiting to a substantive Physician Associate (PA) in Healthcare of the Elderly. It is expected that the PA will have had experience in working in patients' services previously and also some experience in training or education. The PA will undergo a period of training, supervision and accreditation to activities relevant to the department.
The Elderly Care Department has four wards - Stannon ward (25 beds), Meldon Ward (28 beds), Marlborough Ward (28 beds) and Monkswell Ward (23 beds). These wards have been refurbished to include fewer patients per bay and modern facilities for patients and staff. They are fully staffed by elderly care nursing and therapy teams.
The Healthcare of the Elderly service is a busy 7 day service so there will be a requirement to contribute to a weekend rota
Applications will be considered for those PA's who are within 6 months of qualifying.
Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome.
Main duties of the job
The appointed PA will provide expert assistance to the consultants and registrars in the provision of a high quality care and support for patients attending University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. The post holder is expected to participate in all aspects of the care pathway as appropriate and will be expected to perform delegated duties with a high degree of clinical skill and knowledge, working within their relevant area
The post holder will be required to assess and examine patients, present them, initiate and interpret investigations, and recommend treatment within a defined scope. They will be expected to liaise with other professionals and specialities as required and complete necessary documentation relating to their patients.
The PA will be expected to participate in supporting junior doctors on evening, weekend and night shifts to deliver urgent care for patients attending the hospital.
It is expected that the PA will become involved in the activities of the department, including review of inpatients, assessment of acute admissions, practical procedures and outpatient clinics. It would be envisaged that the role would be developed flexibly over time in accordance with the needs of the service.
They will be expected to write discharge summaries for elective and emergency ward patients. The post-holder will have a significant role on the ward, liaising with junior doctors and ward sisters and staff, and in facilitating patient admissions, pathways and discharges.
About us
The PA role works alongside consultants, junior doctors and nurse specialists. The successful candidate will work as part of enthusiastic teams including 9 elderly care consultants; 2 Associate Specialists; up to five specialist registrars; 5 Specialty Doctors and 23 junior doctors with a mix of F1/F2/ST1/2 doctors as well as 4 other Physicians Associates
The post holder will be supervised by a designated consultant / associate specialist and will also have individual mentors to overview their career development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The PA will provide expert assistance to the multidisciplinary team on the Healthcare of the Elderly (HCE) wards in the provision of a high quality service to patients. The post holder will work under the direction of a supervising Consultant / Associate Specialist and mentor, working collaboratively with other members of the clinical team within the Trusts policies and clinical guidelines. The successful candidate will gain extensive training in all aspects the care of older people. The job will involve managing patients on the HCE wards. There will be a requirement to contribute to a 7 day rota.
Successful appointees will perform delegated duties with a high degree of clinical skill and knowledge, working within clinical environments.
The PA will also be expected to participate in mentoring newly appointed PA's within the hospital from the new course running at the University of Plymouth. The post holder will also have an important educational role on this course working with our partners at the Plymouth University Peninsula School of Medicine which will be discussed after being successfully appointed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The PA will provide expert assistance to the multidisciplinary team on the Healthcare of the Elderly (HCE) wards in the provision of a high quality service to patients. The post holder will work under the direction of a supervising Consultant / Associate Specialist and mentor, working collaboratively with other members of the clinical team within the Trusts policies and clinical guidelines. The successful candidate will gain extensive training in all aspects the care of older people. The job will involve managing patients on the HCE wards. There will be a requirement to contribute to a 7 day rota.
Successful appointees will perform delegated duties with a high degree of clinical skill and knowledge, working within clinical environments.
The PA will also be expected to participate in mentoring newly appointed PA's within the hospital from the new course running at the University of Plymouth. The post holder will also have an important educational role on this course working with our partners at the Plymouth University Peninsula School of Medicine which will be discussed after being successfully appointed.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable clinical experience.
- Demonstrable experience of conducting clinical audit.
- Ability to organise and prioritise workload effectively.
- Ability to exercise sound judgements.
- Ability to work cohesively within the multi-disciplinary team.
- Proven knowledge of medical procedures and terminology.
- Verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to respond to questions in a tactful and professional manner.
- Ability to adhere to regulations as well as work flexibly to meet the needs of the Trust.
- Energy and enthusiasm and the ability to work in a busy environment.
- An inquiring and critical approach to work.
- Caring attitude toward patients.
- Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, patients, relatives, nurses, other staff and agencies
- Commitment to CME and professional development.
- Awareness of current developments and initiatives in acute paediatric services.
Desirable
- Educational role.
- Mentoring demonstrable experience.
- Additional competencies
Qualifications
Essential
- BA/BS Degree prior to undertaking PA program.
- PG Dip in Physician Associate Studies from a UK training programme.
- Current and valid certification or re-certification by the Physician Associate National Examination.
- Member of Faculty of Physician Associates.
- Paediatric life support certification and level 2 safeguarding training.
Desirable
- Advanced adult/paediatric life support training.
Aptitudes and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to implement policies and guidelines.
- Ability to work well with colleagues and within a team.
- Ability to identify potential areas of risk; takes action to minimize the risk.
- Demonstration of own self development.
Desirable
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable clinical experience.
- Demonstrable experience of conducting clinical audit.
- Ability to organise and prioritise workload effectively.
- Ability to exercise sound judgements.
- Ability to work cohesively within the multi-disciplinary team.
- Proven knowledge of medical procedures and terminology.
- Verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to respond to questions in a tactful and professional manner.
- Ability to adhere to regulations as well as work flexibly to meet the needs of the Trust.
- Energy and enthusiasm and the ability to work in a busy environment.
- An inquiring and critical approach to work.
- Caring attitude toward patients.
- Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, patients, relatives, nurses, other staff and agencies
- Commitment to CME and professional development.
- Awareness of current developments and initiatives in acute paediatric services.
Desirable
- Educational role.
- Mentoring demonstrable experience.
- Additional competencies
Qualifications
Essential
- BA/BS Degree prior to undertaking PA program.
- PG Dip in Physician Associate Studies from a UK training programme.
- Current and valid certification or re-certification by the Physician Associate National Examination.
- Member of Faculty of Physician Associates.
- Paediatric life support certification and level 2 safeguarding training.
Desirable
- Advanced adult/paediatric life support training.
Aptitudes and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to implement policies and guidelines.
- Ability to work well with colleagues and within a team.
- Ability to identify potential areas of risk; takes action to minimize the risk.
- Demonstration of own self development.
Desirable
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).
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).
