General Practice Assistant

Job summary

General Practice Assistants (GPAs) form part of a multi-disciplinary team within primary care and support the clinicians in the smooth running of the surgery by handling routine administration and some basic clinical duties enabling the clinician to focus on the patient. Ultimately the aim is to improve the patients access/experience in practice.

General Practice assistants will operate under the supervision of GPs and at times other appropriately qualified clinicians. The assistant will undertake a training programme, if not already accredited, to obtain formal clinical sign off.

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:

Arrange referrals on behalf of the clinician both internally (to other clinicians or care coordinators such as Social Prescribing Link Worker, First Contact Practitioner, Mental Health Practitioner, Podiatry, Dietician ) or externally (to the hospital or community clinics)

Supporting clinicians with administrative tasks, input to the clinical computer system and assisting the clinician in a variety of clinics not limited to but including: immunisation and vaccination, smear, wound, coils and implants, minor surgery, joint injections.

Stocking of clinical rooms

Participate in investigating complaints to liaise with the management team to aid resolution

Assist General Practitioners in patient death registrations

Complete simple clinical observations/investigations as directed, such as dipstick urine, taking blood pressure, ECGs, phlebotomy etc.

Complete 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.)

Help the GP liaise with external agencies (such as arranging admissions so the GP can continue with their consultations)

Extracting information from clinical letters that needs coding and adding this to patient notes

About us

Oaklands Health Centre is a friendly, dynamic, well-established GMS practice in the historic town of Hythe. We are an ambitious, innovative and forward thinking organisation that provides primary health care to 12,000 patients.

We have a clinical team consisting of 2 GP partners, 3 salaried GPs, 4 Advanced Nurse Practitioners, 2 Practice Paramedics, 3 Practice Nurses, 4 Health Care Assistants and a fantastic administration team.

We are the lead practice for our Primary Care Network (PCN) serving a population of approximately 48,000 people, enabling our patients access to Pharmacists, Social Prescriber, First Contact Physiotherapists, Mental Health Practitioner and an Occupational Therapist.

We work closely with the PCN incorporating a team dedicated to the care homes across Hythe & Folkestone and established multi-disciplinary team meetings covering safeguarding, frailty, dementia and palliative care. We also work closely with external organisations such as Age UK and have an active Patient Participation Group.

Oaklands Health Centre is also a vaccination site as part of the Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, which recently received the KALC Community Award for our contribution in the pandemic.

We are looking to recruit a motivated and enthusiastic General Practice Assistant on a 2 year fixed term contract.

The post attracts 5 weeks annual leave pro rata.