Faculty of Medicine and Health
School of Medicine
Leeds Institute of Medical Education
Physician Associate Facilitator/Practitioner
Part time, 60% Full time equivalent
Fixed term for 12 months
Leeds Institute of Medical Education invites applications from a practising Physician
Associate for twelve months in the first instance.
This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and highly motivated healthcare
professional to contribute to the development of a new programme and to the growth of the
Physician Associate profession within the region.
You will join the programme team for the new Postgraduate Diploma in Physician Associate
Studies and will contribute to a range of learning and teaching activities, student support, and
programme development for that programme.
You will also contribute to the organisation and delivery of a range of clinical skills workshops
for physician associate students and staff. This will include developing new workshops and
creating innovative ways of learning to enhance the student learning experience. You will
also take part in assessment and feedback on students’ clinical skills and have a major
involvement in the Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), including setting up
and examining in these exams.
You must be a graduate of a recognised Physician Associate training programme, have
successfully completed the UK national PA examination and be registered on the UK
Voluntary Managed Register for Physician Associates (with no restrictions on practice).
Applicants must also be a practising Physician Associate with up to date knowledge of
clinical procedures with a secondary care environment. In addition you will have experience
in teaching and assessment and an appropriate university teaching qualification or
willingness to undertake one.
The University of Leeds is committed to providing equal opportunities for all and
offers a range of family friendly policies (http://hr.leeds.ac.uk/homepage/4/policies).
The University is a charter member of Athena SWAN and holds the Bronze award. The
School of Medicine gained the Bronze award in 2013. We are committed to being an
inclusive medical school that values all staff, and we are happy to consider job share
applications and requests for flexible working arrangements from our employees.
University Grade 7 (£31,342 - £37,394 p.a. pro rata) depending on qualifications and
experience
Informal enquiries regarding the post should be directed to: Laura Stroud, Director of
Student Education, e-mail: l.stroud@leeds.ac.uk, tel. (0) 113 343 3951 or Gillian Swan,
Curriculum Implementation & Evaluation Officer, e-mail: G.M.Swan@leeds.ac.uk, tel.
(0) 113 3438189
If you have any specific enquiries about your online application please contact: Sarah
Simpson Tel: + 44 (0) 113 343 1899 email: S.L.Simpson@leeds.ac.uk
Job Ref:
MHIME1026
Closing Date:
7 August 2015
Job Description
Background to the role
The establishment of a Physician Associate programme is in response to local workforce
need.
Physician Associates (PAs) are a developing profession in the UK following successful
integration in both USA and the Netherlands. The course aims to equip Physician Associates
with the skills to work alongside medically qualified doctors in supervised practice.
The NHS and its associated Healthcare providers in Primary Care face particular challenges
in recruiting medical practitioners to General Practice, Accident and Emergency and
Orthopaedics. Health Education England is actively pursuing the modernisation agenda by
encouraging transformation of the workforce through the development of alternative
professions including Physician Associates.
Reduced GP and specialty trainee recruitment in this region leaves capacity for PA learners
within the training practices of Yorkshire, and, since there are currently no other local
educational providers, an opportunity for pan-Yorkshire secondary care placements. By
training Physician Associates, we help to address local workforce needs in our partner Trusts
and General Practice which is likely to result in good employment prospects for graduates
since current evidence suggests that Physician Associates gain employment immediately
following completion of their national examination.
The School of Medicine at Leeds has an international reputation for its educational provision.
The MBChB at Leeds was the winner of the ASPIRE Award, recognising international
excellence in student assessment. The School consistently returns high rates of student
satisfaction across all its programmes. Partnerships with students and placement providers
are excellent. We are able to capitalise on teaching and resources, including TEL and clinical
skills already established for the MBChB although in general teaching will be separate
because of the specificity of the consultation and for timetabling purposes. However, the
school is committed to multi-professional learning and will provide opportunities for joint
learning wherever appropriate.
We are now seeking one or more experienced Physician Associates to join the programme
team as the programme develops and takes in its first cohort of students in September 2015.
Purpose of the Role
To bring the expertise and knowledge of a practising Physician Associate to the Programme
Team, contributing to the full range of programme development and delivery activities as
required.
Main Areas of Responsibility
You will spend 3 days a week supporting the Physician Associate Programme and some
flexibility will be required to enable you to meet the timetable needs of the role.
Physician Associate Programme Development
 Contribute to all aspects of programme design and development as required, bringing
a detailed understanding of the role of Physician Associates in the current clinical
context in the UK.

