12 Months Fixed Term, Full Time
We are looking for a Physician Associate to join our Adult Mental Health Team based at Crane ward, Riverside Centre, to play a key role in the management of patients and to support the effective functioning of inpatient services.
The post holder will be accountable for ensuring that high quality patient care is delivered at all times. The Physician Associate will be supervised by a designated consultant with regular meetings to support ongoing development within the role. The Physician Associate will attend regular CPD sessions to support ongoing development.
The postholder will be based at the Riverside Centre site situated in the London borough of Hillingdon. This team looks after women aged 18+ who are acutely unwell from their mental illness admitted to the ward as voluntary (informal) or detained patients under the Mental Health Act. The Physician Associate will work as an integral part of the MDT in delivering care to the patient and will receive active support from all the team members.
The post holder will be expected to work flexibly and cooperatively with other members of the clinical team and will be required to cover for colleagues during periods of absence. They will complement other roles 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.
They will be supported to undertake mandatory training and other training specific to their role in conjunction with the Medical Education Department and will undergo an annual PDR or appraisal.
The Physician Associate will be provided with a weekly timetable outlining fixed clinical commitments. They will have time for undertaking roles related to their skill set in the clinical setting as detailed below. They will respond to clinical demands and play a role in prioritising clinical and other needs.
Physician Associates will be required to register with the Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register (PAMVR) until regulation with the GMC is in place and will be expected to keep up to date with necessary professional development.
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) is one of the largest trusts in the UK, caring for people with a wide range of physical and mental health needs. We have approximately 7,000 staff that provide healthcare to a third of London's population and across wider geographical areas, including Milton Keynes, Kent, Surrey and Hampshire.
Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference.
Hillingdon Adult Mental Health Service provides a range of services for adults within community and hospital settings. Our community services have recently transformed to improve the quality of care received by people with mental health needs in their local community in line with the NHS Long Term Plan, towards provision of more integrated, personalised and place-based care.
Clinical Duties
- Practice under the supervision of a Consultant Psychiatrist.
- Provide direct clinical care to patients using established clinical guidelines, involving consulting with and referring patients to medical specialists and other health professionals as indicated.
- Conduct psychiatric and physical assessments, taking medical and psychiatric histories from service users, performing physical examinations, establishing differential diagnoses and making appropriate treatment plans under supervision of a consultant psychiatrist.
- Respond in a timely way to requests to assess or review patient’s physical and/or mental health.
- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, handovers and other relevant clinical meetings.
- Assist the consultant by writing letters, chasing referrals/treatments, preparing medical notes and summarising patient notes to contribute to discharge summaries and reports.
- Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team i.e.: Psychiatrists, Junior Doctors, Senior Nurses, Nursing Staff, Support Workers, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists to ensure good working relationships.
- Liaise with external (community teams, primary care and relevant secondary health care providers) and internal teams/departments relating to a service users care or treatment needs.
- Undertake assessment and assistance to ward staff in the event of medical emergencies.
- Support proactive screening and interventions with regard to the physical health of patients.
- Provide health promotion and disease prevention advice to service users, including those relating to smoking, drugs and alcohol.
- Provide psycho-educational support to patients and carers/families.
- Liaise with pharmacy regarding issues relating to medication.
- Communicate sensitive health information and treat patients and families with a high degree of empathy and advanced communication skills.
- Carry out procedures which will include (but not be limited to):
- ECG
- Venepuncture
- IV cannulation
- Interpretation of blood results
- Mental state examination
- Cognitive assessment
- Physical health examination
Research and Service Development
The successful candidate will be encouraged to participate in relevant audit, quality improvement opportunities and other governance activities within the service.
- Support the delivery of policy and procedures.
- Contribute to the achievement and maintenance of key performance indicators for the trust.
- Contribute to the development of service care pathways and the ongoing development of the service.
- Support the development of skills and physical health competencies in the wider team and organisation.
Undertake any necessary training requirements to fulfil the objectives of the post and to enhance personal knowledge and development.
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