Physician Associate

Job summary The Physician Associate or Physician Assistant (PA) will be accountable for ensuring that high quality patient care is always delivered, where they can be a source of continuity for service users by monitoring physical as well as mental health requirements. The PA will support the effective functioning of the multidisciplinary team and wider service developments through developing knowledge of assessing and managing mental disorders, undertaking quality improvement (QI) work such as clinical audit, gaining knowledge about psychotropic medication and taking a lead role in the physical health of service users. The PA will have regular supervision (for both clinical and professional supervision) from a designated Consultant, with regular meetings to support on-going development within the role, as well as attending regular continued professional development (CPD) sessions. Main duties of the job To provide clinical assessments of new referrals & reviews of existing service users under the care of the service the PA works for. To use medical & psychiatric history taking, physical examination, mental state examination, problem solving and clinical decision-making skills in carrying out this work. To formulate differential diagnoses and management plans with input as agreed by the supervising Consultant. The final or working diagnosis for a service user will need discussion at an appropriate time interval as agreed with the supervising Consultant. Maintain service user records i.e. record test results, patient contacts. Review and summarise patient notes for the purpose of contributing to discharge summaries and reports. Assist the consultant by writing letters, chasing referrals/treatments and preparing medical notes. Carry out agreed diagnostic and therapeutic procedures which will include (but not be limited to): Electrocardiogram (ECG) Venepuncture Interpretation of blood results Mental state examination and psychiatric history taking Cognitive assessment About us In keeping with General Medical Council guidance, the post holder will be responsible for their own practice but working under the supervision of a Consultant Psychiatrist. The supervising Consultant does not need to be physically present when the PA is carrying out their duties but must always be available for consultation if required. There will also be regular supervision meetings to support the PA's ongoing development in the role; the level of supervision will be agreed between the post holder and supervising Consultant but will not be less than monthly in frequency. Details Date posted 17 September 2026 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £49,387 to £56,515 a year Per annum Contract Fixed term Duration 8 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number 354-AN-21040 Job locations Forget Me Not Unit Worthing BN13 3EP United Kingdom Job description Job responsibilities To provide clinical assessments of new referrals & reviews of existing service users under the care of the service the PA works for. To use medical & psychiatric history taking, physical examination, mental state examination, problem solving and clinical decision-making skills in carrying out this work. To formulate differential diagnoses and management plans with input as agreed by the supervising Consultant. The final or working diagnosis for a service user will need discussion at an appropriate time interval as agreed with the supervising Consultant. Maintain service user records i.e. record test results, patient contacts. Review and summarise patient notes for the purpose of contributing to discharge summaries and reports. Assist the consultant by writing letters, chasing referrals/treatments and preparing medical notes. Carry out agreed diagnostic and therapeutic procedures which will include (but not be limited to): Electrocardiogram (ECG) Venepuncture Interpretation of blood results Mental state examination and psychiatric history taking Cognitive assessment Provide health promotion and disease prevention advice for service users, including those relating to smoking, drugs and alcohol. Liaise with external (primary care and relevant secondary health care providers) and internal teams/departments relating to a service user's care or treatment needs. Liaise with pharmacy regarding issues relating to medication. Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team, building good working relationships. Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, handovers and other relevant clinical meetings. To receive and communicate very sensitive, complex condition related information with service users, carers & relatives. The post holder will need to use a high degree of empathy and reassurance. To address any barriers to understanding resulting from the person's illness. Examples of this include: explaining to a service user the outcome of an initial assessment, including both physical health & mental health reasons relevant to their presentation (including an