To act as module leader and to ensure that modules run to the required standard.

To contribute to the planning and development of modules within the subject area.

Ensure that the curriculum content and delivery is adapted to the particular needs and
timescales of Physician Associates students as distinct from medical undergraduate
students taking the MBCHB.

Ensure that the programme enables students to develop a distinct professional identity
as Physician Associates, with a full understanding of the role within the multidisciplinary healthcare team.

To promote innovative approaches to learning and teaching.

To promote excellence in learning and teaching across the Faculty, including
mentoring of less experienced teaching staff.

To contribute to school policy and practice in student education.

Contribute to the planning and development of modules within the relevant subject
area. Contribute to the review and evaluation of modules, programmes and the quality
assurance mechanisms, regularly collecting, and responding to, student feedback.
Programme Delivery
 Undertake an agreed number of teaching sessions, including classroom-based
learning and teaching within clinical placement settings.
 Liaise with clinical placement supervisors and provide support to them from the
programme team as required.
 Act as personal tutor and/or mentor to a group of Physician Associate programme
students providing direction, support and guidance as appropriate.
 Contribute to the recruitment and selection of students.
 Be fully involved in assessing the work and progress of students in their courses
through appropriate formative and summative assessment and provide timely and
constructive feedback.
The exact distribution of duties will depend on the skills mix elsewhere within the
programme team.
 Organise and run a variety of clinical skills workshops for physician associate students
and staff. Teaching will be conducted in classroom, clinical and simulated teaching
situations as well as in clinical areas.
 Help students develop appropriate professional attitudes and communication skills
through working with patients in accordance with “Tomorrows Doctors”, and any other
professional body requirements and guidelines.
 Acting as an assessor for undergraduate and postgraduate assessments including
taking an active part in OSCEs
 Liaising with the Clinical Skills Team Manager, actively contribute to the day-to-day
management of clinical skills teaching.
 Liaising, along with the Undergraduate Co-ordinators of partner organisations, with the
Lead Clinicians on matters related to teaching in the clinical areas.
 Assisting students in developing their knowledge and skills required in history taking
and examination – providing feedback to improve techniques and student
communication skills.
 Facilitating sessions and interaction with other members of the multidisciplinary team
during the medical students’ clinical experience
Leadership
 Undertake administrative process, management functions and participate in
groups/committee structures within the School.

To participate in the administration of the School’s programmes of study and other
activities as requested.

Actively promoting and embedding the University Leadership and Management
standard.
Other
 Engage actively in own continuous professional development, continually updating
own professional knowledge and skills and incorporating this learning as appropriate
into student education.

