Job responsibilities
Job summary
As part of the wider team
in general practice, General Practice Assistants (GPA) provide a support
role, carrying out administrative tasks, combined in some areas with basic
clinical duties.
GPAs are trained to
undertake routine administration and basic clinical duties. They can help to
free up GPs time and contribute to the smooth running of appointments,
improving patients experience in the surgery;
Providing both pre-booked and ad-hoc phlebotomy, blood
pressure check and ECG appointments
Assisting the Duty GP during their afternoon sessions
improve patient access and release highly qualified
staff to concentrate on treating and managing patients with more complex
conditions
improve patient flow within surgery hours, increasing
the time efficiency of appointments, and reduction of waiting times;
supporting patient experience by translating or reiterating information
from the GP
have a positive impact on GP retention and job
satisfaction
reduce time spent by GPs on administrative tasks and
managing correspondence
Primary
responsibilities
Arranging
appointments, referrals, tests and follow up appointments of patients. Some
of these tasks will be carried out by the GP Assistant on the day
Preparing
patients prior to going in to see the GP, taking a brief history,
observations and basic readings in readiness for the GP appointment.
Dipping
urine, taking blood pressure, ECGs & phlebotomy
Completing
basic (non-opinion) forms and core elements of some forms for the GP to
approve and sign such as insurance forms, mortgage, ESA113 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)
Support
the GP with immunisations/wound care
Extracting
information from clinical letters that requires coding.
Arranging
patient appointments, referrals and follow up appointments
Clinical
observations, urinalysis, ECGs & phlebotomy.
Providing
chaperone support as and when necessary
Secondary
responsibilities
In addition to the primary responsibilities,
the GP Assistant may be requested to:
a.
Support the team to reach QOF targets (supported by the
nursing and administrative leads)
b.
Support the Practice Manager and wider management team in
the reviewing and updating of PSM MEDICAL GROUP policies and procedures
c.
Support the practice and management team with continuous
improvement and change initiatives
Confidentiality:
d.
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
e.
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
f.
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:
g.
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
-
Develop/Review Health & Safety policies and
procedures and keep abreast of current legislation
-
Arrange appropriate insurance cover
-
Ensure that the Practice has adequate disaster recovery
procedures in place
-
Arrange appropriate maintenance for Practice equipment
Equality and
Diversity:
h.
The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and
rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:
-
Acting in a way that recognizes 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:
i.
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
-
Taking responsibility for own development, learning and
performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are
undertaking similar work
Quality:
j.
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:
k.
The post-holder should recognize the importance of
effective communication within the team and will strive to:
-
Communicate effectively with other team members
-
Communicate effectively with patients and carers
-
Recognize peoples needs for alternative methods of
communication and respond accordingly
Contribution to the
Implementation of Services:
-
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
