Ampleforth & Hovingham Surgeries

Dispensary Assistant - Rural GP Practice

The closing date is 01 March 2026

Job summary

Part-time 22.5 hours per week (Wednesday to Friday)

Due to retirement, we are seeking a highly motivated and reliable Dispensing Assistant to join our friendly and busy GP dispensing practice in the village of Ampleforth.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong interpersonal skills who can work accurately and efficiently in a time-pressured environment. The successful candidate will be able to use their own judgement, demonstrate flexibility, and ensure the safe and precise dispensing of medication.

Hours of Work

  • 22.5 hours per week
  • Wednesday to Friday
  • The rota will include Friday finish at 6.00pm
  • Flexibility to work additional hours is essential to provide cover for holidays and sickness

Terms & Benefits

  • Permanent position (subject to successful completion of a 6-month probationary period)
  • Eligible for the NHS Pension Scheme
  • Minimum of 5 weeks annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)

An NVQ Level 2 in Dispensing (or equivalent pharmacy qualification) is desirable. However, full training will be provided for the right candidate. Please note that non-qualified staff will be required to achieve the appropriate qualification within one year via online training (funded by the practice).

We welcome informal visits. If you would like to arrange one, please contact Sue Gill on 01439 788215.

Main duties of the job

Assist in the preparation, dispensing of prescriptions and assist with stock control, ordering and re-stocking of the dispensary.

Duties and responsibilities:

Issuing stock items and preparing prescriptions, in a timely manner

Ensure workload is processed promptly to avoid unmanageable levels of work building up

Collection of prescription charges/checking patient exemption statements

Operation of efficient stock control appropriate to the needs of the dispensary with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage

Ensuring that drugs are received and stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the manufacturers instructions and drug classification

Ensuring that refrigerated items are stored at the appropriate temperature and maintaining the temperature control record/logbook

Cleaning work surfaces and shelving on a regular basis and ensuring that that all dispensary equipment is kept clean and kept in good working order

Taking prescription orders in person, telephone and via electronic sources

Liaising with hospital and other healthcare providers as necessary

Maintaining full and accurate records of all dispensing transactions

Undertaking other reasonable duties within the framework of the post as directed by the supervising dispenser.

About us

We are a small, close-knit dispensing practice based in the picturesque village of Ampleforth. Our dispensary is purpose-built and located within our main surgery, allowing us to deliver safe, efficient, and patient-centred care under one roof.

Our mission is simple: to provide the highest standard of healthcare to our patients. We achieve this through a strong multidisciplinary approach, bringing together GPs, Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Mental Health Nurses, and a dedicated non-clinical team. By working collaboratively, we ensure an efficient service and the best possible outcomes for those in our care.

We support over 4,000 patients across a wide rural area and are proud members of the North Riding Primary Care Network, working alongside four local GP practices.

We value our team and offer:

  • A minimum of 5 weeks annual leave plus bank holidays
  • Automatic enrolment into the generous NHS Pension Scheme
  • A supportive, friendly, and enthusiastic working environment

If you are passionate about making a meaningful difference to patients and would like to be part of a welcoming and committed team, we would love to hear from you.

Details

Date posted

13 February 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience from £12.81 per hour, non qualified

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

A0197-26-0000

Job locations

Back Lane

Ampleforth

York

YO62 4EF


Job description

Job responsibilities

Job summary:

The post-holder will project a positive and friendly image to dispensary patients and other visitors and deal with queries in a professional, courteous and efficient way. The post holder will either be training towards or hold a NVQ level 2 Dispensing Assistant or equivalent.

Assist in the preparation, dispensing of prescriptions and assist with stock control, ordering and re-stocking of the dispensary.

Your main base will be at our Ampleforth Surgery. Holiday & sickness cover also required.

Duties and responsibilities:

Issuing stock items and preparing prescriptions, in a timely manner

Ensure workload is processed promptly to avoid unmanageable levels of work building up

Collection of prescription charges/checking patient exemption statements

Cash handling occasionally

Operation of efficient stock control appropriate to the needs of the dispensary with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage

Ensuring that drugs are received and stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the manufacturers instructions and drug classification

Ensuring that refrigerated items are stored at the appropriate temperature and maintaining the temperature control record/logbook

Cleaning work surfaces and shelving on a regular basis and ensuring that that all dispensary equipment is kept clean and kept in good working order

Taking prescription orders in person, telephone and via electronic sources

Liaising with hospital and other healthcare providers as necessary

Maintaining full and accurate records of all dispensing transactions

Undertaking other reasonable duties within the framework of the post as directed by the supervising dispenser.

