Job description

Job responsibilities

As a GP Partner, you will undertake the full range of general practice while sharing responsibility for the clinical, operational and financial success of the partnership.

Alongside your clinical work, you will contribute to the wider running and development of the practice, including clinical governance, quality and patient safety, workforce and service development, financial and strategic decision-making and the responsibilities associated with delivering our NHS contracts.

Partnership responsibilities will be shared according to the needs of the practice and the skills and interests of individual partners. We welcome someone who will bring their own experience and ideas, take responsibility for agreed areas of the practice and contribute to its future direction.

We are looking for someone who wants to be part of the practice rather than simply work within it sharing both the responsibilities and rewards of partnership.

The post is for 4 to 6 sessions per week.

We offer:

• Six weeks' annual leave and one week's study leave, pro rata
• NHS Pension
• Generous protected administrative time to undertake partnership responsibilities
• Very competitive partner remuneration
• A relatively modest capital commitment, with no requirement to buy into practice premises
• Scope to develop individual clinical and professional interests

Previous partnership experience is welcome but not essential. A GP with substantial experience in UK general practice who now wants greater involvement, professional autonomy and the opportunity to help run and shape a practice would be equally welcome.

Person Specification

Skills and attributes

Essential

• - Ability and willingness to contribute to the clinical, operational and business responsibilities of partnership
• - Commitment to continuity and relationship-based general practice
• - Evidence of being dependable, pragmatic and able to work effectively as part of a team
• - Willingness to take responsibility and contribute to the development and future direction of the practice
• - Ability to travel independently between practice sites and undertake home visits

Desirable

• - Additional clinical skills or interests that would complement those already within the practice
• - Broader professional, leadership or other experience that would bring additional perspective to the partnership

Experience

Essential

• Essential
• - At least two years' substantive experience working in UK general practice following completion of GP training
• - Evidence of sound clinical judgement and a commitment to high standards of patient care

Desirable

• Desirable
• - Previous GP partnership or leadership experience
• - Experience of rural and/or dispensing general practice

Qualifications

Essential

• Essential
• - Full GMC registration with a licence to practise
• - Inclusion on the GMC GP Register
• - Inclusion on the NHS England Medical Performers List
• - Evidence of ongoing appraisal, revalidation and continuing professional development

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Golden Valley Practice

Address

The Surgery

Ewyas Harold

Hereford

Herefordshire

HR2 0EU

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.goldenvalleypractice.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the effective day-to-day running of the dispensaries across both sites
• Organise & oversee dispensary workflow to ensure prescriptions are processed safely, accurately & efficiently
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained & resources allocated effectively according to workload & service requirements
• Monitor prescription workload & identify periods of increased demand, capacity issues & operational pressures
• Prioritise workload appropriately while maintaining patient safety & service standards
• Ensure clear systems are in place for receiving, processing, dispensing, checking, storing & issuing medicines
• Ensure prescription queries & outstanding items are followed up appropriately
• Oversee the management of repeat prescriptions & associated dispensary processes
• Ensure medicines awaiting collection are stored appropriately & patients are notified where applicable
• Ensure the dispensary environment is organised, secure, professional & suitable for the safe provision of dispensing services
• Provide operational support to the team during busy periods & lead by example

Patient Safety & Dispensing Governance

• Promote a strong culture of patient safety throughout the dispensary
• Ensure dispensing processes are undertaken in accordance with current legislation, professional standards, relevant regulatory & governance requirements & practice policies & agreed procedures
• Maintain, review & implement dispensary Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Ensure controlled drugs are managed in accordance with current legislation, professional requirements & practice procedures
• Maintain appropriate systems for the safe ordering, receipt, storage, dispensing, recording & disposal of controlled drugs
• Ensure all dispensary staff understand, acknowledge & work within relevant SOPs
• Ensure appropriate systems are in place for reporting, investigating & learning from dispensing errors, incidents & near misses
• Escalate significant patient safety concerns to the appropriate clinician, Practice Manager or GP Partner
• Encourage an open & fair learning culture where staff feel able to report mistakes & concerns
• Undertake regular audits of dispensary processes & standards

Staff Management & Leadership

• Provide effective day-to-day leadership & management of the dispensary team
• Promote a supportive, professional & accountable working culture
• Prepare & manage staff rotas to ensure appropriate dispensary cover
• Allocate duties fairly & appropriately according to competence, workload & service needs
• Monitor staff performance & address concerns promptly & constructively
• Undertake staff appraisals
• Support staff wellbeing while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries & service expectations regarding performance, conduct, professionalism & patient service
• Encourage effective teamwork, communication & mutual support
• Recognise good performance & encourage staff development
• Participate in recruitment, selection & induction of new staff where required
• Support effective workforce planning & identify future staffing or skill requirements
• Ensure staff remain familiar with current SOPs & changes to dispensary procedures
• Ensure staff only undertake duties for which they have received appropriated training & demonstrated competence

