Qualified GP Assistant (GPA)

A GPA has completed the City and Guilds Certificate. The role is to support the GPs smooth running of clinics by performing the more routine administration and clinical tasks on behalf of the GP freeing up their time to focus on the patient. A summary of duties includes: Phlebotomy Blood pressure monitoring and support in hypertension review clinics Offering patients lifestyle advice in relation to weight, lipid management, alcohol and exercise Information gathering from patients Understanding of clinical indemnity, vicarious liability in relation to personal and professional practice Infection control Maintaining a well-stocked clinical environment Immunisation within PCN vaccination services New patient health checks NHS health checks and enhanced health checks Completion of referral forms to services such as ADHD, autism services, and routine chronic disease referrals such as diabetes eye screening Filing of routine results according to level of training and competency Feno testing Sorting all clinical post and prioritising for the GP in terms of actions. Signposting some post to others such as clinical pharmacist etc. Extracting all information from clinical letters that needs coding and adding to notes Arranging appointments, referrals, tests and follow up appointments of patients 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 Completing basic 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 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 consultations Supporting the GP with immunisations as guided by PSDs • While 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 postholder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers • The postholder 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 The postholder 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 • 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 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. • Participating in individual annual performance reviews, 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 • Attending all relevant annual updates • Informing the lead GP of any concerns regarding GPA role and any professional development needed • Being aware of own professional boundaries and what to do when you have reached them The postholder 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 The postholder 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 The postholder 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 Job description Job responsibilities A GPA has completed the City and Guilds Certificate. The role is to support the GPs smooth running of clinics by performing the more routine administration and clinical tasks on behalf of the GP freeing up their time to focus on the patient. A summary of duties includes: Phlebotomy Blood pressure monitoring and support in hypertension review clinics Offering patients lifestyle advice in relation to weight, lipid management, alcohol and exercise Information gathering from patients Understanding of clinical indemnity, vicarious liability in relation to personal and professional practice Infection control Maintaining a well-stocked clinical environment Immunisation within PCN vaccination services New patient health checks NHS health checks and enhanced health checks Completion of referral forms to services such as ADHD, autism services, and routine chronic disease referrals such as diabetes eye screening Filing of routine results according to level of training and competency Feno testing Sorting all clinical post and prioritising for the GP in terms of actions. Signposting some post to others such as clinical pharmacist etc. Extracting all information from clinical letters that needs coding and adding to notes Arranging appointments, referrals, tests and follow up appointments of patients 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 Completing basic 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 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 consultations Supporting the GP with immunisations as guided by PSDs • While 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 postholder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers • The postholder 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 The postholder 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 • 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 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. • Participating in individual annual performance reviews, 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 • Attending all relevant annual updates • Informing the lead GP of any concerns regarding GPA role and any professional development needed • Being aware of own professional boundaries and what to do when you have reached them The postholder 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 The postholder 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 The postholder 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