Long Term Condition Physician Associate GP role - #1718928

During the recent uncertainties of the Physician Associate role in General Practice we have developed a PA role focusing on Long Term Condition management. Alongside the nursing and GP teams this role carries out health checks and annual reviews for chronic health problems helping to diagnose, optimise disease management and treatment. Training is offered to support further development of long term condition knowledge and covers Diabetes, Asthma, COPD, Heart Failure, Chronic kidney and cardiovascular disease. You will work within a team of experienced nurse prescribers and GPs with debriefs to review any management decisions and initiation of medications.

• You will provide and maintain a high standard of chronic disease management, which includes diagnosis, monitoring and development of individual management plans and agreeing these as appropriate with the patient and other health professionals. You will work strictly in accordance with specific practice guidelines and protocols, using templates and the patient digital platforms wherever possible.


• The post holder will work collaboratively within the multi-disciplinary general practice team, to meet the needs of patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures.


• The post holder will provide specialist assessments and reviews of health care needs, the optimisation of care where co-morbidity exists, maximising wellbeing, self-empowerment, and quality of life.

We are a growing vibrant practice in the centre of Leeds serving a local population of over 10,000 patients. We have a clinical team of salaried GPs, ANPs, nurses, mental health nurse, HCAs supported by a care co-ordinator, safeguarding officer and our reception and admin teams. We are supported by our PCN pharmacy team and a wealth of additional services including patient ambassadors, health coaches and women and child hubs.

We serve a population that has challenges due to levels of income, employment, health and barriers to housing. This results in people developing chronic illnesses at younger ages and a reduced life expectancy. This make this role and the management of long term condition in this population vital and holistic covering not only medical treatments but lifestyle optimisation.

• Responsible for management and running of long-term condition clinics in your area of specialties e.g. diabetes, respiratory, in line with NICE guidance and Quality and Outcome Framework. Followed by debriefing from GP and or Long Term Condition Lead.


• Carry out NHS Health Checks on those aged 40 to 74 years designed to detect early signs of serious health conditions


• Recognise health promotion opportunities and give brief, focused lifestyle advice using motivational interviewing techniques which may include: alcohol and smoking cessation and weight management.


• Complete annual long-term condition reviews for patients using templates and specific coding


• Complete medication reviews and suggest changes to medications according to results and liaise with a prescribing clinician or clinical pharmacist


• Recognise signs and symptoms that may indicate undiagnosed long term conditions e.g. poor mental health problems and use relevant referral pathways.


• Work in accordance with Practice protocols to ensure the safe and effective management of patients with Chronic Diseases.


• Be proactive in QOF and enhanced services.


• Process pathology, workflow and tasks related to Long Term Condition Management


• Provide advice and guidance to colleagues in relation to your area of expertise


• Complete audits and participate in quality improvement and research activities as required.


• Liaise with other members of the multidisciplinary teams and refer patients on when required e.g. social prescribing team, health and well-being coaches, specialist hospital teams.


• Proactive in improving and influencing the patient care pathway/ journey.


• Effective communication with patients, carers and all members of the MDT.


• Effective prioritisation and completion of daily work in line with clinical / patient need and practice priorities.


• Help supervise and provide training to colleagues/students in your specialist area.


• Ensure clinical practice is safe and effective and remains within boundaries of competence and to acknowledge limitations.

Clinical Practice

• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous and complete patient records in accordance with GMC Code of Conduct and with reference to practice guidelines, appropriately referring to GPs.


• To maintain your own annual registration with the GMC and adhere to its code of professional conduct.


• The ability to accept and respond to no-blame critical culture which seeks to learn from mistakes and move on.

Maintain any other required registrations and certifications necessary to fulfil your duties :

Chronic disease clinics

Venepuncture

Chaperoning and assisting patients where appropriate who are being examined by another clinician

Requesting pathology tests

Other tasks will include:

Ensure clinical rooms are stocked appropriately

Ensure general tidiness and cleanliness of clinical and treatment rooms

Undertake home visits and or work at the branch surgery as required

Any other delegated duties appropriate to the post

• Ability to interpret and implement guidelines, policies, and procedures Ability to safely and effectively prioritise workload


• Experience in working with and contributing to a multidisciplinary team Understanding of various healthcare roles and respect for the value of all members of the multidisciplinary team


• Excellent organisational skills


• Ability to exercise sound judgement when presented with conflicting work pressures


• Ability to effectively communicate highly complex and sensitive information (verbal and written) to colleagues, patients, and relatives

• Minimum of a BSc/BA undergraduate degree prior to undertaking PA training


• MSc/PgDip in Physician Associate Studies from a recognised PA training programme


• Current and valid certification or re-certification by the Physician Associate National Exam


• Registered with the UK Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register (PAMVR) /GMC application in progress


• Member of the Faculty of Physician Associates


• Evidence of post-qualification learning and development


• Previous job experience as PA in secondary or primary care.

• Experience in working as a fully qualified Physician Associate


• Excellent knowledge of medical science and its application to clinical scenarios


• Able to demonstrate sound clinical judgement


• Experience working cohesively within a multidisciplinary team


• Experience in clinical audit

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.