Lecturer in Medical Sciences (Physician Associate Studies) (50% FTE)

at  Bangor University

Applications are invited for the above permanent 0.5FTE part-time post working in the North Wales Medical School. The School is offering an exciting opportunity for an aspiring or experienced Lecturer to join their team to complement and extend their existing provision in this area.
Candidates should be educated to a minimum of degree standard, possess a PG Dip/MSc in PA Studies, and have current professional registration as a qualified Physician Associate. The candidate will be expected to have an excellent understanding of the nature of physician associate programmes and the wider discipline of Medical Education. Candidates will demonstrate an intimate knowledge and have experience of teaching Physician Associates, either academically or within clinical placement.
Core duties will include all aspects of delivery of teaching, assessment and support practical skills and clinical sciences teaching for the physician associate programme.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post.
This role will be located on campus at Bangor. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.
Applications will also be considered to carry out this role on a part-time or job share basis. Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865.
Informal enquiries can be made by contacting: Merf Williams, Director of Teaching and Learning merf.williams@bangor.ac.uk.
Committed to Equal Opportunities
Overview
Our mission is for a research-led University of and for North Wales, providing transformative learning experiences and nurturing a positive impact on society regionally, nationally, and internationally driven by our ‘Strategy 2030’.
This year, Bangor University was named Welsh University of the Year in the Daily Mail University Guide, was UK Top 20 ranked for Teaching Quality in the Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide and was in the top 10% QS Global sustainability ranking, also being the 4th highest climber in this year’s Guardian University Guide. In 2023 the University was No.1 in Unifresher’s Alternative University League Table and 8th in the University of the Year category WhatUni Student Choice Awards.
Across the University, research and teaching are closely inter-linked: almost all academic researchers teach, ensuring that our students benefit from the knowledge created by our research. In REF2014, 77% of Bangor’s research was scored as 4* or 3. In the most recent REF2021, this increased to 85%, with 40% of research considered 4/world-leading and 45% rated as 3*/internationally excellent. Bangor University holds an Athena Swan Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University’s policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.
The Project
College of Medicine & Health
The College comprises three Schools: the North Wales Medical School, the School of Psychology and Sport Science and the School of Health Sciences. The College and Schools have well-established formal links with BCUHB and local primary care providers. This enables an integrated approach to developing research, training, medical and healthcare education that serves the needs of North Wales.
North Wales Medical School
The School is the focus for medical education and research at Bangor University, and offers a career-spanning portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes including C21 Medicine North Wales (a Cardiff University franchised programme), Physician’s Associate Studies, Biomedical Science, Medical Science, Pharmacology and Medical Molecular Biology with Genetics.
The School’s portfolio continues to expand, with the independent North Wales Medical School programme commencing in September 2024, subject to GMC approval, and a new Pharmacy MPharm programme due to commence in 2025 subject to General Pharmaceutical Council approval.
The School’s mission is to champion and promote excellent interprofessional medical, health and social care, research, scholarship, teaching and learning, quality and values with people who use services, practitioners, and stakeholders; to promote language and cultural competence relevant to local, national and international partners, and to provide an inclusive culture and environment for staff and students within the School.
Building on the strengths of Bangor University and Cardiff University higher education provision, the Cardiff C21 North Wales Medicine programme is delivered at Bangor University through a collaborative approach, creating an excellent medical educational environment that exploits the unique characteristics of the region. The programme includes state-of-the-art campus facilities for basic science, clinical simulation and skills training. Clinical exposure is gained across an extensive network of General Practices, primary, community and secondary care facilities across North Wales in close collaboration with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. Students gain a rich experience across urban, rural and remote healthcare settings that reflect the spectacular geography of the region.
Plans for the successor, independent North Wales Medical School programme are progressing well. The new programme will closely follow the current Cardiff C21 North Wales programme, with Cardiff University School of Medicine acting as the contingency partner required by the GMC. At present, we deliver Years 2 to 5 of the Cardiff C21 Medicine programme, and our intake consists of a mix of graduate entrants who complete a ‘catchup’ summer school before joining direct entry students who successfully completed Year 1 studies in Cardiff. From September 2024, all 5 years of the North Wales Medical School Medicine programme will be delivered at Bangor University. During Years 1 and 2, students build a solid foundation of medical science using a case-based learning approach, along with clinical skills and simulation training and early patient contact sessions. This prepares students for Year 3, which consists of an innovative longitudinal integrated clerkship based in a General Practice, with students living within and contributing to a local community which has been offered at Bangor University since 2018. Years 4 and 5 comprise clinical rotations in hospital and primary care, in preparation for initial NHS employment as Foundation Doctors. The C21 North Wales programme commenced in 2019, and the first class graduated in June 2023. The programme enters a teach out phase this Autumn.
Purpose of the Job
From 2024 the North Wales Medical School programme will be delivered at Bangor University, with an initial intake of 80 entrants into Year 1 and Year 2. Student intakes will rise to 110 Year 1 and 30 Year 2 (graduate) entrants by 2029.

