GP Assistant

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, motivated and proactive GP Assistant to join our team here at The Mission post holder will be employed by and accountable to The Mission Practice and work primarily with Mission Practice patients as part of our PCN team.TheMission Practice is part of The One Network Alliance PCN, which also includes our neighbouring GP Practices: Bethnal Green Health Centre, Strouts Place Medical Centre, and Suttons Wharf Medical post holderwill have access to the PCN infrastructure and be able to partake in PCN-wide health improvement projects.

As a GP Assistant at The Mission Practice you will support the smooth running of clinics by performing routine administration and clinical tasks. You will work closely with practice GPs and other staff in order to streamline the work of the practice. You will be a front line worker and may undertake training to do additional responsibilities such as those routinely undertaken by Health Care Assistants.

Main duties of the job

General Practice Assistants provide a support role to the GP, carrying out administrative tasks, combined in some areas with basic clinical duties, contributing to the smooth running of appointments, and improving patients experience in the surgery.

About us

The Mission Practice provides comprehensive primary care services to over 12,000 patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.

The successful candidate will be working alongside our established MDT, which includes GPs, Nurses, HCAs, Patient Advisors, Pharmacists, Social Prescribers, an Advanced Clinical Practitioner, a Physicians Associate and a Chaplaincy team.

We are a teaching and training practice and support the development and educational needs of our staff members. We seek to develop everyone's skills so that each of us is working at the top of their abilities, under the supervision of the wider multi disciplinary team so that we are all constantly progressing.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job responsibilities

Take and record brief medical history

Accurately record patient notes in the clinical system, including accurate use of SNOMED codes and GPAD slot types

Take patient height, weight and BMI

Be able to act as a chaperone following chaperone training

Explain treatment procedures to patients

Be able to monitor vaccine storage and record fridge temperatures

Refer patients to the appropriate members of the team Social Prescriber / Health Coach for loneliness, Pharmacist for medication review, GP for loss of appetite

Perform phlebotomy both on premises and in a domiciliary setting

Be able to take ECGs, blood pressure, pulse check, dipping urine, and other diagnostic tests following appropriate training

Support with wound care and immunisations

With completion of care certificate:

Facilitate 24 hour BP Monitoring

INR Monitoring

Offer life style advice

Administer B12 and flu injections

Complete new patient health checks, NHS Health Checks and smoking cessation (with on-ward referral as necessary to GP/Health Coach/Third Party Service)

Spirometry and Reversibility Testing

Chronic Disease Management: Diabetes Foot Check and Annual Review, Hypertension Annual Review

Research, Evaluation, and Audit

Participate in audit where appropriate

To promote and apply best evidence to service delivery following discussion and agreement with supervisor and Practice/ PCN team

Planning

Engage in Practice and PCN projects, including active participation in Quality Improvement (QI) work

Office Management

Sorting and prioritising clinical post and assigning tasks

Coding information in clinical letters

Arranging appointments, referrals, tests and follow-ups for patients

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

Proactively look to identify efficiencies in PCN and GP Practice processes

Engage in Practice and PCN projects, including active participation in Quality Improvement (QI) work

Monitor PCN consumable stock levels and put in requisition requests when supplies are low

Organisational Development

Alert team members to any issues of quality and risk

Active Participation in Team Meetings and Away Days

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

Staff Management

Train new staff, including apprentices, interns, and pre-registration staff, in basic aspects of role, including clinical skills (with appropriate guidance and supervision from senior members of the team)

Governance

Apply Practice policies, standards and guidance

Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work

Partnership Working and Communications

To work as a member of the inter-professional team, attending meetings and contributing to decisions with regard to the care and treatment of patients

To be able to liaise with third parties on behalf of the GP Practice arrange hospital admission following direction from on-call GP

Training

To complete GP Assistant Certificate and other training as required to perform duties Care Certificate Level 2, Phlebotomy Training, Chaperone Training

IT Skills

Be able to use EMIS Web and any other required systems ( INR*)

Equipment Used by the Post Holder

Clinical equipment as required by duties of role, following training scales, BP Machine

Working Conditions

Be able to travel on foot to patient homes within a 20 minute walk of PCN GP Premises

Be able to travel on foot between PCN GP Premises (up to 20 minutes distance)

Be able to undertake some duties independently, work under clinical supervision, and ask for help when necessary

Performance Management and Appraisal

You are expected to participate in individual performance management process and reviews.

Personal Development and Training

We actively encourage development and are committed to offering learning and development opportunities for all full-time and part-time employees. To support this you must attend all statutory and mandatory training as required.

Health and Safety at Work

You have a responsibility to work within the Practices health and safety policies and procedures to ensure that a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees is maintained.

Infection Control

It is your responsibility to adhere to infection control polices and guidelines in order to promote cleanliness and reduce infections.

Confidentiality and Data Protection

You are expected to comply with all Practice policies and procedures related to confidentiality and data protection and to work in accordance with relevant data protection legislation.

Risk Management

You are expected to be familiar with the Practices risk assessment and risk control processes and procedures and to report accidents or incidents promptly.

Conflict of Interest

You are required to declare any interest, direct or indirect with contracts involving the Practice and should not further your private interests in the course of your work with the Practice.

Equality and Diversity

We value equality and diversity in employment and in the services we provide. We will work hard to ensure that all job applicants, employees and service users are treated fairly and valued equally regardless of sex, marital status, domestic circumstances, age, race, colour, disablement, ethnic or national origin, social background or employment status, sexual orientation, religion, beliefs, HIV status, gender reassignment, political affiliation or trade union membership.

You are responsible for understanding and adhering to Practice polies and procedures regarding the promotion of equality for staff and service users.

Code of Conduct

You are expected to follow the Practices code of conduct for employees and managers.

Safeguarding Adults and Children

You must make yourself aware of your responsibilities to maintain the wellbeing and protection of vulnerable children and adults.

If you have reason to be concerned that a patient is at risk, you should follow the safeguarding procedure, as set out in the Practice safeguarding policies

This job description is intended as an outline of the general areas of activity and will be amended in the light of the changing needs of the organisation. Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

GCSE/NVQ level 2 or equivalent; or detailed patient services knowledge Customer/patient care skills and have worked in a customer/patient facing environment. Strong administrative skills Competence in Microsoft Office packages (Outlook, Word, Excel). Experience of working in a public sector/healthcare environment Experience in caring for others Ability to remain calm when dealing with difficult or distressed people. Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team. Able to think ahead and anticipate issues. Excellent organisation skills required along with ability to prioritise and work to very high standards of performance. Commitment to health and safety, equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices in employment and service provision. Understanding of the needs for confidentiality and compliance with service regimes.

Desirable

Ability to compile and analyse statistical information. Experience of working with clinical systems EMIS Ability to be assertive, but polite and patient. Able to adapt a flexible working approach

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