Job summary
We are looking for 2 Physician Associates to join our acute mental health MDT and to play a key role in the management of patients and to support the effective functioning of the CNWL Acute Mental Health Services comprising inpatient ward and the Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team (CRHT) and contribute to wider service developments.
The post holder will be accountable for ensuring that high quality patient care is delivered at all times. The Physician Associate will be supervised by a designated consultant with regular meetings to support on-going development within the role. The Physician Associate will attend regular CPD sessions to support on-going development.
The postholders will be based at the Park Royal Hospital site situated in the London borough of Brent. This team looks after people aged 18+ with acute mental health problems either at home with HTT or on the inpatient unit where they may be voluntary (informal) or detained under the Mental Health Act.
Main duties of the job
They will be expected to work flexibly and co-operatively with other members of the clinical team and will be required to cover for colleagues during periods of absence. They will complement other roles and strengthen the multi-disciplinary team. They will have continuing responsibility for patients in association with others in the clinical team. They will ensure accurate records are maintained.
They will be supported to undertake mandatory training and other training specific to their role in conjunction with the Medical Education Department.
They will undergo an annual PDR or appraisal.
Physician Associates will be provided with a weekly timetable outlining fixed clinical commitments. They will have time for undertaking roles related to their skill set in the clinical setting as detailed below. They will respond to clinical demands and play a role in prioritising clinical and other needs.
Physician Associates will be required to register with the Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register (PAMVR) run by the Royal College of Physicians and be expected to keep up to date with necessary professional development.
About us
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) is one of the largest trusts in the UK, caring for people with a wide range of physical and mental health needs. We have approximately 7,000 staff that provide healthcare to a third of London's population and across wider geographical areas, including Milton Keynes, Kent, Surrey and Hampshire.
Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference.
We are constantly developing and working in innovative ways to provide modern, dependable services in
o Physical and mental health sectorso Primary, secondary and community serviceso Health and social care settings for all ages.
Brent Adult Mental Health Service provides a range of services for adults within community and hospital settings. Our community services have recently transformed to improve the quality of care received by people with mental health needs in their local community in line with the NHS Long Term Plan, towards provision of more integrated, personalised and place-based care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Physician Associate roles are likely to include, but not be limited to the following:
- Practice under the supervision of a Consultant Psychiatrist
- Conduct initial psychiatric assessments, take patient histories and perform physical examinations
- Establish differential diagnosis, making appropriate treatment plans under supervision of the Consultant Psychiatrist
- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, handovers and other relevant clinical meetings
- Treat patient and their family members using a high degree of empathy and advanced communication skills
- Respond in a timely way to requests to assess or review patients physical and / or mental health
- Record clinical notes about patient contacts and provide advice to staff on further management / investigations / interventions
- Review and summarise patient notes for the purposes of contributing to discharge summaries and reports.
- Undertake assessment and assistance to ward staff in the event of medical emergencies
- Work collaboratively with the relevant team i.e. Psychiatrists, Junior Doctors, Senior Nurses, Nursing Staff, Support Workers, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists to ensure good working relationships
- Liaise with primary care and relevant secondary health care providers relating to a patients care or treatment
- Liaise with community teams about a patients on-going care and treatment needs
- Support health promotion activities including those relating to smoking, drugs and alcohol
- Provide psycho-educational support to patients and carers / families
- Support proactive screening and interventions with regard to the physical health of patients.
- Liaise with pharmacy regarding issues relating to medication
- Contribute to the development of physical health competencies in mental health staff in a range of settings.
- Carry out procedures which will include (but not be limited to):
- ECG
- Venepuncture
- IV cannulation
- Interpretation of blood results
- Mental state examination
- Cognitive assessment
- The post holder will be willing and encouraged and supported to participate in research/audit/QI opportunities as they arise
- Be responsible for the dissemination of new or updated clinical practices
- Support the placements of nursing, medical, physician associate and other students on placement
- Participate in undergraduate teaching
- Support junior doctors on placement
- Support the development of skills in the wider team and the organisation
- Assist with the development of, and implementation of, local and trust wide policies, procedures, guidance and protocols
Job description
Job responsibilities
Physician Associate roles are likely to include, but not be limited to the following:
- Practice under the supervision of a Consultant Psychiatrist
- Conduct initial psychiatric assessments, take patient histories and perform physical examinations
- Establish differential diagnosis, making appropriate treatment plans under supervision of the Consultant Psychiatrist
- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, handovers and other relevant clinical meetings
- Treat patient and their family members using a high degree of empathy and advanced communication skills
- Respond in a timely way to requests to assess or review patients physical and / or mental health
- Record clinical notes about patient contacts and provide advice to staff on further management / investigations / interventions
- Review and summarise patient notes for the purposes of contributing to discharge summaries and reports.
