Physicians Associate

Job responsibilities

The post holder will:

Clinical Responsibilities

• Provide first point of contact for patients presenting with undifferentiated, undiagnosed problems by taking medical history, performing physical examinations, using problem-solving and clinical decision-making skills to establish a diagnosis and management plan, working in partnership with patients, under appropriate supervision.
• Provide/educate appropriate preventative health care and advice.
• Make referrals to secondary care and social services within locally agreed protocols, guidance and pathways.
• Develop consultation skills to enable shared patient practitioner decisions.
• Provide clinical services required, within own competencies.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Adhere to the practice prescribing formulary, local and national guidelines.
• Be able to justify choice of medication.
• Undertake clinical sessions of telephone and face to face consultations and home visits.
• Organise investigation, treatment and referral where appropriate.
• Develop consultation skills to enable shared patient practitioner
• Effectively manage the nominated areas of responsibility as allocated.

• Develop harmonious and effective relationships across all practice teams and with patients.
• Offer comprehensive services to patients and their families, developing where appropriate support/on-going plan of care
• Be actively involved in own development and training.
• Evaluate patients response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care
• Record or dictate the physical condition and review the history of patients in consultations
• Support and implement patient safety initiatives and systems required by the practice

Administration Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate and timely summarising of patient medical records using appropriate written and electronic documentation according to the practice guidelines and policies
• Contribute and participate in audits, research, evaluation and clinical standard setting within the Practice
• Work with all governance and internal systems relating to the management of clinical systems and data
• Record clear IT based consultation notes to agreed standards.
• Ensure all practice policies are fully applied
• Fully document all aspects of patient care and complete all required paperwork for legal and administrative purposes

Training and Responsibilities

• Commit to take and pass the necessary Physician Associate re-certification exams to maintain qualifications required to take out duties of the role and as statutory regulatory bodies require
• Undertake any relevant training provided by the Practice
• Undertake effective professional development as necessary to keep up to date with current requirements and in line with Practice policy.

• Undertake any relevant training as required relating to organisational standards and changes to software or systems
• Support and work closely with administrative and other clinical members of staff in the organisation/improvement of the practice systems for Clinical Governance and Quality Indicator targets
• Demonstrate skills and activities to others who may be undertaking similar work
• Attend courses and/or study days (internal and external) required to ensure professional development and improvements are met with new guidelines
• To keep up to date with latest developments/guidelines

Quality

• Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk.
• Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision.
• Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance.
• Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet organisational needs.
• Effectively manage own time and workload.

Contribution to the Implementation of Services

• Have a working knowledge, and contribute to Surgery handbooks, internal policies and procedures.
• Leave the workstation area tidy and ready for incoming colleague with information on any unresolved queries.
• Be conversant with and implement the Health and Safety at Work Act, Employment Law, The Data Protection Act and other legislation relative to the role.
• Be conversant with the CQC outcomes and ensure they are complied with.
• Undertake any relevant training as required relating to organisational standards and changes to software or systems.
• Develop harmonious and effective relationships across all practice teams and with patients.
• Undertake effective professional development as necessary to keep up to date with current requirements and in line with Practice policy.
• Apply Practice policies, standards and guidance.
• Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work.

The above list of duties is not exhaustive and may be subject to change as deemed necessary.

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 main to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CBR) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Infection Prevention & Control

In accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, the post holder will actively participate in the prevention and control of infection within the capacity of their role. The Act requires the post holder to attend infection prevention and control training on induction and at regular updates and to take responsibility for the practical application of the training in the course of their work. Infection prevention and control must be included in any personal development plan or appraisal.

THE ABOVE LIST OF RESPONSIBILITES IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER DISCUSSION WITH MANAGER WHERE APPROPRIATE.

Experience

Essential

• Experience working in a healthcare environment
• Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams
• Experience of managing complex workloads and prioritisation
• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of related medical conditions, treatments and pharmacology
• Experience of supporting doctors in clinical decision making

Desirable

• Experience working in primary care/general practice

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Management of patients with common acute medical conditions and long term conditions
• Knowledge of clinical procedures and medical terminology
• Clinical practice and examination skills
• Keyboard and computer skills
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and inter personal skills
• Ability to listen and empathise
• Good time management
• Knowledge to undertake a structured clinical assessment
• Ability to exercise sound judgements when faced with conflicting pressures
• Evidence of understanding the needs of the healthcare sector and the patients it serves
• Leadership skills

Qualities and Attributes

Essential

• An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality
• A demonstrable commitment to professional development
• Strong commitment to the development of people and services, as required by NCPC
• Commitment to continuing clinical education and professional development
• Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness common sense and take direction as appropriate
• Confident, reliable and self-reliant
• Positive attitude to change and a pro-active approach but also pragmatic and realistic
• Ability to work as part of an integrated multi-skilled team
• A recognition of the importance of showing respect, dignity and compassion to patients and colleagues
• Adaptable, innovative, forward looking
• Honest, caring and sympathetic
• Methodical and organised
• Ability to plan, prioritise and organise workload

Qualifications

Essential

• 5 GCSEs at grade C or above including Maths and English
• Post graduate Diploma or Masters in Physician Associate from an accredited university
• Member of Faculty of Physician Associates which includes registration with the UK Managed Voluntary Resignation
• Current certification of Physician Associate National Exam or National Commission on Certification for Physician Assistants (NCCPA)

Desirable

• Evidence of continuing professional development activities

Other Commitments

Essential

• Commit to a DBS check

Desirable

• UK Driving licence

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).