Physician associate
Physician associates support doctors to diagnose and manage patients in hospitals and GP surgeries.
Typical Salary
£46,000 – £53,000
per year
Working Hours
37–42
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
You'll support the work of the medical team to provide care for patients with a range of medical conditions.
You'll do many of the day-to-day tasks of doctors, like:
- examine patients and take medical histories
- diagnose and make referrals
- create a healthcare management plan
- perform medical procedures
- give advice on keeping healthy and promote wellbeing
Skills needed
- knowledge of medicine and dentistry
- knowledge of biology
- sensitivity and understanding
- the ability to understand people’s reactions
- active listening skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Entry requirements
Once you're qualified you have to complete 50 hours of continuous professional development each year and sit a renewal exam every 6 years.
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
Career progression
As an experienced physician associate you might be able to move into management, medical teaching or research.
You might move from general or emergency care into a specialism like paediatric care or mental health.