About this role
Job summary
The General Practice Assistant will play an important role within the E4 PCN, supporting the delivery of safe, effective and patient-centred care across our member practices.
We are seeking an experienced Healthcare Assistant with a minimum of five years' experience working within General Practice in the UK, with a strong understanding of primary care.
This is a varied and flexible role requiring an individual who is confident working across 5 practices within the PCN, adapting quickly to different clinical environments, teams and patient needs. The successful candidate will work closely with the multi-disciplinary team.
A key element of the role will be undertaking home visits, providing appropriate clinical observations and interventions within the individual's scope of competence. The postholder must be confident working independently in patients' homes, managing their workload effectively and recognising when findings or concerns require escalation to an appropriate clinician.
The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent communication skills, sound clinical judgement within their scope of practice, and a strong commitment to patient safety, confidentiality and high-quality care.
This is an opportunity to become an integral member of a well-established and collaborative PCN, supporting our practices to provide accessible, responsive and high-quality care to our diverse patient population.
Main duties of the job
The General Practice Assistant will provide high-quality clinical and practical support across our PCN working alongside GPs, Practice Nurses, Advanced Practitioners and the wider multidisciplinary team. You will also be required to work evening/Saturdays within your working week.
We are seeking an experienced Healthcare Assistant with at least five years' UK General Practice experience, who has developed a broad range of clinical skills and understands the demands of primary care. The successful candidate will be confident working across different PCN practices and adapting to varying clinical environments and patient needs.
The role will include the dutiessuch as clinical observations, venepuncture, ECGs, urinalysis, wound care, specimen collection, chronic disease monitoring, health promotion (new and NHS Health Checks) and supporting immunisation services, subject to training and competence.
A key element of the role will be undertaking home visits, carrying out appropriate observations and agreed clinical interventions within scope of practice. The postholder must be able to work independently, manage their workload effectively and recognise when findings require escalation to an appropriate clinician.
The successful candidate must also demonstrate a willingness to undertake and successfully complete the General Practice Assistant (GPA) training programme, developing their skills and contributing to the continued improvement of our PCN service.
About us
The E4 PCN serves a diverse population of over 55,000 patients across Chingford, London, providing high-quality, patient-centred care to individuals and communities with a wide range of health and social care needs.
The PCN brings together Chingford Medical Centre, Churchill Medical Practice, The Old Church Surgery, The Ridgeway Surgery and Handsworth Medical Practice. We have developed a strong, collaborative relationship across all five practices, enabling us to work collectively, share expertise and deliver services that respond effectively to the needs of our local population.
Our population is diverse, encompassing patients across all age groups, from young families and working-age adults to older people with increasingly complex health needs. We also provide support to more than 350 residents living in local Care Homes, requiring a responsive, coordinated and multidisciplinary approach to care.
We are committed to delivering exceptional standards of patient care, with a strong focus on safety, clinical quality, continuity and patient experience. Through partnership working across our practices and wider multidisciplinary teams, we aim to continually develop and improve our services, ensuring our patients receive the right care, from the right professional, at the right time.
We are proud of our collaborative culture and are committed to creating a service where clinical excellence, professional accountability and patient-centred care are at the heart of everything we do.
Job description Job responsibilities
The General Practice Assistant will provide high-quality clinical and practical support to the PCN Enhanced Access Service, working alongside GPs, Practice Nurses, Advanced Practitioners and the wider multidisciplinary team.
The postholder will be an experienced Healthcare Assistant with a minimum of five years' experience working within General Practice in the UK, with a strong understanding of primary care, clinical processes and patient needs.
The role will involve working across the PCN's member practices and undertaking home visits, where required. The postholder will need to be adaptable and confident working in different clinical environments, managing their workload effectively and undertaking clinical duties within their competence.
The GPA will undertake a broad range of duties associated with an experienced or Advanced Healthcare Assistant and will be supported to develop their role through completion of the General Practice Assistant training programme.