Administration

To have a thorough knowledge of all Practice procedures relating to dispensing duties.

To work in accordance of written protocols

photocopy as requested

email documents as requested

Patient Facing Duties

Speaking to patients and consulting with members of Practice team

Handing completed repeat prescriptions to patients using the appropriate checks

Answering patient questions and queries in a friendly and professional manner

Have working knowledge of telephone system, handling patient telephone requests & any other enquiries

Confidentiality

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately

In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, Practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the Practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential

Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the Practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the Practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job summary:

The post-holder will project a positive and friendly image to dispensary patients and other visitors and deal with queries in a professional, courteous and efficient way. The post holder will either be training towards or hold a NVQ level 2 Dispensing Assistant or equivalent.

Assist in the preparation, dispensing of prescriptions and assist with stock control, ordering and re-stocking of the dispensary.

Your main base will be at our Ampleforth Surgery. Holiday & sickness cover also required.

Duties and responsibilities:

Issuing stock items and preparing prescriptions, in a timely manner

Ensure workload is processed promptly to avoid unmanageable levels of work building up

Collection of prescription charges/checking patient exemption statements

Cash handling occasionally

Operation of efficient stock control appropriate to the needs of the dispensary with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage

Ensuring that drugs are received and stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the manufacturers instructions and drug classification

Ensuring that refrigerated items are stored at the appropriate temperature and maintaining the temperature control record/logbook

Cleaning work surfaces and shelving on a regular basis and ensuring that that all dispensary equipment is kept clean and kept in good working order

Taking prescription orders in person, telephone and via electronic sources

Liaising with hospital and other healthcare providers as necessary

Maintaining full and accurate records of all dispensing transactions

Undertaking other reasonable duties within the framework of the post as directed by the supervising dispenser.

Administration

To have a thorough knowledge of all Practice procedures relating to dispensing duties.

To work in accordance of written protocols

photocopy as requested

email documents as requested

Patient Facing Duties

Speaking to patients and consulting with members of Practice team

Handing completed repeat prescriptions to patients using the appropriate checks

Answering patient questions and queries in a friendly and professional manner

Have working knowledge of telephone system, handling patient telephone requests & any other enquiries

Confidentiality

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately

In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, Practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the Practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential

Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the Practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the Practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of stock ordering, stock levels, usage tracking.
  • Experience of web based ordering
  • Experience of dealing with the public/ patients both face to face & telephone contact

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a post requiring similar skills
  • Experience of SystmOne clinical system within a GP Practice
  • Understanding of patient confidentiality

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE level C or above in English & Maths or equivalent
  • Willingness to learn and demonstrable commitment to professional development

Desirable

  • NVQ level 2 Dispensing Assistant
  • Recognised pharmacy assistant qualification
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of stock ordering, stock levels, usage tracking.
  • Experience of web based ordering
  • Experience of dealing with the public/ patients both face to face & telephone contact

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a post requiring similar skills
  • Experience of SystmOne clinical system within a GP Practice
  • Understanding of patient confidentiality

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE level C or above in English & Maths or equivalent
  • Willingness to learn and demonstrable commitment to professional development

Desirable

  • NVQ level 2 Dispensing Assistant
  • Recognised pharmacy assistant qualification

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Ampleforth & Hovingham Surgeries

Address

Back Lane

Ampleforth

York

YO62 4EF


Employer's website

https://www.ampleforthandhovinghamsurgeries.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Ampleforth & Hovingham Surgeries

Address

Back Lane

Ampleforth

York

YO62 4EF


Employer's website

https://www.ampleforthandhovinghamsurgeries.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Practice Manager

Penny Coldbeck

penny.coldbeck@nhs.net

01439788215

Details

Date posted

13 February 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience from £12.81 per hour, non qualified

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

A0197-26-0000

Job locations

Back Lane

Ampleforth

York

YO62 4EF


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