Overview
The role of the General Practice Assistant (GPA) was developed to support GP surgeries in routine admin tasks and basic clinical duties. The GPA role has been in place in primary care for some years, however, this was added to the list of ARRS roles in 2018. This is a hybrid role offering either administrative support, basic clinical support, or a combination of both roles to GPs. Ultimately it is up to the Practice/PCN to determine the tasks that GPAs undertake in Practice.
Role Responsibilities
While in post GPAs are expected to deliver a combination of the following requirements based on their level of skills and experience. PCNs may claim reimbursement for the time GPAs spend delivering these activities, or undertaking training to deliver them:
- Arranging appointments, referrals, tests and follow up appointments of patients.
- Completing simple clinical observations /investigations as directed locally, such as dipstick urine, taking blood pressure, ECG, phlebotomy.
- Supporting the GP with immunisations/wound care.
- Preparing patients prior to going in to see the GP, taking a brief history and basic readings in readiness for the GP appointment.
- 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.
- 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 consultation(s).
- Sorting clinical post and prioritising for the GP. Signposting some post to other members of staff.
- Extracting information from clinical letters that needs coding; adding this to patient notes. Supporting with QOF reviews.
GPAs should also:
- Participate in an annual individual performance review.
- Track and record evidence of their experience against the national competency framework.
- Inform the lead GP of any concerns regarding their role and request professional development as needed.
- Be aware of their own professional boundaries and what to do when they are reached.
Entry Requirements
Those applying should be an existing staff member who is already considered competent in good patient care from their experience as members of a GP practice. In addition to excellent communication skills and in practice administrative training they must also be DBS enhanced level checked.
Training and Development
Standard Training (on entry to Primary Care)
Staff can be trained in-practice, with on-job training and development led by GPs, in line with the role outline and national competency framework.
Trainee GPAs may also complete NHSE’s accreditation programme, aligned to the competency framework, equipping them with formal certification of their learning.
Training and competency assessment takes place in the workplace with a GP mentor signing off on GPA competencies. To support this development, NHSE offers an accreditation programme aligned to the competency framework, equipping the GPA with formal certification of their learning.
In the East of England this programme is delivered by ARU: ARU Programme Information
Core Competencies
GPAs work to a national competency framework which specifies a range of core capabilities expected of the General Practice Assistant (GPA) working within general practice/primary care. The framework is structured around 5 key domains:
- Care
- Administration
- Clinical
- Communications
- Managing Health Records
Within the domains are a total of 58 capabilities. The capabilities set out what the GPA working in general practice/primary care settings should demonstrate. To further support GP practices in identifying and reviewing capabilities, specific assessment criteria has also been included in the framework. This will help GPAs to build a portfolio of evidence and demonstrate the required knowledge, skills and behaviours essential to the GPA role, and promote clinical thinking and reflection.
Additional Training
Supporting GP with basic observations as required e.g., dipping urine, taking blood pressure, ECGs & phlebotomy.
Supervision Requirements
GPAs are required to have a primary mentor who is a GP and who can undertake regular tutorials. Should a practice wish to use healthcare professionals or other colleagues to support the GPA with elements of training/learning, they must be fully endorsed by the GP practice following a risk assessment within the practice, e.g. for indemnity/insurance purposes. The practice team must also be fully confident that the healthcare professionals/colleagues are fully trained and qualified to support the learner.
GPA Supporting resources mentors aligned to comp framework
Funding
AFC Band 4
100% of actual salary plus defined on costs covered via ARRS Scheme.
Recruitment Information
The General Practice Assistant role has been introduced into the ARRS. PCNs can immediately start recruiting to the role, predominately through trainee positions.
Where a PCN employs a General Practice Assistant under the ARRS, the PCN must ensure that the GPA meets the ‘Minimum Role Requirements’ stipulated in Annex B of the NHSE Network DES
Please find various resources in this section to assist in the recruitment and embedding of the GPA role in General Practice.