GP Assistant

An exciting opportunity has become available for a General Practice Assistant at Theatre Royal Surgery. The General Practice Assistant (GPA) plays a key role in supporting General Practitioners (GPs) by contributing to the efficient and effective running of clinical services by handling routine administration and some basic clinical duties on behalf of the GP, freeing up their time to focus on the patient. The GPA is responsible for maintaining a high standard of communication in all interactions, including daily contact with patients, clinicians, and wider practice staff. Professionalism, accuracy, and a patient-centred approach are essential in all aspects of the role.

Where the post holder holds a recognised GP Assistant Certificate Qualification, they may also undertake a range of routine clinical tasks within their scope of competence, such as phlebotomy and electrocardiograms (ECGs), assisting in minor surgery clinics, in line with practice protocols and training. The organisation is committed to ensuring that the post holder receives appropriate supervision, training, and professional support. A named individual will be designated to provide day-to-day guidance and ensure the GPA works safely and effectively within their role.

If you are looking for a new challenge with the opportunity to apply your existing knowledge and skills whilst also developing a new skillset and making a difference to patients' lives, then this could just be the opportunity for you!

• Prioritise and organise administrative work generated by hospitals, Primary Care Organisations, patients etc., and share workload with other administrative staff as necessary.
• Arrange appointments, referrals, tests, and follow-up appointments for patients.
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication.
• Complete simple clinical observations/investigations as directed locally, such as dipstick urine, blood pressure, BMIs, ECG, and phlebotomy.
• Maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation.
• Liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients etc.).
• Support the delivery of QOF, incentive schemes, QIPP, and other quality or cost-effectiveness initiatives.
• Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate and support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote healthy lifestyles and apply principles of self-care.
• Review all incoming correspondence and enter pertinent information into the patients' electronic medical record in accordance with the coding protocol.
• Organise the medical record of patients whom you are coding, to harmonise problem titles, group symptom development, and assign the appropriate status to medical information.

About us: We are a 4 partner and 3 salaried GP training practice, working from purpose-built premises in the pleasant mid Norfolk market town of East Dereham. Just twenty minutes drive from Norwich, we are also within easy reach of Cambridge, Bury St. Edmunds, and Ipswich. The practice is currently part of Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board. Our surgery team comprises a full complement of ancillary staff, together with attached Community Nurses, Midwives, and Health Visitors. We are fully computerised, using TPP SystmOne network with an integrated Appointment System together with an extensive suite of ancillary Microsoft (and other) programmes. We are a training practice, and we regularly have medical students in the practice as a result of the collaborative work between ourselves and the UEA Medical School. We also host trainee doctors during their rotation and Cambridge medical students. All staff and partners are encouraged to attend external courses and we hold our own in-house sessions on a regular basis for all staff. Attendance at the bi-monthly in-house training is mandatory for all staff and doctors (even if it falls on a day when you would not normally work). We feel that we are a happy, efficient, and caring practice where all members of the team are encouraged to use their initiative and particular skills to ensure that we offer the highest possible standard of care to our patients.

• Liaise with patients, the public, and other healthcare professionals as necessary.
• Be proficient at prioritising and organising administrative work generated by hospitals, Health Authority, Primary Care Organisations, patients etc., and share workload with other administrative staff as necessary.
• Receive incoming and initiate outgoing telephone calls to deal with appropriate queries.
• Develop extended clinical responsibilities following appropriate training such as NHS health checks.
• Support in the implementation of vaccination programmes for adults and children.
• Contribute to public health campaigns - flu clinics through advice or direct care, including opportunistic health promotional programmes.
• Support the Infection Prevention Control lead and work to the IPC requirements by providing audits, training, support, and evidence of compliance to the practice manager.
• Assess the needs of patients ensuring the provision of healthcare is appropriate, incorporating evidence-based practice.
• Support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies.
• Delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately - ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of practice of the individual.
• Support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies.
• Recognise own knowledge limits and seek advice from clinical or administrative colleagues as appropriate.
• Provide cover for members of the administrative team during periods of sickness and annual leave.
• Ensure all clinical procedures are carried out safely, following practice protocols and infection prevention guidelines.
• Undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes.
• Attend a formal appraisal with their manager at least every 12 months.

• Good standard of education GCSE pass in Maths and English or equivalent.
• GPA Certificate.
• Experience working in a healthcare setting.
• SystmOne Knowledge.
• Experience working in a primary care environment.

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.