Job description

Job responsibilities

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

The GP Assistant team has a wide range of shared responsibilities and the postholder will contribute to this work.

The team receive internal tasks to support the care of specific patients. This could include finding information, monitoring a patients condition or sharing information with external agencies. There are always time pressures to this work and often tight deadlines to meet.

Verbal communication is especially important both within the team and outside. The GPA will be communicating with clinical colleagues, patients, hospitals, and other local service providers. They should be professional and accurate at all times.

There is a daily requirement for excellent written communication, involving emails, letters, forms, and referrals. Most importantly the GPA will record information into the patient's medical record, including adding appropriate clinical coding.

The GPA will develop a knowledge of local services and establish relationships with them. They may need to use initiative to meet the needs of the patient.

The GPA team monitor all patients getting medication from the practice that was initiated in secondary care. They ensure that all physical checks are conducted in accordance with the shared care agreement and where necessary share test results with secondary care.

The GP Assistant will hold clinics to provide a range of clinical tasks including:

Take blood samples

Dip a urine sample and interpret the results.

Take a blood pressure and act on the results.

Accurately measure height and weight and calculate BMI.

Conduct an ECG and ensure that the results are followed up.

Complete a diabetic foot check as part of a diabetic review.

Carry out an NHS Health Check.

Follow up home blood pressure monitoring results.

Give B12 injections.

Provide health education to patients.

Support flu and covid clinics.

Assist with home visits to housebound patients

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The GP Assistant will complete training on all areas within the Health Education England General Practice Assistant Competency Framework https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Comp-framework-branded.pdf

To achieve this they will:

Undertake training on a variety of IT systems.

Develop a working knowledge of all admin processes within the practices.

Develop and maintain clinical skills.

Attend external training courses.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Have completed or working towards completing the GP Assistant framework.
• Have completed a phlebotomy course.
• Can demonstrate Maths and English at GCSE level.

Experience

Essential

• Have worked in a health setting as part of a clinical team.
• Have shared complex information with patients in a health setting.
• Have undertaken clinics.
• Have used clinical coding.

Additional criteria

Essential

• Have a working knowledge of IT systems such as SystmOne and Microsoft Office products.
• Can demonstrate an understanding of confidentiality.
• Demonstrates a knowledge of medical terminology.
• Have an understanding of the referral process.
• Can demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication.
• Have excellent inter-personal skills and are able to work in a team.
• Is able to work autonomously and can prioritise their workload.
• Has good time management and can meet deadlines.
• Is flexible and can adapt quickly to changing situations.

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

The Whalebridge Practice

Address

Swindon Nhs Health Centre

1 Islington Street

Swindon

SN1 2DQ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.sparcells-surgery.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)