The Teams Qualifications

In order to run a safe and efficient practice we make sure that all the doctors and nurses, admin staff and receptionists have the right qualifications.  Everyone at Lockside is encouraged to go on training courses and be continually educated.  We value continual medical education so highly that we often have medical students and doctors in training attached to our practice.  In 2003 we were acreditted by the Royal College of General Practitioners as being a good example of educational practice and allowed to mentor doctors in their training to become GPs.  This is a list of our important qualifications.

Practice Manager and Assistant Pracitice Manager both have the AMSPAR Diploma in Practice Management (with Distinction)

Our two Secretaries between them have an RSA 1 and 2 Amspar Diploma in Medical Reception, an Amspar diploma in Medical Terminology, ECDL (competency exam in computing) and an NVQ level 2 in Customer Services

Our two RGN Practice nurses have numerous qualifications.  Irene has the RN Diploma in Nursing Studies, BA (hons) in Professional Nursing Studies and is a trainee nurse mentor.  Antonia,  is an RGN with OHND and a BSc (hons) in Community health.

Our Health Care Assistant has the NVQ level 3 Venous blood sampling qualifications and has undergone training in near patient testing, blood pressure monitoring and helping people to stop smoking and to lose weight.

The reception team. have a whole range of qualifications. Most have the ECDL (computer competence) qualification and the Diploma in Health Services Reception. Additional qualifications include AMSPAR Medical Terminology diploma, RSA Text processing, RSA Word Processing, NPA Pharmacy Retail Level 2 NVQ, NVQ Level 2 in Customer Service and NVQ Pharmacy Services level 3.

All the GPs are members of the Royal College of GPs. Formal qualifications are:

Richard Bircher      MA (Cantab), MB ChB, MRCGP (Clinical Commissioning Group Board member)

Joanna Bircher       MA (Cantab) MB ChB, MRCGP, DFSRH, DRCOG, PGCert(GP)Ed , CMI Level 7 Leadership Coaching and Mentoring (and GP Trainer and Tameside and Glossop GP Appraisal lead)

Thomas Jones         BSc (Hons), MB ChB, MRCGP, DRCOG (and GP Trainer)

Rachel Edwards       BSc (Hons), MB ChB, MRCGP, DFSRH, DRCOG (and GP Trainer)

Andy Knox              MB ChB, MRCGP    

We also hold between us, basic certificates in competency for minor surgery, coil and contraceptive implant insertion, smear taking, diabetes management, immunisations, accupuncture and Child Health Surveillance.  Dr Joanna Bircher holds a prestigious award, called the Fraser Rose medal, which she won by achieving the highest pass mark in our professional GP exams.