General Practice Assistant First Contact

JOB TITLE: General Practice Assistant First Contact LOCATION: Burlington Primary Care Burlington Road Ipswich. IP1 2EU REPORTS TO: Mentor GP Lead Clinical Issues Business Practice Manager Administrative & Management Issues ACCOUNTABLE TO: Partners HOURS: Specific hours as agreed but these may be between 7.00am 6.30pm Monday Friday. JOB PURPOSE A GPA will support the GP(s) and the clinical team with the smooth running of clinics by performing the more routine administration and clinical tasks on behalf of the clinician freeing up their time to focus on the patient. DESCRIPTION OF THE ROLE: To work within his/her professional boundaries and competencies. To provide care to the presenting patient in their own home or in the surgery. This will include initial history taking and general observations. To work within the Practices protocols and guidelines as directed by the lead GP clinician from the on-the-day team. 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 (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. 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 consultation(s). Support the GP with immunisations/wound care. DIMENSIONS: The post holder will be required take an active role to support efficient and effective service delivery to the practice population. To take an active role in supporting the practice to maximise achievement against local and national targets in respect of the PMS contract, QOF and Enhanced Services. Maintain accurate, timely and contemporaneous records within the protocols and systems used by the Practice To attend any relevant Practice meetings. Participate in education and training events To contribute to the induction of all members of practice staff (as required) and undertake any relevant training sessions for staff mandatory training MAIN PURPOSE / ROLE SUMMARY The post holder will be an experienced clinician, who acting within their professional boundaries; will provide care for the presenting patient from initial history taking, clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of their care. With appropriate clinical assistance, they will demonstrate safe, clinical decision-making and expert care for patients within the general practice. The post holder will work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary general practice team to meet the needs of patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures. The post holder will build effective working relationships with other health care professionals. The post holder will work within the clinical on-the-day team to deliver excellent primary health care services within the practice. 5. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL PRACTICE STAFF: 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. The management of waste will be undertaken with due regard for the collection, handling, segregation, container management, storage and collection of material in line with Practice policies 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 any potential risks that may be identified. All accidents must be reported immediately to the Commercial Administrator. The post holder has a responsibility to submit a completed accident/incident report form. All adverse incidents concerned with equipment or premises must be reported immediately to the Commercial Administrator. The post holder has a responsibility to submit a completed accident/incident report form. Equality & Diversity: The post holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues to include: 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-judgemental and respects their circumstances, feelings, priorities and rights. Quality: The post holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice and will: Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk. 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. Contribute to and comply with the Practice policy for significant events and clinical audits. Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet the needs of patients. 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. Communicate effectively with patients and carers. Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly. 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 audits where appropriate. 6. KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE: Experience of working in a busy Primary Care setting. Ability to identify own learning needs and those of any direct reports Sound knowledge and experience in use of the relevant clinical IT system. Confident, positive attitude towards the responsibilities of the role. Methodical approach with demonstrable organisation and prioritising skills Flexibility to provide cover for absences of other members of the team and to attend training sessions outside normal working hours if required. 7. COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: Internal: GP Partners Practice Staff Attached Staff ie. Community Matron, District Nurses, Midwives, Health Visitor, Registrars and patients of the practice External: Hospital Departments/Clinics Pharmacists Ipswich and East Suffolk ICB NHS England Social Services Ambulance Service

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