Physician Associate (XR07)

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

The PAs will provide expert assistance to the multidisciplinary teams in the provision of a high-quality service to patients. 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 operating theatres, wards and outpatient clinics.

It is not mandatory that the Physician Associate has prior experience of a relevant speciality. The post-holders will undergo training, supervision and accreditation to activities relevant to each recruiting department.

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 patients as appropriate to the clinical environment and specialty. They will be expected to liaise with other professionals and specialities as required and complete necessary documentation relating to their patients.

PAs will be clinically supervised by a designated consultant for each post. There will also be an individual mentor to oversee professional development, supported by an appraisal and a professional portfolio.

It is expected that the Physician Associate will become involved in all activities of a department or CSU, including clinical governance, quality improvement projects, research and teaching. Physician Associates will also represent the departments at local and external meetings as appropriate.

JOB DIMENSIONS

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 patients as appropriate to the clinical environment and specialty. They will be expected to liaise with other professionals and specialities as required and complete necessary documentation relating to their patients.

PAs will be clinically supervised by a designated consultant for each post. There will also be an individual mentor to oversee professional development, supported by an annual appraisal and a professional portfolio.

It is expected that the Physician Associate will become involved in all activities of a department or CSU, including clinical governance, quality improvement projects, research and teaching. Physician Associates will also represent the departments at local and external meetings as appropriate.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The PA 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:

Clinical

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.

Improvements on the quality of the patient experience by identifying and meeting the individual clinical needs of patients.

Rigorously review with a supervisor, all aspects of the patients plan of care and identify and address issues that may result in a sub-standard service.

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.

Assist in the development of patient management systems, processes and tools within the work area and adjacent clinical/assessment areas.

Ability to adapt specialist clinical knowledge and skills to different clinical settings and influence service delivery and patient care.

Implementation of effective systems and processes for infection control management and relevant audit within their clinical area.

Acting in such a way that safeguards the health and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults at all times, in keeping with LTHT safeguarding policies.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of conducting clinical audit
• Knowledge of medical procedures and terminology
• Ability to organise and priorities workload effectively
• Ability to exercise sound judgments when faced with conflicting pressures
• Ability to work cohesively within the multi-disciplinary team.

Desirable

• Evidence of assisting in the development of the Physician Associate role in the UK
• Evidence of teaching Physician Associate students or Medical students

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Ability to communicate effectively highly complex and sensitive matters (verbal and written communication) with colleagues, patients, relatives, nurses, other staff and agencies
• Energy and enthusiasm and the ability to work under pressure
• Ability to act professionally at all times
• Ability to work well with colleagues and within a team
• Communication skills
• Time management skills
• Well-developed clinical practice skills

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary), including clearance on blood borne viruses in compliance with Trust Policy

Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor Degree prior to undertaking Physicians Associate program
• PG Dip/masters qualification in Physician Associate Studies from an accredited UK or Irish training programme (or be within 6 months of graduation at time of application).
• Current and valid certification or re-certification of the National Certifying Examinations for Physicians Associates (Royal College of Physicians)
• Membership of the Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register (Royal College of Physicians).
• Membership of the Faculty of Physician Associates (Royal College of Physicians)

Desirable

• Life support course certification e.g. ILS, ALS or PALS

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

Leeds General Infirmary

Great George Street

Leeds

LS13EX

Employer's website

https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)