Hawkinge and Elham and Valley Practice

General Practice Assistant (GPA)

The closing date is 07 November 2025

Job summary

At The Hawkinge & Elham Valley Practice, we know that great care starts with a great team. Whether youre new to healthcare or looking to take the next step in your career, well provide the training, support and encouragement you need to succeed.

Youll be part of a welcoming and forward-thinking team that values kindness, teamwork and learning. Well support you through structured on-the-job training and the General Practice Assistant Programme, helping you build confidence and develop valuable skills in both clinical and administrative areas.

If youre caring, organised and eager to make a real difference to patients lives, wed love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

  • Arrange internal and external referrals on behalf of clinicians (e.g. to community services, PCN teams, or hospital clinics).

  • Support clinicians with administrative tasks and input to the EMIS clinical system.

  • Assist in clinics such as immunisations, wound care, cervical screening, minor surgery, joint injections and womens health procedures.

  • Carry out simple clinical observations (e.g. BP, pulse, urinalysis, ECGs, phlebotomy).

  • Manage clinical room preparation and stock control in line with infection control standards.

  • Process urine specimens and record results following Practice protocols.

  • Support Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) and long-term condition reviews, including managing patient recalls.

  • Assist with vaccine and medication stock management.

  • Sort and code clinical correspondence into patient notes accurately.

  • Help complete non-clinical sections of forms (insurance, benefits, etc.) for GP approval.

  • Assist GPs with death registrations and liaison with external agencies.

  • Participate in complaint investigations and contribute to service improvements.

About us

About Us

The Hawkinge & Elham Valley Practice is a welcoming, forward-thinking and patient-centred organisation serving our local communities. We are proud to provide high-quality primary care supported by a strong multi-disciplinary team of GPs, Paramedic Practitioner, Clinical Pharmacist, Practice Nurses, Health Care Assistants and dedicated administrative staff.

We work closely with our Primary Care Network (PCN) colleagues to offer patients access to a wide range of roles including Clinical Pharmacists, Social Prescribers, First Contact Practitioners and Mental Health Practitioners.

Our ethos is to provide kind, safe and effective carewith a culture that values teamwork, development and patient wellbeing.

Details

Date posted

21 October 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

A3246-25-0007

Job locations

Hawkinge Health Centre

74 Canterbury Road

Hawkinge

Folkestone

Kent

CT18 7BP


Elham Surgery

Old Road

Elham

Canterbury

Kent

CT4 6UH


Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

The General Practice Assistant (GPA) plays a key role in supporting the smooth and efficient running of the practice, enabling clinicians to focus on patient care. Working as part of our multi-disciplinary team, the GPA provides both clinical and administrative support to improve patient access and experience.

You will work under the supervision of GPs and other qualified clinicians. If you are not already accredited, you will be supported to undertake the GPA training programme leading to formal clinical sign-off.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
  • Arrange internal and external referrals on behalf of clinicians (e.g. Social Prescribers, First Contact Practitioners, Mental Health Practitioners, Podiatry, Dietetics, hospitals or community clinics).

  • Process urine specimen submissions, complete urinalysis and action results in line with practice protocols.

  • Support clinicians with administrative duties and data entry into the EMIS clinical system.

  • Assist in clinics such as immunisations, wound care, cervical screening, minor surgery, joint injections, and womens health procedures (e.g. coils and implants).

  • Maintain stock control and prepare clinical rooms for daily use.

  • Support infection prevention and control activity within the practice.

  • Assist with vaccine, injectable, and medication stock management.

  • Complete simple clinical observations (e.g. dipstick urine, blood pressure, ECGs, phlebotomy).

  • Support Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) and Long-Term Condition reviews, including recall management.

  • Sort and prioritise clinical correspondence, ensuring information is coded and added to patient records accurately.

  • Help complete non-clinical sections of forms (e.g. insurance, mortgage, benefits) for GP review.

  • Assist GPs with death registrations and liaison with external agencies.

  • Support complaint investigations and contribute to service improvement.

  • Work within your competence and seek supervision where appropriate.

Standard Requirements

  • Confidentiality: Maintain strict confidentiality and comply with GDPR and Data Protection legislation.

  • Code of Conduct: Uphold professionalism and high standards of behaviour at all times.