Purpose of the Job

• To teach at postgraduate levels, including supervision of projects and students.
• To develop teaching materials or methodologies, for example course design or assessment and contribute to module co-ordination.
• To provide pastoral and academic support to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• To undertake administrative duties as designated by the Head of School.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Deliver and support practical skills and clinical sciences teaching for the physician associate, including other programmes as appropriate.
• Contribute to the design, management and quality improvement of programmes within the School.
• Act as a personal tutor and problem-based learning facilitator to support the academic, personal, and professional development of students.
• Participate in the development and delivery of all forms of assessment (including written examinations, OSCEs and portfolios).
• Contribute to staff development, training, and recruitment, including the peer review of teaching and the design and delivery of training sessions.
• Maintain your career development in medical education and your professional registration (to include compliance with statutory requirements where appropriate).
• Collaborate with other members of staff in developing an evidence-based approach to medical education teaching and learning.

Teaching duties will include:

• Plan, prepare and deliver lectures and tutorials, responding effectively to a variety of student backgrounds, learning styles and class sizes.
• Motivate students to proactive engagement in learning and provide meaningful and constructive feedback on the quality of their work.
• Keep abreast of new professional, educational, and related social, economic, and technological developments.
• Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate projects.
• Act as personal tutor to several undergraduate and postgraduate students, providing advice, guidance, and support.
• Contribute to the development of new programmes and module co-ordination.

• Maintain and develop Scholarly activities in line with University and College strategies. • Publish evidence of scholarship related to learning and teaching in books, articles and/or papers in academic journals.

Administrative and Wider Contribution duties will include:

• Participate in the student recruitment and induction procedures of the School (e.g. School and University Open Days).
• To contribute to the promotion and external profile of the School as required.
• Contribute to the School’s management and participate in the administration of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes (e.g., organisation of exams, contribute to accreditation/QA procedures (if module co-ordinator).
• Contribute to the marketing of programmes by participating in School and College link activities and other marketing initiatives.
• Undertake other administrative duties and responsibilities as directed by the Head of School (e.g., membership of School boards and task groups, addressing/supporting undergraduate and postgraduate student experience, contributing to community engagement).

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• The post holder will be expected to participate in annual performance review and developmental activities.
• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme
• Ensure continued development of personal knowledge and skills to ensure that teaching reflects current best practice.
• The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for him/herself and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions.
• The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures, and risk assessments.
• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts.

Person Specification
Qualifications/Training

Essential:

• Degree in a relevant subject area (e.g., Medical Sciences/Biomedical Science).

• A postgraduate qualification in Physician Associate Studies (PG Dip/MSc in PA Studies). • Professional registration and membership of the RCP(PA) Faculty/Managed Voluntary Register for Physician Associates (MVR).

