Why I swapped white coat for scrubs
Sarah Kamal comes from a family of doctors but had no desire to follow in their footsteps.
“It looked like too much hard work,” laughs the former microbiologist who swapping her white coat for scrubs to become the trust’s first physician assistant (PA) in 2011.
PAs work under the supervision of a consultant but their duties include reviewing patients’ medical histories, carrying out examinations, requesting diagnostic tests and requesting investigations.
The role was so new when Sarah had completed her two year training she couldn’t find a job until an A&E consultant took her on at Northwick Park.
“He’d heard about the positive contribution visiting American PAs had made in Birmingham so gave me the opportunity to show what I could do.”
A decade on and physician assistants have become physician associates, are in the process of joining the General Medical Council, and on course to become prescribers.
“We’re full-time staff and don’t rotate like junior doctors every six months so offer continuity and experience.”
At present, there are eight PAs working for the trust and Sarah describes career progression as ‘horizontal’ with their generalist skills allowing them to work across a number of specialisms while gathering experience and skills.
Sarah currently works as senior PA with the Same Day Emergency Care team helping assess, treat and discharge frail elderly patients back to the comfort of their own homes.
“I really enjoy working with patients and their families. It’s a world away from lab work and it’s been a pleasure to promote the work of my fellow PAs as an ambassador.”