Confidentiality In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately. In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may 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 practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential. Health & Safety The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policy, to include: Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines. Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks. Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills. Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards. Reporting potential risks identified. Equality and Diversity The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include: Acting in a way that recognises the importance of peoples 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. Personal/Professional Development In addition to maintaining continued education through attendance at any courses and/or study days necessary to ensure that professional development requirements are met, the post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment, such training to include: Participation in an annual individual performance review, annual Appraisal including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development. Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work. Quality The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice, and will: Alert other team members to issues of Clinical Governance issues, quality and risk; participate in Significant Event Analysis reviews. Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision. Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance. Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs. Effectively manage own time, workload, and resources. He/she will also contribute to the overall team-working of the Practice putting the needs of the Practice first. Contribution to the planning and implementation of services The post-holder will: Apply practice policies, standards and guidance. Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work. Participate in audit where appropriate. Work with the Lead GP(s) to achieve standards of quality, performance standards, without compromising levels of patient healthcare. Contribute towards the development and implementation of new standards, policies and procedures that are/will be required of GP Practices now and in the future (as directed by NHS/ DoH/, new legislation etc.) Communication Be able to effectively communicate at all levels of the organisation to a variety of health professionals, users and carers, independent and voluntary sector to provide the best outcomes for users of the services. Provide interface between hospital, primary, community and social settings, participate where appropriate in clinical meetings relating to patient care and outcomes. Communicate effectively with patients and carers. Be able to keep accurate contemporaneous documentation, both written and computerised, inpatient records and will need to be familiar with EMIS Web. Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly. Clinical Governance To participate and operate within the clinical governance framework for the organisation at all times, incorporating service users and carers, audit, guidelines and risk management. To actively participate in the practices, becoming familiar with and abiding by its plans, policies and procedures.