Job summary
We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic Physician Associate to join our Adult and Specialist Directorate to work within the psychiatric inpatient pathway. The post holder will undertake a key role in the organisation and delivery of health care in one of the inpatient wards. The post will primarily involve delivery of effective healthcare for the management of acute and chronic physical conditions. The Physician Associate role will compliment roles already developed within the service and strengthen the multi professional team.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work with physiotherapy, dietetics and nursing colleagues and liaise as needed with local Acute Hospitals. Involvement in Clinical Governance and audit will be expected with an opportunity to influence and lead service improvement particularly regarding physical health. There is a potential educational role regarding physical health for both staff and patients.
About us
CPFT is a health & social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health & wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting & empowering them to lead a fulfilling life.
Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services not only via inpatient and primary care setting but also with the community. These services include Children, Adult & Older Peoples mental health, Forensic & Specialist mental health, Learning Disabilities, Primary Care & Liaison psychiatry, Substance misuse, Social care, Research & Development.
To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high calibre candidates that share our vision & values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including disabled people & members of our BAME & LGBTQ+ communities.
For further information on CPFT please visit our website www.cpft.nhs.uk
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Physician Associate will undertake a key role in the organisation and delivery of physical health care in the inpatient wards. The post will involve delivery of effective healthcare for the management of acute and chronic physical conditions. The Physician Associate role will compliment roles already developed within the service and strengthen the multi professional team.
The post holder will also work with physiotherapy, dietetics and nursing colleagues and liaise as needed with local Acute Hospitals. Involvement in Clinical Governance and audit will be expected with an opportunity to influence and lead service improvement particularly in regard to physical health. There is a potential educational role in regard to physical health for both staff and patients.
The Physician Associate will carry out regular reviews on in patients, supervised by a consultant psychiatrist and liaise with the multidisciplinary team on the ward to deliver effective healthcare for patients.
As this is a new role within the Trust the duties and responsibilities are likely subject to change as the post develops. The main task, duties and responsibilities are listed below:
- Take part in all of the treatment and preventative healthcare services of the employing facility, as and when requested, and work within the policies and procedures of the organisation.
- Practice alongside the junior medical team under the supervision of a Consultant Psychiatrist.
- Participating in and documenting MDT meetings and enacting plans derived from these.
- Conduct initial psychiatric evaluations, take patient histories and perform physical examinations of a patient when required.
- Establish differential diagnosis, making appropriate treatment plans and initiate treatment, escalating as appropriate.
- Record or dictate the history and physical condition in the medical record according to Trust guidelines.
- Perform pre and post ECT evaluations.
- 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 patients.
- Instruct and counsel patients regarding mental and physical health, including: a) Diet and advice b) Disease and disease prevention c) Treatment
- Refer patients to appropriate community health facilities, agencies and resources. Also refer and converse with appropriate specialists in regard to patient management.
- Perform diagnostic/therapeutic procedures, subject to PA training/experience, such as: a) Mental state examination b) Cognitive assessment c) Initiation of Basic/Advanced Life Support in all patients and in all settings. d) ECG
- Management of final patient disposition, including admission to hospital ward and discharge.
- Teaching other groups of staff, e.g. Nursing / medical students / Junior Doctors.
- Perform other tasks, not prohibited by law in which the Physician Assistant has been trained and is proficient to perform.
- Work collaboratively with the relevant team e. psychiatrists, Nurse Practitioners, staff grade nurses, support workers, Psychologists, Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists, Social Services Staff, physicians, etc. to encourage and ensure good working relationships.
- Participate in multidisciplinary physical health assessment clinics with allied health professionals.
- Lead on physical health assessment clinics on outpatients in liaison with community psychiatry nurse and liaise with consultant psychiatrist and General practitioner
- Work to deliver, with other members of staff, the national guidelines and objectives set out for psychiatric services.
- Meet as appropriate with supervising physicians, management team, etc. to report on progress and contribute to the development of psychiatric services within the Trust.
- Maintain knowledge and proficiency in medical practice through continuing education, staff meetings, and workshops.
- Assist in the development and mentoring of the UK Physician Assistants as the profession progresses.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Physician Associate will undertake a key role in the organisation and delivery of physical health care in the inpatient wards. The post will involve delivery of effective healthcare for the management of acute and chronic physical conditions. The Physician Associate role will compliment roles already developed within the service and strengthen the multi professional team.
