Physician Associate

The Physician Associate will provide care for patients taking histories and providing clinical assessments and will work collaboratively with the healthcare teams to meet the needs of patients, supporting the delivery of primary health care.

As a Physician Associate you will provide a holistic and clinical service, with support from GP’s as required, implementing agreed management plans and following approved protocols as appropriate, together with referring on to other agencies and members of multidisciplinary teams. Training on local services and referral pathways will be provided. You may be expected to carry out some home visits.

A GP supervisor will be provided.

The main responsibilities of the role include:

- To deliver a high standard of patient care, using advanced, autonomous, clinical skills, with in-depth theoretical knowledge and evidence based practice, working under the supervision of a GP;
- To manage a clinical caseload and deal with presenting patients needs, in a primary care setting;
- To provide clinical leadership, where appropriate, within the practice and support other members of the team to develop and to maintain clinical skills appropriate to your role and expertise;
- Offer a holistic service to patients and their families, developing, where appropriate, an on-going plan of care/support with an emphasis on prevention and self-care;
- Refer patients directly to other services or agencies using appropriate referral pathways;
- Ensure safe handover of care within and outside the practice, as appropriate;
- Undertake surgery-based consultations, for both scheduled and telephone consultations, as agreed with the post holder in accordance with their clinical skills;
- Over time it is envisaged that the role will develop into managing patients for acute medical problems, including taking histories and clinical examinations within the competence and skillset of the practitioner (to be agreed). This would include instigating necessary diagnostic tests and interpret findings/reports within the scope of a PA’s practice. This may include discussing the result and implications of laboratory investigations with patients;
- Utilise clinical guidelines and promote evidence-based practice;
- Work directly with other members of the practice's primary health care team and support integrated, patient-centred care, through appropriate working, with wider primary care / social care networks;
- Contribute to the practice quality targets, to consistently achieve high standards of safe, evidence-based, cost-effective patient care and service delivery.

For further information on the role, please see the attached job specification.

All applicants should have the following qualifications and registrations, either in place or pending:

- A postgraduate degree in Physician Associate Studies from an accredited PA programme;
- Membership of the Faculty of Physician Associates at the RCP, which includes UK Physician Associate Registration (the PA Managed Voluntary Register);
- Current and valid certification or re-certification by the UK Physician Associate National Examination;
- Experience including preventative medicine and chronic disease management;
- Flexible and adaptable approach to a varied and high-volume workload, with the ability to multi-task and to work under pressure;
- Consistently compassionate and respectful approach, placing a high value on the dignity of patients, relatives, carers and colleagues.
- Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, patients, relatives, nurses, other staff and agencies;
- Commitment to continuing professional development.

**About Us**:
We operate across two sites in Bedford: one is in Carlisle Road, Queens Park, and the other is our branch surgery in Honeysuckle Way, Goldington, off Riverfield Drive.
We have a range of clinicians, including six GPs, five practice nurses, one prescribing practitioner and two health care assistants.

**Disclosure and Barring Service Check