Course summary

What is a Physician Associate? A Physician Associate is a key healthcare role that works collaboratively with patients and clinical colleagues to diagnose, investigate and manage clinical cases competently and safely; provide emergency care to adults and children; draw up care plans in collaboration with other healthcare professionals; recognise complex and uncertain situations and seek appropriate supervision and support in a timely manner. This role works collaboratively with a variety of multi-disciplinary professional teams in a clinical healthcare environment such as hospitals and general practices. The Aston Physician Associate Practice MSc programme is designed to ensure you achieve all key competencies specified by the Faculty of Physician Associates in order for you to be fit for practise as a Physician Associate. You will develop key skills to be able to support clinical specialists, be trained in the medical framework, and learn how to formulate patient healthcare management plans. Students will engage in collaborative learning both at Aston Medical School and within your clinical placement environments. You will develop professional development reflection skills, identify the development of your clinical practice, and develop lifelong learning. Students will develop knowledge of integrated healthcare and practice, the principles and values of integrated care, the complex interaction of physical, psychological and social considerations of the patient, and sustainable healthcare to improve the health of the patient and assess patient vulnerabilities and needs. Students will also develop knowledge of the principles and values of holistic and integrated healthcare relating to the management and prevention of disease, identifying and responding to patient vulnerability. On the course, you will also plan and develop an independent healthcare project of your choosing, negotiated with your Course Director, over the two years of learning. Clinical Placement On clinical placement, you will work collaboratively with your clinical supervisor and other healthcare professionals to manage patient care. Clinical placements will vary. You will support medical professionals by identifying patient medical histories, understanding patient treatment plans, formulating management plans, monitoring medications, and gaining knowledge of patient safety and ethics, working in a collaborative medical environment with medical staff. You will develop key interpersonal skills with patients and colleagues and in clinical placement working with a professional multi-professional, and multi-disciplinary teams in a variety of clinical environments, to prepare you for professional practice on graduation. Assessment method You will be assessed through a mixture of practical assessments, your healthcare clinical placement assessment, and your ongoing professional development. Professional bodies Faculty of Physician Associates at the Royal College of Physicians of the UK (soon to be registered as a profession with the General Medical Council) Entry requirements: An undergraduate degree qualification in human life sciences or healthcare-related subjects at the level of 2:1 or above. GCSE or equivalent in Mathematics and English at grade 4 or above. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification. English language test requirements may be waived if students’ undergraduate degree was studied in an English-speaking country. Or Have considerable health-related experience or comparable qualifications, which will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Successful applicants will need to: Hold an acceptable enhanced DBS certificate. Take part in occupational health screening and undertake to adhere to changing requirements for healthcare students. Applicants are required to sit the UCAT examination.