PCN General Practice Assistant (GPA) - Havering Liberty PCN

Integrated Care System; Romford; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare network in Romford is seeking a General Practice Assistant to support primary care efforts. This role involves administrative and clinical responsibilities that enhance GP efficiency and patient care. Successful candidates will participate in a structured training program, gaining valuable skills and experience within a multi-disciplinary setting.

Qualifications

• Strong written communication and administrative skills.
• Experience of using EMIS clinical system.
• Ability to work within limits of competence.

Responsibilities

• Sort and prioritise clinical post.
• Prepare patients for GP appointments.
• Perform routine clinical tasks including phlebotomy.

Skills

Communication

Organisational skills

Compassionate attitude

Diplomacy

Infection control knowledge

Phlebotomy

Education

Grade A-C GCSE English and Maths or equivalent qualifications.

Tools

EMIS clinical system

Job description

PCN General Practice Assistant (GPA) - Havering Liberty PCN

Havering Liberty Primary Care Network is pleased to announcean opportunity for the appointment of General Practice Assistants and/or GPATrainees. Successful candidates will become part of a newly established team atSt Georges Health and Wellbeing Hub, where the PCN is situated.

The postholder(s) will be trained to support the streamlining of clinics by performing the more routineadministration and clinical tasks to provide the GP and PCN members withgreater capacity to focus on the patient.The role of the General Practice Assistant(GPA) within Havering Liberty PCN will be developed with the support of a GPMentor and the local Training Hub Provider to complete an accredited trainingprogramme. If the post holder is alreadyan accredited GPA this will be discussed and clarified as part of theapplication and interview process.

Main duties of the job

JOBSUMMARY

The post holder will be trained to support thestreamlining of clinics by performing more routine administration and clinicaltasks to provide the GP with greater capacity to focus on the patient. The roleof the General Practice Assistant (GPA) within Havering Liberty PCN will bedeveloped with the support of a GP Mentor and the local Training Hub Providerto complete an accredited training programme.If the post holder is already an accredited GPA this will be discussedand clarified, as well as establishing primary care experience during theinterview process.

Training and support

TheGPA position provides substantial opportunities for both educationaladvancement and professional growth. This role will be tailored according tothe specific needs of the PCN, with all training conducted during employment.Each GPA will be assigned a GP mentor within the PCN. If the post holder is notyet an accredited GPA, they will embark on a self-directed learning programmelasting between 6 to 9 months. The role includes protected learning time,comprising half a day for independent study and half a day for mentorsupervision.

About us

Havering Liberty Primary Care Network

We are a collaborative healthcarenetwork of five General Practices serving the population of Upminster andHornchurch with an extended multi-disciplinary team seeking to provideaccessible, patient-centred, and high-quality primary care services thatpromotes the health and well-being of our community and our workforce.

Havering Liberty PCN is led by our ClinicalDirector and PCN Leadership Team who work together with the GP leads and theirpractice colleagues. The PCN issupported by its GP Federation, Havering Health Ltd, who are the employing bodyfor the workforce of the network. The GPFederation supports the provision of innovative, high-quality and responsiblehealth care services for Haverings residents.

Job responsibilities

The full Job Description is attached for further information. JOBSUMMARY

Key Responsibilities

TheGP Assistant will be trained to:

Sortand prioritise clinical post, directing some to other healthcare professional

Extractinformation from clinical letters for coding and notes.

Handleroutine clinical post directly (e.g., DNA letters, 2WW).

Arrangeappointments, referrals, and follow-ups.

Preparepatients for attendance to the GP appointment, taking brief histories and basicreadings.

Performurine tests, take blood pressure, ECGs, and phlebotomy.

Completebasic forms for the GPs approval and signature.

Explaintreatment procedures and arrange follow-ups.

Assistthe GP in liaising with outside agencies.

Supportthe GP with immunisations and wound care.

Carryout tasks set by the PCN Leadership Team and the wider PCN multi-disciplinaryteam to meet the Network Contract DES requirements.

Tosupport the PCN with wider stakeholder engagement by representation at localresident events

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.

Collaborative working relationships

Works within the primary care team, contributing to leadership of service evaluation and research to promote quality improvement activity.Collaborates with multi-disciplinary PCN teamUses healthcare technologies to optimise service delivery, patients access, and continuity of care

Management

Demonstrates understanding of the implications of national priorities for the team and/or service.Uses resources effectively to manage patient treatment in line with local guidance and makes recommendations for changes where improvements can be made.Follows professional and organisational policies

Education, learning and development

It is the responsibility of the employee to comply with all organisational and statutory requirements (eg. health and safety, infection control, equality and diversity, confidentiality, safeguarding adults and children, information governance).Engages in annual appraisal, developing objectives to inform a Personal Development Plan, which may include 360-degree appraisal and use of patient feedback.Participate in teaching and training of medical, nursing, and all other practice staff.Supports the practice staff and responds to requests for advice and assistance.Complete all mandatory and statutory training required by the role.Take responsibility for personal development, learning and performance and maintain education through attendance on any courses and/or study days necessary to ensure that professional development requirements are met.Undertaking additional training where necessary to provide enhanced services and participate in training programmes implemented by the PCN/practices as part of this employment.Understands and demonstrates the characteristics of a role model to members in the team and/or service.Demonstrates an understanding of current educational policies relevant to working areas of practice and keeps up to date with relevant clinical practice.

