Roles in CAMHS
Qualified physician associate
About the role...
Newly qualified physician associates complete a third internship year with a doctor to solidify and deepen their skills. Physician associates' ability to practise medicine is enabled by collaboration and supportive working relationships with their clinical supervisors (consultants) and teams, meaning that there is always someone senior who can discuss cases, give advice, and attend to patients if necessary. Supervision of a qualified Physician Associate is like that of a doctor in training or Trust-grade doctor.
The Physician Associate is responsible for their actions and decisions – however, the consultant is ultimately responsible for the patient.
The supervisor also has responsibility for ongoing development of the Physician Associate including:
• review of workplace-based assessments
• appraisal
• development of a professional development plan
Levels of supervision will vary somewhat from individual to individual and are dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, their past healthcare experience and years of experience as a Physician Associate. A new graduate will require much more intensive supervision compared to an experienced physician associate. Physician associates will also be required to attend regular clinical supervision with a senior clinician. With further training and/or experience, you may be able to develop your career further and apply for vacancies in areas such as further specialisation, management, research, or teaching.
What qualifications do I need?
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?
For this role you will have needed to have completed 2 years as a physician associate before you begin the third year as a qualified physician associate.