Job summary
Physicians Associates will work within a specialty and therefore require a significant level of experience and skill in that specialty.
Physicians Associates will work within a specialty and therefore require a significant level of experience and skill in that specialty.
The post holder will be required to work flexibly which will involve a shift pattern as part of a wider clinical team. The post holder will be supervised by a designated consultant with regular meetings to support ongoing development within the role.
Main duties of the job
The appointed Physician Associate will provide expert assistance to the consultants and registrars in the provision of a high quality care and support for patients attending Darent Valley / Queen Mary's Hospital. This is a new post in the practice and will develop depending on the post holder and the needs of the service.
The role will provide assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, crisis intervention, medication and staff consultation.
About us
We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities.
If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all of our staff are double vaccinated against COVID-19, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and our patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To perform initial patient assessment and examination, initiate diagnostic process and interpret investigations and recommend initial treatment
Take patient histories and perform physical examinations of a patient recording all information in the patients medical records
To exercise a high degree of personal autonomy when assessing and planning care for patients with a range of presenting complaints
To develop extensive specialist knowledge and experience, acting as a resource to the clinical team and allied health professionals.
Practice under the supervision of a named clinical consultant and other qualified staff as agreed
Order and interpret diagnostic laboratory tests, radiological studies or various other therapies
Discriminate between normal and abnormal findings to recognise early stages of serious medical, emotional or mental problems in the patient
Coordinate consultants ward rounds, and take responsibility for following up resulting actions
Ensure safe and effective handover of patients to the appropriate ward
Work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team - Physicians, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Dietician and Nutrition Specialist Nurse, Radiology Department, Emergency Department, Integrated Discharge team, Mental Health colleagues, Social Services, etc. to encourage and ensure good working relationships and always ensuring that the patient is the main focus.
Instruct and counsel patients regarding mental and physical health, including:
Disease and disease prevention
Treatment
Follow up plan
Driving advice
Job description
Job responsibilities
To perform initial patient assessment and examination, initiate diagnostic process and interpret investigations and recommend initial treatment
Take patient histories and perform physical examinations of a patient recording all information in the patients medical records
To exercise a high degree of personal autonomy when assessing and planning care for patients with a range of presenting complaints
To develop extensive specialist knowledge and experience, acting as a resource to the clinical team and allied health professionals.
Practice under the supervision of a named clinical consultant and other qualified staff as agreed
Order and interpret diagnostic laboratory tests, radiological studies or various other therapies
Discriminate between normal and abnormal findings to recognise early stages of serious medical, emotional or mental problems in the patient
Coordinate consultants ward rounds, and take responsibility for following up resulting actions
Ensure safe and effective handover of patients to the appropriate ward
Work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team - Physicians, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Dietician and Nutrition Specialist Nurse, Radiology Department, Emergency Department, Integrated Discharge team, Mental Health colleagues, Social Services, etc. to encourage and ensure good working relationships and always ensuring that the patient is the main focus.
Instruct and counsel patients regarding mental and physical health, including:
Disease and disease prevention
Treatment
Follow up plan
Driving advice
Person Specification
Education and Training
Essential
- Post Graduate Diploma in Physician Associate Studies, from one of the 4 UK Physician Associate Programmes
- Member of Faculty of Physician Associates at the RCP, which includes registration on the UK Physician Associate Register (the The Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register (PAMVR)) until such time that the statutory regulation of PA's is achieved.
- Current and valid certification or re-certification by the UK Physician Associate National Examination
Desirable
- MSc in PA Studies (either obtained or plans to undertake)
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Advanced clinical skills and experience of using these in different situations
- Excellent ability to make clinical decisions
- Ability to assess, treat and diagnose adults
- Interpret and undertake tests and investigations as appropriate
- Ability to teach others
- Dynamic/ able to use own initiative
- Good communicator
- IT Literate/ proficient use of computers
- Good presentation skills
- Good problem solving and decision making skills
- Ability to manage workload effectively
- Maintains CPD requirements of 50 hours per year (25 Type 1 and 25 Type 2)
- Team player/ ability to liaise effectively with colleagues and other members of the disciplinary team.
- Ability to liaise effectively with hospitals and other outside agencies
Desirable
- Extended clinical skills
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
Experience
Essential
- Experience in examination of adults and children
- Flexible approach to work
- Commitment to on-going personal and professional development
- Commitment to on-going medical education
Desirable
- Primary Care experience
- Interest in research and publication
Person Specification
Education and Training
Essential
- Post Graduate Diploma in Physician Associate Studies, from one of the 4 UK Physician Associate Programmes
- Member of Faculty of Physician Associates at the RCP, which includes registration on the UK Physician Associate Register (the The Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register (PAMVR)) until such time that the statutory regulation of PA's is achieved.
- Current and valid certification or re-certification by the UK Physician Associate National Examination
Desirable
- MSc in PA Studies (either obtained or plans to undertake)
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Advanced clinical skills and experience of using these in different situations
- Excellent ability to make clinical decisions
- Ability to assess, treat and diagnose adults
- Interpret and undertake tests and investigations as appropriate
- Ability to teach others
- Dynamic/ able to use own initiative
- Good communicator
- IT Literate/ proficient use of computers
- Good presentation skills
- Good problem solving and decision making skills
- Ability to manage workload effectively
- Maintains CPD requirements of 50 hours per year (25 Type 1 and 25 Type 2)
- Team player/ ability to liaise effectively with colleagues and other members of the disciplinary team.
- Ability to liaise effectively with hospitals and other outside agencies
Desirable
- Extended clinical skills
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
Experience
Essential
- Experience in examination of adults and children
- Flexible approach to work
- Commitment to on-going personal and professional development
- Commitment to on-going medical education
Desirable
- Primary Care experience
- Interest in research and publication
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).
