Job summary General Practice Assistants (GPAs) form part of a multi-disciplinary team within primary care, and provide a support role, carrying out administrative tasks, combined in some areas with basic clinical duties, helping to free up GPs time and contribute to the smooth running of appointments, improving patients experience in the surgery. Main duties of the job Improving patient access and releasing highly qualified staff to concentrate on treating and managing patients with more complex conditions Improving patient flow within surgery hours, increasing the time efficiency of appointments, and reduction of waiting times; supporting patient experience by translating or reiterating information from the GP Have a positive impact on retention and job satisfaction Reduce time spent by GPs on managing correspondence About us Our mission in Redbridge is to strengthen, develop and support local general practice, to enable the delivery of high-quality care to local people. We are in the very fortunate position where all 4 of the Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in Redbridge are working together as part of the Redbridge-wide GP federation Healthbridge Direct. This means we can build strong clinical teams within and across the PCNs. We are now at the very start of an exciting journey of building a team of over 100 additional clinical roles to support and enable the delivery of services within each of our 4 PCNs. We are building teams within and across the PCNs to enable peer support and team working both within and across professions. We have a unique opportunity in Redbridge to create something special and we want you to be part of it. We have the infrastructure, the relationships and the potential to create a team that will make a significant difference to GP practices, to outcomes for local populations, and to individual lives for patients across Redbridge. Date posted 28 October 2024 Pay scheme Other Salary Depending on experience Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number B0285-24-0081 Job locations 53-63 Redbridge Lane East Ilford Redbridge IG4 5EY Job description Job responsibilities JOB ROLE General Practice Assistants (GPAs) form part of a multi-disciplinary team within primary care, and provide a support role, carrying out administrative tasks, combined in some areas with basic clinical duties, helping to free up GPs time and contribute to the smooth running of appointments, improving patients experience in the surgery. Improving patient access and releasing highly qualified staff to concentrate on treating and managing patients with more complex conditions Improving patient flow within surgery hours, increasing the time efficiency of appointments, and reduction of waiting times; supporting patient experience by translating or reiterating information from the GP Have a positive impact on retention and job satisfaction Reduce time spent by GPs on managing correspondence KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Check and monitor the practice incoming emails that are received in the NHS Email account, responding to patient 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 Preparing patients prior to going in to see the GP, taking a brief history and basic readings in readiness for the GP appointment. Dipping urine, taking blood pressure, ECGs & phlebotomy 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 Job description Job responsibilities JOB ROLE General Practice Assistants (GPAs) form part of a multi-disciplinary team within primary care, and provide a support role, carrying out administrative tasks, combined in some areas with basic clinical duties, helping to free up GPs time and contribute to the smooth running of appointments, improving patients experience in the surgery. Improving patient access and releasing highly qualified staff to concentrate on treating and managing patients with more complex conditions Improving patient flow within surgery hours, increasing the time efficiency of appointments, and reduction of waiting times; supporting patient experience by translating or reiterating information from the GP Have a positive impact on retention and job satisfaction Reduce time spent by GPs on managing correspondence KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Check and monitor the practice incoming emails that are received in the NHS Email account, responding to patient 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 Preparing patients prior to going in to see the GP, taking a brief history and basic readings in readiness for the GP appointment. Dipping urine, taking blood pressure, ECGs & phlebotomy 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 Person Specification Qualifications Essential GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths or equivalent Experience working in healthcare Desirable Intermediate level office software programmes (e.g Microsoft Office) Experience working within primary care Experience Essential Experience of working with the general public Experience of administrative duties Experience of working in a healthcare setting Knowledge of EMIS web clinical system Desirable Knowledge of databases Customer Service Training or formal reception training Knowledge and Skills Essential Excellent communication skills (written and oral) Strong IT skills Clear, polite telephone manner Effective time management (planning and organising) Ability to work as a team member and autonomously Good interpersonal skills Problem solving and analytical skills Ability to follow policies and procedures Person Specification Qualifications Essential GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths or equivalent Experience working in healthcare Desirable Intermediate level office software programmes (e.g Microsoft Office) Experience working within primary care Experience Essential Experience of working with the general public Experience of administrative duties Experience of working in a healthcare setting Knowledge of EMIS web clinical system Desirable Knowledge of databases Customer Service Training or formal reception training Knowledge and Skills Essential Excellent communication skills (written and oral) Strong IT skills Clear, polite telephone manner Effective time management (planning and organising) Ability to work as a team member and autonomously Good interpersonal skills Problem solving and analytical skills Ability to follow policies and procedures 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. Employer details Employer name Healthbridge Direct Address 53-63 Redbridge Lane East Ilford Redbridge IG4 5EY Employer's website https://www.healthbridgedirect.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)