The Physician Associate role has been developed to work alongside the medical, surgical and nursing teams, managing patients with a full-range of oncological conditions. Our first Physician Associates joined in 2018 we now have a team of 8 across the trust. We are looking to appoint to the Medical Oncology GI Team.

You will build on your skills in clerking, assessing and examining patients gained during your physician associate training, present cases to more senior members of the team, initiate and interpret investigations, and recommend appropriate management/treatment. You will be expected to liaise with other professionals and specialties as required and complete necessary documentation relating to their patients.

You will be supported by a team of consultants, including a dedicated consultant supervisor, and you will be fully integrated within your clinical team. There will be opportunities for education and service development and your skills will be vital in helping us achieve our mission of continuing to make a national and international contribution to cancer research and treatment, so that more people are cured and quality of life is improved for those with cancer.

Please note that this post includes long day weekends on a roughly 1:6 rota.

For an informal discussion about the role and the Trust, please contact Katie Emmings Lead Physician Associate; katie.emmings@rmh.nhs.uk, 02086426011 ext 1305.

Main duties of the job

• To improve the efficiency and experience of patients receiving elective care at RM, including patients admitted for chemotherapy, radionuclide therapies and other elective procedures.
• To assess inpatients, interpret investigations and form management plans in conjunction with the wider medical team.
• To support the MDT in the care of patients attending The Roya
  l Marsden.
• To act as a key, consistent member of the medical team and to provide continuity in care for our patients.
• To help transform the inpatient management pathways within the Trust.

About us

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits and learning and development opportunities. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Job description
Job responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.

The key duties and responsibilities will include:

• Assess and examine patients, order appropriate investigations, interpret investigation findings, form a list of differential diagnoses and recommend management/treatment accordingly.
• To assess, review daily and discharge patients admitted for elective chemotherapy.
• To assess, review daily and discharge patients admitted for radionuclide therapy.
• Maintain timely and appropriate documentation.
• Instruct and counsel patients and their relatives with regard to mental and physical health issues.
• Have, develop and maintain specialist medical knowledge related to Oncology.
• Keep up to date with current guidelines and maintain best practice.
• Contribute to achieving and maintaining performance within the hospital and department.
• To contribute to the development of efficient pathways of care in accordance with current best practice and national guidelines.
• Develop clinical guidelines within their specialist area for use with the Trust by other staff.
• Work within the multidisciplinary team to ensure effective team working in the provision of out-patient and in-patient care to patients on a day-to-day basis.
• Perform diagnostic/therapeutic procedures, subject to appropriate training and experience. These include, but not exclusively:
  • Venepuncture
  • Cannulation
  • Arterial blood gases
  • Injections
  • ECG
  • Urethral catheterisation
  • Nasogastric tube insertion

• Support and contribute to timely discharge planning including completing discharge summaries and support optimising bed capacity.
• Abide by the Clinical and Corporate Governance policies of the Trust.
• Take part in the administration of the department and the involvement in the management of resources.
• Fully document all aspects of patient care, and complete all required paperwork.

The Physician Associates roles are developed in collaboration with the relevant Service/Clinical Leads. Job plans will be subject to review in line with service developments.

Person Specification
Education / qualifications
Essential

• BA/BS Degree prior to undertaking PA program
• PG Dip or MSc. in Physician Assistant Studies from a recognised UK training programme
• Current and valid certification or re-certification by the Physician Associate National Examination
• Registration with the UK Managed Voluntary Registry for Physician Associates which currently includes membership of the Faculty of Physician Associates at the Royal College of Physicians

Desirable

• ALS certification

Experience
Essential

• Experience of conducting clinical audit/quality improvement
• Experience in medical procedures and terminology
• To be experienced in the use of electronic data capture systems, Microsoft Word and Excel and electronic patient record systems

Desirable

• Experience in oncology  or haemato-oncology

Skills, Knowledge, Abilities
Essential

• Ability to organise and prioritise workload effectively
• Ability to motivate and develop the multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to implement and interpret policies and procedures
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to act in a tactful, confidential and professional manner

Personal Attributes
Essential

• Ability to work well with colleagues and within a team
• Ability to be flexible, acting with care and putting the patient first
• Energy and enthusiasm and the ability to work under pressure
• An inquiring and critical approach to work
• Commitment to CME and professional development

BMJRef: BMJ-81649/282-C123329