General Practitioner Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY:

A GPA will support the GP(s) smooth running of clinics by performing the more routine administrative and clinical tasks on behalf of the GP freeing up their time to focus on the patient.

DUTIES:

Sorting all clinical post and prioritising for the GP in terms of actions. Signposting some post to others, such as clinical pharmacists etc.

Extracting all information from clinical letters that needs coding and adding to notes

Arranging appointments, referrals, tests and follow-up appointments for patients

Preparing patients before seeing the GP, taking a brief history and basic readings in readiness for the GP appointment.

Dipping urine, taking blood pressure, ECGs & phlebotomy

Completing basic (non-opinion) forms and core elements of some forms for the GP to approve and sign, such as insurance forms, mortgage, benefits agency forms etc

Explaining treatment procedures to patients

Helping the GP liaise with outside agencies, e.g. getting an on-call doctor on the phone to ask advice or arrange admission while the GP can continue with their consultation(s)

Support the GP with immunisations/wound care

CONFIDENTIALITY:

While seeking treatment, patients entrust us with or allow us to gather sensitive information about their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.

In performing the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may access confidential information relating to patients, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also access data relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.

Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons following the Practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data.

HEALTH AND SAFETY:

The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the Practice Health & Safety Policy, to include:

o Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines

o Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks

o Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills

o Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards

o Reporting potential risks identified

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY:

Acting in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with Practice procedures and policies, and current legislation

Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues

Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings, priorities and rights

PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

The post holder must hold, or be working towards, a GP Assistant Certificate qualification

Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal 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 the GPA role and any professional development needed

Be aware of your professional boundaries and what to do when you have reached them

QUALITY:

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice and will:

Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk

Work to practice protocols

Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision

Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and group activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance

Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs

Effectively manage own time, workload and resources

COMMUNICATION:

The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:

Communicate effectively with other team members

Be familiar in all mediums of communication such as email, tasks, telephone etc

Communicate effectively with patients and carers

Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly

Communicate effectively to outside agencies

Communicate clearly with their lead GP

CONTRIBUTION TO SERVICE DELIVERY:

The post-holder will:

Apply Practice policies, standards and guidance

Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect your work

Participate in audits where appropriate

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• - Competent with clinical observations/investigations as directed
• - Perform Blood Pressure Checks, ECGs and dipstick urine
• - Experience in phlebotomy
• - Arranging appointments, referrals and follow ups with patients

Qualifications

Essential

• Completed the Trainee GPA HEE's accreditation programme framework

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

Southend East Primary Care Network

Address

Norton Place

Ness Road

Southend-on-sea

SS39DL

Employer's website

https://www.southendeastpcn.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)