Breast Health, Physician Associate

Contract info: Commencing 11th August 2025.

Grade: SHO

Reporting to: Breast Surgery Consultants

Responsible to: Lead Consultant Breast Surgeon

Duties and Responsibilities:

1)Job Summary

This post has been developed to facilitate the clinical care of patients within the Breast Health Department at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (MMUH). The post recognises the importance of the multidisciplinary team in delivering patient care. The scope of this post may be developed and expanded according to the skills and experience of the successful candidate.

· To play a key role in the management of Breast Health patients both pre and post operatively

· Accountable for ensuring patient care is of a high standard at all times and that standards of care and treatment meet the departments’ requirement

· To be supervised by a designated Consultant with individual mentorship to oversee career development

· To work as part of the medical team in conjunction with interns, SHO’s, registrars and physiotherapy specialists as well as the many other specialities involved in the care of the Breast patient

2)Main Responsibilities

a) Patient Care

· Assess and examine Breast Health patients, present findings to senior colleagues, initiate and interpret investigations and recommend treatment.

· Exercise a high degree of personal autonomy when assessing and planning care for an agreed caseload of patients with a range of presenting complaints in collaboration with the medical team.

· To possess, develop and maintain extensive specialist knowledge and experience in Breast Health.

· To ensure that patients are properly assessed and safely transferred between respective departments.

· To communicate with GPs and other health professionals as necessary.

· To deliver care maintaining the patients privacy and dignity.

· Contribute to the development of efficient pathways of care in accordance with current best practice and national guidelines.

· Be an active participant in the development of the Breast Health service within the hospital.

· To attend the departments teaching sessions and weekly clinical audit meeting.

· Support work in the Breast Health unit relating to national audits as required.

· To be accountable for care given and to comply with the Fitness to Practice and Code of Conduct standard as established by the Irish Medical Council (and subsequently the appropriate statutory body when in place). To work within the framework of the scope of professional practice.

· To take and pass the national re-certification examination every five years, as recommended by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and subsequently as required by the statutory regulating body when in place.

b) Responsibilities for People or Training

· To facilitate an effective learning environment for both medical and pre-registration nursing students.

· To act as a resource for the clinical team and allied health professionals.

· To foster an atmosphere of active learning and research within the department.

In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed above, the post-holder may be required to perform other duties assigned by the supervisor/manager from time to time.

1.Clinical / professional

· Take part in all of the treatment and assessment services of the department as and when requested, and work within the policies and procedures of the organisation.

· Take patient histories and perform physical examinations of a patient. Record the history and examination in the medical records.

· Perform other tasks, not prohibited by law in which the physician associate has been trained and is proficient to perform.

· Work collaboratively with the clinical team, i.e. consultants, doctors, nursing staff, physiotherapy staff etc. to encourage and ensure good working relationships.

· To liaise with medical, nursing and administrative staff to ensure bed availability and theatre efficiency.

· To communicate with GPs and other health professionals the outcome of clinical appointments in a timely fashion.

· To contribute to the development of efficient pathways of care in accordance with current best practice and national guidelines.

· To fully document all aspects of patient care, and complete all required paperwork.

· Support and contribute to timely discharge planning including completing discharge summaries and support optimising bed capacity.

· Be responsible for a recognised caseload of patients in the day to day management of care

· To report all actual and potential clinical incidents involved in, in accordance with the hospital reporting procedures for untoward events using the electronic reporting system.

2.Organisational

· To take a proactive approach in the prevention and management of complaints and when they occur to investigate and respond in accordance with the MMUH complaints and improvements policies.

· To monitor and ensure the appropriate use of clinical supplies and equipment within the specialist role.

· To ensure effective and up to date IT skills are maintained in order to be able to fully use hospital IT systems as appropriate.

· Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults - All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.

3. Education and Research

· Maintain knowledge and proficiency in medical practices through continuing education, multidisciplinary meetings and workshops.

· Assist in the development and mentoring of the Irish Physician Associates as the profession progresses.

· Take an active role in the departmental clinical audit and governance activity.

4.General

· To be accountable for care given and to comply with the Fitness to Practice and Code of Conduct standard as established by the Irish Medical Council and MMUH (and subsequently the appropriate statutory regulating body when in place). To work within the framework of the scope of professional practice.

· To take and pass the national re-certification examination every five years, as recommended by the RCSI and subsequently as required by the statutory regulating body when in place.

· All staff are required to be appraised by their line managers at least once a year at a personal development review meeting where progress made over the last year is discussed and agreed. Focus on the following year’s departmental and personal objectives will be identified, discussed and agreed. Where necessary, help and support will be provided and development opportunities agreed in line with service provision and knowledge and skills competency framework.

· All staff must ensure that they are fully compliant with the Hospital Infection Control

policies and procedures, which includes attendance at Mandatory Training.

· In addition to any responsibilities specified within your job description, it is your duty to take all reasonable care to minimise the likelihood of healthcare-associated infections occurring to patients, visitors and staff (including yourself) as a consequence of actions and / or omissions at work.

· To act within the guidance and regulations of your relevant governing body

· To have responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of self and others and to comply at all times with the requirements of the Health and Safety Policy.

· To ensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential information obtained during the course of employment to those acting in an official capacity.

· To promote equal opportunities for staff and patients in accordance with hospital Healthcare and University policies to ensure that no person receives less favourable treatment than another on grounds of sex, race, marital status, religion, colour, creed, nationality, ethnic or national origin or sexual orientation.

· Be aware of and work within the policies of MMUH carrying out such duties as may be required and are consistent with the responsibility of the grade.

· MMUH is an Equal Opportunities employer and operates a No Smoking Policy.

· Be aware of and adhere to the Hospital Dress Code Policy at all times.

· Assist in the development of the role of Physician Associate in Ireland.

· Assist in the educational development of Physician Associate students through student shadowing and/or teaching.

This job description is a guide to the duties and responsibilities of the post-holder and is not exhaustive. Subject to the needs of the service, the content of the job description for this post is subject to continuous review.

Person Specification Physicians Associate

Qualifications & Training:

Essential:

If Irish Trained:

· Post graduate degree from RCSI Physicians Associate

· Current and valid certification or re-certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physicians Associates

Or if US trained:

· Current and valid certification with the National Commission on Certification for Physician Assistants (NCCPA)

Registration with the Irish Voluntary Registry for Physician Associates as soon as it is in place

Basic Life Support certification

Member of the Irish Society of Physician Associates

Desirable:

ALS and PALS certification

Experience:

Essential:

· Ability to organise and prioritise workload effectively

· Ability to exercise sound judgements when faced with conflicting pressures

· Ability to motivate and develop the multi-disciplinary team

· Ability to manage and lead a working group

· Ability to implement and interpret procedures and policies

· Awareness of current developments and initiatives in the Breast Health Unit

Skills:

Essential:

· Knowledge of medical procedures and terminology

· Good verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively · with all members of the healthcare team, patients and relatives

· Ability to maintain confidentiality

· Ability to respond to and interact with patients, relatives and carers in a tactful and professional manner

· Ability to adhere to regulations as well as work flexibly to meet the needs of the hospital

Other factors:

Essential:

· Energy and enthusiasm and the ability to work under pressure

· Ability to show empathy and compassion

· Commitment to continuing education and professional development

· Team player, able to work well with colleagues from different backgrounds, professions and disciplines

· Able to recognise limitations, and when it is appropriate to seek help or escalate issues

Desirable:

· Proactive in developing the relatively new role of PA within the hospital

· Being an ambassador for the role

Applications: Please ensure that the CV you upload to this advert includes names and contact details of at least 2 referees.