FAQs about careers in the medical associate professions

• What are the three medical associate professions?

  The three medical associate professions are:

  • Physician associates [1]

  • Surgical care practitioners [2]

  • Anaesthesia associate (previously known as physician assistants (anaesthesia)) [3]

• Are the medical associate professions regulated? If so, who by?

  Physician associates and anaesthesia associates are regulated by the General Medical Council [4]. 

  Healthcare professionals working as surgical care practitioners will usually need to maintain their professional registration too (eg as a registered nurse with the NMC [5], ODP with the HCPC [6]).

• What are the most common NHS terms and conditions?

  Physician associates usually start on AfC [7] band 7 although can train through an internship on band 6. Surgical care practitioners and anaesthesia associates are likely to be AfC [7] band 6 while training, then band 7 once they have finished their training.

• Can I progress from another healthcare profession to a medical associate?

  Yes, it depends on the role you are interested in, but is certainly possible if you have the right qualifications and background. As an example, read about Sara who went from being a nurse to a surgical care practitioner. You can also read about Antoinette [8] who was a nurse and now works as an anaesthesia associate.

• Where can I find details of approved physician associate studies courses?

  You can find details of approved physician associate and anaesthesia associate courses on our course finder [9].