GP Assistant in Shevington

Organisation: North Wigan PCN 4 GP Practices

Location: Aspull, Beech Hill, Shevington and Standish

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Working Pattern: 4/5 days (to be agreed) Monday to Friday with occasional weekend working

Salary: Salary to be agreed following interview

Contract: Permanent

We are now looking to recruit a team of four General Practice Assistants (GPAs) to work across our practices. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is organised, motivated, and keen to play a key role in primary care. Each GPA will be based in one of the four GP practices within our PCN as well as working collaboratively with PCN colleagues to offer services for our patients.

Main duties of the job

As a GPA, you will support our GPs and clinical teams by carrying out a wide range of clinical and administrative tasks. You will help improve efficiency, patient flow, and the overall experience for both patients and staff. Duties may include (but are not limited to):

• Undertaking clinical tasks such as observations (BP, height, weight, phlebotomy, foot checks training will be provided)
• Completing long-term condition reviews and health promotion
• Completing paperwork, referrals, and coding
• Supporting recall systems and patient follow-up
• Acting as a liaison between patients and the clinical team
• Working with the team to agree new ways of working
• Develop and agree a personal development plan utilising a reflective approach to practice, operating under appropriate clinical supervision
• Support GP(s) and the clinical team in liaising with external agencies such as helping to arrange patient admission while the GP(s) continue with the consultation.
• Provide coordination and navigation for people and their carers across health and care services, working closely with Social Prescribing Link Workers, health and wellbeing coaches, and other primary care professionals.

About us

North Wigan is a friendly and forward-thinking Primary Care Network made up of four GP practices serving our local community. We are committed to developing new roles and innovative ways of working to support our clinical teams and improve patient care.

Job responsibilities

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience in a healthcare or care-related role (desirable but not essential)
• Is organised, reliable, and able to work independently
• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Is keen to learn and develop new skills
• Shares our commitment to high-quality patient care

What We Offer

• A supportive and welcoming team environment
• Full training and ongoing development
• Opportunities to develop clinical and non-clinical skills
• Flexible working options (where possible)
• NHS pension and benefits (if applicable)

Person Specification

• Clinical knowledge and skills
• Good organisational skills, enthusiastic and dynamic member of the clinical team
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to GPs
• Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient
• Good clinical system IT knowledge
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes
• Venepuncture
• New patient medicals, including height, weight, BP, pulse
• Chaperone procedure
• Understanding of safeguarding adults and children
• Broad knowledge of clinical governance
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
• Effective time management (planning and organising)
• Knowledge of IT systems including the ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports
• Ability to use own initiative, discretion, and sensitivity
• Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity
• Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal skills
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Knowledge of and ability to work to key policies and procedures
• High levels of integrity and loyalty
• Ability to work under pressure/in stressful situations
• Clear, polite telephone manner
• Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure

Qualifications

• Completed or working towards completing the HEE General Practice Assistant (GPA) Competency Framework

Experience

• Experience of working with the general public
• Experience of working in a healthcare setting
• Experience of working in a primary care setting
• Understanding and knowledge of healthcare provision in GP surgeries, QOF, Primary Care Standards, Enhanced Services and national standards that inform practice (NSF, NICE Guidelines)
• An appreciation of the new NHS landscape including the relationships between the practice, PCN and the commissioners

Other Requirements

• Occupational Health clearance
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) commensurate with the role
• Valid Driving Licence
• 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.