Plas Ffynnon Medical Centre is looking to recruit a Physician Associates (PAs), either newly qualified or with more experience.

We currently have two PAs working at our practice, so we are able to provide a well established and supportive structure.

Interviews will be held in July. If you would like an informal chat with the practice manager, please email admin.pfmc@nhs.net stating PA Enquiry FAO Nick Storey in the subject line of your email.
Main duties of the job

The PA will provide care for the presenting patient from initial history taking and clinical assessment through to the diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of care. They will demonstrate critical thinking in the clinical decision-making process, including assessment and diagnostic skills, leading to the delivery of safe care for all patients. They will work collaboratively with the healthcare team to meet the needs of the patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures. The PA will provide a holistic and clinical service, with support from GPs as required, implementing agreed management plans and following approved protocols as appropriate. The PA will be expected on a typical day to carry out some home visits and consult with patients who present on the day and via booked appointments as well as support and manage appropriate patient care at Nursing and Care Homes. The PA will also review and act appropriately on blood results and referrals/correspondence regarding their patients.

It is important that you have good communication skills and can work as part of a multi-disciplinary team. You will require good computer skills and to be able to keep accurate and contemporaneous notes, on the practice computer system. An understanding of patient confidentiality is vital.

About us

Plas Ffynnon is a friendly practice providing excellent care to 9000 patients in Oswestry town centre, North Shropshire.

You will have access to mentor support from one of our experienced PAs.

We will provide a supportive learning environment.

We will ensure appropriate supervision.

A peer support group for Physician Associates within Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin is also available and there are various other learning and CPD opportunities.

Job description
Job responsibilities

The PA will provide care for the presenting patient from initial history taking and clinical assessment through to the diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of care. They will demonstrate critical thinking in the clinical decision-making process, including assessment and diagnostic skills, leading to the delivery of safe care for all patients. They will work collaboratively with the healthcare team to meet the needs of the patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures. The PA will provide a holistic and clinical service, with support from GPs as required, implementing agreed management plans and following approved protocols as appropriate. The PA will be expected on a typical day to carry out some home visits and consult with patients who present on the day and via booked appointments as well as support and manage appropriate patient care at Nursing and Care Homes. The PA will also review and act appropriately on blood results and referrals/correspondence regarding their patients.

Mentorship and supervision will be provided by designated senior medical personnel. The level and type of supervision will be dependent on the post holders acquisition of skills and knowledge and determined by the organisations clinical governance arrangements.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES

CLINICAL

Participate in all treatment and preventative healthcare as agreed by the supervising GP(s).

Provide direct clinical care to patients using established clinical guidelines.

Consult and refer patients to physicians, medical specialists and other health professionals as indicated.

Interview patients, take medical histories, perform physical examinations, analyse, diagnose and explain medical problems during surgery consultations and home visits.

Recommend and explain appropriate diagnostic tests and treatment.

Request and interpret results of laboratory investigations when necessary.

Perform specialised diagnostic physical exams and treatment procedures.

Instruct and educate patients in preventative health care.

All of the above for patients in Nursing and Care Homes as and when required.

Conduct telephone consultations which may involve discussing the result and implications of laboratory investigations with patients as well as dealing appropriately with routine and emergency complaints.

Order laboratory tests as required and agreed under supervising doctor(s).

Fully document all aspects of patient care and complete all required paperwork for legal and administrative purposes.

Contribute to the clinical development of patient care in the practice by developing a special interest and to help establish appropriate systems to manage common chronic medical conditions, ensuring compliance with NSF guidelines.

Participate fully in the clinicians duty rota including the provision of home visits and Nursing/Care home when appropriate.

Formulate diagnoses and treatment plans, in consultation with or referring to Supervising doctor(s) as appropriate.

Communicate, when necessary, with colleagues in Primary Care and hospital specialists in order to discuss or refer specific patients, plan and co-ordinate activities or exchange information in order to improve the quality of patient care.

Deal regularly with community hospitals, consultants and other health care providers, insurance companies and other community organisations to refer/consult on specific cases, participate in community service and education projects and activities and the like.

