Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic Physician Assistant for General Medicine.
The post holder will have graduated (or be within 3 months of graduating) from an accredited Physician's Assistant Training Program and be certified by the National Commission on Certification for Physician's Assistants/Associates (NCCPA).
They will work under the direction and clinical supervision of the medical consultant on their base ward as part of the medical workforce on the ward.
The post holder will be accountable for ensuring that patient care is of a high standard at all times and that standards of care and treatment meet the department's and the Trust's requirements. The post holder will be an excellent role model and ambassador for Physicians Assistants, representing the department at local and external meetings as appropriate.
The duty consultant and the Specialty Clinical Lead, along with an individual educational supervisor to oversee career development, will supervise the post holder.
Main duties of the job
The role of Physician's Assistant is the new development of a new model of clinical care in the General Medicine at King's College Hospital (KCH) NHS Trust.
The role is principally to provide the team with a regular, reliable medical assistant to support patient care, especially relating to patient flow and continuity of care. The independence of the post-holder is anticipated to develop during the post, leading to greater and varied clinical responsibility within the role depending on its needs.
The post holder will take part in quality improvement and clinical governance of the ward.
The post holder will have the opportunity to be part of the development of the PA role at the hospital and to use the opportunity to lead on the recruitment, training, and development of further PAs.
The post holder will participate in weekend Standard Day duties supporting the ward coverage at weekends.
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of £1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reachis our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Physician Assistant will have been trained to exercise autonomy in medical decision-making from within the physician-PA relationship. This includes:
- Conducting daily ward rounds with the medical team, reviewing patients, and formulating appropriate clinical plans
- Formulating a differential diagnosis based on history and physical examination
- Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, radiological studies, or other therapies.
- Discriminating between normal and abnormal findings to recognise early stages of health issues.
- Establishing differential diagnoses, making appropriate treatment plans, and initiating emergency treatment where necessary.
- Instructing and counselling patients regarding their health and well-being.
- Referring and conversing with appropriate specialists regarding patient management.
- Performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures under appropriate supervision, including venepuncture and cannulation.
- Communicating with other healthcare professionals in a timely fashion.
- Fully documenting all aspects of patient care and completing all required paperwork. Working to deliver, with other members of staff, the national guidelines and objectives for acute and emergency medicine.
- Contributing to the development of efficient pathways of care in accordance with current best practice and national guidelines.
- Contributing to supporting colleagues to meet the national performance targets and indicators.
- Contributing to achieving and maintaining good clinical governance
- Maintaining knowledge and proficiency in medical practices through continuing education, staff meetings, and workshops.
- Supporting recruitment into clinical research being carried out in the department.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Physician Assistant will have been trained to exercise autonomy in medical decision-making from within the physician-PA relationship. This includes:
- Conducting daily ward rounds with the medical team, reviewing patients, and formulating appropriate clinical plans
- Formulating a differential diagnosis based on history and physical examination
- Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, radiological studies, or other therapies.
- Discriminating between normal and abnormal findings to recognise early stages of health issues.
- Establishing differential diagnoses, making appropriate treatment plans, and initiating emergency treatment where necessary.
- Instructing and counselling patients regarding their health and well-being.
- Referring and conversing with appropriate specialists regarding patient management.
- Performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures under appropriate supervision, including venepuncture and cannulation.
- Communicating with other healthcare professionals in a timely fashion.
- Fully documenting all aspects of patient care and completing all required paperwork. Working to deliver, with other members of staff, the national guidelines and objectives for acute and emergency medicine.
- Contributing to the development of efficient pathways of care in accordance with current best practice and national guidelines.
- Contributing to supporting colleagues to meet the national performance targets and indicators.
- Contributing to achieving and maintaining good clinical governance
- Maintaining knowledge and proficiency in medical practices through continuing education, staff meetings, and workshops.
- Supporting recruitment into clinical research being carried out in the department.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Will have graduated (or be within 3 months of graduating) from an accredited Physician's Assistant Training Program if UK trained.
- Certified by the National Commission on Certification for Physician's Assistants/Associates (NCCPA) if US trained
- Have passed the Physician Assistant National Examination at the time of commencing employment or recertified if qualified for more than six years
- Registered with the Physician Assistant Managed Voluntary Register (PAMVR)
- Member of the Faculty of Physician Assistants
- Member of the UK APA
- BA/BSc before undertaking the PA program
- Basic Life Support Training
Desirable
- Evidence of post-registration learning and development
- ALS certification
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Ability to work within an MDT
- Venepuncture
- IV cannulation
Desirable
- Arterial Blood Gas sampling
- Lumbar Puncture
- Urinary catheter insertion
- NG tube insertion
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience in Clinical Governance and Audit
Desirable
- Experience with Electronic Health Record (Epic)
- Experience mentoring and training a PA in training
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Will have graduated (or be within 3 months of graduating) from an accredited Physician's Assistant Training Program if UK trained.
- Certified by the National Commission on Certification for Physician's Assistants/Associates (NCCPA) if US trained
- Have passed the Physician Assistant National Examination at the time of commencing employment or recertified if qualified for more than six years
- Registered with the Physician Assistant Managed Voluntary Register (PAMVR)
- Member of the Faculty of Physician Assistants
- Member of the UK APA
- BA/BSc before undertaking the PA program
- Basic Life Support Training
Desirable
- Evidence of post-registration learning and development
- ALS certification
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Ability to work within an MDT
- Venepuncture
- IV cannulation
Desirable
- Arterial Blood Gas sampling
- Lumbar Puncture
- Urinary catheter insertion
- NG tube insertion
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience in Clinical Governance and Audit
Desirable
- Experience with Electronic Health Record (Epic)
- Experience mentoring and training a PA in training
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).
