General Practice Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

The main responsibilities and duties of the General Practice Assistant role will be tailored based on level of skill and experience, but could include but not be limited to:

Key Responsibilities

• Sorting, prioritising and signposting incoming clinical correspondence to relevant team members.
• Extracting required information from clinical correspondence, applying medical codes and adding to patient notes as appropriate.
• Filing blood tests as per the practice protocol.
• Signposting online patient requests to the most appropriate team.
• Working collaboratively to ensure QOF and IIF targets are met, by assisting with call/recall.
• Completing searches and quality improvement audits and reporting.
• Arranging appointments, referrals, tests and follow-up appointments of patients.
• Completing basic (non-opinion) forms and core elements of some forms for the GP to approve and sign (such as insurance forms, mortgage, and benefits agency forms etc.).
• Completing requests for safeguarding information to other agencies.
• Helping the GP liaise with outside agencies (such as arranging admissions) so the GP can continue with their consultation(s).
• Supporting patients to use the EK Kiosk, ensuring the data is saved into clinical records, and liaising with the appropriate clinical team when follow up is needed.
• Supporting with the planning and delivery of a variety of clinics, including but not limited to immunisations, travel vaccinations, minor surgery, joint injections, coils and implants, smears and wound care.
• Demonstrating a personalised and patient-centred approach to care planning.
• Working collaboratively in tackling Health Inequalities, promoting patient engagement and health promotion.
• Preparing patients prior to going in to see the GP, taking a brief history and basic readings in readiness for the GP appointment.
• Supporting GP's and the wider Clinical Team with basic observations as required e.g., dipping urine, taking blood pressure, ECGs & phlebotomy.
• Explaining treatment procedures to patients as requested by the GP.
• Supporting the clinical team with administrative duties; stock ordering; equipment checks.

This job description is not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake other such duties from time to time as are consistent with the responsibility of the grade.

This job description is subject to review and development from time to time in liaison with the post holder.

Personal / Professional Development

Post holder must hold a GP Assistant Certificate qualification, or a commitment to complete this by undertaking on-the-job training.

Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development.

Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.

Attend all relevant annual updates.

Inform the lead GP of any concerns regarding GPA role and any professional development needed.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

A Disclosure and Barring Service check and disclosure will be required before appointment

for all posts with access to children or vulnerable adults or where the post holder has access to patient information.

Confidentiality

You are required to maintain confidentiality of any information concerning patients which you have access to or may be given during your work, in accordance with current policy on confidentiality at the GP Practice sites you work at.

Security

It is the responsibility of all employees to work within the security policies and procedures of the practices they work at to protect the patients, staff and visitors. This duty applies to the specific work area of the individual and the practice in general.

disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Staff have a responsibility to ensure that they treat our patients and their colleagues with dignity and respect.

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults

Woolpit Health Centre as an employer is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk of harm and expects all employees to share this commitment. If the post is one that involves access to children and vulnerable adults during the course of their normal duties, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required.

All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.

All clinical staff have a responsibility to understand the principles of the Mental Capacity

Act (DH, 2005) to ensure people who are 16 and over are empowered to make decisions for themselves. It is the responsibility of clinical staff to assess capacity within their particular remit of care provision; to identify, act and support those who lack capacity to make specific decisions.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Working with the general public;
• Administrative duties;
• Working in a healthcare environment.

Desirable

• Knowledge of EMIS web clinical system;
• Knowledge of clinical coding.

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE in English and Maths (grade A-C or 4-9*), or equivalent.

Desirable

• Qualified to NVQ level 2 in Health and Social Care, or above.
• General Practice Assistant Certificate qualification, or willingness to undertake on-job training and development, in line with the role outline and national competency framework.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) with team members, patients and outside agencies;
• Ability to recognise and adapt communication style to meet patient needs;
• Strong IT skills;
• Effective time management (planning and organisation, multi-tasking under pressure);
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously;
• Ability to understand the need to always maintain confidentiality and data security;
• Ability to follow procedures and policies.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate empathy with patients;
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously;
• Ability to remain professional, be polite and confident, even in challenging situations;
• Demonstrate a flexible and cooperative approach;
• Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision;
• Maintain a motivated and positive attitude.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Woolpit Health Centre

Address

Heath Road

Woolpit

Bury St. Edmunds

Suffolk

IP30 9QU

Employer's website

http://woolpithealthcentre.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)