Physician Associate/Assistant Preceptorship Programme – Primary Care

This NHS England initiative is designed to support newly qualified Physician Associates/Assistants  (PA) and Physician Associates/Assistants  who have less than two years’ primary care experience to start/develop their careers working in a supported and structured environment.

The aims include:

• Recognising that PAs new to Primary Care need time and support to develop within the multidisciplinary clinical team.
• Providing employers with financial assistance to support PAs in Primary Care.
• Maximising the benefit of the PAs role within Primary Care.

Following substantive appointment of a PA in primary care, the employer will enable the PA to join the NHS England PA training programme.

This will involve ½ day release from clinical duties per week for educational activities, part of which will be accomplished by the PA attending the NHS England PA 30-week structured teaching programme that will run on Thursday mornings. In addition, the employer should ensure the provision of structured supervision time within the practice.

What is the training offer:

For the PA:

• A 30-week structured programme over 12 months (that will run on Thursday mornings).
• Release to attend education sessions delivered by the NHS England approved training programme.
• Funding for study leave.
• Access to additional educational resources and a e-portfolio platform.
• A named clinical supervisor and mentor.

For the employer:

• £4,600 payment for one year to recognise the support and time required to develop the newly qualified PA.