TRAINING / EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Ensure continuing education, training and development is undertaken to meet clinical governance guidelines for Continuing Professional Development and a Personal Development Plan.

Keep up to date with relevant medical research, technology and evidence-based medical practice by attending continuing education courses and professional meetings, reading journals etc.

Undertake 50 hours of continuing medical education (CPD) every year. A minimum of 25 hours must be in accredited direct learning programmes.

Take and pass the national re-certification exam every 6 years in accordance with the requirements of the PA Managed Voluntary Register and as recommended by the National Examination Sub Committee of the UKUBPAE (UK Universities Board of Physician Associate Education) and subsequently as required by the statutory regulating body when in place.

Perform a variety of research and analysis tasks associated with improvement of clinical care, medical diagnosis, and treatment where appropriate using the following means:

o Audit of clinical practice.

o Review of relevant literature.

o Research unusual symptoms and treatment options, through consultation with physicians and other medical specialists.

Provide literature reviews and the like review, analyse and determine the significance of a variety of diagnostic test results.

Assist in clinical instruction and supervision of medical and nursing students as well other learners that may periodically be attached to the practice, including the educational development and mentoring of Physician Associate students.

Attend regular multi-disciplinary meetings organised by the Practice in order to discuss and learn from recent significant events relating to clinical practice occurring within the Practice.

Attend regular educational meetings organised by the practice in order to update clinical knowledge, practice policy and guidelines and disseminate other useful information relevant to the provision of adequate healthcare for patients.

Regularly reflect on own practice (and keep a record of learning encounters) in order to identify learning needs and encourage self-directed lifelong learning and continued professional development.

ADMINISTRATION

Send and receive written information on behalf of the Practice regarding matters of insurance, housing and other issues relating to the physical and social welfare of patients.

Attend regular multi-disciplinary meetings organised by the Practice in order to discuss the health and social needs of particular patients.

Scope and Purpose of Job Description

The job description does not constitute a term and condition of employment. It is provided only as a guide to assist the employee in the performance of their job. The practice is a fast-moving organisation and therefore changes in employees duties may be necessary from time to time. The job description is not intended to be an inflexible or finite list of tasks and may be varied from time to time after consultation/discussion with the post holder. This is an exciting opportunity for the right person wishing to develop their clinical and management practice.

Person Specification
Skills and Abilities
Essential

• Able to work independently
• Ability to manage conflict calmly and positively.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to form close working relationships with patients, nurses, GPs, community pharmacists, external healthcare professionals and non-clinical staff.
• Ability to accurately input information relating to consultations
• Strong sense of initiative and ability to self-direct.
• Ability to manage time and workload, meeting deadlines as needed.

Desirable

• Knowledge of QoF
• Familiarity with the audit cycle and data collection

Experience
Essential

• Computer literate
• Knowledge of range of common acute and chronic conditions, how to diagnose and manage them
• Ability to take histories and examine patients
• Able to explain results to patients and give healthcare advise
• Clear and accurate documentation of clinical consultations.
• A desire to work in primary care long term.
• Willingness to participate in CPD keeping up to date with evidence-based knowledge and competence in all aspects of the role.

Desirable

• Knowledge of EMIS
• Experience of working in a health care setting
• Able to interpret results
• Understanding of the issues facing primary care
• An understanding of how to triage patients

Qualifications
Essential

• To hold a post graduate diploma or MSc in Physician Associate Studies
• Degree at 2:2 or above
• When qualified Must be a Member of the Faculty of Physician Associates at the RCP, which includes registration on the PA MVR until such time that statutory regulation of PAs is achieved
• Before taking up employment Current and valid certification or re-certification by the UK Physician Associate National Examination
• Willingness to fulfil 50 hours of CPD per year (As per FPARCP guidance)

Desirable

• Science nursing or other allied health care degree

General Skills
Essential

• Self-confident, with strong people skills.
• Creative, flexible and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment

Desirable

• Full UK driving licence and car

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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work
Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

A1574-23-0000