  • Equality and Diversity: Promote dignity, respect, and equality of opportunity for all patients and staff.

  • Health and Safety: Comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act and related policies to maintain a safe environment.

  • Professional Standards: Act in accordance with the relevant professional code of conduct and participate in regular performance reviews.

  • Infection Prevention and Control: Follow all infection control policies and maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.

  • Safeguarding: Adhere to national and local safeguarding policies for children and adults; report concerns promptly.

  • Communication: Promote clear, compassionate and effective communication, ensuring openness, transparency and candour in all interactions.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

The General Practice Assistant (GPA) plays a key role in supporting the smooth and efficient running of the practice, enabling clinicians to focus on patient care. Working as part of our multi-disciplinary team, the GPA provides both clinical and administrative support to improve patient access and experience.

You will work under the supervision of GPs and other qualified clinicians. If you are not already accredited, you will be supported to undertake the GPA training programme leading to formal clinical sign-off.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
  • Arrange internal and external referrals on behalf of clinicians (e.g. Social Prescribers, First Contact Practitioners, Mental Health Practitioners, Podiatry, Dietetics, hospitals or community clinics).

  • Process urine specimen submissions, complete urinalysis and action results in line with practice protocols.

  • Support clinicians with administrative duties and data entry into the EMIS clinical system.

  • Assist in clinics such as immunisations, wound care, cervical screening, minor surgery, joint injections, and womens health procedures (e.g. coils and implants).

  • Maintain stock control and prepare clinical rooms for daily use.

  • Support infection prevention and control activity within the practice.

  • Assist with vaccine, injectable, and medication stock management.

  • Complete simple clinical observations (e.g. dipstick urine, blood pressure, ECGs, phlebotomy).

  • Support Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) and Long-Term Condition reviews, including recall management.

  • Sort and prioritise clinical correspondence, ensuring information is coded and added to patient records accurately.

  • Help complete non-clinical sections of forms (e.g. insurance, mortgage, benefits) for GP review.

  • Assist GPs with death registrations and liaison with external agencies.

  • Support complaint investigations and contribute to service improvement.

  • Work within your competence and seek supervision where appropriate.

Standard Requirements

  • Confidentiality: Maintain strict confidentiality and comply with GDPR and Data Protection legislation.

  • Code of Conduct: Uphold professionalism and high standards of behaviour at all times.

  • Equality and Diversity: Promote dignity, respect, and equality of opportunity for all patients and staff.

  • Health and Safety: Comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act and related policies to maintain a safe environment.

  • Professional Standards: Act in accordance with the relevant professional code of conduct and participate in regular performance reviews.

  • Infection Prevention and Control: Follow all infection control policies and maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.

  • Safeguarding: Adhere to national and local safeguarding policies for children and adults; report concerns promptly.

  • Communication: Promote clear, compassionate and effective communication, ensuring openness, transparency and candour in all interactions.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to GCSE level or equivalent.
  • General Practice Assistant Certificate or willingness to undertake the training programme.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience working in a healthcare environment.
  • Experience working with the general public.

Desirable

  • Experience using EMIS clinical system.
  • Experience within General Practice.
  • Experience dealing with a variety of clinical conditions.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to GCSE level or equivalent.
  • General Practice Assistant Certificate or willingness to undertake the training programme.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience working in a healthcare environment.
  • Experience working with the general public.

Desirable

  • Experience using EMIS clinical system.
  • Experience within General Practice.
  • Experience dealing with a variety of clinical conditions.

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

Hawkinge and Elham and Valley Practice

Address

Hawkinge Health Centre

74 Canterbury Road

Hawkinge

Folkestone

Kent

CT18 7BP


Employer's website

https://www.elhamsurgery.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Hawkinge and Elham and Valley Practice

Address

Hawkinge Health Centre

74 Canterbury Road

Hawkinge

Folkestone

Kent

CT18 7BP


Employer's website

https://www.elhamsurgery.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Jo Sheldrick

jo.sheldrick1@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

21 October 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

A3246-25-0007

Job locations

Hawkinge Health Centre

74 Canterbury Road

Hawkinge

Folkestone

Kent

CT18 7BP


Elham Surgery

Old Road

Elham

Canterbury

Kent

CT4 6UH


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