General Practice Assistant

General Practice Assistants (GPAs) form part of a multi-disciplinary team within primary care and support the clinicians in the smooth running of the surgery by handling routine administration and some basic clinical duties enabling the clinician to focus on the patient. Ultimately the aim is to improve the patients access/experience in practice.

General Practice assistants will operate under the supervision of GPs and at times other appropriately qualified clinicians.

This role will be based at The Grove, working 22.5 hours per week (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday)., Preparing patients prior to going in to see the GP, taking a brief history and basic readings in readiness for the GP appointment.

Arranging appointments, referrals, tests and follow up appointments of patients.

Extracting all information from clinical letters that needs coding and adding to notes.

Dipping urine, taking blood pressure, ECGs & phlebotomy.

Sorting all clinical post and prioritising for the GP in terms of actions. Signposting some post to others such as clinical pharmacist etc.

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.

Support the GP with immunisations/wound care.

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 consultations.

Barnsley Primary Care Network:

Barnsley has established one super Primary Care Network (PCN) of over 250,000 patients which includes all of GP practices across Barnsley. This is supported by six Neighbourhood Networks building on our successful and existing model of neighbourhood working; this enables us to maintain and focus on the specific needs of each local area whilst allowing integration at a borough wide level.