Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen within Central Camden Primary Care Network (PCN) for a Physician Associate to join our multidisciplinary primary care team.
Protected learning time, Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and support from a dedicated GP supervisor will be provided to enhance your clinical skills and progression within the role.
Main duties of the job
The Physician Associate will provide care for the presenting
patient from initial history taking and clinical assessment through to the
diagnosis and implementation of managment plans. 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 post involves a mixture of appointments including face-to-face, telephone and video consultations.
About us
Camden Health Evolution (CHE) Ltd is a GP Federation which
supports Central Camden PCN. There are 9 member practices in Central Camden PCN
with a registered population of circa 85,000 patients.
All practices are members of CHE GP Federation and share the
vision, mission and values of the Federation and its key priorities.
The PCN is highly innovative and delivers at-scale primary
care services in collaboration with other stakeholders. Patient feedback has
been positive and service evaluations have demonstrated real value for patients
and the wider healthcare system.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The following are the core responsibilities of the Physician Associate. There may be on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels.
Clinical Practice
- Practice under the supervision of a named GP and overall supervision from PCN workforce lead.
- Perform initial history taking and patient assessment and examination.
- Recommend, order, and explain appropriate diagnostic tests and treatments to patients.
- Establish differential diagnosis, interpret investigations and implement agreed management plans for patients.
- Support the management of acute and long-term conditions and deliver specialised clinics following appropriate training including (bot not limited to) asthma, COPD, diabetes, immunisations, cervical screening.
- Provide health/disease promotion and prevention advice to patients.
- Develop extensive
specialist clinical knowledge and experience, acting as a resource to the clinical team
and allied health professionals.
- Coordinate with other primary and secondary healthcare professionals as appropriate.
- Support the delivery of contractual requirements i.e. GMS contract/QOF and other at-scale service requirements on behalf of the PCN.
Communication
- Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to
ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.
- Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating.
- Ensure awareness of sources of support and guidance and provide information in an acceptable format to all patients, recognising any difficulties and referring where appropriate.
Quality and safety
- Recognise and work within own competencies and refer to a more appropriate colleague(s) when necessary.
- Provide direct clinical care to patients using established clinical guidelines.
- Produce accurate, contemporaneous, and complete records of patient consultations, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
Education and training
- Ensure continuing education, training and development is
undertaken to meet clinical governance guidelines for CPD.
- Keep up-to-date with relevant medical research, technology
and evidence-based medical practice.
- Attend educational meetings organised by the PCN, GP practices and other stakeholders in order to update clinical knowledge, relevant policies and guidelines.
- Support and participate in shared learning across the PCN and GP practices.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The following are the core responsibilities of the Physician Associate. There may be on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels.
Clinical Practice
- Practice under the supervision of a named GP and overall supervision from PCN workforce lead.
- Perform initial history taking and patient assessment and examination.
- Recommend, order, and explain appropriate diagnostic tests and treatments to patients.
- Establish differential diagnosis, interpret investigations and implement agreed management plans for patients.
- Support the management of acute and long-term conditions and deliver specialised clinics following appropriate training including (bot not limited to) asthma, COPD, diabetes, immunisations, cervical screening.
- Provide health/disease promotion and prevention advice to patients.
- Develop extensive
specialist clinical knowledge and experience, acting as a resource to the clinical team
and allied health professionals.
- Coordinate with other primary and secondary healthcare professionals as appropriate.
- Support the delivery of contractual requirements i.e. GMS contract/QOF and other at-scale service requirements on behalf of the PCN.
Communication
- Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to
ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.
- Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating.
- Ensure awareness of sources of support and guidance and provide information in an acceptable format to all patients, recognising any difficulties and referring where appropriate.
Quality and safety
- Recognise and work within own competencies and refer to a more appropriate colleague(s) when necessary.
- Provide direct clinical care to patients using established clinical guidelines.
- Produce accurate, contemporaneous, and complete records of patient consultations, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
Education and training
- Ensure continuing education, training and development is
undertaken to meet clinical governance guidelines for CPD.
