Completed Projects

A new career is waiting for you in NHS General Practice!

This training academy has finished. If you like to receive any information, please email training.academies@colchester.ac.uk

Careers in NHS General Practice 12 week programme.

A range of clinical and non-clinical vacancies need to be filled in GP Surgeries across North Essex.   Learn about the range of roles we have available and train to become a General Practice Assistant, Healthcare Assistant, Receptionist or Administrator.

Join our 12 weeks free course providing real observational work placements and training.
Who is the course for?

The project has been co-designed with Primary Care Networks to provide residents from North Essex with the opportunity to acquire transferable skills to support job opportunities within local GP Surgeries.

You do not need to have any prior experience or knowledge to enter this work programme.

What will I learn?

You will learn of the range of job opportunities and associated duties available within Primary Care.  We will provide training on the competencies needed to access employment and this will include an overview of the NHS, administration functions, clinical observations and measurements, care certificate and a range of other key aspects that relate to the roles on offer.

Depending on previous qualifications, you might be referred to complete adult skills centre courses at Colchester Institute for a short, accredited qualification before learning new skills via masterclass sessions delivered in person in Colchester or Clacton or online, through eLearning sessions and through practical learning in both simulated and live environments on work placement rotation.

The project develops new career routes to help bolster the wider NHS General Practice workforce, with a particular emphasis on developing General Practice Assistants for local GP Surgeries.

What support will I receive?

Every participant needs to book a Career Advice appointment with a Colchester Institute Career Advisor, where they will receive personalised career progression advice, application and general employment advice as well as CV writing support. You can book this by emailing training.academies@colchester.ac.uk

All participants will be supported by phone, face-to-face and online, including access group sessions ensuring participants are confident for final job interview. Interview practice will be delivered through interview panels, involving Colchester Institute, ESNEFT, GP Surgery representatives and peer reviews. Participants can also be supported with expenses such as travel, lunch, uniforms and childcare expenses*. There is a dedicated project management team available to support each candidate.

How does the course work?

The course will be divided into two elements and will last up to 12 weeks.

Initial screening programme comprising of a career advice interview, inductions and recommendation to attend sessions at Colchester Institute if needed, employability courses and functional skills; masterclasses where participants can learn about the types of roles for which GP surgeries will be recruiting. ‘Masterclasses will provide with an insight into roles within the placement areas at GPs’.

The main work programme will include a 6-week rotational work placement (2 days per week) alongside taught workshops and eLearning modules.

What makes this programme unique?

• Training course leads to the actual job position at the end after successful interview
• Easy entry to NHS General Practice which will provide you with an opportunity to enhance your career
• Potentially progress to become a General Practice Assistant
• The course is completely free covering all related expenses: travel, lunch, uniform, DBS check, childcare and others*
• Free peer mentor support through the programme
• No skills or prior experience is needed

Why choose Primary Care?

Local GP surgeries are the lifeblood of local communities – General Practitioners have an important role in looking after patients in their homes and within the communities where they live. They are part of a much wider team whose role includes promoting, preventing and initiating treatment.   You could play a vital role in supporting this critical part of the NHS and develop your career through a range of pathways.
There’s never been a better time to join!

When can I apply?

This training academy has finished. If you like to receive any information, please email training.academies@colchester.ac.uk

General Practice Training Academy

This training academy has finished. If you like to receive any information, please email training.academies@colchester.ac.uk

12-week Training and Recruitment Programme supporting your workforce

Suffolk and North Essex ICB have commissioned Colchester Institute and ESNEFT to continue their successful training academy programmes, with a focus on supporting staffing in Primary Care Networks in North East Essex.

We will be offering a 12-week training programme to support the range of clinical and non-clinical vacancies in GP Surgeries across North Essex, with a particular focus on providing suitable candidates to take up GP Assistant roles over time, which attracts specific funding.

Work with us to support the range of roles you will need to fill over time including GP Assistants, Healthcare Assistants, Receptionists and Administrators.

Evidence suggests that effective GP Assistants can:

• improve patient access and release highly qualified staff to concentrate on treating and managing patients with more complex conditions
• improve patient flow within surgery hours, increasing the time efficiency of appointments, and reduction of waiting times
• have a positive impact on GP retention and job satisfaction
• reduce time spent by GPs on administration and managing correspondence

The aim of the project is to boost the local talent bank available to GP Surgeries in the local area with a ready-made supply of trained individuals who have acquired the requisite knowledge and competencies through a 12-week free course providing real observational work placements and training.

Who is the course for?

The project has been co-designed with Primary Care Network leads to provide residents from North Essex with the opportunity to acquire transferable skills to support job opportunities created within local GP Surgeries.

What will they learn from the programme?

They will learn of the range of job opportunities within Primary Care.  They will be trained on the competencies needed to access employment and this will include :

1. An overview of the NHS, ICB, PCN, GP Surgeries and the role of a GP Assistant.
2. An introduction to Primary Care including administration functions, coding, note taking and discharge summaries
3. General Induction including infection control, GDPR and EDI
4. Phlebotomy and venepuncture
5. Clinical observations and physiological measurements
6. Care certificate theory standards 1 – 15 (via eLearning)

Depending on previous qualifications, they might also be referred to complete adult skills centre courses at Colchester Institute for a short, accredited qualification before learning new skills via the masterclass sessions delivered in person in Colchester or Clacton or online, through eLearning sessions and through practical learning in both simulated and live environments on work placement rotation.

What support will they receive?

Every participant needs to attend work placements to understand the workings of a thriving GP Surgery.

They will receive a Career Advice appointment with a Colchester Institute Career Advisor, where they will receive personalised career progression advice, application and general employment advice as well as CV writing support.

All participants will be supported by phone, face-to-face and online, including access group sessions ensuring participants are confident for final job interview. Interview practice will be delivered through interview panels, involving Colchester Institute, ESNEFT, GP Surgery representatives and peer reviews. Participants can also be supported with expenses such as travel, lunch, uniforms and childcare expenses*. There is a dedicated project management team available to support each candidate.

How does the course work?

The course will be divided into two elements and will last up to 12 weeks

Initial screening programme comprising of a career advice interview, inductions and recommendation to attend sessions at Colchester Institute if needed, employability courses and functional skills; masterclasses where participants can learn about the types of roles for which GP surgeries will be recruiting. Masterclasses will aim to demonstrate all available clinical and non-clinical roles.

The main work programme will include a 6-week rotational work placement (2 days per week) alongside taught workshops and eLearning modules.

What makes this programme unique?

• Training course leads to the potential of a rewarding job at the end after successful interview
• Easy entry to NHS General Practice which will provide an opportunity for career progression – potentially to become a trainee General Practice Assistant
• The course is completely free covering all related expenses: travel, lunch, uniform, DBS check, childcare and others*
• Free peer mentor support through the programme
• No skills or prior experience is needed

What are the benefits to my GP Surgery?

• An opportunity to fill your current and future vacancies with trained staff
• Improves staff retention and morale
• Supports succession planning
• Provides additional staff flexibility and cover
• Relieves GPs of Administration and other tasks
• Increases patient access and satisfaction and patient experience
• Access specific Health England funding for GP Assistants
• Contributes to achievement of surgery objectives

What do I need to do to join the scheme?*

• Participating PCNs will need to provide work placement opportunities to project participants including mentoring (up to 2 days per week per participant)
• To provide potential career pathways for GP Assistants
• To work proactively in partnership with the project team
• To provide feedback to assist continuous improvement

*This will be part of the GP Training Academy Charter signed by participating PCNs and the other project partners.

What do GP Surgeries need to do to participate?

Register your interest with Freda.bhatti@nhs.net