- Undertake assessment and assistance to ward staff in the event of medical emergencies
- Work collaboratively with the relevant team i.e. Psychiatrists, Junior Doctors, Senior Nurses, Nursing Staff, Support Workers, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists to ensure good working relationships
- Liaise with primary care and relevant secondary health care providers relating to a patients care or treatment
- Liaise with community teams about a patients on-going care and treatment needs
- Support health promotion activities including those relating to smoking, drugs and alcohol
- Provide psycho-educational support to patients and carers / families
- Support proactive screening and interventions with regard to the physical health of patients.
- Liaise with pharmacy regarding issues relating to medication
- Contribute to the development of physical health competencies in mental health staff in a range of settings.
- Carry out procedures which will include (but not be limited to):
- ECG
- Venepuncture
- IV cannulation
- Interpretation of blood results
- Mental state examination
- Cognitive assessment
- The post holder will be willing and encouraged and supported to participate in research/audit/QI opportunities as they arise
- Be responsible for the dissemination of new or updated clinical practices
- Support the placements of nursing, medical, physician associate and other students on placement
- Participate in undergraduate teaching
- Support junior doctors on placement
- Support the development of skills in the wider team and the organisation
- Assist with the development of, and implementation of, local and trust wide policies, procedures, guidance and protocols
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- PG Diploma in Physicians Associate Studies or equivalent BA/BS Degree in relevant subject
- Membership of UKAPA
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary teams in a healthcare setting
- Experience of team working
- An understanding of the current NHS environment, particularly in relation to mental health reforms, legislation and issues
- An awareness of current developments and initiatives in mental healthcare
Desirable
- Experience of working in a mental health setting
Skills, capabilities & attributes
Essential
- Ability to treat service users with respect and dignity at all times, adopting a culturally sensitive approach
- Person-centred in clinical approach
- Able to work effectively in a team
- Able to build constructive relationships with colleagues at all levels both inside and outside the organisation
- Excellent communication and empathic skills
- Timely and effective verbal and written communication skills with patients, carers, colleagues and multidisciplinary team
- Ability to organise and prioritise workload
- Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of patients
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to work on own initiative
Other
Essential
- Sound IT knowledge including internet, Word, Excel, Outlook
- Commitment to multi-disciplinary team working
- Ability to be flexible and work as part of a changing, dynamic team and organisation
- Sickness (or attendance) record that is acceptable to the Trust
- Ability to travel as the role requires Commitment to continuing professional development and quality improvement
- Declared medically fit by the Occupational Health Department to perform the duties of the post
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- PG Diploma in Physicians Associate Studies or equivalent BA/BS Degree in relevant subject
- Membership of UKAPA
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary teams in a healthcare setting
- Experience of team working
- An understanding of the current NHS environment, particularly in relation to mental health reforms, legislation and issues
- An awareness of current developments and initiatives in mental healthcare
Desirable
- Experience of working in a mental health setting
Skills, capabilities & attributes
Essential
- Ability to treat service users with respect and dignity at all times, adopting a culturally sensitive approach
- Person-centred in clinical approach
- Able to work effectively in a team
- Able to build constructive relationships with colleagues at all levels both inside and outside the organisation
- Excellent communication and empathic skills
- Timely and effective verbal and written communication skills with patients, carers, colleagues and multidisciplinary team
- Ability to organise and prioritise workload
- Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of patients
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to work on own initiative
Other
Essential
- Sound IT knowledge including internet, Word, Excel, Outlook
- Commitment to multi-disciplinary team working
- Ability to be flexible and work as part of a changing, dynamic team and organisation
- Sickness (or attendance) record that is acceptable to the Trust
- Ability to travel as the role requires Commitment to continuing professional development and quality improvement
- Declared medically fit by the Occupational Health Department to perform the duties of the post
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).
