General Practice Assistant - Liberty PCN in Romford

General Practice Assistant – Liberty PCN

Havering Liberty Primary Care Network (PCN) is pleased to announce an opportunity for the appointment of a General Practice Assistant or GPA Trainee. Havering Liberty PCN is based at St Georges Health and Wellbeing Hub, RM12 6RR.

The post holder will be trained to support the streamlining of clinics by performing routine administration and clinical tasks to provide the GP and PCN members with greater 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 GP Mentor and the local Training Hub Provider to complete an accredited training programme. If the post holder is already an accredited GPA this will be discussed and clarified as part of the application and interview process.

Main duties of the job

The GPA position provides substantial opportunities for both educational advancement and professional growth. This role will be tailored according to the specific needs of the PCN, with all training conducted during employment. The GPA will be assigned a GP mentor within the PCN. If not yet accredited, the post holder will complete a 6‑9 month self‑directed learning programme. The role includes protected learning time, comprising half a day for independent study and half a day for mentor supervision.

About us

We are a collaborative healthcare network of five General Practices serving the population of Upminster and Hornchurch with an extended multi-disciplinary team seeking to provide accessible, patient‑centred and high‑quality primary care services that promote the health and well‑being of our community and our workforce.

Havering Liberty PCN is led by our Clinical Director and PCN Leadership Team who work together with the GP leads and their practice colleagues. The PCN is supported by its GP Federation, Havering Health Ltd, who are the employing body for the workforce of the network. The GP Federation supports the provision of innovative, high‑quality and responsible health care services for Haverings residents.

Job responsibilities

We do not offer Visa Sponsorship

Job Summary

The post holder will be trained to support the streamlining of clinics by performing routine administration and clinical tasks to provide the GP with greater 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 GP Mentor and the local Training Hub Provider to complete an accredited training programme. If the post holder is already an accredited GPA this will be discussed and clarified, as well as establishing primary care experience during the interview process.

Training and Support

The GPA position provides substantial opportunities for both educational advancement and professional growth. This role will be tailored according to the specific needs of the PCN, with all training conducted during employment. The GPA will be assigned a GP mentor within the PCN. If not yet accredited, the post holder will complete a 6‑9 month self‑directed learning programme. The role includes protected learning time, comprising half a day for independent study and half a day for mentor supervision.

Key Responsibilities

The GP Assistant will be trained in to:

• Sort and prioritise clinical post, directing some to other healthcare professionals.
• Extract information from clinical letters for coding and medical records.
• Handle routine clinical post directly (e.g. DNA letters, 2WW).
• Arrange appointments, referrals and follow‑ups.
• Prepare patients for attendance at the GP appointment, taking brief histories and basic readings.
• Perform urine tests, take blood pressure, ECGs and phlebotomy.
• Complete basic forms for the GP’s approval and signature.
• Explain treatment procedures and arrange follow‑ups.
• Assist the GP in liaising with outside agencies.
• Support the GP with immunisations and wound care.
• Carry out tasks set by the PCN Leadership Team and the wider PCN multi‑disciplinary team to meet the Network Contract DES requirements.
• Support the PCN with wider stakeholder engagement by representation at local resident events.

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 team.
• Uses healthcare technologies to optimise service delivery, patient 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 (e.g. 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.
• Participates in teaching and training of medical, nursing and all other practice staff.
• Supports the practice staff and responds to requests for advice and assistance.
• Completes all mandatory and statutory training required by the role.
• Takes responsibility for personal development, learning and performance and maintains education through attendance on any courses and/or study days necessary to ensure that professional development requirements are met.
• Undertakes additional training where necessary to provide enhanced services and participates 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:
• Participate in clinical governance activity and contribute to the improvement in quality of health outcomes through audit, risk management and quality improvement.
• Alert other team members to concerns about risk, quality and safety.
• Participate in investigation of incidents and events as required.
• Identify, apply and disseminate research findings relating to own practice.
• Collect data for audit purposes and use clinical audit to monitor quality in the service.
• Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the team’s performance.
• Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients’ needs.
• Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.
• Meet timescales and 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.

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 people’s 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.

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 inline with the needs of the organisation.

The 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 may 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 individual in this role will primarily be located at Mayland Healthcare, but may also be required to work at other practices affiliated with the PCN and at the main office of the PCN, situated within St Georges Health and Wellbeing Hub.

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.

Job Description Agreement

This job description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the post and is not exhaustive. It will be subject to regular review and amendment as necessary in consultation with the post holder.

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 towards 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.
• 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 towards 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.

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 programme.
• To have a DBS enhanced level checked carried out by the employer.
• 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 towards 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.

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.

£29,000 to £30,000 a year, dependent on experience.