General Practice Assistant
- Study Mode: Part Time
- Location: Distance Learning
- Duration: 6 Months
- Start Date: September 2024
Gain more insight into your role and improve your performance as a general practice assistant (GPA) at BNU.
As a GPA you’ll play an important role in the smooth running of General practice (GP) or Primary care networks (PCNÂ). You’ll oversee critical administrative and clinical tasks, ensuring that patients receive a high level of service at all times.
At the end of our course, you will have gained confidence, discovered new goals and leave with a fresh perspective on your future as a GPA.
Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
This course is unique to BNU and developed in cooperation with local partners. With expert lecturers and teaching methods informed by employer needs, BNU can prepare you for your future career and further study if you choose to do so.
With many years of delivering courses in healthcare, interventions, professional practice, we are confident we can help you gain extra insight and confidence as evidenced by many years of successful graduate outcomes in these courses.
This is a part time, work based course designed to fit in with your current employment and provide some flexibility inline with your schedule.
I left school before getting my grades, I honestly thought my choices in life were limited. Doing this course has made me realise it’s very much possible to change my future. I am doing things I never thought possible and I have my GP surgery and Buckinghamshire New University to thank for this.Carrie-Anne Spence
What will I study?
This course delivers you the skills, knowledge and competencies expected of a GPA, according to the recommendations in the General practice competency framework. The framework specifies a range of core capabilities expected of the general practice assistant working within general practice/primary care.
The framework covers 5 domains (2 clinical and 3 non-clinical):
- care certificate (clinical)
- clinical (clinical)
- communications (non-clinical)
- administration (non-clinical)
- managing health records (non-clinical)
Within the domains are a total of 58 core skills or otherwise known as capabilities. The capabilities are numbered for ease of reference; this does not indicate a prescribed process or hierarchy of importance.
Further guidance to support GP practices and GPAs can be made available, upon request.
The tutors on this course are absolutely brilliant. They adopt a caring, nurturing attitude and are happy to explain things, no matter how many times you have to ask!Nova-Jane Acres
How will I be taught and assessed?
To further support GP practices in identifying and reviewing capabilities, specific assessment criteria has also been included in the general practice framework. This will help you to build a portfolio of evidence and demonstrate the required knowledge, skills and behaviours essential to the GPA role.
Since this is a distance learning course, you can expect to spend a number of hours online, and the rest of the time working.
This is a work-based, part-time course.
- completion over a 6-month period
- gain a dedicated, named GP mentor who can provide mentorship, guidance and supervision and sign off your submitted work
- a secondary ‘non-clinical’ mentor is possible
- online portal ‘learning assistant’ for working from home or elsewhere
- each learner has half day a week protected learning time
- mandatory evaluation process in the programme for both learner and mentors
- you’ll write up and present evidence for the GP mentor to mark and sign off
Why study this subject?
GP Assistants (GPA) support doctors in the smooth running of their surgery by handling the routine administration and some basic clinical duties enabling the GP to focus on the patient.
It is an interesting and exciting role with the possibility to advance and gain critical skills needed for the smooth operation of GPs, which are a vital part of our community and wider society.
I love the fact we are fully supported, even though it is mostly done online we have been treated just like any university student would be treated with all the benefits.Tammy Gregson
What facilities can I use?
You will have access to the university facilities as a student of BNU, which entitles you to some benefits, such as access to our 24/7 library with free study space and free laptop loans. We have our AppsAnywhere service which provides you online access to the software you need to complete the course.
As a student of BNU you will have access to our student union, with free trips, societies and events for you to get involved in. We also have support services such as counselling, cost of living support, free laptop loans and CV writing. Our new restaurant serves food with a discounted rate and is only open to students and staff.
I would really encourage everyone who was thinking about taking the course here to go ahead and do it, you will not regret it.Jillian Pownall
What are the course entry requirements?
Due to the nature of the module, you must be working in General practice as a GPA which is part of the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS). This course is open to existing staff who are already in roles such as Receptionist; Secretaries; Administrators – banded 3-4.
To express ongoing interest in a place on the training PCNs or GP practices, you can contact us to enquire about additional places.
For more information about the GPA programme, particularly around the requirements for gathering evidence please visit the .
What are the tuition fees
Home
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Home, Academic Year 2024 - 2025: £675 *
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Home, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £700 *
Following the Government’s announcement of 4 November 2024, we will be increasing our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for UK students to £9,535 per year from the start of the 2025/26 academic year. Our part-time fees for UK undergraduate students will increase to £7,145 per annum. Please visit , on the Government’s website, for more information about the changes.
Tuition fees for Home undergraduate students (including with foundation year) may increase in subsequent years for both new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Government.  
Tuition fees for both new and continuing international students may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year.  
Tuition fees for postgraduate courses and CPD may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year. This increase will apply to both new and continuing students.  
We understand, and really appreciate, the significant financial commitment our students make when they choose to study at BNU. We take our responsibilities to our students very seriously, and are ambitious for each to reach their full potential and succeed in their chosen career. Our fees help us to continue providing our students with a high-quality education, and to invest in the services and facilities which create an excellent student experience at BNU.
The following factors will be considered by the University when we set the annual fees: measures of inflation such as the retail price indices; projected increases in University costs; and any changes in the level of funding for teaching received from the Government.
What are my career prospects?
Our module will promote professional development through shared knowledge and understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the GPA. You will learn about providing holistic care for the patients, including safeguarding the needs of vulnerable adults and understanding your role in a wider healthcare team.
Course leader
