About this role
## Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Physician Assistant to join our busy forensic inpatient unit, the Hellingly Centre, supporting the delivery of high-quality, recovery-focused care for people with complex mental and physical health needs within a secure setting. Working as part of a skilled multidisciplinary team, you will contribute to patient assessment, physical health monitoring, team development and care planning, while building strong therapeutic relationships with service users. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is organised, compassionate and confident working in a dynamic clinical environment, with a strong commitment to collaborative practice, team training, risk awareness and improving physical health outcomes for patients. In return, we offer a supportive team, regular supervision, opportunities for learning and development, and the chance to make a meaningful contribution within a specialist forensic mental health service.
### Main duties of the job
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.
### About us
We provide NHS care and treatment to children, young people, adults and older people who have mental health problems, learning disabilities or neurodiversity needs.
We employ about 5,700 staff. Many of our services are provided in partnership with other organisations. We provide care in people's homes, in specialist clinics, hospitals and GP surgeries.
As well as being a provider of services across Sussex we also commission specialist beds. Working with NHS and independent sector healthcare organisations across the South-East we are the lead provider in three Provider Collaboratives. These cover adult eating disorders, secure care and children and young people inpatient services.
Sussex Partnership was formed in April 2006 as an NHS Trust and established as an NHS Foundation Trust with teaching trust status in August 2008. We work closely with Brighton and Sussex Medical School, a partnership between the Universities of Brighton and Sussex. In 2015, we became a member of the Association of UK University Hospitals, the representative body for university hospitals with major teaching and research interests across the UK and internationally.
Our services are rated 'good' by the Care Quality Commission and 'outstanding' for caring. We work closely with other health and care partners to provide the best possible care to our local populations. We have strengths in innovation, including our work in the field of research and development.
## Job description
### Job responsibilities
Assess and review service users physical and mental health needs, using appropriate clinical judgement and decision-making skills.
Develop and support management plans in collaboration with the supervising Consultant and multidisciplinary team.
Undertake agreed clinical procedures, including ECGs, venepuncture, interpretation of blood results, mental state examinations, psychiatric history taking and cognitive assessments.
Maintain accurate and timely clinical records, reports, discharge summaries and outcome measures in line with professional and Trust standards.
Communicate sensitive and complex information clearly and compassionately with service users, carers, families and professionals.
Work collaboratively with internal teams, external providers, pharmacy and other agencies to support safe and effective care.
Contribute to multidisciplinary meetings, care planning, case conferences and responses to urgent clinical situations.
Provide health promotion, psychoeducation and physical health screening support for service users and carers.
Support service development, audit, research, quality improvement, governance and implementation of policies and clinical standards.
Contribute to education, training, supervision and development of PA students, newly qualified PAs, doctors in training and wider staff groups.
## Person Specification
### Qualifications
#### Essential
* Undergraduate degree in a life science and/or a significant background in healthcare. * PG Dip in Physician Associate Studies from a recognised UK training programme and evidence of successful completion of the UK National PA exam (or equivalent) or an MSc Degree (or equivalent) in Physician Associate Studies, Physician Associate Studies or Medical Sciences * Registration with the General Medical Council * Pass in Physician Associate Registration Assessment * Evidence of ongoing CPD
#### Desirable
* Membership of the Faculty of Physician Associates at the Royal College of Physicians.
### Knowledge/Experience
#### Essential
* Experience of working within a mental health environment * Able to work with the clinical team to manage a caseload of service users with complex mental health needs * Comprehensive knowledge of interventions specific to service area * Knowledge of national and local guidance for the role of a Physician Associate * Awareness of Trust policies and service specification
### Skills
#### Essential
* Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills with staff, service users, families, carers and professionals * Able to establish links with other services and professionals * Able to effectively manage risk * To be able to provide highly specialised advice concerning the care or treatment of service users * Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
### Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
### Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the [UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab)](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. [Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab)](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants).
### UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see [NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).](https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/working-health/overseas-health-professionals)
## Employer details
### Employer name
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
### Address
The Hellingly Centre
The Drive
Hellingly
BN27 4ER
United Kingdom
### Employer's website
[https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)](https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/)
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