Physician Associate in Reading

Physician Associates (PAs) are healthcare professionals with generalist training who support doctors in delivering patient care as part of the multidisciplinary team. Working under a named GP's supervision, PAs take patient histories, assess, diagnose, treat, and evaluate care within their clinical scope. They ensure safe decision-making and collaborate with the practice team to meet patient needs and uphold clinical policies.

Main duties of the job:

• Taking medical histories from patients
• Carrying out physical examinations
• Seeing patients with long-term chronic conditions
• Formulating differential diagnoses and management plans
• Carrying out diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
• Developing and delivering appropriate treatment and management plans
• Requesting and interpreting diagnostic studies
• Providing health promotion and disease prevention advice for patients

Clinical responsibilities:

• Deliver timely, high-quality care using clinical guidelines
• Refer to secondary care or social services per protocols
• Perform diagnostic exams and treatment procedures
• Educate patients on preventive health
• Accurately document all patient interactions
• Conduct home visits as needed or instructed
• Complete legal/admin documentation for all care provided
• Carry out and interpret diagnostic tests within PA scope; discuss results with patients
• Apply clinical guidelines and evidence-based practice
• Provide holistic care and ongoing support plans focused on prevention and self-care
• Address community health needs with patient-centred strategies
• Support quality targets for safe, effective, and efficient care
• Help achieve GMS contract goals and assist in clinical and service development
• Contribute and participate in audits, evaluation and clinical standard setting within the Practice and/or PCN

Administration:

• Accurate and timely summarising of patient records and read-coding patient data
• Complete all required paperwork for legal and administrative purposes in accordance with relevant standards
• Ensure that all practice policies are fully implemented
• Work in accordance with all governance and internal systems relating to the management of clinical data and systems
• Review and action patient clinical discharge letters

Training and development:

• Taking responsibility for own development with relevant evidence-based knowledge and competence in all aspects of the role to meet clinical governance guidelines for Continuing a Personal Development Plan (PDP)
• Stay up to date through attendance at any courses and/or study days necessary to ensure that professional development requirements are met
• Work closely with other clinical staff and administrative managers in the setting up and/or improving of practice systems for monitoring/measuring performance against Clinical Governance and Quality Indicator targets
• Work to deliver the NHS contract requirements related to the practice

Governance, safety and compliance:

• Maintain accurate, confidential patient records in line with policy and best practice
• Deliver care based on NHS and NICE guidelines, supporting evidence-based practice
• Contribute to quality governance, audits, incident reviews, and shared learning
• Evaluate care effectiveness and support service improvements aligned with local/national policies
• Ensure safeguarding awareness and adherence to relevant legislation and procedures
• Promote compliance with policies, reporting concerns or breaches as needed

Health and safety:

• Follow and promote safe working practices, infection control standards, and PPE use
• Report health & safety incidents through appropriate systems

Confidentiality:

• Uphold data protection, patient confidentiality, and FOI responsibilities

Working relationships:

• Patients and carers where appropriate
• GPs, nurses and other practice staff including practice pharmacists
• To work as a flexible member of the PCN providing support to other team members when necessary
• To take an active role in the development and embedding of the PCN's culture, values and reputation as providers of high-quality services

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of duties and responsibilities but is a guide for information to the role. The job description will be periodically reviewed considering the developing work requirements. The post-holder will be expected to contribute towards that revision.

Person Specification:

Experience:

• Sound medical knowledge
• Safe clinical decision making
• Diagnostic and assessment skills
• Clear verbal and written communication
• Active listening
• Patient education
• Adaptability
• Confidentiality and integrity
• Accountability
• Time management
• Empathy and compassion

Qualifications:

• Degree and Postgraduate Diploma/Masters in Physician Associate from an accredited University
• Current and valid certification or recertification by the Physician Associate National Examination
• Member of Faculty of Physician Associates
• Ability to work cohesively within the multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to adhere to regulations as well as work flexibly to meet the needs of the Practice
• Clinical examination skills
• Developing care plans with patients and carers
• Management of patients with common acute medical conditions
• Experience of managing GP paperwork
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

Desirable:

• Preceptorship
• 1 year of relevant post qualification experience or equivalent practical experience
• In practice experience
• Familiarity with EMIS

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration:

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details:

Rosemead Surgery
Ray Park Avenue
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 8DS
United Kingdom