Physician Associate

Job responsibilities

Physician associate in General Practice

Physician Associates will provide care for patients presenting at the individual surgeries within the Primary Care Network, taking history and providing clinical assessment through to diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of care. They will be able to demonstrate critical thinking in the clinical decision process, including assessment and diagnostic skills, leading to the delivery of safe care for all patients.

They will work collaboratively with the healthcare team to meet the needs of patients, supporting delivery of policy and procedures.

Physician Associates will provide a holistic and clinical service, with support from GPs as required, implementing agreed management plans and following approved protocols as appropriate.

Physician Associates can expect on a typical day to carry out home visits, consult with patients who present on the day and via booked appointments.

Physician Associates will review and act appropriately on blood results, referrals and correspondence regarding their patients.

Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical

Participate in treatment and preventative healthcare with the Practices as delegated by GP Clinical Supervisor.

Provide direct clinical care to patients using established clinical guidelines.

Consult and refer patients to physicians, medical specialists and other health care professionals

Provide one to one consultations to patients, both in General Practice and patients homes, taking medical histories, perform physical examinations, analyse the consultation, diagnose and explain medical problems during the consultation.

Recommend and explain appropriate diagnostic tests and treatment

Request and interpret results of laboratory investigations when necessary

Perform specialised diagnostic physical exams and treatment procedures.

Provide patients education in preventative healthcare

Conduct telephone consultations which may involve discussing the result and implications of laboratory investigations with patients as well as dealing with routine and emergency healthcare conditions.

Request laboratory tests as required and agreed under supervising GP.

Update patient records in accordance with practice policies and procedures.

Contribute to the practice systems to manage common chronic medical conditions.

Contribute to Population Health Management projects undertaken within the Primary Care Network

Formulate diagnosis and treatment plans, in consultation with or referring to the supervising GP as appropriate.

Give clinical instructions to primary care staff as required.

Liaise with primary care colleagues and hospital specialists for advice and regarding patient referrals.

Training and Educational Development

Ensure continual training and education is undertaken to meet clinical governance guidelines, and completing personal development plans.

Keep up to date with relevant medical research, technology and evidence based medical practice.

Take and pass the national re-certification exam every 6 years in accordance with the Physician Associates managed voluntary register.

Perform a variety of research and analysis tasks associated with improvement of Clinical Care, such as audits within practice.

Support with supervision and mentoring of both nursing and medical students as well as other primary care staff as directed by GP Supervisor

Attend regular Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings organised at the practices or as a Primary Care Network.

Attend regular educational meetings organised by the practice or Primary Care Network

Regularly reflect on own practice to identify own learning needs.

Travel

The post holder may be required to travel to other practices, or to patient homes within the Primary Care Network during their working day.

Experience

Essential

• Clinical patient consultation and diagnostic experience

Desirable

• Experience of working in primary care

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Assessment skills to be able to diagnose and complete treatment and management plans.
• Ability to identify risk
• Make referrals
• Basic Life Support
• Perform ECGs and Interpret
• Audit Skills
• Anaphylaxis training
• Knowledge of the NHS works including primary care

Desirable

• See minor Injuries and perform suturing
• Intramuscular and sub cutaneous injections
• Advanced Life Support
• Venepuncture
• Knowledge of GP Practices IT systems

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Ability to actively listen, empathise with individuals and provide a person centred approach in a non-judgemental and culturally sensitive way.
• Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbally with individuals, their families, carers and practice colleagues.
• Ability to identify risk, assess and manage the risk
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships and promote collaborative working with colleagues.
• Can demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and ability to work well under pressure
• Ability to organise, plan and prioritise on own initiative, including when under pressure and meeting deadlines.

Other

Essential

• Meet DBS reference standards and criminal record checks
• Willingness to work flexible hours when required to meet work demands
• Valid Full UK driving licence and business use insurance
• Access to own transport, ability to travel across the locality on a regular basis, including visiting individuals in their own homes.

Qualifications

Essential

• Biomedical healthcare related Degree

Desirable

• Diploma or Masters degree in Clinical Knowledge and Skills

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).