- Keep up-to-date with relevant medical research, technology
and evidence-based medical practice.
- Attend educational meetings organised by the PCN, GP practices and other stakeholders in order to update clinical knowledge, relevant policies and guidelines.
- Support and participate in shared learning across the PCN and GP practices.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of dealing with a range of clinical conditions
- Experience of working as part of a team
- Experience of communicating effectively with patients and carers
Desirable
- Experience of working within a primary care environment for a minimum of one year
- Experience of managing acute and long-term conditions, and complex needs
- Experience of using EMIS Web, Docman, Accurx and different IT systems in the NHS
Skills / Abilities
Essential
- Ability to effectively triage, assess and diagnose
- Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding of when to escalate to senior colleagues
- Ability to liaise effectively with the wider healthcare community
- Excellent communication (both oral and written) and interpersonal skills
- Ability to deal with confidential information and maintain confidentiality
- Ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team and autonomously
- Good IT skills including Microsoft Office
- Good organisational ability with the ability to re-prioritise as needed
- Ability to reflect and learn from situations
- Ability to engage and share learning with peers and other health professionals
- Ability to cope with unpredictable situations and change
Desirable
- Additional language skills: Bengali (Sylheti), Somali, Farsi or Mandarin Chinese
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and General Practice
Desirable
- Understanding of local commissioning objectives and QOF/PCN DES/IIF
- Understanding of local culture between primary and secondary care
Aptitudes
Essential
- Professional, calm and efficient manner
- Awareness of when to refer for senior advice
- Polite, punctual, and proactive
- Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient
- Understands own scope of practice and how that relates to the wider team
- Open to innovation and new ways of working
- Attention to detail
Other Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel and work flexibly
- Attendance at annual updates and mandatory training as required
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
Qualifications
Essential
- Bachelor Degree in Life Science/Biomedical/Nursing or Allied Health Science
- Postgraduate Diploma/Masters in Physician Associate from an accredited UK University or Physician Associate Qualification from a US University
- Current and valid UK Physician Associate National Examination, re-certification Examination or US Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination
- Member of the Faculty of Physician Associates at the RCP, including registration on the PAMVR
- Evidence of CPD
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of dealing with a range of clinical conditions
- Experience of working as part of a team
- Experience of communicating effectively with patients and carers
Desirable
- Experience of working within a primary care environment for a minimum of one year
- Experience of managing acute and long-term conditions, and complex needs
- Experience of using EMIS Web, Docman, Accurx and different IT systems in the NHS
Skills / Abilities
Essential
- Ability to effectively triage, assess and diagnose
- Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding of when to escalate to senior colleagues
- Ability to liaise effectively with the wider healthcare community
- Excellent communication (both oral and written) and interpersonal skills
- Ability to deal with confidential information and maintain confidentiality
- Ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team and autonomously
- Good IT skills including Microsoft Office
- Good organisational ability with the ability to re-prioritise as needed
- Ability to reflect and learn from situations
- Ability to engage and share learning with peers and other health professionals
- Ability to cope with unpredictable situations and change
Desirable
- Additional language skills: Bengali (Sylheti), Somali, Farsi or Mandarin Chinese
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and General Practice
Desirable
- Understanding of local commissioning objectives and QOF/PCN DES/IIF
- Understanding of local culture between primary and secondary care
Aptitudes
Essential
- Professional, calm and efficient manner
- Awareness of when to refer for senior advice
- Polite, punctual, and proactive
- Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient
- Understands own scope of practice and how that relates to the wider team
- Open to innovation and new ways of working
- Attention to detail
Other Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel and work flexibly
- Attendance at annual updates and mandatory training as required
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
Qualifications
Essential
- Bachelor Degree in Life Science/Biomedical/Nursing or Allied Health Science
- Postgraduate Diploma/Masters in Physician Associate from an accredited UK University or Physician Associate Qualification from a US University
- Current and valid UK Physician Associate National Examination, re-certification Examination or US Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination
- Member of the Faculty of Physician Associates at the RCP, including registration on the PAMVR
- Evidence of CPD
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).
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
