General Practice Assistant

Main tasks/overview of responsibilities: Arranging appointments, referrals, tests and follow up appointments of patients. Managing e-consults and acting upon the information received in the most appropriate way. Preparing patients prior to going in to see the GP, taking a brief history and basic readings in readiness for the GP appointment. Dipping urine, taking blood pressure, ECGs & phlebotomy Support the GP with immunisations/wound care Helping the GP liaise with outside agencies e.g.
getting an on call doctor on the phone to ask advice or arrange admission while the GP can continue with their consultation(s) Extracting all information from clinical letters that needs coding and adding to notes. 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. Data inputting and data extraction via clinical searches. Sorting all clinical post and prioritising for the GP in terms of actions.
Signposting some post to others such as clinical pharmacists, Advanced Nurse Practitioners. Any other tasks allocated by managers/ GPs. 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.
Health & Safety The post-holder will 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. Equality and Diversity Acting in a way that recognises 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.
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. Personal/Professional Development: 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 Practice Manager 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.
Quality The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the Practice, and will: Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk. Work to practice protocols. 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 recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to: Communicate effectively with other team members. Be familiar in all mediums of communications such as email, tasks, telephone etc.
Communicate effectively with patients and carers. Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly. Communicate effectively to outside agencies. Communicate clearly with their lead GP.
Contribution to the Implementation of Services The post-holder will: Apply Practice policies, standards and guidance. Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work. Participate in audit where appropriate.