Jobs at Somerset Bridge Medical Centre

7 Good Reasons to Join Our Practice

1. Supportive team with emphasis on ‘family’ medicine
2. Ongoing investment in training and career development
3. Sharing the workload approach – no ‘duty doctor’
4. Forward thinking and innovative team
5. Community/patient involvement with social prescribing at the forefront
6. Good support from a multi-disciplinary practice team plus pcn funded health professionals in ‘arrs’ roles
7. Flexible hours, competitive remuneration package

Current Vacancies

Salaried GP (or partner)

Salary Range £12-14k per session/annum

An exciting opportunity to join a friendly, patient-focused practice Partnership in Somerset, located within easy reach of Taunton, Bristol and the beautiful Somerset coast.

Located just off the M5 motorway with both Bristol and Exeter being just 45 minutes away Somerset Bridge Medical Centre is a well-established GP practice providing primary care services under a General Medical Services (GMS) Contract to its 5550 registered patients.  The practice has a relatively young practice population with a varied and interesting range of health issues.  Redgate Medical Centre, its sister practice located 1.5 miles away, has just over 7000 registered patients, and the practice team regularly link across both practice sites.

Bridgwater is a historic market town which in recent years and seen significant investment and growth due to the construction of Hinkley Point C power station and the development of the UK’s first commercial smart campus ‘Gravity’.  Bridgwater and Taunton College was recently awarded University status which provides an excellent opportunity for students and higher learning locally.

Who we are

The practice is multi-disciplinary, dynamic and innovative. Our focus is patient-centred care with lots of engagement with local community. We really enjoy our work, develop new services regularly, and are involved in training across different professions. We like to ensure our work is sustainable by supporting each other and looking after the health and wellbeing of practice team members. Portfolio careers are actively encouraged and there are potential future partnership opportunities available too.

We have abandoned 'duty doctor' sessions in favour of mutual support. We have lots of expertise within the practice and you will be encouraged and supported in your own areas of special interest.  We have a strong focus on training and development, and we equip our team with the skills and knowledge to be successful.  We are currently looking at new models of working to future proof the practice and manage the changing demands on General Practice. You would play a key role in these decisions and the future shape of the practice.

Social prescribing underpins our work and this is supported by our in-house Health & Wellbeing Coach as well as our Village Agent.  We have established a number of patient groups including an active PPG, Walking Group and Gardening Group at the practice.

Somerset Bridge Medical Centre is a member of Bridgwater Bay PCN which includes its sister practice and 7 other practices in Bridgwater and the surrounding area.  Through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) the practice is supported by a team of PCN staff which includes GP Assistants, pharmacists, first contact Musculo-skeletal practitioners, Children and Adult mental health link workers, Complex Care GPs and a ProActive Care team providing enhanced support to local care home residents.

We are currently a student nurse training practice with plans to become an accredited GP training practice in 2024.

This is a golden opportunity for both newly qualified GPs or experienced GPs to come and join a forward-looking, dynamic, multi-disciplinary team.

We can be really flexible about the number of sessions available, but what really matters to us is that we get the right person for our team, so we can be flexible on the working arrangements.  Term-time only sessions would be considered.

When inspected by the CQC in January 2016 the practice received a ‘Good’ rating with areas of outstanding practice identified.  The practice has historically achieved highly in the relation to QOF.

About us

• Purpose-built premises just off the M5 (junction 24), and sister practice, Redgate Medical Centre, located approximately 1.5 miles away
• Combined patient list of 12250 patients, mainly young families
• PMS practice using EMIS web, Accurx, Ardens
• Practice nurse-led chronic disease management
• Student nurse training practice with plans to become a GP training practice in the future
• Friendly administrative support teams including experienced repeat prescription clerks
• Streamlined document workflow to reduce unnecessary workload
• On site surgical and contraceptive services (training opportunities available)
• CQC inspection– overall good rating with areas of outstanding practice identified
• High QOF achievement and enhanced services
• Active involvement in our local Primary Care Network and staff working in ARRS roles.

