Job summary
Harefield Hospital offers a great opportunity for a qualified Physician Associate (PAs) to provide ward based support for existing medical staff and the greater multidisciplinary team, covering the acute cardiac care unit and the day-case ward. Our first PAs started with us in 2018, and Harefield Hospital is committed to helping develop the PA role, and to involve PAs in the progression of their roles. All PAs will be supported by a consultant mentor, and plan to be supported by a senior experienced PA to allow more junior PAs to acquire expert knowledge and gain further skills.The appointed PAs will be required to perform all clinical duties needed for the patients within their jurisdiction and given their experience, to a level consistent with many junior doctor duties. The main duties are outlined below but the scope of practice is liable to change as the role, and the PA's experience, evolves.
Main duties of the job
PAs will be allocated to the cardiology directorate, and will largely remain within that division. On the acute cardiac care unit the PA will see patients with a wide variety of common, and rarer cardiac conditions including, but not confined to, acute and stable coronary artery disease, pacing procedures and complications, electrophysiology procedures and arrhythmic emergencies, valvular interventions including TAVI, heart failure, endocarditis, and cardiomyopathies. We run a busy primary PCI service for acute myocardial infarction covering a large number of residents of North-West London and the local counties.
To deliver a high standard of patient care using advanced autonomous clinical skills with in-depth theoretical knowledge and evidence based practice working under the supervision of a Consultant
Weekend ward cover is also an expected part of this role, with a 1:4 weekend rota.
The Physician Associates role will initially be developed in collaboration with the relevant Service/Clinical Leads. Their job plan will be subject to review in line with service developments.
About us
Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals joined Guy's and St Thomas' in February 2021 and is the largest specialist heart and lung centre in the UK and among the largest in Europe. Weprovide treatment for people with heart and lung disease, including rare and complex conditions, offering some of the most sophisticated treatment that is available anywhere in the world.
Our integrated approach to caring for patients from before birth, through childhood, adolescence and into adulthood and old age has been replicated around the world and has gained Royal Brompton and Harefield an international reputation as a leader in heart and lung diagnosis, treatment and research.
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK's best known hospitals - Guy's, St Thomas', Evelina London Children's Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield - as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.
We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and - as part of King's Health Partners - we are one of England's eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Research's biomedical research centres, established with King's College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Attendance of divisional board and ward rounds led by Consultants or Registrars on patients with a range of cardiac and respiratory conditions.
- Facilitating effective ward round management with appropriate ordering and obtaining results of key investigations.
- Urgent management of acutely unwell patients alongside SHO and registrar colleagues and communication of concerning patients to senior medical and nursing staff.
- The taking of patient histories and examinations for newly admitted patients.
- Maintaining excellent and timely patient documentation.
- Effective team working within a multi-disciplinary environment.
- Ensure on-going excellent communication with the patients, and when appropriate relatives, including updating them on their medical progress
- To carry out procedures, including but not exclusively: Venepuncture and cannulation Obtaining and interpreting ECGs Urinary catheterisation Arterial blood gas sampling Nasogastic tube insertion.
- Discharge planning and documentation to ensure excellent continuity of care with other professionals including the patients General Practitioner as well as the transfer of patients to and from other institutions.
- Mentoring of junior, newly qualified PAs.
- Teaching of students including medical and nursing students and PA students.
- Involvement in the trusts Audit and Quality Improvement program.
- Adherence to all trust policies and code of conduct and treat patients in line with our trusts vision and values.
- Attending mandatory training and ensuring personal and professional training and indemnity is current
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Attendance of divisional board and ward rounds led by Consultants or Registrars on patients with a range of cardiac and respiratory conditions.
- Facilitating effective ward round management with appropriate ordering and obtaining results of key investigations.
- Urgent management of acutely unwell patients alongside SHO and registrar colleagues and communication of concerning patients to senior medical and nursing staff.
- The taking of patient histories and examinations for newly admitted patients.
- Maintaining excellent and timely patient documentation.
- Effective team working within a multi-disciplinary environment.
- Ensure on-going excellent communication with the patients, and when appropriate relatives, including updating them on their medical progress
- To carry out procedures, including but not exclusively: Venepuncture and cannulation Obtaining and interpreting ECGs Urinary catheterisation Arterial blood gas sampling Nasogastic tube insertion.
- Discharge planning and documentation to ensure excellent continuity of care with other professionals including the patients General Practitioner as well as the transfer of patients to and from other institutions.
- Mentoring of junior, newly qualified PAs.
- Teaching of students including medical and nursing students and PA students.
- Involvement in the trusts Audit and Quality Improvement program.
- Adherence to all trust policies and code of conduct and treat patients in line with our trusts vision and values.
- Attending mandatory training and ensuring personal and professional training and indemnity is current
Person Specification
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
- Postgraduate Diploma/Master in Physician Associate (formally Physician Assistant) from an accredited UK University
- Bachelor Degree in Life Science/Biomedical/Nursing or Allied Health Science
- Basic life support
- Current and valid certification with the US National Commission on Certification for Physician Associates Or: Registered with the Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Registration Commission (PAMVRC
Desirable
- Immediate or Advanced life support
- Teaching Qualification
- Evidence of on-going professional development.
- Membership of Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA)
Experience
Essential
- Experience with cardiac patients as a PA student
- Evidence of clinical audit or quality improvement
- Evidence of continual learning and development Understands self (strengths/weaknesses) and impact of behaviour on others
Desirable
- Experience with teaching/ novel learning techniques
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Essential
- Capacity to apply sound clinical knowledge & judgment & to prioritise clinical need. Demonstrates appropriate technical competence & evidence of development of excellent diagnostic skills & judgment
- Cannulation and venepuncture skills
- Excellent in communication - written and verbal
Desirable
- ABG, urinary catheterization skills
- Some experience with statistical software
Person Specification
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
- Postgraduate Diploma/Master in Physician Associate (formally Physician Assistant) from an accredited UK University
- Bachelor Degree in Life Science/Biomedical/Nursing or Allied Health Science
- Basic life support
- Current and valid certification with the US National Commission on Certification for Physician Associates Or: Registered with the Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Registration Commission (PAMVRC
Desirable
- Immediate or Advanced life support
- Teaching Qualification
- Evidence of on-going professional development.
- Membership of Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA)
Experience
Essential
- Experience with cardiac patients as a PA student
- Evidence of clinical audit or quality improvement
- Evidence of continual learning and development Understands self (strengths/weaknesses) and impact of behaviour on others
Desirable
- Experience with teaching/ novel learning techniques
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Essential
- Capacity to apply sound clinical knowledge & judgment & to prioritise clinical need. Demonstrates appropriate technical competence & evidence of development of excellent diagnostic skills & judgment
- Cannulation and venepuncture skills
- Excellent in communication - written and verbal
Desirable
- ABG, urinary catheterization skills
- Some experience with statistical software
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.
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).
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.
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).