To maintain a safe work environment, including ensuring compliance with legislation
and the undertaking of risk assessments.
Relationships
The post holder will report to the Programme Lead and work closely with other members of
the programme team. Strong relationships will be formed with other learning, teaching and
research colleagues within the School and across the Faculty and wider University, as well
as with placement providers and other external stakeholders in the local health and social
care economy.
University Values
All staff are expected to operate in line with the university’s values and standards, which work
as an integral part of our strategy and set out the principles of how we work together. More
information about the university’s strategy and values is available at
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/comms/strategy/
Person Specification
Essential
Education, Training and Current Clinical Practice
 Graduate of a recognised Physician Associate training programme
 Successful completion of the UK national PA examination
 Currently registered on the UK Voluntary Managed Register for Physician Associates (with
no restrictions on practice)
 A practising Physician Associate
 Hold a recognised teaching qualification (equivalent to ULTRA) or willing to undertake
training for this
Relevant Experience
 Experience of practice as a Physician Associate either in Primary or Secondary care in the
UK
 Up to date knowledge of clinical procedures within a Secondary care environment
 Experience of teaching and/or assessing undergraduate or postgraduate students in a
healthcare
 Evidence of a good understanding of current practice issues relating to Physician
Associates in the UK
 Evidence of a broad range of clinical skills which can be translated into an educational
setting
Personal Attributes
 Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills at all levels
 A proven ability to work independently and apply sound judgement and decision-making to
a variety of challenges and situations
 Proven ability to develop and sustain effective working relationships with colleagues at all
levels
 Evidence of commitment to own personal and professional development
 Evidence of current and ongoing professional development, and willing to undertake
additional training
 A proven interest in education/teaching with an enthusiastic and innovative approach.
 The ability to relate to students and manage effectively small and larger group teaching
Desirable
 Knowledge and understanding of undergraduate medical education, curricula and
programmes
 Teaching/training experience of adults including experience of developing new material
and assessment methods.
 Moving and handling trainer
Faculty Information
With more than 6,000 students, 1,600 staff and annual research income of £50m, the Faculty
of Medicine and Health at Leeds is bigger than some universities. Leeds has one of the
largest medical and bioscience research bases in the UK, and is an acknowledged world
leader in cancer, cardiovascular, psychiatric, genetic, musculo-skeletal and health services
research. Treatments developed in Leeds are transforming the lives of people around the
world living with conditions such as HIV, TB, diabetes and malaria.
The School of Medicine
The School of Medicine at the University of Leeds is a major international centre for research
and education. Our ambition is to improve health and reduce health inequalities, locally and
globally, through excellent scientific research and the translation of that research into
healthcare practice, and through the education of future scientific and clinical leaders who will
advocate and practise an evidence-based approach. Our major strategic aims are to:
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Deliver outstanding research including basic discovery science through to applied health
research that makes a significant difference to health.
Produce exceptional graduates, clinicians, educators, doctoral and post-doctoral fellows
whose learning has been informed and inspired by our research excellence and who will
form the next generation of academic and clinical leaders.
Develop and support knowledge transfer activities that flow from our academic activities.
Create and maintain an efficient and sustainable environment for research and teaching
within an organisational culture and management style that enacts and supports the
university’s core values of community, inclusiveness, integrity and professionalism.
The School of Medicine is organised into seven Institutes. All are committed to high quality
research-led teaching, through their training of postgraduate research students, delivery of
postgraduate taught courses, and its leadership in undergraduate teaching. The School
works closely with the local NHS, having a number of jointly funded clinical posts to ensure
this relationship is effective and strong for both research and student education.
Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine (LICAMM), Director:
Professor Mark Kearney)
LICAMM integrates basic and clinical scientists with a common goal of understanding the
mechanisms underpinning common chronic diseases of human health and developing new
approaches to treating patients at an individual and population level. At the heart of
LICAMMs philosophy is a vibrant multidisciplinary approach to science that provides a
platform to deliver internationally competitive translational research and teaching in disorders
including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases) our key
aim is to improve the lives of our patients and the experience of our students.
Leeds Institute of Health Sciences (LIHS) Director: Professor Tim Ensor
LIHS delivers problem-driven research that supports decisions about the content or delivery
of healthcare. Our interdisciplinary approach incorporates expertise in applied health
research designs, health implementation sciences, social sciences, health economics,
informatics and statistics, as well as skills in communicating with basic scientists, policy
makers, healthcare providers, public and patients. We conduct research at the individual,
population and organisational level.
Leeds Institute of Medical Education (LIME) Director: Professor Trudie Roberts
LIME provides the administrative support, co-ordination and leadership for the School of
Medicine’s undergraduate medical degree, including admissions, curriculum development,
assessment, student support and clinical placement liaison. It provides the technologyenhanced learning and innovation support for the School of Medicine. LIME also has a very
