The GP Assistant role is a new one created to relieve some of the pressure on GPs, intended effectively as a cross between the roles of a Healthcare Assistant and a Doctor’s PA. Candidates training into the GPA role would have the opportunity to gain the GP Assistant Certificate (spanning roughly 6 months) through web-based modules and practical sessions with a GP mentor within their practice. The certification is intended to support the innovation and standardisation of this new position within general practice, which Health Education England are looking to spread across the country following successful application within London and the North West. GPAs are trained to undertake basic clinical duties as well as routine administration tasks.
This role may involve:
- Completing forms for GP approval (eg, insurance forms)
- Preparing patients ahead of their GP appointment (eg, taking history, observations, explaining treatment procedures)
- Making appointments, referrals and follow-up visits
- Supporting the clinical team with, eg, immunisations, wound care, phlebotomy, ECGs, urinalysis and clinical observations
- Assisting the GP with, eg, liaison with outside agencies, on-call doctors etc
- Sorting and dealing with/prioritising clinical post
You might be suited to a GP Assistant role if you are:
- Compassionate, empathetic, non-judgmental and a good listener
- Comfortable using a range of medical terminology
- Good at working in a team and with the public
- Willing to take responsibility for a number of duties
- Able to multitask and work on your own initiative
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Entry requirements and skills:
No set formal qualifications are required, but candidates will usually have experience in a Healthcare Assistant or Practice Administrator role and:
- Commit to completing the GPA certification process as well as other formal training (eg, phlebotomy) as required by the practice, with the support of a GP mentor
- Have strong organisational skills with an ability to follow procedures and multitask
- Have strong communication, literacy and IT skills
