Physician Associate

The postholder will provide clinical care to patients within a clearly defined scope of practice and under the overall direction and supervision of a named GP. The PA will undertake clinical assessment, history taking and examination and, where appropriately trained and authorised, establish a working diagnosis and management plan for clinically assessed patients, in accordance with agreed protocols and local governance arrangements. PAs are not doctors or independent medical practitioners and must work within their competence, seeking advice and escalating to the supervising GP when required. The PA will provide holistic, patient-centred care and may undertake home visits, Care Home Ward Rounds and booked or clinically triaged consultations. The PA will review and act appropriately on results and referrals/correspondence within their scope, with appropriate GP supervision and debriefing.

The PA will have a named GMC registered GP supervisor. All work undertaken by the PA will be subject to appropriate clinical supervision and debriefing. The level and type of supervision will reflect the PAs knowledge, skills, experience and scope of competence, with the supervising GP retaining overall responsibility for delegated clinical work in accordance with NHS England and GMC requirements.

The PA will be expected to attend and partake in arranged educational meetings.

An enhanced DBS check will be carried out for all successful candidates.

Participate in treatment/preventative healthcare services as delegated by clinical leads; support Network DES Contract for Care Homes across each PCN.Provide direct clinical care using guidelines.Consult/refer patients to physicians, specialists & other health professionals.Undertake history taking, examination and clinical assessment of triaged/booked patients; establish diagnoses within scope, explain findings/management options, with GP supervision.Recommend investigations/treatment within scope/protocols, request/interpret diagnostic results where permitted & undertake authorised procedures for which trained and competent, under supervision. PAs must not prescribeEducate patients in preventative healthcare and conduct telephone/video consultations, including investigation results and routine/emergency complaints.Document patient care and complete required legal/administrative paperwork.Participate in clinicians duty rota, including home visits, and provide clinical tasks to nursing staff/Primary Care Team.Communicate with Primary Care colleagues, hospitals, consultants, healthcare providers, insurers and community organisations to discuss/refer patients, coordinate activities, exchange information and support community services/education.In line with current NHS England guidance, PAs will not routinely see undifferentiated patients. Patients must be triaged/booked into a defined pathway before PA assessment, unless a nationally/locally agreed protocol permits otherwise.