Go back Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Physician Associate
The closing date is 06 November 2025
We are excited to advertise a Physician Associate post based in Rowan Lea Ward located at Cross Lane Hospital in Scarborough.
We provide a structured and supportive inceptorship programme which includes an 8‑week induction with:
* weekly supervision from an experienced clinical supervisor
* three monthly supervision from the medical education team and ongoing learning opportunities
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 role encompasses both physical and mental health responsibilities and working within a multidisciplinary team with consultant psychiatrist supervision.
The wellbeing of PAs is at the forefront of the programme with monthly peer support meetings and well‑being support.
Rowan Lea Ward is a 20 bed assessment and treatment unit for older people who are experiencing a wide range of mental health illnesses.
Our Physician Associates work with a multidisciplinary 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.
The post would suit candidates who are keen to develop their expertise in mental health services.
Main duties of the job
You will:
* Work within a personal scope of practice to contribute to the mental health and physical health care of patients and service users under the supervision of a Consultant Psychiatrist.
* Maintain timely and appropriate documentation using Trust‑approved electronic medical recording systems.
* Record clinical notes about patient contacts.
* Work as part of a multidisciplinary team supporting and contributing 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 GMC requirements.
* Actively participate in the required revalidation processes of the GMC.
About us
The Trust provides mental health and learning disability services for the people of County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby. We also provide additional specialist services to other parts of Northern England.
From education and prevention to crisis and specialist care our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients and communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.
We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In our Trust everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.
We’re committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right in areas that really need it.
We won’t rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need to lead their best possible life.
The most important way we will get there is by living our values all of the time. These are:
* Compassion – kind, supporting, recognising and celebrating
* Responsibility – honest, learning, ambitious
Job responsibilities
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.
Induction in the Trust comprises:
* Orientation to psychiatry for PAs new to psychiatry
* IT and electronic record keeping induction
* Management of violence and aggression training
* Other mandatory and statutory training
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 and service users.
* Develop and maintain specialist medical knowledge across a broad range of physical and mental health care conditions and procedures.
* Support the effective and efficient functioning of clinical services in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
* Work flexibly and cooperatively 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
Qualifications
* BA/BSc level degree prior to undertaking Physician Associate programme
* Postgraduate Diploma/ Master’s Degree in Physician Associate studies from a recognised UK University
* Current and valid registration with the GMC
* Evidence of relevant academic achievements e.g. prizes, awards, distinctions, publications, presentations etc.
Skills
* 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 and spoken communication and capacity to adapt
* Be empathic, proactive and innovative in your approach to clinical practice
* Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to build a rapport with service users, carers and colleagues
* Demonstrate commitment to promoting a positive image of the MHSOP services and the wider Trust.
* Demonstrates understanding of research including awareness of ethical issues
Experience
* Have a minimum of 2 years experience within secondary care.
* Ability to take responsibility for the care of patients and service users under the supervision of a Consultant Psychiatrist.
* Previous experience of having undertaken a Physician Associate or physician associate student role in psychiatry or general healthcare Demonstrates knowledge of evidence‑informed practice.
* Able to evidence sound understanding of the needs of the healthcare sector and the needs of patients and service users.
* Experience of managing complex workloads in the day‑to‑day management of patients and service users.
* Experience of working in multidisciplinary teams.
* 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 health care.
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.
Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
#J-18808-Ljbffr