Physician Associate PGDip

Course Overview The role of Physician Associate is a new position within the healthcare sector. The demand for qualified associates in the UK is rapidly growing, making it a great career choice. As a Physician Associate you will work alongside GPs and doctors to provide high quality care. You'll provide support with assessment and diagnosis, managing patients in both hospitals and the community. As the NHS faces more challenges, Physician Associates play a vital role in supporting the healthcare workforce. Working in a variety of settings, their role improves access to healthcare and patient experience. Although Physician Associates are not trained doctors they work to the medical model to deliver holistic care under supervision. This PGDip is designed for students who have already completed a degree in a science or health related subject. However this course also attracts individuals already in health professions such as nursing and midwifery. What will this course cover? We will give you the knowledge and skills you need to feel confident in the role of Physician Associate. You'll be able to make a positive impact on the lives of others and have an important role within the healthcare community. You'll benefit from community-based placements and the support of a team of experienced teachers. In year one you will study general and adult medicine and complete clinical placements typically at GP practice and within general medicine. In year two you will study specialist and acute medicine alongside a clinical placement. Course Details You will be taught in our Society and Health Faculty which has a number of Healthcare trust partners in North West London and the Thames Valley region. We're a leader in healthcare education and have made significant investments to make sure our students have access to excellent teaching facilities at both Uxbridge and High Wycombe campuses. Our NHS partnerships At Bucks, we have a range of partnerships within the local community, particularly with NHS trusts. We have partnerships with: Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust London North West Healthcare NHS Trust Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. We value the relationships between professionals and public health users. We'll make sure by the end of the course you share our vision of improving the access to high quality services within the NHS and local communities. Settings a Physician Associate may work in include: general practice emergency departments mental health services medical and surgical assessment units. This PGDip course includes the national examination, allowing you to register to practice as a Physician Associate in the UK. Working as a Physician Associate you can expect to begin on a Band 6 Agenda for Change salary. As you gain experience you may be able to progress in your career and specialise in management, research or teaching. Employability What are my career prospects By the end of the course you will feel confident working within a team of healthcare professionals. You'll be able to support medical staff to assess, diagnose and manage patients. From documenting medical histories to developing management plans, you'll have a varied career with no two days being the same. As a Physician Associate you'll work as a team member under the supervision of doctors in a variety of clinical settings. This course aims to give you leadership skills and strive for excellence.