What we can offer

• Up to 8 sessions per a week (negotiable) with a very competitive salary of £12-14k per session per annum depending on experience.
• BMA model contract
• A very competitive salary, 6 weeks’ annual leave and 1 week study leave.
• Medical indemnity top-up fees paid by the practice
• Active support and encouragement to develop own special interests
• Bi-weekly protected clinical education meeting
• Daily morning ‘huddle’ and coffee/get-together for all clinicians
• GMS practice using EMIS Web, Accurx, Ardens
• A GP mentor can be provided if required and a structured induction and progression pathway put in place.
• Protected administration time and streamlined document workflow to reduce unnecessary workload
• No OOH but local sessions available.

 Job Description

GP Assistant (GPA)

Salary: £25-£27K

Redgate and Somerset Bridge Medical Centres strives to provide the highest standard of clinical care to the 12,500 patients registered with us. The practice is multi-disciplinary, dynamic and innovative. Our focus is patient-centred care with lots of engagement with local community. We really enjoy our work and aspire to develop new services regularly. We like to ensure our work is sustainable by supporting each other and looking after the health and wellbeing of practice team members. We have a holistic approach to patient care and a strong training ethos within the practice, with a team of clinical and non-clinical educators as well as opportunities for non-clinical staff to develop and progress.

Job Overview

The GP Assistant (GPA) will support the smooth running of clinics by performing the more routine administration and clinical tasks, on behalf of the clinical team, freeing up their time for better patient care and continuity. The overall aim of the position is to help reduce the administrative workload pressures of the wider clinical team, including the GPs so they can focus their time on the clinical care of their patients.

Job Overview

The role will mostly consist of an admin-based workload, however there will be a requirement for some clinical duties (full training will be provided). Unless the post holder already holds a GPA skills certificate, it is expected that they will follow an online 6-9 month structured programme completing a portfolio of evidence to gain a GPA Skills Certificate. The portfolio is completed in-house with some protected time and GP and management mentorship. The programme will mainly involve administrative competencies but will include some clinical competencies such as phlebotomy, blood pressure taking, ECG, urinalysis, height & weight etc. Listed below are the main duties of the GP Assistant. There may be on occasion a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels. The role will require an undertaking and participation of supporting the clinical team.

Listed below are the main duties of the GP Assistant. There may be on occasion a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels. The role will require an undertaking and participation of supporting the clinical team.

• Managing incoming clinical post and prioritising for the GP in terms of actions required.
• Extracting all information from clinical letters that need coding and adding to notes
• Arranging appointments, referrals, tests and follow-up appointments
• Reviewing tasks and clinical letters sent to GPs prior to actioning.
• Completing basic (non-opinion) forms, and core elements of some forms, for the GP to approve and sign. These might include insurance, mortgage and benefits agency forms, for example;
• Preparing patients prior to being seen by a GP, taking a brief history and basic readings in readiness for their appointment
• Explaining treatment procedures to patients
• Helping the GP liaise with outside agencies e.g. arranging admissions, contacting hospital teams.
• Adhoc typing of referral letters and reports for patients and other clinical correspondence using an audio/digital typing system.
• Assisting with health campaigns and encouraging patients to attend various screening programmes.
• Any other duties commensurate with the role that may reasonably be requested by the Partners and the Management Team.
• Obtaining patient consent and performing venepuncture in accordance with practice protocols, ensuring samples are correctly labelled, packages, stored and sent to the laboratory in a timely manner.
• Taking blood pressures, urine analysis and undertaking ECGs in accordance with practice protocols

Job Overview

The ideal candidate will have proven administrative and customer service experience (ideally in a medical environment), will have experience working as part of a team and will have the ability to liaise with staff at all levels.  Applicants must have a friendly disposition, flexible approach and be adaptable to change.

We work in a fast-paced environment, therefore the candidate must be a fast learner and confident and competent using IT software. They will be proactive, have excellent organisational skills and be able to prioritise their own and others’ workloads to enable them to work under pressure and meet deadlines effectively.

Effective communication skills and teamwork are crucial in a multidisciplinary environment, helping ensure the quality and consistency of the services the practice provides. The post requires a pleasant and approachable manner with the ability to exercise tact and discretion as well as being able to use initiative.

Closing Date: 31/01/2024