Stock Management & Procurement

• Maintain effective systems for the procurement & management of medicines & dispensary stock
• Ensure appropriate stock levels are maintained while minimising unnecessary expenditure & wastage
• Review wholesaler prices, discounts & purchasing arrangements to support the financial sustainability of the dispensary
• Ensure stock received is checked & stored appropriately
• Maintain effective stock rotation procedures
• Monitor expiry dates & minimise losses through expired or obsolete stock
• Ensure fridge temperatures & other required monitoring records are maintained
• Manage stock shortages & supply problems & communicate appropriately with patients & clinicians
• Maintain appropriate procedures for medicines recalls & safety alerts
• Ensure unwanted, expired & returned medicines are handled & disposed of appropriately

Financial & Business Management

• Support the financial performance & sustainability of the dispensary
• Monitor dispensing activity & relevant performance data
• Work with the Practice Manager & GP Partners to understand dispensary income & expenditure
• Identify opportunities to improve dispensary profitability without compromising patient safety or quality of care
• Review systems & processes that affect productivity & operational costs
• Support the development of business cases for new equipment, technology, staffing or service where appropriate

Dispensing Patients & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain an understanding of the regulations relating to dispensing patients within general practice
• Support the practice in maintaining accurate dispensing patient records
• Respond appropriately to patient queries regarding dispensing arrangements
• Support the Practice Manager in ensuring the dispensary operates within relevant NHS regulations & contractual requirements
• Keep up to date with changes to legislation, guidance & requirements affecting dispensing practices

Prescription & Medicines Management Processes

• Oversee effective prescription processing within the dispensary
• Ensure prescription requests, dispensing & collection processes are managed safely
• Ensure dispensary staff work within their competence & do not provide clinical advice outside their scope of practice
• Liaise with GPs, pharmacists & other appropriate healthcare professionals regarding prescription or medicines queries
• Support safe systems for medicines following hospital discharge or other transitions of care where relevant to the dispensary's responsibilities

Patient Service

• Promote a professional, respectful & patient-centred service
• Ensure patients are treated with dignity, confidentiality & courtesy
• Respond appropriately to patient concerns & complaints relating to the dispensary
• Recognise the needs of patients within a rural community, including potential difficulties accessing alternative pharmacy services
• Ensure confidentiality & information governance requirements are always maintained

Quality Improvement & Service Development

• Regularly view dispensary processes to identify opportunities to improve safety, efficiency & patient experience
• Encourage staff to contribute ideas for service improvement
• Support the development of new dispensary services where appropriate

Communication & Collaborative Working

• Maintain effective communication within the dispensary team
• Establish regular opportunities for staff to discuss workload, safety concerns & service improvements
• Liaise effectively with GPs, nurses, pharmacists, reception staff, admin teams & practice management
• Attend relevant practice meetings & provide dispensary updates where required

Information Governance & Confidentiality

• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times
• Ensure dispensary staff comply with practice information governance & data protections requirements
• Ensure patient information is only accessed where required for legitimate professional purposes
• Maintain secure handling & storage of confidential information
• Ensure conversations involving confidential patient information are conducted appropriately

Health, Safety & Security

• Promote a safe working environment for patients & staff
• Ensure medicines & dispensary areas are secure
• Report & respond appropriately to health & safety concerns
• Ensure relevant risk assessments are undertaken & reviewed
• Ensure staff understand emergency procedures relevant to the dispensary

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Good understanding of dispensing processes within primary care.
• Knowledge of medicines management and patient safety principles.
• Understanding of controlled drug requirements.
• Knowledge of SOPs, governance, audit & risk management.
• Good understanding of confidentiality & information governance.
• Significant experience working within a dispensary, pharmacy or medicines related environment.
• Experience of managing or supervising staff.
• Experience of organising workload & managing competing priorities.
• Experience of training, supporting or developing staff.
• Experience of dealing with patient queries & challenging situations.
• Experience of maintaining high standards of accuracy & patient safety.
• Where the postholder is a registered healthcare professional, they must maintain their professional registration & comply with the standards of their professional regulator.

Desirable

• Previous experience within a dispensing GP practice.
• Experience managing a rural dispensing service
• Experience

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 2 Dispensing Services

Desirable

• Appropriate dispensing/pharmacy qualification or relevant experience appropriate to the responsibilities of the role.

