Job summary
West Kent Primary Care (WKPC) are seeking to employ a Primary Care and Frailty Physician Associate (PA) who will be working across Tonbridge Primary Care Network and Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) based at their Pembury site.
Tonbridge PCN is experienced at embedding non-Dr
professions into clinical settings.The PCN is made up of 5
member GP practices servicing over 50,000 patients. We offer services ranging
from First Contact Physio, Social Prescribers, and Clinical Pharmacy to make a
range of services more accessible to our patients.
The PA
will develop their role in Primary Care under guidance from a named GP Clinical
Supervisor and Frailty Team Consultant.
This is a fixed term 12 month contract, with view to extend.
Main duties of the job
Within Tonbridge Primary Care Network
(PCN) the Physician Associate will undertake a variety of work relating to
frail patients within PCN care homes (elderly care and learning disabilities)
and supporting the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) to follow up of patients with
frailty discharged from the acute hospital.
As a member of the clinical team on
the Acute Frailty Unit, the Physician Associate will provide assessment, diagnosis, treatment
planning and implementation of management plans for patients with frailty. They will also support other services by contributing
to transfer of care and discharge planning.
The post holder will be employed by West Kent Primary Care on behalf of Tonbridge
PCN for 3 days a week and will be seconded to the NHS trust for two days
of their working week.
We welcome
experienced PAs and those newly qualified.
Please see attached documents for further information including a job description and person specification.
About us
West Kent Primary Care will act as employer for this role. We are a collaborative and ambitious GP Federation working with GP practices across Sevenoaks, Weald, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Malling, and Maidstone to improve General Practice provision in the area. West Kent Primary Care are a supportive and friendly organisation whose aim is to provide high quality, seamless health care that enables people to lead healthier lives, whilst feeling supported and cared for.
What we can offer:
- Favourable terms and conditions
- Match NHS Annual Leave entitlement
- NEST and NHS Pension
- A comprehensive induction into the company followed by a local induction to introduce you to the role
- Training, support, and development in your career
- Flexible working arrangements
- Recognition via Employee of the Month scheme
- Wellbeing support and Employee Assistance Programme
*Due to the geographical location, it would be beneficial to have a full driving license as travel will be required to practices across the PCN area as well as travel to MTW's Pembury site.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Work clinical sessions on a flexible basis in the NHS trust, GP Practices and care homes, working with frailty MDTs and offering telephone consults and face to face appointments.
- In the NHS Trust will attend ward rounds and work under the supervision of the hospital frailty team to assess and manage patient cases
- See a range of patients whose cases vary in complexity, undertaking focused history taking, clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of care
- Provide specialist advice and treatment to patients as delegated and agreed by the supervisors in line with local policies and using established clinical guidelines.
- Formulate and adjust diagnoses and treatment plans, in consultation with supervisors where necessary.
Please see attached job description and person specification for further detail.
Person Specification
IT Skills
Desirable
- Knowledge of EMIS
- Use of DOCMAN or similar software
- Knowledge of Microsoft 365 including Outlook, Word etc.
Qualifications
Essential
- Postgraduate Diploma/Masters in Physician Associate Studies from an accredited UK or USA University/higher education institution
- AND:
- Member of the Faculty of Physician Associates at the RCP
- Registration on the PA Managed Voluntary Register
- Current and valid certification or recertification by the Physician Associate National Examination
Desirable
- Clinical teaching and assessing certificate
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development activities
Experience
Essential
- Experience working as a Physician Associate either in Primary or Secondary Care or Mental Health
Desirable
- Recent experience of working in UK General Practice, Urgent Care or A&E environment
- Management of patients with complex needs
- Management of frail, elderly patients with co morbidities
- Experience in telephone consulting
Management and Administrative Experience
Essential
- Knowledge and Understanding of the NHS Long Term (10 year) plan
- Understanding of the current developments and challenges facing primary care
- Ability to organise and prioritise workload effectively
- Ability to exercise sound judgements when faced with conflicting pressures
- Excellent record keeping skills
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft office i.e. Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Experience of recording patient consultations electronically
Desirable
- Proficient in use of a GP IT system e.g. EMIS or Vision
- Experience in using Vision Anywhere
- Proficient in the use of web-based applications/programmes
- Use of DOCMAN or similar software
Personal Attributes
Essential
- High level of literacy and numeracy
- Good verbal and written communication skills and able to communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, relatives or carer
- Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, patients, relatives, and agencies.
- Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the Practices within the PCN.
- Highly motivated and enthusiastic
- Ability to work effectively under pressure
- An enquiring and critical approach to work
- Caring attitude to patients
Professional and Multi-disciplinary team working
Essential
- Ability to work well with colleagues and within a team
Desirable
- Awareness of local referral pathways
- Experience of attendance at MDTs/virtual clinics
Clinical Effectiveness, research and innovation
Essential
- Can demonstrate an understanding of quality improvement initiatives
Desirable
- Experience of undertaking critical appraisals
- Participation in research and development
- Experience of significant event analysis reviews
- Experience of conducting clinical audits and implementing change in line with findings
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website .
Employer details
Employer name
West Kent Primary Care
Address
Hospice In The Weald
Maidstone Road
Pembury
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN2 4TA