active scholarship programme of research and innovation in medical education and uses its
expertise to influence medical education policy and practice nationally and internationally. To
achieve this it works with a range of stakeholders including the academic community, the
profession, the public, regulators and policy makers.
The Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology (LICAP) Director: Professor Tim Bishop
The Leeds Institute of Cancer Studies and Pathology addresses both laboratory based and
clinical research into cancer with a major focus on translational science. LICAP is one of the
largest cancer Institutes in the country and has major financial support from the cancer
charities. The laboratories and clinical research are all based on the St James’s site with
laboratory activities being located in the Wellcome Trust Brenner Building and adjacent
buildings while the clinical work is based within Bexley Wing. The Institute consists of seven
Sections with the following interests:
Leeds Institute of Biomedical & Clinical Sciences (LIBACS) Director: Professor Philip
Hopkins
LIBACS undertakes clinically-driven research from the level of the gene through cellular,
tissue and organ to clinical trials. Our vision is to develop a sustainable centre of excellence
for the advancement of patient care by translating research results into clinical practise and
contributing to medical education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Our research
interests are encapsulated in 6 clinical themes (Gastrointestinal inflammation &
tumorigenesis, Genetic disorders, Infection & immunity, Neuroscience, Perinatal medicine,
Perioperative outcomes & technologies) underpinned by 4 generic science technology
strands (Animal models, Cell biology, Gene regulations & Genomics). We are based
predominantly at the St James’s University Hospital site.
Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine (LIRMM), Director:
Professor Paul Emery
LIRMM is dedicated to improving diagnosis, therapy, intervention and outcome across the
spectrum of rheumatic and musculoskeletal medicine. It boasts a dynamic portfolio of
research and education, delivering wide-ranging clinical, translational and basic research
across five Sections: Clinical Musculoskeletal Medicine, Experimental Musculoskeletal
Medicine, Clinical Biomechanics and Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine and
Orthopaedics. A multi-disciplinary approach is the core of our activities, with significant
interdisciplinary links between Experimental and Clinical research. LIRMM’s clinical activities
are focussed at Chapel Allerton Hospital, which is also base for our NIHR Musculoskeletal
Biomedical Research Unit (LMBRU) and our basic sciences at St James’s University
Hospital.
Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research (LICTR) Director: Professor Julia Brown
LICTR delivers innovative design, delivery and knowledge transfer in clinical trials research.
Our multidisciplinary approach, in collaboration with basic scientists, clinicians, policy
makers, healthcare providers, public and patients and University colleagues, delivers
internationally competitive research and teaching that makes a significant contribution to the
evidence base for healthcare delivery. The Institutes research is conducted through the
Clinical Trials Research Unit where we have expertise in design and conduct of complex
clinical trials incorporating novel designs to evaluate CTIMPs, complex interventions,
diagnostics, medical devices and surgery.
St James’s University Hospital Campus Infrastructure and Facilities (SCIF) Director:
Professor Pam Jones
This group covers activities that cover School of Medicine functions for Institutes at St
James’s University Hospital that span more than one institute including biomedical research
facilities, student education, IT, health and safety, estates, seminars, PGR studentships and
business support functions. These functions help support the 5 adjacent buildings on the site.
There are 3 Institutes with staff and students at St James’s: LICAP (Leeds Institute of Cancer
studies and Pathology), LIBACS (Leeds Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences),
LIRMM (Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine). These three institutes
are dedicated to basic, translational, clinical and health research integrated with student
education.
Additional Information
Terms and Conditions
Details of the terms and conditions of employment for all staff at the university, including
information on pensions and benefits, are available on the Human Resources web pages
accessible via the links on the right hand side, or at http://hr.leeds.ac.uk/policies
University Teaching and Research Award
The Senate of the University has agreed that all newly appointed staff with a contract of 0.5
FTE and above who have a teaching/ research role and are deemed new to teaching or
research in Higher Education should be required to complete successfully all of the
requirements of the University of Leeds Teaching and Research or an appropriate
alternative. Whether or not this applies to you will be decided as part of the appointment
procedure at interview.
Further details of the ULTRA are available at http://www.sddu.leeds.ac.uk/sddu-ultra.html.
Staff with contracts of less than 0.5 FTE may take the ULTRA provided that they have a
broad enough range of teaching, research and assessment to complete the requirements of
the Programme: this will be decided in conjunction with the School and the course providers.
Disclosure and Barring Service checks
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check is not required for this position. However,
applicants who have unspent convictions must indicate this in the ‘other personal details’
section of the application form and send details to the Recruitment Officer
Disabled Applicants
The post is located in the Worsley Building. Disabled applicants wishing to review access to
the building are invited to contact the department direct. Additional information may be
sought from the Recruitment Officer, email disclosure@leeds.ac.uk or tel. + 44 (0)113 343
1723.
Disabled applicants are not obliged to inform employers of their disability but will still be
covered by the Equality Act once their disability becomes known.
Further information for applicants with disabilities, impairments or health conditions is
available in the applicant guidance.