General Practice Assistant - North

Job description

Job responsibilities

The job description and person specification are an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required for the role. The post holder will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required to fulfil the objectives of the surgery.

• Provide a warm, welcoming and supportive first point of contact for our patients

• Assist our patients with navigating the NHS healthcare systems, including signposting to appropriate services

• Arranging appointments, referrals, tests and follow up appointments of patients, in line with internal appointment allocation process

• Preparing patients prior to going seeing the GP, taking a brief history and basic readings in readiness for the patients appointment with the GP

• Assist with health promotion and lifestyle advice within agreed protocols

• Completing 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

• Explaining treatment procedures to patients in line with NHS guidance

• Helping the GP liaise with outside agencies e.g. asking the duty doctor on the phone for advice or arrange admission, to allow the GP to continue with their consultations

• Administrative support to the clinical visiting team

• Sorting clinical post and prioritising for the GP. Signposting some post to other members of staff such as Clinical Pharmacist etc

• Extracting information from clinical letters that needs coding, adding this to patient notes, supporting with QOF reviews

Confidentiality

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.

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.

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.

Equality and Diversity

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.

Health & Safety

• Staff members are expected to 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

Personal/Professional Development

• 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

  • Attend all relevant annual updates

  • Inform the GP lead of any concerns regarding GPA role and any professional development needed

  • Be aware of own professional boundaries and what to do when you have reached them

• Track and record evidence of their experience against the national competency framework

Quality

• 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

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
• Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly
• Contribution to the implementation of services

This Job Description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the post and is not exhaustive. It will be subject to regular review and amendment as necessary in consultation with the postholder.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• 12 months minimum experience within GP practice or Primary Care setting

Experience

Essential

• A high level of competence in good patient care and working with the public
• Experience in documenting medical details
• Experience of referring to senior colleagues where appropriate

Desirable

• Experience of applying theoretical learning to practical situations
• Experience of managing health records
• Experience of common examination procedures

Personal Qualities

Essential

• A strong interest in health and social care
• Committed learner
• Ability to work independently

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• 12 months minimum experience within GP practice or Primary Care setting
• Strong administration and organisational skills
• Good communication skills
• A good understanding of data protection, GDPR and patient confidentiality

Other requirements

Essential

• Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check

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

Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative

Address

Ashtrees Surgery

Market Street

Carnforth

Lancashire

LA5 9JU

Employer's website

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