Job summary
Physician Associates, Crane Ward 12 Months Fixed Term, Full Time
We are looking for a Physician Associates to join our Adult Mental Health Team based at Crane ward, Riverside Centre, to play a key role in the management of patients and to support the effective functioning of inpatient services.
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 postholder will be based at the Riverside Centre site situated in the London borough of Hillingdon. This team looks after women aged 18+ who are acutely unwell from their mental illness admitted to the ward as voluntary (informal) or detained patients under the Mental Health Act. Physician Associate will work as an integral part of the MDT in delivering the care to the patient and will receive active support from all the team members.
Main duties of the job
The post holder 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 and will undergo an annual PDR or appraisal.
The Physician Associate 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) until regulation with the GMC is in place and will 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.
Hilllingdon 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
- Clinical Duties
- Practice under the supervision of a Consultant Psychiatrist
- Provide direct clinical care to patients using established clinical guidelines, involving consulting with and referring patients to medical specialists and other health professionals as indicated.
- Conduct psychiatric and physical assessments, taking medical and psychiatric histories from service users, performing physical examinations, establishing differential diagnoses and making appropriate treatment plans under supervision of a consultant psychiatrist.
- Respond in a timely way to requests to assess or review patients physical and / or mental health.
- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, handovers and other relevant clinical meetings.
- Assist the consultant by writing letters, chasing referrals/treatments, preparing medical notes and summarising patient notes to contribute to discharge summaries and reports.
- Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team i.e: Psychiatrists, Junior Doctors, Senior Nurses, Nursing Staff, Support Workers, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists to ensure good working relationships.
- Liaise with external (community teams, primary care and relevant secondary health care providers) and internal teams/departments relating to a service users care or treatment needs.
- Undertake assessment and assistance to ward staff in the event of medical emergencies.
- Support proactive screening and interventions with regard to the physical health of patients.
- Provide health promotion and disease prevention advise to service users, including those relating to smoking, drugs and alcohol.
- Provide psycho-educational support to patients and carers / families.
- Liaise with pharmacy regarding issues relating to medication.
- Communicate sensitive health information and treat patients and families with a high degree of empathy and advanced communication skills.
- Carry out procedures which will include (but not be limited to):
- ECG
- Venepuncture
- IV cannulation
- Interpretation of blood results
- Mental state examination
- Cognitive assessment
- Physical health examinatio
Research and Service Development
- The successful candidate will be encouraged to participate in relevant audit, quality improvement opportunities and other governance activities within the service.
- Support the delivery of policy and procedures.
- Contribute to the achievement and maintenance of key performance indicators for the trust.
- Contribute to the development of service care pathways and the ongoing development of the service.
- Support the development of skills and physical health competencies in the wider team and organisation.
Undertake any necessary training requirements to fulfil the objectives of the post and to enhance personal knowledge and development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Clinical Duties
- Practice under the supervision of a Consultant Psychiatrist
- Provide direct clinical care to patients using established clinical guidelines, involving consulting with and referring patients to medical specialists and other health professionals as indicated.
- Conduct psychiatric and physical assessments, taking medical and psychiatric histories from service users, performing physical examinations, establishing differential diagnoses and making appropriate treatment plans under supervision of a consultant psychiatrist.
- Respond in a timely way to requests to assess or review patients physical and / or mental health.
- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, handovers and other relevant clinical meetings.
- Assist the consultant by writing letters, chasing referrals/treatments, preparing medical notes and summarising patient notes to contribute to discharge summaries and reports.
- Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team i.e: Psychiatrists, Junior Doctors, Senior Nurses, Nursing Staff, Support Workers, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists to ensure good working relationships.
- Liaise with external (community teams, primary care and relevant secondary health care providers) and internal teams/departments relating to a service users care or treatment needs.
- Undertake assessment and assistance to ward staff in the event of medical emergencies.
- Support proactive screening and interventions with regard to the physical health of patients.
- Provide health promotion and disease prevention advise to service users, including those relating to smoking, drugs and alcohol.
- Provide psycho-educational support to patients and carers / families.
- Liaise with pharmacy regarding issues relating to medication.
- Communicate sensitive health information and treat patients and families with a high degree of empathy and advanced communication skills.
- Carry out procedures which will include (but not be limited to):
- ECG
- Venepuncture
- IV cannulation
- Interpretation of blood results
- Mental state examination
- Cognitive assessment
- Physical health examinatio
Research and Service Development
- The successful candidate will be encouraged to participate in relevant audit, quality improvement opportunities and other governance activities within the service.
- Support the delivery of policy and procedures.
- Contribute to the achievement and maintenance of key performance indicators for the trust.
- Contribute to the development of service care pathways and the ongoing development of the service.
- Support the development of skills and physical health competencies in the wider team and organisation.
Undertake any necessary training requirements to fulfil the objectives of the post and to enhance personal knowledge and development.
Person Specification
Education/ Qualification/ Training
Essential
- Undergraduate degree in a health or life science prior to undertaking the Physician Associate programme
- Postgraduate Diploma or Masters in Physician Associate studies from an accredited UK training programme
- Registration on the Faculty of Physician Associates Managed Voluntary Register- post qualification
- Training in Basic Life Support, Immediate Life Support or Advanced Life Support from the Resuscitation Council
Desirable
- Evidence of having successfully passed the UK National Physician Associates exam (evidence of six-year recertification exam pass where necessary)
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of understanding of the needs of the healthcare sector and the patients'/service users
- Demonstrable knowledge of evidence informed practice
- Knowledge of national and local guidance for the role of a Physician Associate
- Demonstrable patient assessment skills
Desirable
- Experience of working as a Physician Associate in General Practice and/or Secondary Care
- Experience of working within a mental health environment
Person Specification
Education/ Qualification/ Training
Essential
- Undergraduate degree in a health or life science prior to undertaking the Physician Associate programme
- Postgraduate Diploma or Masters in Physician Associate studies from an accredited UK training programme
- Registration on the Faculty of Physician Associates Managed Voluntary Register- post qualification
- Training in Basic Life Support, Immediate Life Support or Advanced Life Support from the Resuscitation Council
Desirable
- Evidence of having successfully passed the UK National Physician Associates exam (evidence of six-year recertification exam pass where necessary)
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of understanding of the needs of the healthcare sector and the patients'/service users
- Demonstrable knowledge of evidence informed practice
- Knowledge of national and local guidance for the role of a Physician Associate
- Demonstrable patient assessment skills
Desirable
- Experience of working as a Physician Associate in General Practice and/or Secondary Care
- Experience of working within a mental health environment
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).
