General Practice Assistant

The General Practice Assistant (GPA) role is a blend of

administration work, alongside basic clinical support. The GPA will support the

smooth running of clinics, by performing routine administrative and clinical

tasks on behalf of the GP and the practice team. The role will also involve

clinical interventions such as clinical observations, e.g. blood pressure,

weight, etc, plus performing ECG, phlebotomy, and support with wound care.

The GP assistant role is a blended role of administrative

tasks and clinical tasks. Working under the direct supervision of the Nurse

Manager and the Administrative Manager.

The GPA is employed by PartnersHealth, Rushcliffe GP

federation, but working within the named GP practice.

The GPA will work strictly in accordance with specific

practice guidelines and protocols, the GPA will support the smooth running of

clinics by performing routine administrative and clinical tasks on behalf of

the GP, and practice nurse. GPAs may be expected to deliver a combination of

the following

Arranging appointments, referrals, tests and follow up

appointments of patients.

Completing simple clinical observations /investigations as

directed locally, such as dipstick urine, taking blood pressure, ECG,

phlebotomy, simple wound management etc.

Supporting the GP/practice nurse with immunisations/wound

care.

Preparing patients prior to going in to see the GP or

practice nurse, taking a brief history and basic readings in readiness for

their clinical appointment.

Completing basic 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).

Extracting information from clinical letters that needs

coding, adding this to patient notes. Supporting with QOF reviews.

Participate in an annual individual performance review

Track and record evidence of their experience against the

national competency framework.

Inform their line manager or 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.

Main Duties and Responsibilities May Consist of the

Clinical

The post holder will complete simple clinical observations

such as

Take and record blood pressures, also pulse, respiratory

rate, weight and MUST scores

Dip stick urine and perform urinary pregnancy testing

Support with immunisations - simple wound care

Chaperoning duties

Processing and management of laboratory samples requested by

Cleaning and re-stocking GP consulting rooms

Preparing and maintaining environments and equipment before,

during and after patient care interventions including assisting GPs during the

performance of minor operations

Assisting in the assessment and surveillance of patients

health and well-being

Assisting with the collection and collation of data on needs

related to health and well-being

To perform any other tasks, considered appropriate to the

role, within the skills of the post holder.

Explain treatment procedures to patients

Prepare patients prior to going to see the GP

The post holder will support the GP and the practice team by

delivering the following

Work closely with the work-flow team, sorting clinical post

and prioritising this for the GP by extracting relevant information and coding

this appropriately. The post holder will be expected to be able to read complex

clinical correspondence with close care and attention and be familiar with the

Practices clinical coding policy

Arranging appointments, referrals, tests and follow up

appointments of patients

Read, code and action letters sent to the Practice

Ensure that patients medical records are maintained properly

Assisting with related coding tasks, such as managing data

entries

Liaise with outside agencies to support the GP to focus on

their patients, such as calling an ambulance, or arranging an admission

Completing (non-opinion) forms, preparing medical reports

such as insurance reports, benefit agency forms. For other reports that require

an opinion, the post-holder will complete as much basic data on the form before

this is passed to the GP to finalise.

Support the Practice with QOF reviews and associated

administrative tasks to ensure patients are recalled and coded appropriately.

Manage the Diary Entry - Practice Recall system to ensure

patients are recalled for their LTC reviews.

Job Revision

This job description is subject to periodic revision,

following discussion with the post holder.

While 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

The post-holder will implement and lead on a full range of

promotion and management their own and others health and safety and infection

control as defined in the practice Health & Safety policy, the practice

Health & Safety manual, and the practice Infection Control policy and

published procedures. This will include (but will not be limited to):

Using personal security systems within the workplace

according to practice guidelines

Awareness of national standards of infection control and

cleanliness and regulatory / contractual / professional requirements, and good

practice guidelines

Responsible for the correct and safe management of the

specimens process including collection, labelling, handling, use of correct and

clean containers, storage and transport arrangements

Management and maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment

(PPE) for the practice including provision, ordering, availability and ongoing

correct usage by staff

In return, we offer a friendly, supportive working

environment which demonstrates a commitment to providing supervision, learning

and professional development for all staff, together with a competitive salary

package and other benefits, including the NHS Pension and an employee

assistance programme.

Training, Qualifications & Experience

Essential: - GCSE/NVQ level 2 or equivalent Competence in Microsoft Office packages (Outlook, Word, Excel)

Committment to Trust Values & Behaviours

Essential: - Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with PartnersHealth values and behavioural standards

Analytical and Judgement Skills

Desirable: - Have an understanding of recording and reporting significant events and incidents

Planning & Organisation Skills

Communication & Relationship Skills