Employer details

Employer name

Golden Valley Practice

Address

The Surgery

Ewyas Harold

Hereford

Herefordshire

HR2 0EU

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.goldenvalleypractice.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Practice Manager provides overall operational and business leadership for Golden Valley Surgery, working closely with the partners to ensure the safe, effective and sustainable running of the practice across both sites.

The Practice Manager will lead the management team and wider workforce, translate agreed priorities into practical delivery and maintain overall oversight of practice operations. They will be supported by an experienced Deputy Practice Manager, Operations Lead and Dispensary Manager, with responsibilities delegated appropriately across the team.

The postholder will be expected to exercise a high degree of autonomy within agreed areas of responsibility, while working closely with and being accountable to the partners.

Leadership, management and operations

• Provide effective day-to-day leadership and operational oversight across both practice sites.
• Lead, support and develop the management team, delegating appropriately while retaining oversight of standards, outcomes and key responsibilities.
• Work closely with the partners to implement agreed priorities and support the future development of the practice.
• Maintain an overview of staffing, workload and operational pressures, identifying problems at an early stage and ensuring appropriate action is taken.
• Ensure effective systems and processes support the smooth day-to-day running of the practice and a high standard of patient service.
• Lead appropriate practice and management meetings and ensure agreed actions are followed through.
• Maintain effective communication across the practice and promote a positive, respectful and collaborative working culture.
• Provide clear and supportive leadership during periods of pressure, change or organisational development.

People and workforce

• Lead recruitment, induction, retention and development of the practice workforce.
• Oversee appraisals, performance management, sickness absence, annual leave and workforce planning.
• Ensure appropriate staffing arrangements and workforce cover are maintained across the practice.
• Ensure employment policies and procedures are applied consistently and fairly.
• Work with the partners and external professional HR adviser on more complex employment and workforce matters.
• Ensure appropriate mandatory and role-specific staff training is maintained.
• Promote staff wellbeing, professional development and a supportive working environment.
• Support managers and team leaders in addressing day-to-day staffing and performance issues appropriately.

Business and financial management

• Work with the partners on business planning and the long-term financial and organisational sustainability of the practice.
• Maintain oversight of practice income, expenditure, budgets, payroll and financial processes, working with the partners, practice accountant and relevant members of the management team.
• Ensure income due to the practice is appropriately identified, claimed and monitored.
• Monitor relevant financial information and highlight significant issues, risks or opportunities to the partners.
• Oversee contracts and arrangements with suppliers and external providers, ensuring appropriate value and service.
• Maintain appropriate oversight of the business and financial aspects of the dispensing service.
• Support the partners in assessing the financial and operational implications of new services, contracts and developments.

Contracts, quality and governance

• Maintain overall management oversight of NHS contractual and commissioning requirements and ensure appropriate systems are in place to meet them.
• Monitor practice performance and ensure required submissions, claims, returns and contractual deadlines are completed appropriately.
• Maintain oversight of CQC and other relevant regulatory requirements and support the practice in maintaining readiness for inspection.
• Ensure appropriate organisational systems are maintained for policies and procedures, complaints, significant events, safeguarding, information governance, data protection and health and safety.
• Ensure complaints are managed appropriately, sensitively and within required timescales, working with clinicians and partners as necessary.
• Support effective clinical and organisational governance, recognising the respective responsibilities of clinical and managerial staff.
• Ensure organisational systems and processes support safe, high-quality and patient-centred care.
• Identify significant organisational or operational risks and ensure these are appropriately managed or escalated to the partners.

Detailed knowledge of general practice contracts, regulations and systems at appointment is desirable rather than essential and can be developed through the comprehensive handover period, training and ongoing support.

Premises, IT and business continuity

• Maintain oversight of the Ewyas Harold and Peterchurch premises, including maintenance, security, accessibility and relevant statutory requirements.
• Ensure appropriate health and safety arrangements, risk assessments and required checks are maintained.
• Ensure robust business continuity and emergency arrangements are in place, regularly reviewed and understood by relevant staff.
• Maintain management oversight of practice IT and digital systems, working with relevant colleagues, NHS organisations and external providers.
• Ensure appropriate arrangements are in place for the security and resilience of practice systems and information.
• Support the effective introduction and evaluation of new systems, technology and ways of working where these benefit patients, staff or the practice.

Dispensing

• Maintain management oversight of the dispensing service, working closely with the experienced Dispensary Manager, partners and relevant clinicians.
• Ensure appropriate operational, staffing and governance arrangements are maintained within the dispensing service.
• Maintain awareness of the business implications of operating a dispensing practice and ensure relevant financial and contractual requirements are appropriately managed.
• Support the continued development of a safe, efficient and patient-centred dispensing service.

