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.
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 [1], acute (internal) medicine and emergency medicine.
"I find it very rewarding when I've supported a patient with a mental illness and see them come out the other side feeling hopeful and stronger than they were." Andy King, physician associate at Mosborough Health Centre in Sheffield
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.
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 [3]) 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.