Job responsibilities
JOB
SUMMARY
The role is to specialise in the care of patients with learning disabilities across the PCN patient list. The
Physician Associate (PA) will provide care for the presenting patient from initial history taking and
clinical assessment through to the diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of care.
They will demonstrate critical thinking in the clinical decision-making 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 the patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures.
The PA will provide a holistic and clinical service, with support from GPs as
required, implementing agreed management plans and following approved protocols
as appropriate. The PA will be expected on a typical day to carry out some home
visits and consult with patients who present on the day and via booked
appointments. The PA will also review and act appropriately on blood results
and referrals/correspondence regarding their patients.
Mentorship
and supervision will be provided by designated senior medical personnel. The
level and type of supervision will be dependent on the post holders
acquisition of skills and knowledge and determined by the organisations
clinical governance arrangements. The member practices hold monthly education meetings
and the PA would be expected to attend and participate in these.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES
CLINICAL
Work primarily as a specialist Learning Disability Physician Associate.
Participate in all treatment and preventative
healthcare services in the Practice
as delegated and agreed by the supervising GP(s).
Provide direct clinical care to patients using
established clinical guidelines.
Consult and refer patients to
physicians, medical specialists and other health professionals as indicated.
Interview patients, take medical
histories, perform physical examinations, analyse, diagnose and explain medical
problems during surgery consultations and home visits.
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.
Instruct and educate patients in preventative health care.
Conduct telephone and Video consultations which may involve
discussing the result and implications of laboratory investigations with patients as well as dealing appropriately with
routine and emergency complaints
Order laboratory tests as
required and agreed under supervising doctor(s).
Fully document all aspects of patient care and
complete all required paperwork for legal and administrative purposes.
Contribute to the clinical development of the Practices by
developing a special interest and to help establish appropriate systems to
manage common chronic medical conditions, ensuring compliance with NICE
guidelines.
Participate fully in the clinicians duty rota including the
provision of home visits when appropriate.
Formulate diagnoses and
treatment plans, in consultation with or referring to Supervising doctor(s) as
appropriate.
Give clinical instructions
to nursing staff and Primary Care Team as required.
Communicate when necessary with colleagues in Primary Care and
hospital specialists in order to discuss or refer specific patients, plan and
co-ordinate activities or exchange information in order to improve the quality
of patient care.
Deal regularly with community
hospitals, consultants and other health care providers, insurance companies and
other community organisations to refer/consult on specific cases, participate
in community service and education projects and activities and the like.
TRAINING /
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ensure continuing
education, training and development is undertaken to meet clinical governance
guidelines for Continuing Professional Development and a Personal Development
Plan.
Keep up to date with relevant medical research, technology and evidence-based
medical practice by attending continuing education
courses and professional meetings, reading journals etc.
Undertake 50 hours of continuing medical education (CPD) every
year. A minimum of 25 hours must be in accredited direct learning programmes.
Take and pass the national
re-certification exam every 6 years in accordance with the requirements of the
PA Managed Voluntary Register and as recommended
by the National Examination Sub Committee of the UKUBPAE (UK Universities Board
of Physician Associate Education) and subsequently as required by the statutory
regulating body when in place.
Perform a variety of research and analysis tasks associated with improvement
of clinical care, medical diagnosis and treatment where appropriate using the following
means:
o
Audit of clinical practice.
o
Review of relevant literature.
o
Research unusual symptoms
and treatment options, through consultation with physicians and other medical
specialists.
Provide literature reviews
and the like; review, analyse and determine the significance of a variety of
diagnostic test results
Assist in clinical instruction and supervision of medical and
nursing students as well other learners that may periodically be attached to
the practice, including the educational development and mentoring of Physician Associate
students.
Attend regular multi-disciplinary meetings organised by the
Practices in order to discuss and learn from recent significant events relating
to clinical practice occurring within the PCN.
Attend regular educational meetings organised by the practices in
order to update clinical knowledge, practice policy and guidelines and
disseminate other useful information relevant to the provision of adequate
healthcare for patients.
Regularly reflect on own practice (and keep a record of learning
encounters) in order to identify learning needs and encourage self-directed
lifelong learning and continued professional development.
ADMINISTRATION
Send and receive written information on behalf of the PCN regarding matters of insurance, housing and other issues relating to the
physical and social welfare of patients.
Work to deliver with other members of the practice and Primary
Healthcare Team, the objectives of the PMS contract, including the terms of the Quality and Outcomes
Framework and Practice Based Commissioning.
Attend regular multi-disciplinary meetings organised by the
Practices in order to discuss the health and social needs of particular
patients.
Scope and Purpose of Job
Description
The job description is not
intended to be an inflexible or finite list of tasks and will be varied from
time to time after consultation/discussion with the post holder. For
example: This job description will be
reviewed at Annual Appraisal and amended. Naturally, as Compliance, Services and
Individuals develop, changes in employees duties will be necessary.
This is an exciting
opportunity for the right person wishing to develop their clinical and
management practice in fast moving practices in the heart of the community. The
supervising team have a wealth of experience in general practice which will
undoubtedly provide the opportunity for the new appointee to develop their
knowledge and shape the position within a dynamic clinical team.
Other Information:
General
The
duties of this post are a guide to the range of responsibilities that may be
required.
Other duties
The
post holder will be required to undertake any other duties according to the
needs of the service.
Travel to
other sites
The
post holder will be required to have the ability to access transport throughout
Kings Lynn and associated periphery.
Medical Examinations
All appointments are
conditional upon prior health clearance by the practice.
Failure to provide
continuing satisfactory evidence will be regarded as a breach of contract.
Professional Registration
Staff undertaking work which
requires professional registration are responsible for ensuring that they are
so registered and that they comply with any Codes of Conduct applicable to that
profession. Proof of registration must
be produced on appointment and, if renewable, proof of renewal must also be
produced.
DBS Checks
Applicants for posts in NHS
Providers are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
All applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a DBS check before
the appointment is confirmed.
Equal
Opportunities
Kings
Lynn Primary Care Network is an equal opportunities employer and you will be
expected to comply with all relevant policies and procedures in this area
together with all other policies and procedures as initiated by the host
practices.
Work Visa/ Permits/Leave To Remain
If you are a non-resident
of the United Kingdom or European Economic Union, you are required to have a
valid work visa and leave to remain in the UK, which is renewed as required.
The Practice is unable to employ or continue to employ you if you require but
do not have a valid work visa and/or leave to remain in the UK.
Code of Conduct
All staff are required to
work in accordance with the code of conduct for their professional group (e.g.
Nursing and Midwifery Council, Health Professions Council, General Medical
Council, NHS Code of Conduct for Senior Managers).