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.

Physician associates work under the direct supervision of a doctor and carry out many similar tasks, including the examination, diagnosis, management and care of patients. You will be supervised throughout your career and will have a named clinical supervisor, either a consultant or a GP.

You'll be part of a medical team and will typically work in general practitioner (GP) surgeries or hospitals as part of a medical team.

This a relatively new role, which is growing and developing over time. It should not be confused with the role of physician assistant.

This is not a route to becoming a doctor. 

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.

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/physician-associate 

To become a physician associate you'll need to complete the relevant programme of study. There are two options for this:

• Integrated undergraduate Masters in Physician Associate Studies (MPAS) which is a full-time course, lasting four years. This is currently available at the University of Central Lancashire and the University of Reading. You'll typically need three A-levels (or equivalent), usually at AAB or above, including chemistry and a further science to get a place on a course.

• Physician Associate Postgraduate Masters or Diploma (PGDip) you will need to have completed an undergraduate degree, usually in a bioscience-related subject to get on the course. This is the most common route to becoming a physician associate.

In order to get a place on a postgraduate course you'll usually need a first degree or equivalent in life or healthcare sciences. Typical degree subjects include:

• allied health degree (e.g. occupational therapy, diagnostic/therapeutic radiography, physiotherapy or paramedic science)

• anatomy

• biochemistry

• biomedical science

• chemistry

• genetics

• human biology

• medical science

• nursing

• microbiology

• pharmacy

• physiology.

Course providers usually require a minimum 2:1 first degree, although some universities will accept a 2:2 in a relevant subject. Alternative qualifications and relevant healthcare experience may be accepted at some institutions. Entry requirements and course content varies between courses, so contact providers directly for information. For a list of courses, see the Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA) website.

To see where you can study click here : https://www.fparcp.co.uk/fpa-membership/pa-students/pa-student-programmes/

Training is full time, intensive and takes two years. Courses combine both theory and clinical practice in a range of community and acute care settings.

An apprenticeship standard for physician associates has been approved for delivery (at degree and Masters level). Apprenticeships combine paid work with part-time study and you'll need to apply for an apprentice position with a healthcare provider.

All courses will have requirements in terms of criminal checks, health checks and language requirements. Contact providers directly for further information.

Once you're qualified and have FPA physician associate membership, you join the Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register (PAMVR). To become a member you will need to pass the Physician Associate National Certifying Examination in addition to completing the physician associate PGDip/MSc.