A shot in the arm for medical jobs
INNOVATIVE roles are offering you new ways of forging a career in the health sector.
Andrew King, one of a number of new physician associates (PA), is now assisting doctors at Mosborough Health Centre in Sheffield.
Andrew, 26, says: ‘From my A-level biology days I’d always been interested in medicine, but I didn’t want to be a doctor. After taking a zoology degree, I worked as a medical receptionist and health care assistant before taking the diploma course in PA studies.’
PAs work in hospitals or health centres under the direct supervision of a doctor and take medical histories, perform examinations, diagnose illnesses, analyse test results and develop management plans.
Andrew’s days also include seeing patients to deliver test results, giving advice, and he is being trained in telephone triage and home visits. ‘There are many challenges such as dealing with angry or inconsolable patients, but the job is also very rewarding,’ says Andrew. The number of training places for PAs is increasing. Alan Simmons, Careers Specialist with Health Careers at Health Education England (HEE), says: ‘HEE is commissioning 657 training places for PAs in 2016/17, an increase of 225 per cent on last year, and 13 universities will be delivering physician associate training .’
PA training lasts two years and focuses on adult medicine in hospitals and general practice. It includes 1,600 hours of clinical training and 80 hours in mental health, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, plus paediatrics. PAs typically start on £31,072 a year.
More training places will also be on offer for other sector roles, including nurses, paramedics and radiographers.