The postholder will also work flexibly as part of the Enhanced Access Service, including evening and weekend sessions, with home visits undertaken where required.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical Support
The GPA will provide clinical support to the wider clinical team and undertake duties appropriate to their level of training, competence and experience.
This will include:
Undertaking clinical observations including blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, oxygen saturations, temperature, blood glucose, height and weight. Undertaking venepuncture where appropriately trained and competent. Performing ECGs and ensuring abnormal findings are promptly brought to the attention of an appropriate clinician. Undertaking urinalysis and other point-of-care testing within competence. Supporting wound care, dressings and general treatment room procedures. Supporting the collection, preparation and handling of clinical specimens. Supporting chronic disease monitoring and review clinics. Supporting health promotion and preventative health activities. Supporting immunisation and vaccination clinics where appropriately trained. Assisting clinicians during consultations and procedures. Preparing clinical rooms and equipment before and after consultations. Ensuring clinical areas are appropriately stocked and maintained. Maintaining high standards of infection prevention and control. Undertaking other clinical support duties appropriate to the role and level of competence. 2. Home Visits
Home visiting will be an important component of the role.
The GPA will:
Undertake allocated home visits independently and professionally. Carry out agreed clinical observations and interventions within their scope of competence. Collect appropriate clinical information and report findings accurately to the supervising or responsible clinician. Support monitoring of patients who may have difficulty attending the practice. Recognise and report changes in a patient's condition. Escalate abnormal observations, safeguarding concerns or other clinical risks promptly. Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records of all home visits. Ensure appropriate infection prevention and control procedures are followed during home visits. Maintain professional boundaries and patient confidentiality at all times. Recognise when a situation is outside their competence and seek appropriate clinical support. The GPA will not independently diagnose, prescribe or make clinical decisions outside their role and competence.
3. Advanced Healthcare Assistant Duties
The postholder will undertake duties consistent with an experienced or Advanced Healthcare Assistant, subject to appropriate training and competency assessment.
These may include:
Phlebotomy and blood collection. ECG recording. Urinalysis. Blood pressure and routine observations. Blood glucose monitoring. Weight, height and BMI measurement. Oxygen saturation and respiratory rate. Wound care and dressing changes. Specimen collection. Chaperoning. Supporting minor procedures. Supporting chronic disease monitoring. Supporting vaccination and immunisation services. Supporting health checks and preventative health programmes. Supporting clinicians with examinations and procedures. Providing patients with appropriate health and lifestyle information within the scope of the role. The list is not exhaustive and duties may change according to service requirements, training and competency.
4. General Practice Assistant Training
A key requirement of the role is the willingness to undertake and successfully complete the General Practice Assistant training programme.
The postholder will:
Participate fully in the GPA training programme. Attend all required teaching and learning sessions. Complete required assessments, competencies and portfolio evidence. Apply learning from the programme safely within clinical practice. Develop the knowledge and skills required to undertake the GPA role effectively. Maintain evidence of ongoing competence. Participate in supervision, feedback and assessment during the training period. Demonstrate commitment to continuous professional development. Completion of the GPA programme will support the postholder to develop their role within primary care and contribute to the effective use of the wider multidisciplinary team.
5. Enhanced Access Service
The GPA will work as part of the PCN Enhanced Access Service, providing additional support to patients outside normal practice opening hours.
The postholder will:
Work flexibly across evening and weekend (Saturday) sessions.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Care Certificate GPA Certificate (or willingness to enrol onto the 6-9 month self-directed learning course) GCSE grade A to C (equivalent) in English & Maths UK Driving Licence & Car
Desirable
Qualified in Venepuncture Qualified in Vaccinations Qualified in Wound Care Qualified to NVQ Level (or equivalent)
Experience Essential
Working within Health and Social Care Working as a Health Care Assistant in Primary Care
Desirable
Experience of working within a Primary Care Network
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 E4 Network
Address Chingford Health Centre
109 York Road
London
E4 8LF
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.chingfordmedicalpractice.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)