Hi there. I have a few questions. I'm interested to know how PAs and doctors will work together in the future. For example in a hospital setting, what grade of doctor will be responsible for overseeing PAs? Will it be junior doctors or only consultants? Do they have indemnity insurance and are they responsible for their own clinical decisions if something happens to go wrong with patient care or is it the responsibility of the doctor? Looking at some of the descriptions of duties for a PA, this includes history and exam as well as coming up with a management plan, but I don't know how this fits in with prescribing if they cant prescribe yet. Can you elaborate more on this? Some doctors I have spoken to are concerned that this may create more work than alleviate the burden as doctors will have to double check work done by PAs before singing off on drugs/management etc. How do you respond to concerns that doctors have about this new role? I'm aware that this role has been established in the US for a long time and it works there but naturally I think doctors and nurses have lots of questions about how it will work in practice.
Dear Second Degree Medicine, Thanks for getting in touch, As the careers information service for the health sector in England, our remit at Health Careers is to provide information about entering into and training for, the range of careers within the sector.Furthermore, Health Careers is not involved in the direct recruitment of staff into the sector, as this is undertaken by each of the organisations that provides healthcare in England. The best thing we can recommend would be to contact the GMC as they are the registering body for doctors in the UK and they should be able to provide answers to the questions you are asking. You can contact them here: 0161 923 6602 or alternatively the website is: www.gmc-uk.org/index.asp Best wishes, The Health Careers Team
You can find out more about the pa role and entry requirements etc here: www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/medical-associate-professions/roles-medical-associate-professions/physician-associate/entry-requirements-skills-and-interests-physician
Would the salary go up or would it stay like this as you gain experience? Also will you just stay as a physician associate and could my undergrad be in neuroscience?
Thank you for contacting Health Careers. Physician associates support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients. You might work in a GP surgery or be based in a hospital, but whatever the setting, you will have direct contact with patients. Current physician associates are graduates who have undertaken post-graduate training. However, there are now also undergraduate courses available. You can find details of these courses by using our course finder: www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/courses As a physician associate, you’ll be paid on the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay system, typically starting on band 7 with internships starting at band 6 You can find further information about being a physician associate on our web website at: www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/medical-associate-professions/roles-medical-associate-professions/physician-associate Kind regards, Health Careers Team
Hi, Which specific degree would be needed to be a successful candidate for this role? Would a psychology degree suffice? Could you please list the undergraduate degrees which would enable a person to pursue this role? Thanks
Hi there, You’ll usually need a bioscience-related first degree to get onto one of the training programmes available. An undergraduate integrated Master of Physician Associate Studies at the University of Central Lancashire will run, subject to approval. This would be the only undergraduate programme available at this time. This course will require A levels for entry. Alternatively, if you’re a registered healthcare professional such as a nurse, allied health professional or midwife you can also apply to become a physician associate. Although it involves many aspects of an undergraduate or postgraduate medical degree, the training focuses principally on general adult medicine in hospital and general practice, rather than specialty care. Training will include significant theoretical learning in the key areas of medicine. There will also be 1,600 hours of clinical training, taking place in a range of settings, including 350 hours in general hospital medicine. You'll also spend a minimum of 90 hours in: mental health surgery obstetrics and gynaecology paediatrics Physician associates have to meet a nationally approved standard of training and practice. This is a requirement of the competence and curriculum framework for physician associates as laid down by the Faculty of Physician Associates. Best wishes, The Health Careers Team
Thank you for clarifying it. I also have another question, I am particularly interested in becoming a surgical care practitioner, I understand there is a masters degree one needs to complete in order to become one however,is there an undergraduate pathway?
Hi, The only route currently available is at master's level. Education institutions will decide on their own specific academic requirements for entry onto their programme. However, the minimum entry requirements for entry to a recognised training programme are: registered healthcare professional (eg: registered nurse, registered operating department practitioner, registered physiotherapist). Find further information on our website: po.st/QR2vb5 Regards, Kind regards, The Health Careers Team Make a difference with a career in health
Hi there Doodle Bopp, Apologies for the late response. Find out more about neurology at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/medicine/neurology as a medical speciality. You will find out more about the Healthcare Science role specialising in Neurophysiology at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/healthcare-science/roles-healthcare-science/physiological-sciences/neurophysiology . There are a large team of specialists in Neurology, including specialist nurses, but no specific role within the physician associates team at present. For more details why not email us from the Health Careers website, at: www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/contact-us . Regards, Health Careers Team.
