Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship Standard for Physician Associate

Background: Apprenticeship standards describe the high-level knowledge, skills and behaviours required to carry out a defined occupation. They are developed by employer led Trailblazer groups and are available for a range of different occupations from level 2 through to 7. The apprenticeship standard for Physician Associate is at Level 7.

Rationale for developing a standard for this occupation:  

It is expected that the General Medical Council (GMC) will open the register for Physician Associates and commence statutory regulation in December 2024. In preparation for this the current apprenticeship standard for Physician Associate needs to be revised to ensure it aligns with the Physician associate and anaesthesia associate generic and shared learning outcomes published by the GMC in September 2022. Please note the apprenticeship standard is for Physician Associate only.

It has been agreed with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education that the apprenticeship standards for statutorily regulated occupations can effectively be a copy of the GMC standards in the apprenticeship template. In a small number of instances, it has been necessary to split out the GMC statements into separate knowledge and skills in the apprenticeship standard. Mapping of the apprenticeship standard to the Physician associate and anaesthesia associate generic and shared learning outcomes can be seen here.

Apprentices will complete the mandatory qualification (MSc) through a training provider approved by the GMC. The apprentices will then complete the Physician Associate Registration Assessment managed by the Royal College of Physicians as their apprenticeship End Point Assessment. This ensures that apprentices meet the same standards as non-apprentices and are able to register with the GMC as Physician Associates on completion.


Structure of the standard: Trailblazers must develop standards that comply with the criteria set out by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education in their 'How To' Guide. 

The new format includes duties to which all the knowledge, skills and behaviour statements are mapped.

Full details of apprenticeships commonly used in the health sector can be found on HASO.

Download: 
Please download the standard here before you start so that you can refer to it whilst you are completing the survey.

How long will it take to complete the survey?
It should take in the region of 20 to 30 minutes.

What is the deadline for responding to the online survey?
As this apprenticeship standard is fully aligned with the GMC Physician associate and anaesthesia associate generic and shared learning outcomes the deadline for the consultation is 12pm, Thursday, 30th May 2024.  

Thank you for taking part.