Quality

Under supervision and support of GPs in the practice, the post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practices, and will:Participating in clinical governance activity and contribute to the improvement in quality of health outcomes through audit, risk management and Quality ImprovementAlerts other team members to concerns about risk, quality, and safetyParticipates in investigation of incidents and events as requiredIdentifies, applies, and disseminates research findings relating to own practice

Collects data for audit purposes and uses clinical audit to monitor quality in the serviceContributes to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performanceWorks effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needsEffectively manages own time, workload, and resourcesMeets timescales/deadlines for audits and written returns to ensure that the Practice meets quality standards and receives the designated funding.

Confidentiality

In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder will 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 Company as a business organisation. All information is to be regarded as strictly confidential.Maintains confidentiality of any information concerning patients in accordance with current policy on information governance.Demonstrates respect for privacy and confidentiality in all interactions with patients and the public.

Data Protection

This post has a requirement for confidentiality. If you are required to obtain, process and/or use information held electronically you should do 'it in a fair and lawful way. You should hold data only for the specific registered purpose and not use or disclose it in any way incompatible with such a purpose. Data must only be disclosed to authorised people or organisations as instructed. Breaches of confidence in relation to data will result in disciplinary action which may involve dismissal.You must not at any time use the personal data held by the organisation for any purpose other than practice business and this must not be disclosed to a third party. If you are in any doubt regarding your responsibilities under the Data Protection Act 2018 you must contact your line manager or appropriate senior lead at the time.

Safeguarding adults and children

The postholder has a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of vulnerable adults and children.When adults or children and/or their carers use primary care services, it is essential that all adult and child protection concerns are both recognised and acted on appropriately.The postholder has a responsibility to ensure they are familiar with and follow local policies in relation to safeguarding vulnerable adults and that they follow the local child protection procedures and any supplementary guidance.The postholder has a responsibility to support appropriate investigations either internally or externally.To ensure the postholder is equipped to carry out their duties effectively, they must also attend vulnerable adult and child protection training and updates at the competency level appropriate to the work they do and in accordance with the local vulnerable adult and child protection training guidance.

Health & Safety

Assists in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the PCN Health & Safety Policy, to include:Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelinesAdhere to the guidance within the Lone Workers policy, when making home visitsIdentifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risksMaking effective use of training to update knowledge and skillsUsing appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazardsReporting potential risks identifiedComplies with policies for infection control and hand hygiene to reduce the spread of healthcare-associated infections. For clinical staff with direct patient contact, this will include compliance with clinical procedures and protocols, including uniform and dress code, the use of personal protective equipment policy, safe procedures for using aseptic techniques, and safe disposal of sharpsAll staff are required to attend mandatory training in Infection Control and be compliant with all measures known to be effective in reducing healthcare-associated infections

Equality and Diversity

Supports the equality, diversity, and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, that includes: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 legislationRespects the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues

Flexibility

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. The post-holder will be expected to adopt a flexible attitude towards the duties outlined which may be subject to amendment at any time in consultation with the post-holder and in line with the needs of the organisationThe post holder may be required to fulfil other duties, as agreed with the practice manager /line manager to meet the needs of the organisation. This will involve travel to other sites within the organisation

Security

It is the responsibility of all employees to work within the security policies and procedures of the practices they work at to protect the patients, staff, and visitors. This duty applies to the specific work area of the individual and the practice in general. You are expected to wear ID and to sign in and out of practices you are working at

Working Conditions

The post holder will be based at St Georges Health and Wellbeing Hub but may need to work at any of the five PCN practices depending on the needs of the patients and PCN.This job description may be reviewed in the light of changing organisational and service needs. Any changes will be fully discussed with the post holder. The post holder may also be required to carry out other work appropriate to the grade of the post.

Person Specification

• Evidence of good verbal and written communication skills
• The ability to complete forms such as those for clinical investigations, referral templates, benefits and insurance
• Strong organisational skills including planning, prioritising, time management, report writing and record keeping
• Understanding of the requirements for handling information in health and social care settings
• Ability to recognise and work within limits of competence and seek advice when needed
• Ability to build and maintain long- term-working relationships with colleagues
• A professional and compassionate attitude to patient care, providing support while maintaining professional boundaries
• Ability to remain diplomatic when dealing with sensitive matters or having challenging discussions with patients or carers
• Willingness to take a pro-active and flexible approach to the role as it develops over time
• Understanding of clinical policies and procedures, the preparation of medical equipment and environments and infection control
• Phlebotomy -Experience of understanding, preparing, obtaining and transporting venous blood samples

Experience

• Experience of working in health, social care or other support roles in direct contact with people, families or carers (in a paid or voluntary capacity)
• Experience of working within multi- professional team environments
• Experience of using the EMIS clinical system

Qualifications

• Grade A-C GCSE English and Maths or equivalent qualifications.
• Strong written communication and administrative skills
• Excellent computer skills including email, word and excel
• Has enrolled in, undertaking or willing to enrol on the 6-9 month self-directed learning
• To have a DBS enhanced level checked carried out by the employer or have an existing DBS

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.

£25,000 to £31,000 a yearInclusive and dependent on experience.