Desirable:

• A higher degree in a relevant discipline.
• Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCertHE) or be close to the completion of.
• A higher education teaching qualification and/or Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.

Experience/Knowledge:

Essential:

• Effective teaching capability in a relevant subject area (PA studies).
• Relevant clinical experience.

Desirable:

• Experience of module development and delivery in higher education.
• Experience of supervising undergraduate and postgraduate projects.
• Evidence of scholarship relating to learning and teaching through publication of books, articles and/or papers in academic journals.
• Evidence of Conference and/or seminar presentations on pedagogy.

Skills/Abilities

Essential:

• Experience of delivering medical/physician associate education in ‘classroom’ and clinical environments.
• Experience of relevant medical and clinically applied teaching.
• Ability to develop innovative and exciting approaches to teaching.
• Demonstrate the ability to prioritise workload and work to deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and on own initiative.
• Demonstrable computer skills, including MS Office, PowerPoint, Excel.

Desirable:

• Demonstrable IT Skills as required such as the use of Blackboard and other on-line learning platforms.

Other

Essential:

• An appreciation of the bilingual context of healthcare delivery and University education across north Wales.

Desirable:

• The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh.

General
The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.
We are a member of Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University’s policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.
All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.
We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us. When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful. If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa. The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas. If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.
Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University’s Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.
Disclosure & Barring Service
This post is subject to a satisfactory SPECIFY: standard/enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.
As Bangor University meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions. DBS checks will be updated every 3 years.
Candidates should note that the University uses an external Umbrella body to process DBS checks. As such you should be aware that, if successful in your application, your name and e-mail contact details will be shared with the Umbrella body in order that they may contact you to start the application process

Purpose of the Job

• To teach at postgraduate levels, including supervision of projects and students.
• To develop teaching materials or methodologies, for example course design or assessment and contribute to module co-ordination.
• To provide pastoral and academic support to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• To undertake administrative duties as designated by the Head of School

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Deliver and support practical skills and clinical sciences teaching for the physician associate, including other programmes as appropriate.
• Contribute to the design, management and quality improvement of programmes within the School.
• Act as a personal tutor and problem-based learning facilitator to support the academic, personal, and professional development of students.
• Participate in the development and delivery of all forms of assessment (including written examinations, OSCEs and portfolios).
• Contribute to staff development, training, and recruitment, including the peer review of teaching and the design and delivery of training sessions.
• Maintain your career development in medical education and your professional registration (to include compliance with statutory requirements where appropriate).
• Collaborate with other members of staff in developing an evidence-based approach to medical education teaching and learning

Teaching duties will include:

• Plan, prepare and deliver lectures and tutorials, responding effectively to a variety of student backgrounds, learning styles and class sizes.
• Motivate students to proactive engagement in learning and provide meaningful and constructive feedback on the quality of their work.
• Keep abreast of new professional, educational, and related social, economic, and technological developments.
• Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate projects.
• Act as personal tutor to several undergraduate and postgraduate students, providing advice, guidance, and support.
• Contribute to the development of new programmes and module co-ordination

Administrative and Wider Contribution duties will include:

• Participate in the student recruitment and induction procedures of the School (e.g. School and University Open Days).
• To contribute to the promotion and external profile of the School as required.
• Contribute to the School’s management and participate in the administration of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes (e.g., organisation of exams, contribute to accreditation/QA procedures (if module co-ordinator).
• Contribute to the marketing of programmes by participating in School and College link activities and other marketing initiatives.
• Undertake other administrative duties and responsibilities as directed by the Head of School (e.g., membership of School boards and task groups, addressing/supporting undergraduate and postgraduate student experience, contributing to community engagement)

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• The post holder will be expected to participate in annual performance review and developmental activities.
• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme
• Ensure continued development of personal knowledge and skills to ensure that teaching reflects current best practice.
• The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for him/herself and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions.
• The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures, and risk assessments.
• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts