Senior Physician Associate – Frailty (Band 7)
The closing date is 05 May 2026
Join the Frailty and Older People’s Medicine service at James Paget University Hospital as a Senior Physician Associate (Band 7) in fixed‑term maternity cover. The role is part of an evolving acute frailty model and requires close collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, including consultants, doctors, nurses, therapists and community services.
Main duties
Under consultant supervision, the Senior Physician Associate will provide comprehensive assessment and ongoing management of frail older patients across emergency, same‑day and inpatient settings. Key duties include:
* Assessing and examining frail patients presenting to the Emergency Department, SDEC and the Care of the Elderly ward.
* Initiating, reviewing and interpreting investigations and supporting the formulation of differential diagnoses and treatment plans; supporting ward rounds, MDT board rounds and consultant‑led frailty assessments.
* Contributing to timely discharge planning, completing documentation and liaising with community services.
* Communicating effectively with patients, families and carers, including collateral histories.
* Maintaining high‑quality clinical documentation and ensuring continuity of care.
* Undertaking delegated clinical procedures in line with training, competence and scope of practice.
* Supporting education and training of PA students, medical students and junior medical staff.
Clinical Responsibilities
* Work under consultant supervision to assess, examine and review frail older patients in ED, SDEC and inpatient settings.
* Order, interpret and act upon diagnostic investigations.
* Formulate and present clinical assessments, including differential diagnoses and management recommendations.
* Review inpatients on the Care of the Elderly ward and contribute to ongoing management plans.
* Perform clinical procedures in line with training and competence (e.g., venepuncture, cannulation, ABGs, ECGs, catheterisation, NG tube insertion).
* Ensure timely, accurate and comprehensive clinical documentation.
Multidisciplinary and Discharge Planning
* Work closely with the MDT to support holistic assessment and care planning.
* Contribute to proactive discharge planning and support patient flow and bed capacity.
* Liaise with community, therapy, mental health and specialist teams as required.
Communication
* Communicate clearly and compassionately with patients and families, including those with cognitive or sensory impairment.
* Provide updates and explanations regarding investigations, treatment plans and progress.
Education, Governance and Development
* Participate in teaching and supervision of PA students, medical students and junior doctors.
* Maintain professional registration, CPD requirements and recertification as required.
* Contribute to clinical governance, audit and service development activity.
* Work within Trust policies, professional codes of conduct and the agreed scope of practice.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* PG Dip in Physician Associate Studies from a UK PA programme OR US NCCPA (required).
* Wide‑ranging experience in Medicine.
Experience and Skills
* Ability to exercise sound judgment when faced with conflicting pressures.
* Experienced SystmOne user.
Knowledge
* Detailed knowledge and understanding of Frailty and OPM issues.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
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