Physician associate

Physician associates support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients.

As a physician associate, you might work in a GP surgery or be based in a hospital, but wherever you work, you'll have direct contact with patients.

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Working life

You’ll be a graduate who has undertaken postgraduate training and you'll work under the supervision of a doctor. You’ll be trained to perform a number of day-to-day tasks including:

  • taking medical histories from patients
  • performing physical examinations
  • diagnosing illnesses
  • seeing patients with long-term chronic conditions
  • performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
  • analysing test results
  • developing management plans
  • provide health promotion and disease prevention advice for patients.

Most physician associates currently work in general practice, acute (internal) medicine and emergency medicine.

Liam Black

Physician associate

I’ve always had an interest in medicine from being young and I was influenced by my nan who was a nurse many years ago.

Read Liam's story
Liam Black

Entry requirements

You’ll 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.

Alternatively, if you’re a registered healthcare professional such as a nurse, allied health professional or midwife you can also 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.

Must have skills

Don’t forget – 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.

Training and development 

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.

There will also be 1,600 hours of clinical training, taking place in a range of settings, including 350 hours in general hospital medicine.  You'll also spend a minimum of 90 hours in other settings including mental health, surgery and paediatrics. You may be eligible to receive some funding but financial arrangements differ between universities so you'll need to contact them to see what might be available.  

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.

Pay and benefits

Your standard working week will be around 37.5 hours with the need to work flexibly over a seven day period. As a physician associate, you’ll be paid on the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay system, typically starting on band 7 with internships starting at band 6.

You’ll also have access to our generous pension scheme and health service discounts, as well as 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.

Displaying 1 - 5 of 32 matches

  • Physician Associate Studies - Postgraduate Taught (UK Students Only)

    Swansea University

    Qualification
    MSc
    Study mode
    Full-time
    Duration of the course
    2 Years
    Leading to a career in
    Physician associate studies
    Contact details
    [email protected] 01792 513400
    Region
    Wales
    Admissions address
    Singleton Park
    Swansea
    SA2 8PP
    United Kingdom
  • Physician Associate Studies (Postgraduate)

    Edge Hill University

    Qualification
    Master of Science - MSc (PG)
    Study mode
    Full-time
    Duration of the course
    2 Years
    Leading to a career in
    Physician associate studies
    Contact details
    [email protected] +44 (0)1695 657000
    Region
    North West
    Admissions address
    St Helens Road
    Ormskirk
    L39 4QP
    United Kingdom
  • Physician Associate (Postgraduate)

    Anglia Ruskin University

    Qualification
    Master of Science - MSci
    Study mode
    Full-time
    Duration of the course
    2 Years
    Leading to a career in
    Physician associate studies
    Contact details
    [email protected] 01245 68 68 68
    Region
    East of England
    Admissions address
    Bishop Hall Lane
    Chelmsford
    CM1 1SQ
    England
  • Physician Associate

    Buckinghamshire New University

    Qualification
    MSc
    Study mode
    Full-time
    Duration of the course
    2 Years
    Leading to a career in
    Physician associate studies
    Contact details
    [email protected] 0330 123 2023
    Region
    South East
    Admissions address
    Queen Alexandra Road
    High Wycombe
    HP11 2JZ
    United Kingdom
  • Physician Associate MSc

    Brunel University London

    Qualification
    Master of Science - MSc (PG)
    Study mode
    Full-time
    Duration of the course
    2 Years
    Leading to a career in
    Physician associate studies
    Contact details
    [email protected] +44 (0)1895 265 265
    Region
    London
    Admissions address
    Kingston Lane
    Uxbridge
    UB8 3PH
    United Kingdom

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