Dear A S, Thank you for contacting Health Careers. It's fantastic to hear you are looking to find out the difference between a physician associate and a nurse. A physician associate support doctors in diagnosis and management of patients. You can find out more about physician associate on our website: www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/medical-associate-professions/roles-medical-associate-professions/physician-associate A nurse looks after patients and maintains the patient dignity throughout treatment and care. You can find out more about nursing on our website: www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/nursing/roles-nursing Anyone applying for a role either directly in the NHS or in an organisation that provides NHS services will be asked to demonstrate the values of the NHS Constitution and how it would apply in their everyday work. www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/working-health/working-nhs/nhs-constitution If you have any further questions, please feel free to message us again or call us on 0345 6060 655, quoting your personal reference number 4516772. You can also find further information on our website at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk Kind regards, Health Careers Team Make a difference with a career in health
Hi Danella, Thanks for your question. There are some similarities between the roles in terms of the types of duties undertaken, like increased responsibility and accountability of decision-making when it comes to patients health, care and treatment. There are distinct differences in the training routes; physician associates will usually be required to have a bio-science related first degree, or be a registered healthcare professional such as a nurse, allied health professional or midwife. Their training lasts for two years and is run by approved universities. The training for advanced nurse practitioners will also be undertaken at university, but is provided to registered nursing staff who are looking to develop in their career. There are also differences in the regulation of each profession in order to practice in the UK. Nurses (including advanced nurse practitioners) must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and physician associates are encouraged to register with the Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register. You might find it helpful to look at some current job descriptions and person specifications for physician associates and advanced nurse practitioners. This will give you the opportunity to see how the roles can differ. Job vacancies for organisations delivering NHS healthcare can be found on the NHS Jobs website www.jobs.nhs.uk We hope this helps! The Health Careers Team
Thank you for contacting Health Careers Samuel, Current physician associates are graduates who have undertaken post-graduate training. However, there are now also undergraduate courses available. You can find details of these courses by using our course finder: www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/courses You can find further information about being a physician associate on our web website at: www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/medical-associate-professions/roles-medical-associate-professions/physician-associate Best wishes Health Careers Team.
Hi Jess, this link will give you details of entry requirements: www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/medical-associate-professions/roles-medical-associate-professions/physician-associate/entry-requirements-skills-and-interests-physician
Because working 8 years for study is pain in the bum, u want to be free from that and PA you will earn similar money to doctors wirh experience @@adeel-eh7xq
I'm on my final year of Sport Therapy which wasn't my first choice but I had to manage and use the knowledge of physiology/anatomy/rehabilitation as a base of support for further studies. Our Physiology lecturer last week suggested us this role that's is growing in UK for those that would like to undertake further studies into a different role. I would like to know if a student graduating with a BSc in Sport Therapy with a first or a 2:1 can consider the idea to apply to become a Physician Associate or shouldn't do? If so may I know why or are they other alternatives? Please the answer its fundamental for me to know what is best for my career Regards
Hi, thank you for contacting Health Careers. Its great that you would like to start a career within the NHS. With regards, to pursuing a career as a physician associate you’ll usually need a bioscience-related first degree to get onto one of the training programmes available. Please follow the link included below to the Health Careers website for further information about a career as a physician associate: www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/medical-associate-professions/roles-medical-associate-professions/physician-associate Many Thanks, The Health Careers Team
Hi. May i ask if i had completed my Biomed Sc degree at IBMS certified University, what is the next step for me to become a Physician Associate? If i study degree out of uk, how can i manage myself to becoming a GP in the future?
Hi Muhammad, Physician associates are currently graduates who have undertaken post-graduate training. However, there is now also an undergraduate course available. Visit our course finder www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/courses/ to find one in your area. There is also additional information about being a physician associate available through our website. Kind regards, 4527713 Health Careers Team Make a difference with a career in health
Hi Idris, You can find out more about the role including pay in the NHS at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/medical-associate-professions/roles-medical-associate-professions/physician-associate Many thanks The Health Careers team
what do you want to say now, government? this is 2024. Give us answers. You have screwed up so many students career. Either ban the course or make jobs for doctors and PAs
it's not doomed, but yes there are extremely valid concerns about the completely unregulated practice of PAs with just 2 years of training who are really at the wrong bit of the dunning-kruger curve. There is plenty of evidence of PAs comparing themselves to doctors, working outside their scope of practice (which tbh is poorly defined anyway) with dangerously high confidence but none of the knowledge to back it up. You see this arrogant ignorance with F1s and 2s at times, its a natural part of learning, but this is fixed quite quickly when they make a mistake and have to take responsibility for it. The difference with PAs is that there mistakes are also owned by the doctor - who is quite possibly early less than the PA, so how will they ever move away from that ignorance? I believe there is a role for PAs, but the original title should be restored "Physicians Assistant" rather than "associate". A PA 2 years of training is not in any way associated with my 5 yrs medical school, 7yrs specialty training and 4yrs senior practice. Their pay should reflect their far lower responsibility levels in comparison to doctors, nurses, pharmacists who are all strictly regulated and have standards to uphold.
