Physicians Associate

Job responsibilities

Communication and working relationships

• Liaise closely within the department, other in-patient teams and primary and community services to ensure collaborative working arrangements are in place which maximise benefits to patient care

• Work collaboratively with the clinical team, i.e. consultants, SAS, trainees, nursing staff, therapy staff etc. to encourage and ensure good working relationships

• Build effective networks with other departments, working in collaboration to support efficient patient flow

• Promote a positive image of the department both externally and internally.
• Participate in and contribute to Trust-wide initiatives and projects as appropriate

Planning and organisation

• Develop a record-keeping and communication system to ensure information regarding patient care is easily accessible to those who need it

• Ensure that all information about patients is updated
• Record action plans for all patients
• Ensure all contact with patients is recorded appropriately on Trust systems
• Ensure that there is a strong system to ensure patients receive planned support and actions are followed up

• Be able to work flexibly and manage own time and workload

Responsibility for patients and client care

• The post holder has a personal obligation to act to reduce healthcare associated infections (HCAIs). They must attend mandatory training in Infection Control and be compliant with all measures required by the Trust to reduce HCAIs.

• Post holders must be familiar with the Trusts Infection Control Policies, including those that apply to their duties, such as Hand Decontamination Policy, Personal Protective Equipment Policy, safe procedures for using aseptic techniques and safe disposal of sharps
• Contribute to the development of standards, procedures and systems to ensure safe, high quality and efficient patient care from the point of entry to admission or discharge

• To contribute to environmental safety, clean, tidy and conducive to delivering compassionate care with privacy and dignity
• Participate in relevant audit and quality assurance processes
• Play a strong role in risk management and governance
• Ensure compliance with information governance requirements

Research, Teaching & Service Improvement

• We are committed to teaching and developing our PA programme
• There are multiple education opportunities in the department including attending the weekly Medical Grand round, as well as weekly in-house teaching delivered by the ward doctors and overseen by the Specialty Training Registrars
• Cancer MDT and Radiology MDT attendance

We would expect the successful candidate to

• Maintain knowledge and proficiency in medical practices through appropriate continuing professional development
• Assist in the development and mentoring of Physician Associate Students as the profession progresses

• Take an active role in the departmental clinical audit and governance activity
• Teach and train junior doctors, multi-disciplinary staff and students
• Attend teaching sessions so as to improve knowledge and clinical practice
• Contribute to the culture of Service Improvement within the department and take the lead for specific projects as required.

Policy and service responsibility

• Maintain and continue to improve knowledge and understanding of the Trust/Service including systems, policy and current issues, particularly to own area of work
• Adhere to all Trust and departmental policies and procedures relating to role
• Comply with local administrative procedures
• Participate in local review of administration services

Responsibility for finance, equipment and other resources

• The post holder will order stationery and other necessary items for the team via the electronic procurement system

• Maintain the safe keeping of Trust property. Any concerns regarding misuse shall be raised immediately with the Trust Counter Fraud Specialist

• Ensure the proper use of the Trust resources, such as stationary, telephone usage photocopying and other consumables used within the course of business

• Ensuring minimal waste and cost

Responsibility for supervision, leadership and management

• The post holder has no managerial supervision responsibility but is expected to be a good example to other staff and use their experience to assist/guide new starter induction

Information technology and administrative duties

• Ensure all patients are supported to use Your Covid Recovery
• Ensure that all communication from patients via the Your Covid Recovery platform is managed in a timely manner and where actions arise from this communication that this is undertaken in good time

Qualifications and training

Essential

• BA/BSc level Degree prior to undertaking PA programme
• PG Dip in Physician Associate Studies from a UK training programme
• Valid certification of Physician Associate National Exam
• Registration with the UK Managed Voluntary Register

Desirable

• Member of Faculty of Physician Associates within the RCP
• BLS/ILS/PILS/ALS certification

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Experience of audit
• Previous experience working in a Medical specialty post certification
• Experience interpreting Chest Radiology
• Experience of designing audit projects
• Evidence of research experience, e.g. publications
• Experience performing Ultrasound (chest)
• Previous Respiratory medicine experience

Desirable

• Experience of designing audit projects
• Evidence of research experience, e.g. publications
• Experience performing Ultrasound (chest)
• Previous Respiratory medicine experience

Specific Skills

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills

Requirements due to work environment/conditions

Essential

• Demonstrates commitment to Service Improvement
• Demonstrates commitment to CPD
• Demonstrates ability to create good working

Physical skills

Essential

• Able to manoeuvre and transport medical notes
• Manual dexterity to use keyboard

Physical effort

Essential

• Able to stand for long hours

Emotional effort

Essential

• Ability to liaise with all levels of staff
• Required to deal with distressed/angry/anxious patients and their families with sensitivity and understanding
• Able to impart unwelcome news to staff, patients and relatives

Mental effort

Essential

• Ability to liaise with all levels of staff
• Required to deal with distressed/angry/anxious patients and their families with sensitivity and understanding
• Able to impart unwelcome news to staff, patients and relatives

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).