• PAs can become essential and skilled members of the clinical team, however newly/recently qualified PAs need time to develop their skills, experience, knowledge and confidence with support and supervision in the workplace,
• Employers who are not familiar with PAs need clear guidance to help them to form realistic expectations of the role to enable them to support a new/recently qualified PAs,
• To support organisations to develop the role of the PA for a twelve-month period. (Many would benefit from a second year of support and supervision, however funding for this is not currently available through NHS England),

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.

This offer is designed to recognise that employers need to provide significant support to newly and recently qualified PA.

• Significant support and supervision to consolidate the PA knowledge and skills.
• Debrief after each session,
• Access to the centrally delivered teaching programme,
• Study leave budget should be provided for CPD courses that support the first year development of skills of up to £500
• A named supervisor to support the PA, clinically and educationally .

The employing organisations obligations have been summarised in the document titled “Learning Agreement of Physician Associates on the Foundation Intern Programme in Primary Care”, which can be accessed here.