Building on its global reputation for life and health sciences excellence, Ulster University has created Northern Ireland's first ever Physician Associate Postgraduate Diploma course. The two-year full time programme will provide intensive evidence-based teaching coupled with hands-on workplace training.
Physician Associates work under the supervision of doctors and alongside other healthcare professionals. They deliver care to patients in a variety of environments, including hospitals, GP practices and community health services to diagnose and manage of a well-defined set of conditions, and reduce pressure on other medical staff.
The new course will fully equip students with the skills and knowledge required to support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients. It will be delivered in partnership with multiple Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts in Northern Ireland. There are 20 places available for the incoming academic year, starting in September 2016.
Ulster University's Professor Tara Moore said: "A lack of trained Physician Associates locally and nationally means that career prospects for graduates are excellent. This educational provision is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and will employ the first Physician Associates within hospitals in Northern Ireland indicating strong continued employment prospects while helping to improve patient access to medical services.
"This course will enable more talented and motivated people to work in the healthcare sector. Graduates will play a pivotal role in providing a permanent solution to the ever-growing work pressures in general practice and NHS Trusts over the coming years where they face an unprecedented challenge to meet increasing patient needs."
For further details contact Professor Tara Moore on 028 7012 4577 or t.moore@ulster.ac.uk