GP Assisstant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Support Duties

Provide direct support to GPs by taking patient histories and undertaking baseline observations.

Complete simple clinical observations and investigations as directed locally, including but not limited to urine dipstick testing, blood pressure measurement, ECGs, and phlebotomy (subject to training and competency).

Facilitate routine and 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and provide appropriate advice and instructions to patients.

Carry out BMI checks as directed.

Act as a chaperone in accordance with practice policy.

Patient Pathway and Care Coordination

Support practice patients by arranging appointments, onward referrals, clinical tests, and follow-up appointments.

Assist GPs in liaising with external agencies, including supporting the arrangement of patient admissions while the GP continues with consultations.

Provide coordination and navigation for patients and their carers across health and care services, working closely with Social Prescribing Link Workers, Health and Wellbeing Coaches, and other primary care professionals.

Clinical Documentation and Forms

Complete basic (non-opinion) forms and core sections of more complex forms GP review, approval, and signature.

Produce accurate , and complete clinical records in line with professional standards and practice policy.

Extract relevant information from clinical correspondence, apply appropriate medical codes, and ensure accurate updating of patient records.

Quality, Governance, and Improvement

Support the delivery of QOF, incentive schemes, QIPP, enhanced services, and other quality or cost-effectiveness initiatives.

Contribute to public health campaigns (e.g. flu clinics) through advice, direct care, and opportunistic health promotion.

Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that encourage healthy lifestyles and self-care.

Review and work in accordance with the latest guidance to ensure compliance with NICE, CQC, and other regulatory standards.

Contribute to and embrace the full spectrum of clinical governance, including significant events, audits, and quality improvement activity.

Professional Development

Develop and agree a personal development plan using a reflective approach to practice, operating under appropriate clinical supervision.

Undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes.

Attend formal appraisal meetings at least every 12 months, with progress against objectives reviewed regularly.

General Responsibilities

Prioritise, organise, and manage own workload to maintain and promote quality and patient safety.

Maintain a clean, tidy, and effective working environment at all times.

Be responsive to changing patient needs and service provision, adapting scope and nature of practice as required.

Be aware of and comply with duties under current legislation, including safeguarding adults and children, equality, and health and safety.

Participate in the management of patient complaints and incidents when requested, contributing to shared learning and service improvement.

Additional Responsibilities Clinical Coding and Administration

In addition to the above, the post holder will undertake clinical coding and administrative responsibilities, dependent on service need:

Accurately clinically code data into the patient record using the clinical system.

Identify relevant clinical information within correspondence and code appropriately, highlighting actions for clinicians where required.

Input, extract, and analyse data to support audits, reports, patient safety initiatives, and QOF income.

Scan, file, store, and attach patient-related documentation to electronic healthcare records in line with the practice Document Management Policy.

Action all incoming correspondence, emails, and mail in a timely and accurate manner.

Highlight urgent or time-critical information to the appropriate clinician.

Assist with total triage administration and conduct system searches as requested.

Answer incoming telephone calls and deal with queries appropriately or redirect as necessary.

Support clinical and non-clinical staff with administrative tasks as required.

Act as a chaperone when required.

Wider Responsibilities

Participate in formal and informal training events to promote best practice.

Contribute to local policies, protocols, and initiatives that improve patient identification, assessment, and ongoing support.

Support shared learning across the practice team.

Assist with opening and closing procedures in line with the duty rota.

Provide support and cover for reception staff during periods of absence, as required.

Policies and Governance

The post holder must work in accordance with:

Practice policies and procedures, including the Document Management Policy, Information Governance, Data Protection, and Confidentiality policies.

Safeguarding Adults and Children policies.

Health and Safety legislation and infection prevention and control standards.

CQC fundamental standards and professional codes of conduct.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Working in a GP surgery for at least two years
• Management of staff for at least one year or being an experienced Health Centre receptionist who can demonstrate that they are ready to take on managerial responsibilities
• Understanding of Emis web
• Medical terminology training
• Use of Microsoft Office
• (Word, Excel, Outlook etc.)

Qualifications

Essential

• Education to GCSE level or above (minimum of 5 GCSEs at A* - C)

Desirable

• Customer care training

Skills

Essential

• Ability to work under pressure whilst remaining calm
• Flexible and Resourceful.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to plan and prioritise work.
• Able to analyse, improve/create systems to increase efficiency
• Uses own initiative.
• Demonstrates team building capability and an understanding of how to support and motivate staff

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

Bromley by Bow Health Partnership

Address

St. Pauls Medical Centre

11 Selsey Street

London

E14 7LJ

Employer's website

https://www.bbbc.org.uk/health-centres/ (Opens in a new tab)