Dispenser/Pharmacy Technician

Job description

Job responsibilities

DISPENSER - JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsible to thePractice Manager & GP Partner with responsibility for prescribing

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

To provide prompt, efficient and accurate dispensing of medication to the patients, and to assist the Partners in ensuring effective financial control of the dispensary.

SPECIFIC TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Acting as a point of contact the post holder will provide a polite courteous welcome to visitors and callers to the surgery.

Establish close working relationships with all members of the wider team, professional and administrative.

Understand the need for discretion and confidentiality at all times relating to patients and staff.

Assist in the training of other dispensers.

Process all relevant prescriptions as authorised by the practice doctors and prescribing nurses where appropriate in accordance with the principles of good practice as described in the Dispensing Doctor Association (DDA) dispensing guidelines.

Keep informed of the latest Standard Operating Procedures and ensure working practices reflect these procedures.

Ensure all medicines and appliances dispensed are checked against the prescription and whenever there is any doubt about the appropriateness of the item, dose or labelling instructions check with the authorising doctor or duty doctor.

Collect any prescription charges that may be due and ensure patient declaration on reverse of the FP10 is duly filled in and signed by the patient

Endorse all prescription forms as appropriate, collate and forward the forms in a secure manner to the Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA) for processing and reimbursement.

Promptly document / deal with dispensary related correspondence

Manage any remedial action relating to FP10 returns/feedback from the PPA, referring to the authorising doctor as necessary so that any appropriate remedial action may be taken.

Operate efficient stock control appropriate to the needs of the practice with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage through out of date stock.

Ensure drugs are stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the accompanying instructions.

Ensure shelves and all work surfaces are regularly cleaned to maintain a high level of hygiene within the dispensary.

Make sure all dispensary equipment is kept clean and kept in good working order.

Take prompt action in response to any drug alert bulletins that may be received.

Make certain that refrigerated items are stored at the appropriate temperature and maintain a temperature control record/logbook.

Attend meetings of dispensing staff for the purposes of liaison, updates and reviews, training and regular review of any error log.

Undertake any necessary work as may be required and appropriate to maintain a high standard and efficient dispensing service.

Maintain cost effective supplies of those drugs that are purchased centrally on behalf of the practice.

Focus efforts to the maximum benefit of the practice with respect to the policy decisions made from time to time by the practice.

FINANCIAL

Ensure profitability of the Dispensary is maintained by liaising with drug wholesalers to ensure that the surgery is signed up for all deals.

Consider medicines optimisation and liaise with Prescribing Support Pharmacist.

Make recommendations to Practice Manager / Partners for change of suppliers.

Undertake record keeping in relation to personally administered items.

Ensure any monies received or handled on behalf of the practice are appropriately stored (until banked) and a record kept of all financial transactions in the till.

DISPENSARY SERVICES QUALITY SCHEME

Be joint contact for this scheme with the Practice Manager

Ensure that Policies, Protocols and Standing Operating Procedures are kept up to date and are adhered to.

Work with the Practice Manager and Partners to identify suitable audit and actively take part in this.

Undertake Dispensing Review of Use of Medications with patients

OTHER

Maintain a high standard of confidentiality at all times.

Maintain a safe working environment in accordance with Health and Safety at work.

Actively participate in training and continuous professional development.

Actively participate in annual appraisal.

Accept delegated responsibility for specific administrative tasks and manage these effectively.

Report significant events / near misses per practice policy.

The above list of duties is not exhaustive and may be subject to change as deemed necessary.

Revised: December 2024

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• A minimum of 2 years working in a dispensary or pharmacy environment.
• Completion of a minimum of 1,000 hours work experience in a GP dispensary or community pharmacy within the last 5 years. Budgets and cash handling. Stock levels, usage tracking and re-ordering arrangements. Experience of dealing with the public/patients

Desirable

• Experience of using SystmOne (GP Clinical System)

Knowledge

Essential

• Able to understand dispensary stock management and ordering systems.
• Knowledge of wholesalers ordering systems.

Desirable

• Understanding of GP dispensary systems.

Other

Essential

• Flexibility of working hours/ able to work at the desired times

Desirable

• Experience of Primary Care

Qualifications

Essential

• English and Maths to GCSE Level or equivalent
• Level 2 S/NVQ Pharmacy Services or equivalent

Qualities

Essential

• An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality.
• Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense.
• Ability to work as part of an integrated multi-skilled team.
• Ability to self-motivate, organise and prioritise own workload.
• Able to work in a changing environment.

Skills

Essential

• Excellent IT skills (including use of internet, email & Microsoft Office software).
• Customer facing skills
• Excellent communication skills (including spoken and written English)

Desirable

• Competence in providing medicines optimisation support

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

Stow Surgery

Address

Maugersbury Road

Stow on the Wold

Gloucestershire

GL54 1EQ

Employer's website

https://www.stowsurgery.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)