Physician Associate
Employer Location Maidstone/ Canterbury Salary £43,742 to £50,056 per annum Closing date 8 Mar 2024
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Profession Contract Type Hours You need to or to save a job. NELFT All-Age Eating Disorders Service (AAEDS) is based in the County of Kent. We provide services across the whole of Kent and Medway. We treat a variety of eating disorders including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorders. We have a strong team ethos and nurses, psychologists, dieticians, therapists, psychiatrists and other professions are an integral part of the team. We have a strong focus on training and research and team members benefit from excellent training and CPD opportunities. We have well developed links with NHSE and access to up-to-date training within transformation therapies and Leadership. We have close links to Christchurch University and the University of Kent and their Clinical Psychology Doctoral Training and Clinical Apprenticeship Psychologist Masters Programmes respectively, as well as close links to nursing training
Main duties of the job
NELFT is seeking an enthusiastic compassionate Physician Associate to support our excellent multidisciplinary mental health teams in providing high quality care for our services users. The Physician Associate will play key roles in the management of service users, the assessments, treatment and physical monitoring, and the effective functioning of our team. They will also be involved in wider service development with the help of our Quality Improvement team. The post holder will be accountable for ensuring that high quality patient care is delivered at all times alongside our multi-disciplinary teams. Oversight and regular supervision will be provided by a designated Consultant Psychiatrists through regular weekly meetings to support on-going personal and continuing professional development (CPD) within the role. The Physician Associate will have protected time to attend regular academic sessions, relevant training CPD sessions and other specific interests.
About us
Probationary Period
This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).
Starting with NELFT
NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop in sessions focussing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
COVID-19 Vaccination
We continue to encourage all staff to ensure that they have been double vaccinated and received their booster. We recognise that taking the vaccine provides the best defence against COVID 19 for our patients, our staff and their families.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The successful applicant will be based in one of our clinics, either Maidstone or Canterbury. There is an expectation that they will provide clinical care in both clinics, and this may involve travelling between sites.
The postholder will be expected to work flexibly and collaboratively with other members of the clinical team and will be required to cover for colleagues during periods of absence. This may involve working on other pathways of the AAEDS as a whole. The Physician Associate role will complement other roles in the team and strengthen the multi-disciplinary team. They will have continuing responsibility for patients in association with others in the clinical team. They will ensure accurate records are maintained.
The postholder will be supported to undertake mandatory training and other training specific to their role in conjunction with the Medical Education Department. They will undergo an annual PDR or appraisal.
The postholder will be provided with a weekly timetable outlining fixed clinical commitments such as MDTs, hand overs, supervision and training. They will also have time for undertaking roles 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.
Physician Associates will be expected to register with the Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register (PAMVR) run by the Royal College of Physicians and be expected to keep up to date with necessary professional development.
The post holder will be accountable for their clinical responsibilities and comply with the Department of Health, PA Managed Voluntary Register for Fitness to Practice and Code of Conduct standard and all trust policies. They will adhere to the principles of confidentiality and the Data Protection Act at all times.
If you are an overseas qualified nurse and wanting to start your journey to becoming a UK based registered nurse with the NMC, you can check whether you are eligible to be supported through our Capital Nurse consortium. Please visit Whilst NELFT is happy to welcome overseas nurses we are unable to consider your application directly. You should submit your interest and apply through the Capital Nurse London group.
Person Specification
qua
Essential
1. NVQ level 2 or equivalent standard of literacy and numeracy
2. PG Diploma/ MSc in Physician Associate Studies or equivalent BA/BS Degree in relevant subject
3. Membership of UKAPA/eligibility to register
Experience
Essential
4. Experience of working within a Mental Health setting.
5. Ability to function as an active member of the multi-disciplinary team
Knowledge
Essential
6. An awareness of NHS Plan, NSF and clinical governance priorities
7. Physical monitoring of Eating Disorders: interpretation of relevant physical investigations
Employer details
Employer name
NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
Address
The Courtyard/ Georges Turle House
Maidstone/ Canterbury
ME141PA