The post holder will also work with physiotherapy, dietetics and nursing colleagues and liaise as needed with local Acute Hospitals. Involvement in Clinical Governance and audit will be expected with an opportunity to influence and lead service improvement particularly in regard to physical health. There is a potential educational role in regard to physical health for both staff and patients.
The Physician Associate will carry out regular reviews on in patients, supervised by a consultant psychiatrist and liaise with the multidisciplinary team on the ward to deliver effective healthcare for patients.
As this is a new role within the Trust the duties and responsibilities are likely subject to change as the post develops. The main task, duties and responsibilities are listed below:
- Take part in all of the treatment and preventative healthcare services of the employing facility, as and when requested, and work within the policies and procedures of the organisation.
- Practice alongside the junior medical team under the supervision of a Consultant Psychiatrist.
- Participating in and documenting MDT meetings and enacting plans derived from these.
- Conduct initial psychiatric evaluations, take patient histories and perform physical examinations of a patient when required.
- Establish differential diagnosis, making appropriate treatment plans and initiate treatment, escalating as appropriate.
- Record or dictate the history and physical condition in the medical record according to Trust guidelines.
- Perform pre and post ECT evaluations.
- 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 patients.
- Instruct and counsel patients regarding mental and physical health, including: a) Diet and advice b) Disease and disease prevention c) Treatment
- Refer patients to appropriate community health facilities, agencies and resources. Also refer and converse with appropriate specialists in regard to patient management.
- Perform diagnostic/therapeutic procedures, subject to PA training/experience, such as: a) Mental state examination b) Cognitive assessment c) Initiation of Basic/Advanced Life Support in all patients and in all settings. d) ECG
- Management of final patient disposition, including admission to hospital ward and discharge.
- Teaching other groups of staff, e.g. Nursing / medical students / Junior Doctors.
- Perform other tasks, not prohibited by law in which the Physician Assistant has been trained and is proficient to perform.
- Work collaboratively with the relevant team e. psychiatrists, Nurse Practitioners, staff grade nurses, support workers, Psychologists, Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists, Social Services Staff, physicians, etc. to encourage and ensure good working relationships.
- Participate in multidisciplinary physical health assessment clinics with allied health professionals.
- Lead on physical health assessment clinics on outpatients in liaison with community psychiatry nurse and liaise with consultant psychiatrist and General practitioner
- Work to deliver, with other members of staff, the national guidelines and objectives set out for psychiatric services.
- Meet as appropriate with supervising physicians, management team, etc. to report on progress and contribute to the development of psychiatric services within the Trust.
- Maintain knowledge and proficiency in medical practice through continuing education, staff meetings, and workshops.
- Assist in the development and mentoring of the UK Physician Assistants as the profession progresses.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- BA/BSc level Degree prior to undertaking PA programme (2:2 or above)
- PG Dip in Physician Associate Studies from a UK training programme or Current and valid certification with the National Commission on Certification for Physician Assistants (NCCPA) if US trained
- Valid certification of Physician Associate National Exam
- Registration with the UK Managed Voluntary Register for Physician Associates
Desirable
- BLS/ILS/PILS/ALS certification
- Recognised qualification in teaching
Experience
Essential
- Clinical training in Psychiatry
- Experience of teaching
- Experience of audit
Desirable
- Previous experience in Psychiatry
- Evidence of research experience
- Audit project experience
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems
- Ability to take responsibility for clinical care of patients under the supervision of Consultants
- Demonstrates clinical leadership
- Ability to work in teams
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Demonstrates commitment to CPD
- Ability to organise and prioritise workload effectively
- Ability to exercise sound judgements when faced with conflicting pressures
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- BA/BSc level Degree prior to undertaking PA programme (2:2 or above)
- PG Dip in Physician Associate Studies from a UK training programme or Current and valid certification with the National Commission on Certification for Physician Assistants (NCCPA) if US trained
- Valid certification of Physician Associate National Exam
- Registration with the UK Managed Voluntary Register for Physician Associates
Desirable
- BLS/ILS/PILS/ALS certification
- Recognised qualification in teaching
Experience
Essential
- Clinical training in Psychiatry
- Experience of teaching
- Experience of audit
Desirable
- Previous experience in Psychiatry
- Evidence of research experience
- Audit project experience
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems
- Ability to take responsibility for clinical care of patients under the supervision of Consultants
- Demonstrates clinical leadership
- Ability to work in teams
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Demonstrates commitment to CPD
- Ability to organise and prioritise workload effectively
- Ability to exercise sound judgements when faced with conflicting pressures
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).
