Job responsibilities
JOB
DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
JOB
DETAILS
Job
Title: Physician Associate - 1
year fixed term post
Reports
to: Clinical Lead and Supervising Consultant
Accountable
to: Trust Lead for Physician Associates
Band:
AfC Band 7
Unit/Department:
Paediatric Medicine
Directorate:
Childrens
Location:
Leeds Childrens Hospital
JOB
PURPOSE
This
is an innovative role for a Physician Associate who has already been
successful in the national certification exam and holds PAMVR status.
The
PAs will provide expert assistance to the multidisciplinary teams in the
provision of a high quality service to children. The post holders will work
under the direction of a supervising Consultant and mentor, working
collaboratively with other members of the clinical team within the Trusts
policies and clinical guidelines. The job will involve inpatient and
outpatient work. Successful appointees will perform delegated duties with a
high degree of clinical skill and knowledge, working within clinical
environments such as wards and outpatient clinics.
JOB
DIMENSIONS
Leeds
Childrens Hospitals is one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe and
caters to every paediatric sub-specialty under one roof. It also has close
links with the adult hospital, within the same building, which enables smooth
transition of care from paediatrics to adults.
The
paediatric medicine team is developing exciting new pathways to make the
department more efficient, improve patient experience as well as providing an
excellent experience to junior doctors in training. Over the years there has
been a significant overhaul of the workforce and this has now resulted in the
appointments of qualified advanced nurse practitioners, physicians
associates and trainee ANPs, as well as specialty doctors, who complement the
junior doctor workforce.
These
are exciting times for the department as work is under way towards the
building of a completely brand new Leeds Childrens Hospital, which is
expected to be opened in the year 2030.
The
Physician Associate role is being developed to work alongside the
departments doctors, advanced practitioners and other team members.
They
will be trained in a broad range of skills to undertake clinical care of
children in the wards and Childrens Assessment Unit. They will enhance
continuity of care for our patients.
They will be expected to liaise with other professionals and
specialities as required and complete necessary documentation relating to
their patients.
They
will be clinically supervised by a designated consultant. There will be an
annual appraisal and a professional portfolio.
It
is expected that the Physician Associate will become involved in all
activities of our department, including clinical governance, quality
improvement projects, research and teaching. Physician Associates will also
represent the departments at local and external meetings as appropriate.
KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
The
post-holder must have completed the following to work as a Physician Associate in the Trust.
Please
note: These conditions are not a requirement to be selected for interview but
are absolute requirements to be able to start work
Bachelor Degree prior to taking
Physicians Associates Programme.
Successfully completed a PG
Diploma/masters qualification in Physician Associate Studies from an
accredited UK training programme;
Passed the UK RCP National
Certification Examination for Physician Associates (PANCE)
Be registered on the UK Physician
Associate Managed Voluntary Register (PAMVR) to be able to work in the Trust.
Membership of the Faculty of
Physician Associates
Knowledge/
Skills:
Ability to adhere to regulations as
well as working flexibly to meet the needs of the Trust and our patients
Ability to communicate effectively
with colleagues, patients, relatives, other staff and agencies
Ability to contribute to effective
patient flow through the Trust
Ability to exercise sound
judgements when faced with conflicting pressures
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Ability to organise and prioritise
workload effectively
Ability to respond to questions in
a tactful and professional manner
Ability to work cohesively within
the multi-disciplinary team, including the desire to motivate and lead
An inquiring and critical approach
to work and performance
Commitment to CME and professional
development.
Excellent verbal and written
communication skills
Experience of conducting clinical
audit and quality improvement projects
Knowledge of medical diagnoses,
procedures and terminology
Personal
Attributes
Ability to work all shifts
throughout a 24 hour period.
Ability to work autonomously and
within a team.
Able to remain calm and polite
under pressure.
Confidence to exchange patient
management with other members of the MDT and achieve agreement or
co-operation.
Desire to work for and with
patients to enhance their care
Energy and enthusiasm and the
ability to work under pressure
Flexible, positive, problem-solving
approach to clinical work
Good interpersonal skills with
effective oral and written communication skills.
Holistic and caring attitude
towards patient care
Strong Professional commitment to
providing high quality compassionate care.
PRINCIPAL
DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Clinical:
The
Physician Associate will be required to work as part of the clinical team,
under supervision of a named to Consultant, to deliver high quality patient
care.
This
will include duties and responsibilities in the following areas:
Delivery
and participation in the clinical care of patients.
To
exercise a high degree of personal autonomy when assessing and planning care
for patients. Working within a set of
defined parameters when working in a particular specialty.
Provision
of a level of advanced and comprehensive health assessment based on a
specialist body of knowledge under established parameters.
Appropriate
assessment, examination, investigation, diagnosis and treatment of patients,
resulting in the safe management and appropriate referral or discharge of
patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed presentations within the
boundaries of the role as a trainee.
Recognition
of patients with changing health status and undertaking appropriate actions.
Communication
of highly complex and highly sensitive information with patients and families
and within the healthcare team.
Liaison
with other hospital services to enable detailed planning for patient
management, referral and discharge.
Undertaking
advanced clinical skills according to agreed protocols and service need.
Interpretation
of laboratory and radiological results and initiate appropriate patient
management.
Maintenance
of own clinical development by keeping abreast of new treatments and
technologies within emergency and unscheduled care.
Contribution
to the review and development of integrated care pathways and clinical
guidelines to ensure a standardised approach to care.
Practice
with confidence and competence within professional guidelines, and
established parameters.
Ensure
accurate documentation and records of patient care.
Management
and Leadership:
Develop
own leadership skills within the clinical environment and team.
Contribute
in the development of a specialist 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.
Implement
evidence based policies and procedures specifically required by the team.
Work
collaboratively with representatives of other clinical areas, disciplines and
services to provide a seamless pathway of care.
Be
conversant with all Trust policies and procedures and ensure they are
correctly implemented.
Raise
concerns with regards to risk, danger, malpractice or wrong doing by
following the LTHT Whistle Blowing policy and supporting practices
Education
and Training:
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 of staff working within the service.
Develop
and maintain a positive learning environment for all the clinical team by
providing support, ensuring developmental requirements of junior staff are
addressed.
Assist
in the provision of clinical supervision and provide the opportunity to
reflect and discuss areas of practice.
Responsibility
for the teaching and delivery of core training on a range of subjects within
the clinical field for multi-professional groups.
Audit
and Research:
Regularly
undertake clinical audit as part of the programme.
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 on-going regional and national research to evaluate the
effectiveness of care strategies related to the patient experience.
Share
best practice through publications and attendance/presentation opportunities
at conference level.
