General Practice Assistant

Job summary This is a hours per week permanent role.General Practice Assistants (GPAs) form part of a multi-disciplinary team within primary care and support the clinicians in the smooth running of the surgery by handling routine administration and some basic clinical duties enabling the clinician to focus on the patient.
Ultimately the aim is to improve the patients access/experience in practice.
General Practice Assistants will operate under the supervision of GPs and at times other appropriately qualified clinicians.
The Assistant will undertake the HEE accredited training programme, aligned to the competency framework, equipping them with formal certification of their learning.
Main duties of the job Arrange referrals on behalf of the clinician Explain treatment procedures to patients Responsibility for the processing of urine specimen submissions to the practice; dipstick of urine and action following Practice protocol.
Preparing patients prior to going in to see the GP, taking a brief history and basic readings in readiness for the GP appointment, Supporting clinicians with administrative tasks, input to the clinical computer system and assisting the clinician in a variety of clinics not limited to but including: immmunisation and vaccination, smear, wound, coils and implants, minor surgery, joint injections.
Stocking of clinical rooms Integral role in the infection control activity of the practice Vaccines, injectables, drug stock management Complete simple clinical observations/investigations as directed, such as dipstick urine, taking blood pressure, ECGs, phlebotomy etc.
Help the GP liaise with external agencies (such as arranging admissions so the GP can continue with their consultations) Extracting information from clinical letters that needs coding and adding this to patient notes Supporting with QOF reviews Supporting the recall system for Long Term Condition reviews About us Our vision is to develop a partnership between patients and our clinicians that allow us together to deliver high quality health and social care services, and meet the needs of the population of Wolverhampton and beyond.As Health and Beyond we are committed to working together to ensure our communities receive the best evidence based care possible, and will strive to ensure that patients' views are heard and that their journey through Health and Beyond health system is seamless through integration and strong partnership working with our stakeholders.Delivering excellence in innovation that benefits patients, employees and commissioners with strong inter-professional programs and bespoke care.Including South East Primary Care Network which is within our geographical area.
Job description Job responsibilities Job purpose/summary: General Practice Assistants (GPAs) form part of a multi-disciplinary team within primary care and support the clinicians in the smooth running of the surgery by handling routine administration and some basic clinical duties enabling the clinician to focus on the patient.
Ultimately the aim is to improve the patients access/experience in practice.
General Practice Assistants will operate under the supervision of GPs and at times other appropriately qualified clinicians.
The Assistant will undertake the HEE accredited training programme, aligned to the competency framework, equipping them with formal certification of their learning.
Role Specific Responsibilities: The following are the core responsibilities of the GPA.
There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels.
You will work within your level of skills and experience.
Arrange referrals on behalf of the clinician both internally (to other clinicians or care coordinators/social prescribers/health and wellbeing coaches) or externally (to the hospital or community clinics) Explain treatment procedures to patients Responsibility for the processing of urine specimen submissions to the practice; dipstick of urine and action following Practice protocol.
Preparing patients prior to going in to see the GP, taking a brief history and basic readings in readiness for the GP appointment, Supporting clinicians with administrative tasks, input to the clinical computer system and assisting the clinician in a variety of clinics not limited to but including: immmunisation and vaccination, smear, wound, coils and implants, minor surgery, joint injections.
Stocking of clinical rooms Integral role in the infection control activity of the practice Vaccines, injectables, drug stock management Complete simple clinical observations/investigations as directed, such as dipstick urine, taking blood pressure, ECGs, phlebotomy etc.
Complete 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.)
Help the GP liaise with external agencies (such as arranging admissions so the GP can continue with their consultations) Sorting clinical post and prioritising for the GP in terms of actions.
Signposting some post to others such as clinical pharmacists etc.
Extracting information from clinical letters that needs coding and adding this to patient notes Supporting with QOF reviews Supporting the recall system for Long Term Condition reviews GPAs should also: Participate in an annual individual performance review Track and record evidence of their experience against the national competency framework Inform the Lead GP of any concerns regarding their role and request professional development as needed Be aware of their own professional boundaries and what to do when they are reached.
Other information: Confidentiality: In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to 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 the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers.
They may also have access to information 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 in accordance with the practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data.
Health & 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: Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards Reporting potential risks identified.
Equality and Diversity: The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include: 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 will participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment, such training to include: Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development To always act within the NMC Code of Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.
Quality: The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice, and will: Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk 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 team 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 Communicate effectively with patients and carers Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.
Contribution to the Implementation of Services: 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 own work Participate in audit where appropriate.
Health & Beyond Group 175 Steelhouse Lane, Wolverhampton WV2 2AU Health and Beyond Limited Company Registration: 10662418: Sites - Bilston Urban Village, Ettingshall Medical Centre, Pennfields Medical Centre - Health & Beyond Partnership: Grove Medical Centre, All Saints Surgery, Caerleon Surgery, Church Street Surgery, Bradley Medical Centre, Parkfield Medical Centre and Woodcross Medical Centre Person Specification Qualifications Essential Educated to GCSE level or equivalent (2 GCSE grade A-C English and Maths) NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care and willing to work towards Level 3 or equivalent A demonstratable commitment to professional development Willing to work towards GPA certification Desirable Qualified to NVQ Level 3 GP Assistant Certificate qualification/willingness to undertake a GPA training course Personal Attributes Essential Polite and confident Flexible and cooperative Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations Ability to work under pressure/in stressful situations Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient Desirable N/A Experience Essential Experience of working in a healthcare setting and/or similar role Experience of caring for others Strong administrative skills Experience of working with the general public Desirable Experience using EMIS Web clinical system Experience in General Practice Experience of dealing with a range of clinical conditions