To perform as an autonomous general practitioner working independently and with other health care professionals to assess, diagnose and treat the conditions of patients attending within a Primary Care setting. Provide expert professional advice to patients, carers and colleagues and ensure the maintenance of clinical excellence. To be involved in the provision of education and training to GP Registrars and other staff. To be professionally accountable and responsible for all elements of clinical practice in accordance with the GMC code of conduct ensuring the safety of patients and quality of their care is primary focus. The post holder will need to be capable of independent travel across the Harpenden Health PCN and work flexibly to meet the needs of the Business. Clinical responsibilities In accordance with the practice rota, as agreed, the post-holder will make themselves available to undertake a variety of duties including surgery consultations, telephone consultations and queries, visiting patients at home, checking and signing/authorising repeat prescriptions and dealing with queries, paperwork and correspondence in a timely fashion. Making professional, autonomous decisions in relation to presenting problems, whether self-referred or referred from other health care workers within the organisation Assessing the health care needs of patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed problems Screening patients for disease risk factors and early signs of illness In consultation with patients and in line with current practice disease management protocols, developing care plans for health Providing counselling and health education Admitting or discharging patients to and from the caseload and referring to other care providers as appropriate Recording clear and contemporaneous consultation notes to agreed standards Collecting data for audit purposes Compiling and issuing computer-generated acute and repeat prescriptions Prescribing in accordance with the practice prescribing formulary (or generically) whenever this is clinically appropriate The post-holder will be required to visit patients during surgery time in an emergency if clinically indicated. The post-holder will undertake a fair percentage of On Call sessions per week as allocated on the practice rota and participate in the extended hours enhanced service. The post-holder will undertake fair share of home visiting sessions per week as allocated. 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 Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data. Training/Meetings Attending training and events organised by the practice or other agencies, where appropriate. Participate positively and actively in clinical and practice meetings. The PCN and Practices have a strong ethos around training and development of others, therefore the successful candidate will be willing and able to support medical students, and other training roles. Patient Management Create opportunities to address patients care needs in the most expedient way, taking into account that continuity of care and access to services are often in direct conflict. Encourage patients to be aware of the service pressures within primary care and to manage their expectations of what we can realistically deliver in a manner that is fair and proportionate for all care priorities. Make improved use of the telephone and other technologies. Encourage patients to rely on face to-face consultation only where there is a clinical need to do so. Communicate and reassure patients of the need to offer alternative care options where appropriate and safe to do so. To immediately highlight any concerns you may have in respect of safety or quality of patient care to the Clinical Director/Practice Partners/PCN Manager. Manage self/Professional Development: Develops and maintains up to date personal development plan and professional portfolio for purposes of annual individual performance review, appraisal and revalidation. Is able to develop own knowledge and clinical practice to meet objectives and changes in service. Manage own time, workload and resources effectively. To provide education and training to other staff and Registrars as appropriate. Operate a high standard of probity. A commitment to life-long learning and audit to ensure evidence-based best practice Awareness of and compliance with all relevant practice policies/guidelines, e.g. prescribing, confidentiality, data protection, health and safety Manage and use information Makes accurate record keeping in EMIS and makes effective use of the clinical system by ensuring the consistent and accurate entering of data and use of Snomed Codes. Facilitates the use of up to date information technology in order to collate accurate and timely information as and when required by the practice. Works within the Caldicott and Data Protection principles Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk. Health and Safety The role holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the PCN Health and Safety Policy: Use personal security systems within the workplace according to Practice guidelines. Identify the risks involved in work activities and undertake such activities in a way that manages the risks. Make effective use of training to update knowledge and skills Use appropriate infection control procedures, maintain work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards Report potential risks identified.