Physician Associate

**Overview**

We are very excited to be recruiting for a Physician Associate to join our forward thinking, expanding PCN team.

Based at The Misbourne Practice, this role will be employed by The Chalfonts Primary Care Network (CPCN) which includes three GP Practices and supports a local population of approx. 32,000.

We are looking to recruit a motivated, forward thinking and passionate Physician Associate to join the team and deliver high quality patient care to the PCN population.

**About Us**

The Chalfonts Primary Care Network (PCN) is made up of the three GP practices based in Chalfont St. Peter, Buckinghamshire. These are: The Allan Practice, The Hall Practice and The Misbourne Surgery.

Since the NHS was created in 1948, the population has grown and people are living longer. Many people are living with long-term conditions such as diabetes and heart disease or suffer with mental health issues and may need to access their local health services more often.

To meet these needs, practices have begun working together and with community, mental health, social care, pharmacy, hospital and voluntary services in their local areas in primary care networks.

Primary care networks build on the core of current primary care services and enable greater provision of proactive, personalised, coordinated and more integrated health and social care. Clinicians describe this as a change from reactively providing appointments to proactively providing care for the people and communities they serve. Where emerging primary care networks are in place in parts of the country, there are clear benefits for patients and clinicians.

**About the Job**

**Key Duties and Responsibilities**
- Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team in a patient-facing role to clinically assess (both in practice, and virtually, along with **home visits** and care home rounds) and treat patients using their expert knowledge of medicines.
- Provide care for the presenting patient, from initial diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of care.
- Demonstrate critical thinking in the clinical decision making process, including assessment and diagnostic skills, leading to the delivery of safe care for all patients.
- Provide a holistic and clinical service, with support from colleagues when required, implementing agreed management plans and following approved protocols as appropriate.
- Develop relationships and work closely with other physician associate professionals within the Chalfonts PCN and across Primary Care Networks and the wider health and social care system.
- The post holder will be expected to travel within the named PCN practices and attend PCN related meetings, training and events.

**Person Spec**:
**Requirement**

**Desirable (D) / Essential (E)**

**QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING**

Certification of passing the PA national examination **(E)**

Member of the faculty of Physician Associates at the RCP, including registration of the PA Manged Voluntary Register **(E)**

MSc degree/ PgD in Physician Associate Studies **(E)**

BA/BSc degree prior to undertaking PA Program **(E)**

**KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS**

Demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of all relevant and related aspects of anatomy and physiology **(E)**

Understanding and experience of research and audit **(E)**

Understand the importance of evidence-based practice and able to demonstrate promotion of best practice through clinical governance and learning **(E)**

Ability to work both autonomously and as part of a team **(E)**

Ability to work effectively with the wider healthcare community **(E)**

Critical thinking in decision making **(E)**

An awareness of current development and initiatives in primary care **(D)**

An awareness of local commissioning objectives that impact on primary care and the services that can be delivered **(E)**

**EXPERIENCE**

Experienced with associated clinical experience **(E)**

Experience of working as a Physician Associate within General Practice for 2 years **(D)**

Experience of dealing with a range of clinical conditions **(E)**

Experience of working within a primary care environment **(D)**

Experience of preventative medicine and management of patients with long term conditions and complex needs **(D)**

Experience of seeing, assessing and treating acutely unwell patients presenting in primary care **(D)**

**PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS**

Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills, experienced through communicating with people at a range of levels **(E)**

High level of personal and professional accountability and autonomy **(E)**

Ability to work flexibly and enthusiastically within a team and on own initiative **(E)**

High levels of emotional intelligence able to quickly build rapport and positive working relationships **(E)**

Home visits are a pre-requisite for this role; the successful applicant must have a clean driving licence and access to their own, appropriately insured, vehicle. **(E)**

**Key Terms and Co