Patient service

• Promote a culture in which patients are treated with courtesy, dignity and respect.
• Ensure administrative and operational systems support good access, continuity and an effective patient experience.
• Respond appropriately to concerns about practice systems or service delivery and ensure lessons from complaints, feedback and significant events are incorporated into service improvement where appropriate.
• Support the practice's commitment to providing a personal, responsive service to its rural patient population.

Development and improvement

• Work with the partners and wider team to identify and implement improvements to services, systems and ways of working.
• Bring new ideas and experience to the role and constructively challenge existing processes where improvements can be made.
• Lead and support organisational change, ensuring changes are planned, communicated and implemented effectively.
• Support the development of new services and initiatives where these are beneficial and sustainable for the practice and its patients.
• Encourage innovation while ensuring that new systems and ways of working are practical, safe and appropriately evaluated.

External relationships

• Maintain effective working relationships with the Primary Care Network (PCN), Integrated Care Board (ICB), neighbouring practices and other relevant NHS and external organisations.
• Represent the practice appropriately at relevant external meetings, working groups and forums.
• Maintain awareness of local and national developments affecting general practice and advise the partners on relevant operational or business implications.
• Develop constructive relationships with other Practice Managers and make effective use of the strong local Practice Manager network.
• Liaise appropriately with professional advisers, suppliers, contractors and other external organisations.

Overall responsibility and accountability

The Practice Manager will work collaboratively with the partners and wider management team, with specific responsibilities delegated appropriately according to the skills and roles of individual team members.

The postholder will retain overall operational oversight, ensuring that delegated responsibilities are effectively managed, important requirements and deadlines are met, risks are identified and escalated appropriately, and the different functions of the practice work together effectively.

The Practice Manager is not expected personally to undertake every management or administrative function. A key part of the role is to lead an effective management structure, delegate appropriately and ensure that the practice has reliable systems through which responsibilities are understood and delivered.

The postholder will be expected to use initiative and professional judgement, recognising when matters can be managed independently and when significant operational, financial, employment or strategic issues should be referred to the partners.

This job description describes the principal responsibilities of the post but is not exhaustive. Duties may evolve in response to the changing needs of the practice and general practice more widely, and other appropriate responsibilities may be agreed with the partners.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• -Significant management or leadership experience within a complex organisation.
• -Experience of leading, managing and developing staff, including recruitment and performance management.
• -Experience of managing day-to-day operations and competing priorities.
• -Experience of financial management, budgetary responsibility or oversight of financial processes.
• -Experience of developing and improving organisational systems and processes.
• -Experience of identifying problems, implementing practical solutions and managing change.
• -Experience of working collaboratively with senior leaders and different professional groups.

Desirable

• -Previous experience as a Practice Manager, Deputy/Assistant Practice Manager, Business Manager or Operations Manager.
• -Experience within general practice, primary care or the wider NHS.
• -Knowledge of NHS primary-care contractual and regulatory requirements.
• -Experience of CQC or other regulatory compliance.
• -Experience of a rural, dispensing or multi-site practice.
• -Experience of working with PCNs, ICBs or other NHS organisations.

Qualifications

Essential

• - Good standard of education with excellent literacy and numeracy skills.
• - Relevant management, business, administration or healthcare qualification, or equivalent management experience.

Desirable

• - Practice Management, leadership or management qualification.
• - Relevant training or qualification in HR, finance, governance or another area relevant to the role.

Person specification

Essential

• We are looking first and foremost for an experienced, capable manager and leader. Previous general-practice experience is desirable rather than essential, and support and training will be provided to develop the successful candidate's knowledge of primary care.
• Personal qualities:
• Essential
• - Confident, capable and approachable.
• - Visible and willing to be involved in the day-to-day life of the practice.
• - Practical, proactive and solutions-focused.
• - Highly organised and reliable.
• - Able to see the bigger picture while retaining attention to detail.
• - Calm and resilient under pressure.
• - Comfortable taking responsibility and using initiative.
• - Fair, consistent and respectful.
• - Able to delegate, support and develop others.
• - Trustworthy, discreet and able to maintain confidentiality.
• - Open to new ideas and continuous improvement.
• - Committed to teamwork and high-quality patient care.
• Other requirements
• Essential
• - Full driving licence and access to a car for travel between Ewyas Harold and Peterchurch.
• - Flexibility to work across both practice sites as required.
• - Willingness to undertake appropriate training and continuing professional development.

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

Golden Valley Practice

Address

The Surgery

Ewyas Harold

Hereford

Herefordshire

HR2 0EU

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.goldenvalleypractice.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)