General Practice Assistant (GPA)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The General Practice Assistant GPA will undertake a variety of administrative and basic clinical tasks to support GPs in delivering safe, efficient, and high-quality patient care. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

Clinical administration

Sorting all clinical post and prioritising for GP review, signposting correspondence to appropriate team members.

Extracting relevant information from clinical letters for coding and entry into patient records.

Completing basic non-opinion forms and the core elements of some documents e.g., insurance, mortgage, benefits agency forms for GP approval and signature.

Patient coordination

Arranging patient appointments, referrals, diagnostic tests, and follow-up consultations.

Liaising with external agencies on behalf of the GP.

Supporting recall systems for long term condition reviews e.g diabetes, hypertension etc.

Clinical support

Undertaking basic clinical observations as requested by the GP e.g., urinalysis, blood pressure monitoring, ECGs, phlebotomy if trained and competent at the direction of the GP.

Explaining treatment procedures to patients at the request of the GP.

• Performing additional duties appropriate to the post holders skills and grade, in response to evolving service needs.
• Accurately recording clinical information in patient records under supervision.

General Responsibilities

Confidentiality

Patients entrust the Practice with sensitive information regarding their health and personal circumstances. It is essential that all staff always respect this confidentiality and act with integrity.

In fulfilling the duties of this role, the post-holder may access confidential information relating to patients, carers, Practice staff, and other healthcare professionals, as well as business-related data. All such information must be treated as strictly confidential and only shared with authorised individuals in accordance with Practice policies, the Data Protection Act, Caldicott Principles, and the Confidentiality Code of Conduct.

Use of EMIS or other Clinical systems will require adherence to access control protocols.

Respect for Patient Confidentiality

The post-holder must always uphold patient confidentiality and only disclose information when required and authorised by the role.

Health and Safety

The post-holder is responsible for promoting and maintaining health, safety, and security in accordance with the Practices Health & Safety Policy. This includes:

• Identifying and managing risks in work activities.
• Participating in training to maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills.
• Applying infection control procedures and maintaining a safe, hazard-free work environment.
• Reporting potential risks to the appropriate manager.
• Complying with the Data Protection Act 1984 and the Access to Health Records Act 1990.
• Report incidents via the Practice's significant event process.

Equality and Diversity

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity, and rights of patients, carers, and colleagues by:

• Acting in accordance with relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.
• Respecting the privacy, dignity, and beliefs of others.
• Demonstrating inclusive, non-judgmental behaviour that acknowledges individual circumstances and priorities.
• Monitor and adhere to any reasonable adjustments for staff and patients.

Personal and Professional Development

The post-holder will actively participate in training programmes and professional development activities, including:

• Annual performance reviews and maintaining a personal development record.
• Taking responsibility for their own learning and performance.

Quality

The post-holder will contribute to the maintenance and improvement of service quality by:

• Identifying and reporting issues related to quality and risk.
• Reflecting on personal performance
• Collaborating with external agencies to meet patient needs.
• Managing time, workload, and resources effectively.

Communication

Effective communication is vital to the role. The post-holder will:

• Communicate clearly and professionally with team members, patients, carers, and external organisations.
• Recognise and respond to the need for alternative communication methods.
• Participate in patient feedback initiatives such as surveys or friends and family test data collection.

Safeguarding

All staff will receive training in Child and Adult Protection, including safeguarding policies and procedures. The post-holder must be able to identify and act upon concerns regarding the welfare of vulnerable individuals.

Contribution to Service Implementation

The post-holder will:

• Apply relevant service policies, standards, and guidelines.
• Collaborate with colleagues to understand the impact of these policies on their work.
• Participate in audits and mandatory training e.g. Information Governance, IT, Resuscitation.
• Demonstrate flexibility, teamwork, and a positive attitude.

Person Specification

Knowledge skills and competencies

Essential

• Appreciation of the NHS agenda and government targets.
• Awareness of systems supporting patient management in primary care.
• Excellent understanding of data protection and confidentiality.
• Computer literate; proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Understanding of current healthcare policy aims.
• Strong influencing and negotiating skills.
• High attention to detail; able to identify and correct errors efficiently.
• Organised and able to prioritise workload to meet deadlines.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Desirable

• Appreciation of the implications of healthcare policy for general practice.
• Ability to analyse and interpret data.

Person Specification

Essential

• Effective team player and capable of working independently.
• Flexible approach to meet service needs.
• Self-motivated and proactive.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Able to meet the physical demands of the role with reasonable adjustments if required.
• Excellent time management and prioritisation skills.
• Adaptability and flexibility in response to change.
• Ability to work in a busy environment.
• Ability to use initiative but recognise own limits and escalate appropriately.

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ level 2 or equivalent experience.
• Good standard of written and spoken English.

Desirable

• GPA accreditation or willingness to undertake training via the GPA programme

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in general practice, particularly dealing with administrative tasks.

Desirable

• Experience of dealing with clinical correspondence, medical reports, medication etc.
• Experience of using EMIS clinical system

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

East Wing Surgery

Address

Wear Street

Jarrow

Tyne And Wear

NE32 3UX

Employer's website

http://eastwingsurgery.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)