Including a primary care/medical centre assistant in your practice team

This programme is open to any Pinnacle practice across the network.

Pinnacle is excited to be supporting the uptake of this online course and the valuable contribution the PCA/MCA role is making as part of the extended general practice team, in the care of their patients and whānau.

The purpose of this NZQA approved qualification is to provide primary health care services, with people who are equipped with the skills and knowledge to provide administrative and clinical support across a primary care practice, under direction and delegation of the regulated health professional.

This qualification is targeted at people who wish to develop a career supporting the patients, family and whānau, and the healthcare team in a primary care practice and community. This qualification is not associated with a clinical scope of practice.

The 120-credit Primary Healthcare Practice Assistance (PCPA) programme is comprised of eight 15 credit modules and includes 400 hours of mentored work placement.

The programme is primarily delivered online with a two-day face-to-face introduction workshop. The workshop will provide students with the opportunity to meet other students and academic staff, give an overview of the programme requirements, and ensure students are engaged with the online delivery platform.

The 400 hours of workplace practice and experience enables the development and application of skills and knowledge in the practice context. This means knowledge and skills are being learnt within the workplace alongside relevant regulatory requirements and professional behaviours. 

How to apply

For entry criteria, further information about the programme and online applications, visit the Wintec website.

The PCA is an unregulated health worker role that has been developed as part of the extended general practice team in response to changing health workforce needs and as a key enabler to support the implementation of the core components of the Health Care Home model of care.

The role aims to benefit patients by supporting people, families/whānau, and the healthcare team in a primary care setting.

The valued role provides administrative and clinical support to the general practice team, freeing up clinician time to allow more quality time to interact with patients.

Tasks include:

• ordering supplies
• the decontamination and sterilisation of equipment
• undertaking basic patient
  observations
• preparing for and assisting clinicians with minor surgery.

The continuing role development is important, particularly in its partnership with nursing, to allow nurses to work to top of scope, one of the key goals in Pinnacle’s nursing strategy.

PCAs work under the direction and delegation of regulated health professional.

For any enquiries about the role, and its partnership with nursing to enable nurses to work to top of scope. please contact the nurse leads (email below).