Roles in CAMHS
Physician associate
About the role...
Physician associates (PA) are healthcare professionals who work as part of a multi disciplinary team under the supervision of a named senior doctor. While they are not medical doctors , they can assess, diagnose and treat patients in a CAMHs environment. Working in community CAMHs settings, in ADHD clinics and eating disorder clinics where you can provide medical support and physical health monitoring are key to this role.
What qualifications do I need?
You will usually need a bioscience-related first degree to get onto one of the training programmes available. Undergraduate integrated Master of Physician Associate Studies programmes are now available and these courses require A-levels or equivalent for entry.
Physician associate training usually lasts two years, with students studying for 46-48 weeks each year and 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.
What experience do I need to bring?
If you’re a registered healthcare professional such as a nurse, allied health professional or midwife you can apply to become a physician associate. There is also a level 7 apprenticeship for physician associates. Apprenticeships give you the chance to earn a living while gaining your qualification and should be explored through Zone F on the apprenticeship route or through NHS Jobs to see if there are any apprenticeship vacancies.
However academic qualifications aren't everything. You’ll need to be able to demonstrate experience of working with the public, an interest in health or social care, the right values to work for the NHS and excellent communication skills.