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Physician Associate Salaries - Everything You Need to Know
Are you interested in becoming a physician associate?
Wondering how much the salary varies between roles?
What’s the base physician associate salary in the UK and how much can I expect?
In this guide, I’ll share the average physician associate salaries and break down the factors that can score you a higher salary.
Contents
- Basic Physician Associate salaries
- Factors that can affect your PA salary
- Additional benefits that you may be able to negotiate
- Roles and Responsibilities
- The Future of PAs
- Looking to Increase your Physician Associate salary?
- Non-clinical Roles
Basics of Physician Associate Salaries
Physician associate salaries vary significantly based on experience, location, and position. Typically, the salary falls between £35-53,000 per year. On average, those working in areas with a shortage of physician associates will earn higher salaries than those in saturated areas.
The highest-paying roles are often areas with high demand for those able to work unsociable hours, night shifts, or on weekends. With experience, the salary can increase significantly with experienced locum* PAs benefitting from £55,000+.
*Locum – Working on a temporary contract which requires flexibility to attend at short notice
Physician Associate Salaries - Everything You Need to Know
Are you interested in becoming a physician associate?
Wondering how much the salary varies between roles?
What’s the base physician associate salary in the UK and how much can I expect?
In this guide, I’ll share the average physician associate salaries and break down the factors that can score you a higher salary.
Contents
- Basic Physician Associate salaries
- Factors that can affect your PA salary
- Additional benefits that you may be able to negotiate
- Roles and Responsibilities
- The Future of PAs
- Looking to Increase your Physician Associate salary?
- Non-clinical Roles
Basics of Physician Associate Salaries
Physician associate salaries vary significantly based on experience, location, and position. Typically, the salary falls between £35-53,000 per year. On average, those working in areas with a shortage of physician associates will earn higher salaries than those in saturated areas.
The highest-paying roles are often areas with high demand for those able to work unsociable hours, night shifts, or on weekends. With experience, the salary can increase significantly with experienced locum* PAs benefitting from £55,000+.
*Locum – Working on a temporary contract which requires flexibility to attend at short notice
Band 7 Physician Associate Pay Scale
Factors That Affect Physician Associate Salaries
Many factors may influence a physician associate’s salary. PAs start off on a Band 7 NHS pay, which is roughly around £41,000 for a 37.5-hour work week.
Experience
The salary typically increases with increasing years of experience. 5+ years can easily guarantee a salary of £47k upwards.
Taking on Additional Responsibility
Generally, those with more experience can apply for positions with greater responsibility. With greater responsibility comes a greater pay cheque. Those who pursue additional certifications or specialise in a particular area may also earn significantly higher salaries.
Switching Departments
Learning never ends in healthcare, and there will always be opportunities to move between departments and expand your knowledge and skills. Different departments may have different requirements and pay grades.
Contract
Most physician associates are salaried as employed by the National Health Service (NHS). Most PAs work on a fixed contract, whether part-time or full-time and may work on a rota. They will be given a fixed number of days for annual leave- these days will be paid. Additionally, there may be opportunities to work overtime or late shifts at a higher pay rate.
Sector
There will typically be two main pathways:
-Primary Care
-Secondary Care
Primary care involves GP practices, assessment clinics, health facilities, or locally accessible clinics.
Secondary care involves additional services, which include hospital care, out-patient clinics, specialist care, etc…
There is also the option to work within the community, which can include domiciliary care, where healthcare workers visit a patient and provide care in the patient’s home. The variety of roles, departments, and types of patients you choose to work with will make each and every day different.
Location
When researching physician associate salaries, it is important to note that areas with high health needs or underprivileged areas may offer unique opportunities—and higher pay—for qualified professionals.
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Additional Benefits That You May Be Able To Negotiate
In addition to a base salary, physician associates can benefit from other perks.
Some independent employers- such as Bupa, offer discounts on their health & dental insurance coverage for the physician associate.
Working in the NHS can be enticing, due to the paid annual leave, sick leave, free continuing education, and option to pay into the NHS pension scheme.
Roles & Responsibilities
Physician associates are medical professionals who work closely with allied health practitioners, including doctors.
They perform many similar duties to physicians, but in the UK, they may be limited by their scope of practice in comparison to a doctor.
For example, they do not have the authority to provide prescriptions and a doctor must sign this off.
Having less responsibility can be frustrating, however, it can relieve the additional stress of making sole decisions.
Here are some of the roles that physician associates have.
- They can record patient medical histories via face-to-face and/or telephone consultations
- They carry out physical examinations
- Diagnose illnesses, order laboratory and imaging tests
- Carry out investigations
- Devise treatment plans
- Carry out various non-surgical procedures and also assist in surgery
The Future of PAs
So you’re probably wondering why the NHS introduced PAs
Physician associates are highly qualified professionals who are significantly valued. There is no doubt that the NHS is struggling and has been for many years. With post-Brexit staff shortages and an ageing population, there is a desperate need for healthcare professionals. 40% of junior doctors stated they would consider leaving the NHS if they found another role.
A PA is offered a competitive salary as their comprehensive role provides patient support by assessing, diagnosing and managing medical conditions and advising patients on promoting good health and disease prevention. They supplement the provided care and perform many roles that physicians currently carry out. This enables them to take over patient care and allows more time for a physician to see additional patients or those with more complex needs.
What to Expect
There are many locations or sectors of the NHS where PAs are not fully recognised.
As a relatively new profession, there may be occasions when you are the first PA to join the department, and your scope, skills, and knowledge are not fully understood or recognised by others.
Another disadvantage may be the challenges within the role.
Being in healthcare introduces many challenges, from lengthy shifts, mentally taxing days, lack of public recognition, and heavy workloads.
Overall, it can be very fulfilling, there are always opportunities to find the best department to match your needs.
Looking to increase your Physician Associate Salary?
Here are some additional opportunities that may interest you
Become an Aesthetics Practitioner– This privatised care sector is becoming increasingly popular as many dermatological conditions are considered ‘cosmetic’ and, therefore, can’t be treated on the NHS.
Aesthetics requires further training via independent courses.
This route may also require business knowledge, as you’ll need to either join an existing clinic or market your services. This can be done alongside your 9-5 job. The private factor and ability to set your own prices can add an extra zero to your salary.
Not Interested In Working With Patients?
Take a non-clinical route and consider a management or leadership position within the NHS.
Look into lecturing or medical education.
Consider delving into the the world of research!