BSMS > Postgraduate > Physician Associate Studies

Physician Associate Studies

Key facts

Postgraduate Clinical Diploma

Full-time: 2 years

Location: University of Brighton, Falmer campus, University of Sussex Falmer campus

Course Leader: Dr Wesley Scott-Smith >

General enquiries: Enquiries@brighton.ac.uk

This course is delivered through specific faculty team at Brighton and Sussex Medical School alongside placements in affiliated NHS trusts and CCGs in the region.

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Key areas of study

Integrated curriculum with longitudinal clinical placements in primary care throughout Year 1
Bespoke anatomy delivered using e-learning packages for prosection and course-based learning
Access to learning materials from the undergraduate medical course
Simulated-based learning throughout the curriculum
Clinical reasoning strategies for diagnosis in case-based learning
Rotational attachments in local NHS trusts in clinical specialities throughout Year 2

Course overview

At a time of significant change in the NHS, Physician Associates (PAs) are playing an increasingly valuable role supporting doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients. The PA is a relatively new role in the NHS, working alongside doctors in hospitals and GP surgeries, supporting the diagnosis and management of patients.

This innovative course provides students with the knowledge, professional and clinical skills to work as a PA. The integrated curriculum borrows from the successful undergraduate course at BSMS with augmentation through intensive discussion of clinical cases in small groups, and includes significant time in local clinical placements and simulation facilities.

See what some of our current students have to say in our video below.

You can also keep up-to-date with our Facebook and Twitter channels.

For further information on Physician Associates, please visit www.fparcp.co.uk

To understand what a Physician Associate does on a day-to-day basis, Health Education England (West Midlands) have produced this informative Day in the Life of a Physician Associate video.

“The varied and interactive teaching style at BSMS, including being able to view prosections in anatomy and developing clinical practice techniques, really solidifies our learning and means that I’m learning a lot really quickly, which is really exciting!”

Katie Morgan-Jones, NHS Clinical Assistant and Physician Associate student

Course structure

Learning outcomes from the modules listed below are integrated so that students will learn about clinical medicine on a theoretical basis, practice relevant clinical skills in the classroom, followed by supervised practice on real patients in clinical attachments.

In order to achieve accredited PA status, students will be required to pass our examination, as well as the Physician Associate National Examinations. These take place in January, March and September each year.

Year One

MDM151 Biomedical and Clinical Science for PA (30 credits)

MDM152 Case-based learning for PA (Foundation) (45 credits)

MDM153 Clinical Practice for PA (Foundation) (45 credits)

Year Two

MDM154 Case-based learning for PA (45 credits)

MDM155 Clinical Practice for PA (Senior) (60 credits)

MDM156 Preparation for Practice (15 credits)

Career opportunities

Qualification with the PG Diploma in Physician Associate Studies and successful completion of the national examination will allow alumnae to work in a variety of healthcare settings including general medicine, paediatrics, and in community settings. Local trusts have already developed workforce plans for PA posts, including East Surrey Hospital, where PAs are well established.

Following graduation from the PA course, and subsequent completion of the Physician Associate National Examinations, PAs can expect starting salaries of Agenda for Change Band 7. Progression thereafter will be dependent on competency, attributes and opportunities to progress to higher pay scales.

As the PA role has been identified as a key emergent profession within the NHS, it is envisaged a large number of job vacancies will become available locally and nationally in the coming years.

Entry requirements

Applicants must have gained a 1st or 2:1 in a Life Sciences degree or other health-related undergraduate degree obtained within the last 5 years. Registered health professionals with more than 5 years' clinical experience may apply in exceptional circumstances with appropriate references and a personal statement.

In addition, all applicant must have GCSE Maths and English Grade A*-B or equivalent.

For EU students, an IELTS score of 7.5 or above is required in addition to the academic requirements

This course is only open to applications from UK/ EU/ Island residents.

Fees and funding (2017-18)

PG Clinical Diploma

UK/EU/Island students £9,000 per annum

Scholarships

Alumnae of parent universities may be eligible for a scholarship up to £5,000 in Year 1 dependent upon the class of first degree. Tuition fees in Year 2 are covered by a specific bursary from the HEE (KSS).

Apply here

Applications are made through the University of Brighton online portal.

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