Physicians Associate

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Job Overview:

The role is part of an innovative approach to care provision for patients with urgent care needs for the member practices of a Primary Care Network (group of several GP practices). The PA will work closely with other clinicians, non-clinicians and our practice teams to develop a collaborative approach to supporting patients and their carers. In separating acute work from longer-term work, both spectrums of problems can be dealt with in a more timely manner, giving the best experience for patients.
The Physician Associate will provide care for the presenting patient from initial history taking and clinical assessment, through to the diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of care. 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. The Physician Associate will provide a holistic, clinical service, with support from the lead GP as required or the named

Main Duties:

Clinical Practice 

• Work collaboratively with the Urgent Care/Triage team to meet the needs of patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures.
• Provide direct clinical care to patients using established clinical guidelines.
• Provide acute illness triage and consultation via telephone, video consultation, face to face consultation and home visits as appropriate, and in line with internal protocols and standards.
• Take medical histories, perform physical examinations, analyse information
• Formulate diagnoses and treatment plans, in consultation with or referring to supervising or lead GP(s) and explain these appropriately to patients
• Refer patients to Proactive Care, secondary care, other medical specialists and other health professionals as indicated.
• Recommend and explain appropriate diagnostic tests and treatment.
• Order laboratory tests as required and agreed under supervising clinicians.
• Interpret results of laboratory investigations when necessary. 
• Review and act appropriately on referrals/correspondence regarding patients.

• Discuss the result and implications of laboratory investigations with patients and carers if appropriate.

• Opportunistically and where appropriate, instruct and educate patients and carers in preventative health care.
• Fully document all aspects of patient care and complete all required paperwork.

Education

• Ensure education, training and development is undertaken to meet clinical governance guidelines for Continuing Professional and Personal Development.
• Keep up to date with relevant medical research, technology and evidence-based medical practice by attending relevant courses and professional meetings, reading journals etc.
• Undertake 50 hours of continuing medical education (CPD) every year. A minimum of 25 hours must be in accredited direct learning programmes.
• Take and pass the national re-certification exam every 6 years in accordance with the requirements of the Faculty of Physician Associates and the PA Managed Voluntary Register and subsequently as required by the GMC once statutory regulation is in place.
• Assist in clinical instruction and supervision of medical and nursing students as well other learners that may periodically be attached to the practices or PCN, including the educational development and mentoring of Physician Associate students.
• Attend regular multi-disciplinary meetings organised by the Practices or the PCN in order to discuss and learn from recent significant events relating to clinical practice occurring within the Practices.
• Attend regular educational meetings organised by the practices and by IPC in order to update clinical knowledge, policy and guidelines and disseminate other useful information.
• Regularly reflect on own practice (and record learning encounters) in order to identify learning needs and encourage self-directed lifelong learning and continued professional development.

Research

• At the request of the PCN, perform a variety of research and analysis tasks associated with improvement of clinical care, medical diagnosis and treatment where appropriate using the following means:
• Audit of clinical practice.
• Review of relevant literature.
• Research unusual symptoms and treatment options, through consultation with physicians and other medical specialists.

Person Specifications: