Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust are excited to announce a significant expansion of their Physician Associate programme.

There is a 8 week structured supportive induction programme followed by weekly supervision from a experienced clinical supervisor and three monthly supervision from the medical education team. The programme includes the equivalent of half a day per week protected CPD time with an option to negotiate a further half day per week to undertake medical education or quality improvement activities.

The successful candidate will attract 5 days of study leave per year and a yearly study budget of £500. The programme has been specifically developed to ensure the generalist skills needed for a Physician Associate will be maintained to a high standard. The role encompasses both physical and mental health responsibilities.

The wellbeing of Physician Associates is at the forefront of the programme, with specific biannual wellbeing days and monthly peer support meetings. There is a competitive relocation package available for candidates currently living outside of the area.

The vacancy is for an adult, acute inpatient ward based at Rosebery Park Hospital.Our Physician Associates will work with the multi- disciplinary team and play a key role in ensuring that the highest standards of patient care and treatment are provided, improving both continuity of care and the overall patient experience.

Main duties of the job

Take responsibility for the mental health and physical health care of patients/ service users under the supervision of a Consultant Psychiatrist.

Maintain timely and appropriate documentation using Trust approved electronic medical recording systems.

Analysis of reports and interpretation of test results in order to support patient/ service user care.

Record clinical notes about patient contacts and provide advice to staff on further management, investigations and interventions.

Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, support and contribute to timely discharge planning of patients from the wards when appropriate.

Develop and maintain specialist medical knowledge appropriate to the role through relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Continuing Medical Education (CME) recording activity as per the requirements of the PAMVR.

To actively participate in the required revalidation processes of the Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Registration Commission (PAMVRC) and subsequently the appropriate statutory regulating body once established.

About us

We are geographically one of the largest NHS Foundation Trusts in the country with an annual income of £423m and a workforce of over 7,500 staff operating from around 160 sites. Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health and learning disability services for the people of County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby, serving a population of around 2 million people. We also provide additional specialist services to other parts of Northern England.

We deliver our services by working in partnership with eight local authorities and clinical commissioning groups and a wide range of voluntary organisations, as well as service users, their carers and the public. The services are spread over a wide geographical area of around 3,600 square miles, which includes coastal, rural and industrial areas.



Our values



We want people to lead their best possible lives.

The most important way we will get there is by living our values all of the time. These are:

Respect listening, inclusive, working in partnership

Compassion kind, supporting, recognising and celebrating

Responsibility honest, learning, ambitious

Job description Job responsibilities

The Physician Associate (PA) will work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team to ensure that high standards of patient care and treatment are provided. They will support high quality patient care, providing continuity of service and improving the overall patient experience

At the beginning of your placement you will take part in an induction programme. The induction will introduce you to the Trust if you have not previously worked with us before. As part of the induction you will be introduced to the workplace and informed of the requirements of the post.

In addition, induction in the Trust comprises:

• Orientation to psychiatry for PA’s new to psychiatry
• IT and electronic record keeping induction
• First response resuscitation training
• Rapid tranquillisation training
• Management of violence and aggression training
• Other mandatory and statutory training
• Supervision arrangements

The PA will have one hour per week protected time supervision. Clinical supervision will also be provided as required during clinical work by senior members of medical and non-medical staff.

The Physician Associate will be required to:

• Play a key supporting role in the clinical management of patients/ service users.
• Have, develop and maintain specialist medical knowledge across abroad range of physical and mental health care conditions and procedures.
• Support the effective and efficient functioning of clinical services in collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Work flexibly and co-operatively with other members of the clinical team.
• Work to a weekly timetable, outlining fixed clinical commitments such as team meetings, clinics, supervision and training.
• Ensure sufficient time in roles to undertake duties related to their skill set in the clinical setting as detailed below. They will be expected to respond to clinical demands and play a role in prioritising clinical and other needs against educational requirements.
• Promote at all times a positive image of people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities.
• Promote at all times a positive image of the services of all psychiatric specialties and the wider Trust.

Person Specification Experience Essential

• Ability to take responsibility for the care of patients/ service users under the supervision of a Consultant Psychiatrist
• Previous experience of having undertaken a Physician Associate role in psychiatry/ general healthcare Demonstrates knowledge of evidence informed practice
• Able to evidence sound understanding of the needs of the healthcare sector and needs of patients/ service users
• Experience of managing complex workloads in the day to day management of patients / service users
• Experience of working in multidisciplinary teams

Desirable

• Knowledge of UK healthcare systems, practices and values and awareness of current issues in the NHS
• An awareness of current developments and initiatives in mental healthcare

Qualifications Essential

• BA/BSc level Degree prior to undertaking Physician Associate program
• Postgraduate Diploma/ Masters Degree in Physician Associate studies from an recognised UK University
• Current and valid certification or re-certification awarded by the Physician Associate National Examination
• Registration on the Faculty of Physician Associates Managed Voluntary Register (PAMVR) post qualification
• For USA trained candidates, current and valid certification with the National Commission on Certification for Physician Assistants (NCCPA)

Desirable

• Evidence of relevant academic achievements, e.g. prizes, awards, distinctions, publications, presentations etc.

Skills Essential

• Able to organise and prioritise own workload to meet deadlines
• Capacity to manage time and information effectively
• Capacity to operate under pressure whilst maintaining high standards of care and professionalism
• Demonstrates clarity in written/spoken communication and capacity to adapt

Desirable

• Demonstrates understanding of research including awareness of ethical issues

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

346-C9346-PA-14M