GP AssistantinCheltenhaminCheltenhamPUBLISHED FRI 25 OCT 2024
Cheltenham Peripheral Networkr5z9cwQM
- Manage and prioritize clinical correspondence for GPs.
- Extract and code information from clinical letters.
- Organize appointments, referrals, tests, and follow-ups for patients.
- Complete routine forms for GP approval.
- Assist in explaining treatment procedures to patients.
- Facilitate communication between GPs and external agencies.
- Maintain patient confidentiality and handle sensitive information responsibly.
- Promote health, safety, and security within the practice.
- Engage in ongoing professional development and participate in performance reviews.
- Collaborate with team members to enhance practice quality and efficiency.
- Effectively communicate with team members, patients, and external agencies.
- Experience in primary care and a strong desire to support the healthcare team.
Working for Cheltenham Peripheral Primary Care Network (PCN), you will be based in one of our 5 GP Practices who collectively care for 54,000 patients. Our GP Practices wrap around the edge of Cheltenham town extending in the south from Leckhampton around to Bishops Cleeve and Winchcombe.
The PCN is determined to meet the challenges of modern primary care by working innovatively and growing our multi-disciplinary team to provide a holistic approach to our patient population. The PCN team already includes; Social Prescribing Link Workers, Care Co-ordinators, Clinical Pharmacists, Phyiscian Associates, Pharmacy Technicians and a Mental Health Nurse.
The PCN is looking to recruit a team of innovative GP Assistants who will be deployed to work alongside the team in our busy practices. This is an exciting new role that is designed to support our GP's and the smooth running of clinics. Successful post holders will be supported to complete an accredited Health Education England training programme and achieve a formal certification.
A GPA will support the GP(s) 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.
The main responsibilities and duties of the GP Assistant role will be tailored based on level of skill and experience and may include all or some of the duties listed in the job description.
This role is new and provides an opportunity to work with GP's to develop this role and improve the experience for both the patient and Staff members in a busy clinic. It may call on the use of both clinical knowledge and efficient administrative skills enabling a smoother more efficient pathway.
Experience and a strong desire to work in primary care is essential.
About us
Job Summary
The role of GP assistant may include some or all of these duties depending on the exprience and skills of the individual.
Duties
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
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
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 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.
- 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 lead GP 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
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