@@85parrot: ANPs and ACPs are paid band 7. Do you have a problem with that too ?How many years did you work under NHS ? I am not counting HCA job ! Name: medical associate professionals. physician associates and anaesthetic associates. yes, I agree. PAs selection process has very low standards. Unlike ANP and ACP training post which are allocated for people with years of AHP service. PA universities train 40 students/year. PA students mostly biomed graduates with HCA experience. I think this should change but it won't. because universities are desperate for funding. The ignorance and arrogance likely depend on cultural differences as well. Things will change , government won't look for many APP,ACP,ANP,PA if doctors work regularly and stop choosing to be locums. NHS dont have anymore money because of you. I know many GPs in Wales who never worked but always been locum. should demolish all agency.
@TheSwargam to my knowledge ANPs are regulated by the NMC, I'm not sure about ACPs - presumably by their original regulating body. Either way, they are accountable, and if working in senior positions, yes, a band 7 pay is perfectly reasonable. They obviously should have a defined scope of practice and work within it. We have AAs currently on a band 8b (god knows how they managed that), all of whom qualified 2yrs ago, so can be being supervised by a specialty doctor in anaesthesia (of at least 6yrs post medical qualification) who is earning less than them. Utterly ridiculous situation. 2 AAs being supervised by 1 consultant to run 2 lists is far more expensive than 2 specialty doctors who could also be flexibly used elsewhere and can work independently. This "quick fix" is turning out to be extremely expensive and not particularly useful
![So You Want to Be a PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT [Ep. 17]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IyZCMcq4zVY/mqdefault.jpg)
It’s great to see Adam on RUclips 👌🏽
Just to clarify at 0:40 , pharmacists are not part of the allied health care professions (Dietitians, podiatrists) etc.
Hi there. I have a few questions. I'm interested to know how PAs and doctors will work together in the future. For example in a hospital setting, what grade of doctor will be responsible for overseeing PAs? Will it be junior doctors or only consultants? Do they have indemnity insurance and are they responsible for their own clinical decisions if something happens to go wrong with patient care or is it the responsibility of the doctor?
Looking at some of the descriptions of duties for a PA, this includes history and exam as well as coming up with a management plan, but I don't know how this fits in with prescribing if they cant prescribe yet. Can you elaborate more on this?
Some doctors I have spoken to are concerned that this may create more work than alleviate the burden as doctors will have to double check work done by PAs before singing off on drugs/management etc. How do you respond to concerns that doctors have about this new role? I'm aware that this role has been established in the US for a long time and it works there but naturally I think doctors and nurses have lots of questions about how it will work in practice.
Dear Second Degree Medicine,
Thanks for getting in touch,
As the careers information service for the health sector in England, our remit at Health Careers is to provide information about entering into and training for, the range of careers within the sector.Furthermore, Health Careers is not involved in the direct recruitment of staff into the sector, as this is undertaken by each
of the organisations that provides healthcare in England.
The best thing we can recommend would be to contact the GMC as they are the registering body for doctors in the UK and they should be able to provide answers to the questions you are asking. You can contact them here: 0161 923 6602 or alternatively the website is: www.gmc-uk.org/index.asp
Best wishes,
The Health Careers Team
You can find out more about the pa role and entry requirements etc here:
www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/medical-associate-professions/roles-medical-associate-professions/physician-associate/entry-requirements-skills-and-interests-physician
Would the salary go up or would it stay like this as you gain experience? Also will you just stay as a physician associate and could my undergrad be in neuroscience?
Thank you for contacting Health Careers. Physician associates support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients. You might work in a GP surgery or be based in a hospital, but whatever the setting, you will have direct contact with patients. Current physician associates are graduates who have undertaken post-graduate training. However, there are now also undergraduate courses available. You can find details of these courses by using our course finder: www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/courses
As a physician associate, you’ll be paid on the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay system, typically starting on band 7 with internships starting at band 6
You can find further information about being a physician associate on our web website at:
www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/medical-associate-professions/roles-medical-associate-professions/physician-associate
Kind regards,
Health Careers Team
Hi,
Which specific degree would be needed to be a successful candidate for this role? Would a psychology degree suffice? Could you please list the undergraduate degrees which would enable a person to pursue this role?
