Job summary
The Mental Health Urgent Care Department (MHUCD), is an innovative service that has been commissioned to provide urgent mental health care in the Mid and South Essex ICS. The service will cater to adults over the age of 18, who are experiencing a mental health crisis and will be based in a new, purpose built department based at the Basildon Mental Health Unit on the Basildon Hospital site. When the service is fully functional it will cover the councils of Basildon, Brentwood, Thurrock, Chelmsford, Braintree and Maldon.

The department will offer a therapeutic mental health setting to assess urgent mental health presentations which might otherwise have been seen in the A+E department. The service will offer a comprehensive assessment and onward care planning through a diverse and highly skilled mental health workforce incorporating support workers, peer coaches, social worker, nurses and doctors. The service will work closely with existing urgent mental health care pathways and other appropriate services in the local health and social care system, including voluntary care sector organisations, to provide holistic and person centred care.

The service will also be working closely with the Basildon A+E department in being able to offer a limited range of physical health interventions in the department itself and if appropriate for onward referral to relevant specialties in the general hospital.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will be accountable for ensuring that high quality patient care is delivered at all times. The Physician Associate will be supervised by a designated consultant with regular meetings to support on-going development within the role.

The Physician Associate will attend regular CPD sessions to support on-going development. They will be set clear objectives and will be assessed against them by the end of the first year.

General Requirements
Physician Associates will be based on the MHUCD at the Basildon site psychiatric inpatient wards at EPUT but may also be asked to undertake work in conjunction with Crisis or other Community teams.

Physician Associates will be expected to work flexibly and co-operatively with other members of the clinical team and will be required to cover for colleagues during periods of absence. The Physician Associate role will complement other roles in the team and strengthen the multi-disciplinary team.

They will have continuing responsibility for patients in association with others in the clinical team.

They will ensure accurate records are maintained. Physician Associates will be supported to undertake mandatory training and other training specific to their role.

They will undergo an annual PDR or appraisal in relation to the agreed objectives in advance.

About us
Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us - Terms & Condition's Apply
• Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

• Work bank: You can use the opportunity to supplement your income and develop your skills by working bank shifts.
• Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Details
Date posted: 19 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 364-EPUT792
Job locations: Basildon Mental Health Unit/Basildon Acute Hospital, Basildon, SS16 5NL, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• Practice under the supervision of a Consultant Psychiatrist or under the supervision of a senior clinician as delegated by the consultant, to contribute towards clinical/risk assessments, development of treatment plans and documentation.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, handovers and other relevant clinical meetings.
• Treat patient and their family members using a high degree of empathy and advanced communication skills.
• Respond in a timely way to requests to assess or review patients physical and / or mental health.
• Record clinical notes about patient contacts and provide advice to staff on further management / investigations / interventions within their competence.
• Review and summarise patient notes for the purposes of contributing to discharge summaries and reports.
• Undertake assessment and assistance to staff in the event of medical emergencies in the department.
• Work collaboratively with the relevant team i.e. Psychiatrists, Junior Doctors, Senior Nurses, Nursing Staff, Support Workers, Occupational Therapists, and Psychologists to ensure good working relationships.
• Liaise with primary care and relevant secondary health care providers relating to a patients care or treatment.
• Liaise with community teams about a patients on-going care and treatment needs Support health promotion activities including those relating to smoking, drugs and alcohol.
• Provide psycho-educational support to patients and carers / families.
• Support proactive screening and interventions with regard to the physical health of patients.
• Liaise with pharmacy regarding issues relating to medication.
• Contribute to the development of physical health competencies in mental health staff in a range of settings.
• Carry out procedures which will include (but not be limited to): ECG, Venepuncture, IV cannulation, Interpretation of blood or other investigation results.

Service Development

• The post holder will be willing to participate in research/audit/QI opportunities as they arise.
• Support junior doctors on placement.
• Support the placements of nursing, medical and physician associate students on placement.
• Be responsible for the dissemination of new or updated clinical practices.
• Support the development of skills in the wider team and the organisation.
• Assist with the development of, and implementation of, local and trust wide policies, procedures, guidance and protocols.

Person Specification
Qualifications - Essential

• PGDip Physician Associate studies or MSc Physician Associate Studies.
• Current GMC registration
• Membership of UKAPA

Qualifications - Desirable

• Passed and completed 1 year post graduate preceptorship

Knowledge, clinical experience and skills - Essential

• Minimum of 2 years' experience working as a PA in secondary care
• Minimum of 1 year experience of working within a Mental Health setting. Competent in psychiatric history taking, risk assessment, MSE and presenting findings to consultant supervisor for optimal treatment plan discussion.
• An awareness of current developments and initiatives in Mental healthcare & familiarity with a range of theoretical and clinical approaches.
• Awareness of equality and valuing diversity principles.
• Development of policy and practice change.
• Clinical work in an autonomous role.
• A good understanding of the challenges associated with Physician Associates and Physician Associate training.
• A good understanding of the National PA agenda, policies, frameworks etc. Including understanding of CPD framework requirements.
• Understanding and knowledge of the Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act, Information Governance, GDPR, Equality Act and confidentiality issues.

Knowledge, clinical experience and skills - Desirable

• Experience of working with Mental health patients from different cultural background.
• Experience of working in an A+E setting
• Experience of working in Geriatric services
• A good understanding of the public sector and NHS policy, in relation to primary, secondary and community care.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.