Norfolk Primary Care Ltd is a Community Interest Company. It is established to:
Support and strengthen primary care and to promote and assist practices to improve quality by working with and on behalf of primary care in Norfolk.
Help with challenges identified by practices workload, GP recruitment, sharing best practice.
Recognise the changing nature of primary care and assist to ensure that the right level of service is provided to address the needs of the local population.
Provide benefit to patients of primary care, the clinicians and administrators who work in it and practice organisations in Norfolk.
Work within health systems to provide patient care in innovative and solution-focussed ways.
Job Purpose
General Practice Assistants (GPAs), support the smooth running of clinics by performing more routine administration and tasks on behalf of the GP, freeing up their time to focus on the patient.
This role will be supported and trained in-practice, with on-job training and development led by the practice teams and GPs, in line with the role outline and national competency framework.
Trainee GPAs may also complete HEE's accreditation programme, aligned to the competency framework, equipping them with formal certification of their learning. These staff are supported by a structured development programme (managed by HEE) and gain formal certification after around nine months.
Key Responsibilities
GPAs are expected to deliver a combination of the following requirements based on their level of skills and experience:
Arranging appointments, referrals, tests and follow up appointments of patients.
Completing simple clinical observations /investigations as directed locally, such as dipstick urine, taking blood pressure, ECG, phlebotomy.
Supporting the GP with immunisations/wound care.
Preparing patients prior to going in to see the GP, taking a brief history and basic readings in readiness for the GP appointment.
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).
Sorting clinical post and prioritising for the GP. Signposting some post to other members of staff.
Extracting information from clinical letters that needs coding; adding this to patient notes. Supporting with QOF reviews.
Summarising patient medical records into the clinical system, ensuring key clinical information is accurately coded and accessible.
Further Requirements
GPAs should also:
Participate in an annual individual performance review.
Track and record evidence of their experience against the national competency framework.
Generic Areas
Inform the lead GP of any concerns regarding their role and request professional development as needed.
Communication
Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment
Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating
Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication
Maintain effective communication within the organisational environment and with external stakeholders
Act as an advocate for patients and colleagues
Ensure awareness of sources of support and guidance (eg PALS) and provide information in an acceptable format to all patients, recognising any difficulties and referring where appropriate
Delivering a Quality Service
Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality
Participate in quality assurance and safety processes across the organisation and its activities
Participate in shared learning across NNPC and the wider organisational environment
Use a structured framework (e.g. root-cause analysis) to manage, review and identify learning from patient complaints, clinical incidents and near-miss events
Assess the impact of policy implementation on care delivery
Understand and apply legal issues that support the identification of vulnerable and abused children and adults, and be aware of statutory child/vulnerable patients health procedures and local guidance
Leadership - Personal and People Development
Take responsibility for own learning and performance including participating in coaching/supervision and acting as a positive role mode
Support staff development in order to maximise potential
Actively promote the workplace as a learning environment, encouraging everyone to learn from each other and from external good practice
Encourage others to make realistic self-assessment of their application of knowledge and skills, challenging any complacency or actions that are not in the interest of the public and/or users of services
Critically evaluate and review innovations and developments that are relevant to the area of work
Enlist support and influence stakeholders and decision-makers in order to bring about new developments in the provision of services
Contribute to planning and implementing changes within the area of care and responsibility
Contribute to the development of local guidelines, protocols and standards
Team Working
Understand own role and scope and identify how this may develop over time
Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working
Delegate clearly and appropriately, adopting the principles of safe practice and assessment of competence
Create clear referral mechanisms to meet patient need
Prioritise own workload and ensure effective time-management strategies are embedded within the culture of the team
Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery
Discuss, highlight and work with the team to create opportunities to improve patient care
Manage and lead on the delivery of specifically identified services or projects as agreed with the practice management team
Agree plans and outcomes by which to measure success
Management of Risk
Manage and assess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff and patients
Monitor work areas and practices to ensure they are safe and free from hazards and conform to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines
Ensure appropriate supervision of safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs.
Participate in mandatory and statutory training requirements
Apply infection-control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines
Interpret national strategies and policies into local implementation strategies that are aligned to the values and culture of general practice
Managing Information
Use technology and appropriate software as an aid to management in planning, implementation and monitoring of care, presenting and communicating information
Review and process data using accurate Read codes in order to ensure easy and accurate information retrieval for monitoring and audit processes
Manage information searches using the internet and local library databases
Monitor and confirm that the nursing team are receiving and processing data and information in an agreed format
Collate, analyse and present clinical data and information to the team
Learning and Development
Undertake mentorship for team members
Disseminate learning and information gained to other team members in order to share good practice and inform others about current and future developments (eg courses and conferences)
Assess own learning needs and undertake learning as appropriate
Provide an educational role to patients, carers, families and colleagues in an environment that facilitates learning
Equality and Diversity
Identify patterns of discrimination and take action to overcome this and promote diversity and equality of opportunity
Enable others to promote equality and diversity in a non-discriminatory culture
Support people who need assistance in exercising their rights
Monitor and evaluate adherence to local chaperoning policies
Act as a role model in the observance of equality and diversity good practice
Accept the rights of individuals to choose their care providers, participate in care and refuse care
Assist patients from marginalised groups to access quality care
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: 24,129.17 per year
Benefits:
Company pension
On-site parking
Work Location: In person