Thanks
Hi there,
You’ll usually need a bioscience-related first degree to get onto one of the training programmes available. An undergraduate integrated Master of Physician Associate Studies at the University of Central Lancashire will run, subject to approval. This would be the only undergraduate programme available at this time. This course will require A levels for entry.
Alternatively, if you’re a registered healthcare professional such as a nurse, allied health professional or midwife you can also apply to become a physician associate.
Although it involves many aspects of an undergraduate or postgraduate medical degree, the training focuses principally on general adult medicine in hospital and general practice, rather than specialty care.
Training will include significant theoretical learning in the key areas of medicine. There will also be 1,600 hours of clinical training, taking place in a range of settings, including 350 hours in general hospital medicine. You'll also spend a minimum of 90 hours in:
mental health
surgery
obstetrics and gynaecology
paediatrics
Physician associates have to meet a nationally approved standard of training and practice. This is a requirement of the competence and curriculum framework for physician associates as laid down by the Faculty of Physician Associates.
Best wishes,
The Health Careers Team
Thank you for clarifying it. I also have another question, I am particularly interested in becoming a surgical care practitioner, I understand there is a masters degree one needs to complete in order to become one however,is there an undergraduate pathway?
Hi,
The only route currently available is at master's level.
Education institutions will decide on their own specific academic requirements for entry onto their programme. However, the minimum entry requirements for entry to a recognised training programme are:
registered healthcare professional (eg: registered nurse, registered operating department practitioner, registered physiotherapist).
Find further information on our website:
po.st/QR2vb5
Regards,
Kind regards,
The Health Careers Team
Make a difference with a career in health
Can I go into neuro with a pa degree
Hi there Doodle Bopp, Apologies for the late response. Find out more about neurology at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/medicine/neurology as a medical speciality. You will find out more about the Healthcare Science role specialising in Neurophysiology at
www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/healthcare-science/roles-healthcare-science/physiological-sciences/neurophysiology . There are a large team of specialists in Neurology, including specialist nurses, but no specific role within the physician associates team at present. For more details why not email us from the Health Careers website, at: www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/contact-us . Regards, Health Careers Team.
Hi, what are the main differences between a nurse and a physician associate?
Dear A S,
Thank you for contacting Health Careers.
It's fantastic to hear you are looking to find out the difference between a physician associate and a nurse.
A physician associate support doctors in diagnosis and management of patients.
You can find out more about physician associate on our website: www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/medical-associate-professions/roles-medical-associate-professions/physician-associate
A nurse looks after patients and maintains the patient dignity throughout treatment and care.
You can find out more about nursing on our website: www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/nursing/roles-nursing
Anyone applying for a role either directly in the NHS or in an organisation that provides NHS services will be asked to demonstrate the values of the NHS Constitution and how it would apply in their everyday work. www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/working-health/working-nhs/nhs-constitution
If you have any further questions, please feel free to message us again or call us on 0345 6060 655, quoting your personal reference number 4516772. You can also find further information on our website at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk
Kind regards,
Health Careers Team
Make a difference with a career in health
is it similar to advanced nurse practitioner?
Hi Danella,
Thanks for your question. There are some similarities between the roles in terms of the types of duties undertaken, like increased responsibility and accountability of decision-making when it comes to patients health, care and treatment. There are distinct differences in the training routes; physician associates will usually be required to have a bio-science related first degree, or be a registered healthcare professional such as a nurse, allied health professional or midwife. Their training lasts for two years and is run by approved universities. The training for advanced nurse practitioners will also be undertaken at university, but is provided to registered nursing staff who are looking to develop in their career. There are also differences in the regulation of each profession in order to practice in the UK. Nurses (including advanced nurse practitioners) must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and physician associates are encouraged to register with the Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register.
You might find it helpful to look at some current job descriptions and person specifications for physician associates and advanced nurse practitioners. This will give you the opportunity to see how the roles can differ. Job vacancies for organisations delivering NHS healthcare can be found on the NHS Jobs website www.jobs.nhs.uk
We hope this helps!
The Health Careers Team
Is it possible getting into PA school with a degree in information technology
Thank you for contacting Health Careers Samuel, Current physician associates are graduates who have undertaken post-graduate training. However, there are now also undergraduate courses available. You can find details of these courses by using our course finder: www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/courses
You can find further information about being a physician associate on our web website at:
www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/medical-associate-professions/roles-medical-associate-professions/physician-associate
Best wishes
Health Careers Team.
If you do a degree in medicine, can you still become a physician associate?
Hi Jess, this link will give you details of entry requirements: www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/medical-associate-professions/roles-medical-associate-professions/physician-associate/entry-requirements-skills-and-interests-physician
No offense. But if you have a medical degree why would you want to be a PA. You can work as a doctor?
