Practice Support Assistant

Patient Support Assistants are a vital part of the Practice and its multi-disciplinary Support Team. As the first point of contact for patients, whether in person, over the phone, or online, they play a key role in creating a welcoming and reassuring environment, ensuring patients feel at ease and receive the appropriate care.

The assistants engage directly with patients to understand their needs and deliver compassionate, personalised care of the highest quality. They work collaboratively with internal teams and external health partners to coordinate services and support patient wellbeing.

We expect Patient Support Assistants to demonstrate care, dedication, reliability, and a person-focused approach, as outlined in the Employee Handbook. They should enjoy working with a diverse range of people and be committed to supporting patients, families, and carers with professionalism and empathy.

Patient Support Assistants contribute to the overall success and efficiency of the Practice by ensuring every patient receives the best possible care and support.

Practice hours are 08:00 - 18:30, split into two shifts for our support team:

This role is to primarily cover the afternoon shifts; applicants must be able to cover at least four per week (no maximum). We also ask for flexibility in providing occasional cover or shift swaps to support colleagues during sickness or annual leave.

Acting as point of contact for patients, answering queries

in person, by phone or email, triaging and booking appointments.

Support new patient registrations complete checks and data

entry, and process removals when patients leave the practice.

Processing medication requests, taking requests and passing

them on for clinical review.

Keep care records current by identifying and updating any

missing or outdated information about the patients circumstances. Ensuring all

information is recorded, scanned, and stored in line with NHS and GDPR

guidelines.

Process daily post and clinical documents, scan and upload

documents to patient records, and file paperwork accurately and securely.

Review, categorise, and accurately file incoming electronic

communications such as hospital letters, investigation results, and referral

updates.

Advise patients of relevant charges for non-NHS services,

accept payment and issue receipts and manage loaning of equipment.

Receive and handle deliveries, including immunisations,

ensuring cold chain protocols are followed for temperature-sensitive items and

vaccines are promptly stored in line with practice policy and NHS guidelines.

Unlock and prepare the full premises at the start of the

day, and at the end, carry out closing checks and secure the building in line

with practice protocols, including alarms, lighting, and safety procedures.

Take responsibility for a specific area of practice

operations (e.g. patient registrations, repeat prescriptions, etc) ensuring it

is delivered efficiently and accurately. Provide guidance and training to

colleagues, maintain up-to-date procedures, and act as the point of contact for

any queries relating to that process.

Maintain a thorough understanding of Health and Safety

procedures and fire precautions and follow the correct protocols.

Work flexibly to meet the needs of both internal and

external stakeholders, adapting to changes as necessary.

Perform any other duties deemed appropriate by the Practice

Manager.

Berinsfield Health Centre delivers timely, local healthcare

that blends the best of modern medical science with traditional values of

compassion, respect, and community care.

We foster a supportive and inclusive environment for

everyone patients, clinicians, administrative staff, and our wider healthcare

partners, including district nurses and midwives.

As a proud training practice since 1972, we are passionate

about developing and supporting our staff. There is always a vibrant mix of new

faces in the building, and we actively encourage all team members to play a

role in mentoring and supporting students as part of our commitment to learning

and growth.

Experience

Qualifications

Essential: - Good standard of education with English and Maths to GCSE (grades A-C / 9-4) or equivalent experience.