Job summary
General Practice Assistants (GPAs) form part of a multi-disciplinary team within primary care and support the senior clinicians with the smooth running of their service. At PGHC tasks are particularly weighted to communication and administrative tasks, alongside some basic clinical duties which will help free up clinicians time and improve the patients access/experience in practice.
Main duties of the job
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 capabilities and the role will be developed as this is a new role in the practice. The duties may include:
1. Reviewing incoming medical documents, identifying and coding new diagnoses and treatments and arranging for appropriate actions. This requires quick processing of large volumes of information and critical review skills to identify salient issues.
2. 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
3. Arranging appointments, tests and follow up appointments for patients
4. Arranging referrals on behalf of the GP both internally (to other clinicians or care coordinators/social prescribers/health and wellbeing coaches) or externally (to the hospital or community clinics)
5. After the provision of appropriate training, completing simple clinical observations/investigations as directed, such as dipstick urine, taking blood pressure, ECGs, phlebotomy etc.
6. Helping the GP liaise with external agencies (such as arranging admissions so the GP can continue with their consultations)
7. Supporting with QOF reviews
8. Carrying out audits of processes and practice at the surgery.
9. Explaining and promoting healthy lifestyle choices
About us
We are two busy practices based in Central London with a combined list size of approx. 15,000 patients. We have 3 GP Partners supported by a team of experienced salaried GPs, Practice Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, Pharmacists, receptionists and administrators.
The practice has a long history of training and mentoring clinicians at every level. We are patient centered, forward thinking, pro-active and our partners and teams are very much involved in the wider primary care system. We have keen interest in population health and addressing health inequalities.
We are a friendly team and organise regular team social events.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Thefollowing are the core responsibilities of the GPA. There may be, on occasion, a requirement tocarry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload andstaffing levels. You will work withinyour capabilities and this new role will be developed. The duties may include:
Arrange appointments, tests and follow upappointments for patients
Arrange referrals on behalf of the GP bothinternally (to other clinicians or care coordinators/social prescribers/healthand wellbeing coaches) or externally (to the hospital or community clinics)
Preparing patients prior to going in to see theGP, taking a brief history and basic readings in readiness for the GPappointment.
Completing basic (non-opinion) forms and coreelements of some forms for the GP to approve and sign such as insurance forms,mortgage, benefits agency forms etc
Complete simple clinicalobservations/investigations as directed, such as dipstick urine, taking bloodpressure, ECGs, phlebotomy etc.
Help the GP liaise with external agencies (suchas arranging admissions so the GP can continue with their consultations)
Sorting clinical post and prioritising for theGP
Extracting information from clinical lettersthat needs coding and adding this to patient notes
Supporting with QOF reviews
Explaining and promoting healthy lifestylechoices
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
10. Educated to A level standard or equivalent experience of working in a healthcare environment.
11. Problem solver with the ability to process large volumes of information quickly, accurately and effectively and critically interpret and evaluate data as required.
12. Ability to communicate and understand the needs of the patient regardless of the challenges they present.
13. Excellent communication (written and oral) skills.
14. Experience of working with the general public.
15. Being polite and confident, flexible and cooperative.
16. Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
17. Ability to work under pressure/in stressful situations
18. Commitment to ongoing professional development
19. Ability to record accurate clinical notes
20. Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to seek support
21. Strong IT skills (competent in the use of Office and Outlook)
22. Clear, polite telephone manner
23. Effective time management (planning and organising)
24. Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
25. Good interpersonal skills
26. Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
Desirable
27. GP Assistant Certificate qualification/willingness to undertake a GPA training course.
28. Experience using SystmOne
29. Experience with General Practice
30. Experience of dealing with a range of clinical conditions
31. Knowledge of health promotion strategies
32. Knowledge of Pre-Diabetes, Diabetes, Hypertension, Asthma, CHD, Immunisations,
33. ECGS