Physicans Associate (PA)

Role Description

Physician Associates (PAs) are healthcare professionals with a generalist medical education who work alongside doctors providing medical care as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team. PAs are dependent practitioners who work under the supervision of a fully trained and experienced doctor.

What can a Physician Associate offer to patients in a Primary Care setting?

Elicit a comprehensive history.
Produce a problem-oriented history.
Perform a complete and directed physical examination.
Formulate a differential diagnosis.
Communicate a patient-focused management plan of care.
Order appropriate tests and interpret test results.
Prepare prescriptions for signature.
Educate and counsel patients and families.
Arrange for follow-up care and/ or referrals to specialists.
Perform, for example, injections, aspirations, basic phlebotomy, dipstick urinalysis, collection and preparation of cultures, fluorescein exam, minor surgery, diagnostic tests, take vital signs.
Home visits/ calls for nursing and homebound patients.

Registrable Qualification

BSc degree in life science
Diploma or Master’s level in Physician Associate studies

Additional Qualifications Required for Primary Care

Not applicable

Regulatory Body

Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register PAMVR (moving to the General Medical Council (GMC) in 2024)

Supervision Requirements

Named GP supervisor who works for the same employer (legal requirement), has regular contact and a deputy nominated for annual leave etc.
PA Preceptees will have a named accredited GP clinical supervisor within the GP practice and access to a mentor (who is not required to work in the same practice).
Regular access to an accredited GP educational supervisor.

KSS Primary Care PA Preceptorship Programme

This is Primary care teaching and mentoring programme for PAs within their first 12 months of Primary Care.

Preceptorship Programme: what does it look like?
How do I get our Physician Associate on the Preceptorship Programme?
Dates for upcoming sessions

For further details, please email Sam Hughes , Programme Director KSS Primary Care PA Preceptorship Programme.

KSS GP PA Preceptorship Programme

Rolling intake throughout the year

Aim of the sessions: to provide Primary Care teaching and mentoring for PAs within their first 12 months of joining Primary Care

Every Thursday 2 - 4.30pm online, click here to see the dates

Physician Associate Webinar Series

From January 2024 through to June 2024 we are offering new Physician Associate Webinar Series to overview the Physician Associate role in depth. These webinars are for Physician Associates employers, clinical supervisors, PMs, Reception and Administrative staff. Click here to view the details.

Click here to book.

Physician Associate Monthly Virtual Drop-in Sessions:

To provide a regular opportunity to answer queries and educate about PAs and their work in Primary Care.

Duration:
1 hour

Staff group:
Physician Associates, Clinical Supervisors of PAs, Practice managers, Workforce Development Leads, Federations, Clinical Directors - anyone with a PA-related query

Session overview:

Clarify the role where needed – this may be around supervision, scope of practice, progression & development, embedding the role, recruitment, CPD and anything else that might come up
Support PAs with any concerns/support/guidance around working as a PA in primary care or with career progression
Support employers to embed PAs/students, understand supervision of PAs/CPD/Appraisal/PA Progression

Please contact Sam Hughes for further information. To access Eventbrite page with the dates, please click here .

What can the Training Hub offer you?

Access to online courses and workshops on various topics
Tools and resources for improving communication and professional skills
Best practices and guidelines
Networking opportunities with peers and other healthcare professionals
Continued education and professional development opportunities
Access to the latest research and information
Access to PA Teams Channel (please contact Surrey Training Hub for login details)

Useful Resources

South East School of PAs

Physician Associates | Health Education England (hee.nhs.uk)

Physician Associates in primary care | Health Education England (hee.nhs.uk)

Faculty of Physician Associates - quality health care across the NHS (fparcp.co.uk)

Who are Physician Associates (fparcp.co.uk)

GP mythbuster 82: Physician associates in general practice - Care Quality Commission (cqc.org.uk)

Programmes - elearning for healthcare (e-lfh.org.uk)