Because working 8 years for study is pain in the bum, u want to be free from that and PA you will earn similar money to doctors wirh experience
@@adeel-eh7xq
Can I be a pa with a BTEC health and social care course in sixth form/college
You’ll need an undergraduate course in a life sciences degree as the PA course is postgraduate
@@RosesAreGold1 thank you!
I'm on my final year of Sport Therapy which wasn't my first choice but I had to manage and use the knowledge of physiology/anatomy/rehabilitation as a base of support for further studies. Our Physiology lecturer last week suggested us this role that's is growing in UK for those that would like to undertake further studies into a different role. I would like to know if a student graduating with a BSc in Sport Therapy with a first or a 2:1 can consider the idea to apply to become a Physician Associate or shouldn't do? If so may I know why or are they other alternatives? Please the answer its fundamental for me to know what is best for my career
Regards
Hi, thank you for contacting Health Careers. Its great that you would like to start a career within the NHS.
With regards, to pursuing a career as a physician associate you’ll usually need a bioscience-related first degree to get onto one of the training programmes available. Please follow the link included below to the Health Careers website for further information about a career as a physician associate: www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/medical-associate-professions/roles-medical-associate-professions/physician-associate
Many Thanks,
The Health Careers Team
Hi. May i ask if i had completed my Biomed Sc degree at IBMS certified University, what is the next step for me to become a Physician Associate? If i study degree out of uk, how can i manage myself to becoming a GP in the future?
Hi Muhammad, Physician associates are currently graduates who have undertaken post-graduate training. However, there is now also an undergraduate course available. Visit our course finder www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/courses/ to find one in your area. There is also additional information about being a physician associate available through our website.
Kind regards,
4527713
Health Careers Team
Make a difference with a career in health
How much is the salary
Hi Idris,
You can find out more about the role including pay in the NHS at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/medical-associate-professions/roles-medical-associate-professions/physician-associate
Many thanks
The Health Careers team
what do you want to say now, government? this is 2024. Give us answers. You have screwed up so many students career. Either ban the course or make jobs for doctors and PAs
it's not doomed, but yes there are extremely valid concerns about the completely unregulated practice of PAs with just 2 years of training who are really at the wrong bit of the dunning-kruger curve. There is plenty of evidence of PAs comparing themselves to doctors, working outside their scope of practice (which tbh is poorly defined anyway) with dangerously high confidence but none of the knowledge to back it up. You see this arrogant ignorance with F1s and 2s at times, its a natural part of learning, but this is fixed quite quickly when they make a mistake and have to take responsibility for it. The difference with PAs is that there mistakes are also owned by the doctor - who is quite possibly early less than the PA, so how will they ever move away from that ignorance? I believe there is a role for PAs, but the original title should be restored "Physicians Assistant" rather than "associate". A PA 2 years of training is not in any way associated with my 5 yrs medical school, 7yrs specialty training and 4yrs senior practice. Their pay should reflect their far lower responsibility levels in comparison to doctors, nurses, pharmacists who are all strictly regulated and have standards to uphold.
@@85parrot: ANPs and ACPs are paid band 7. Do you have a problem with that too ?How many years did you work under NHS ? I am not counting HCA job !
Name: medical associate professionals. physician associates and anaesthetic associates.
yes, I agree. PAs selection process has very low standards. Unlike ANP and ACP training post which are allocated for people with years of AHP service. PA universities train 40 students/year. PA students mostly biomed graduates with HCA experience. I think this should change but it won't. because universities are desperate for funding.
The ignorance and arrogance likely depend on cultural differences as well.
Things will change , government won't look for many APP,ACP,ANP,PA if doctors work regularly and stop choosing to be locums. NHS dont have anymore money because of you.
I know many GPs in Wales who never worked but always been locum. should demolish all agency.
@TheSwargam to my knowledge ANPs are regulated by the NMC, I'm not sure about ACPs - presumably by their original regulating body. Either way, they are accountable, and if working in senior positions, yes, a band 7 pay is perfectly reasonable. They obviously should have a defined scope of practice and work within it.
We have AAs currently on a band 8b (god knows how they managed that), all of whom qualified 2yrs ago, so can be being supervised by a specialty doctor in anaesthesia (of at least 6yrs post medical qualification) who is earning less than them. Utterly ridiculous situation. 2 AAs being supervised by 1 consultant to run 2 lists is far more expensive than 2 specialty doctors who could also be flexibly used elsewhere and can work independently. This "quick fix" is turning out to be extremely expensive and not particularly useful