Debenham Group Practice

Dispenser

The closing date is 07 December 2025

Job summary

Hours: Up to full time (37.5 hours per week)

Base: Working across our three sites Debenham, Otley and Grundisburgh

Were looking for an experienced Dispenser to join our warm and supportive team.

Our dispensary team plays a key part in looking after our patients making sure their medicines are prepared safely, accurately and on time, while offering friendly advice and support along the way.

Youll be part of a close-knit, welcoming group of colleagues who work together across all three of our village surgeries. We help each other out and take pride in providing an excellent service to our patients and colleagues.

About you

Youll need to:

  • Hold an NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent)
  • Be organised, accurate and reliable
  • Enjoy working as part of a team and communicating with patients
  • Have a caring and professional approach, even on the busy days
  • Experience in a GP dispensary or community pharmacy would be great.

Why join us?

  • A genuinely friendly and supportive team
  • Opportunities for further training and development
  • Being part of Suffolk Primary Care, an at-scale group of practices sharing ideas and best practice
  • Beautiful rural locations and loyal patient communities

If youd like to be part of a team that looks out for one another and takes pride in patient care, wed love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

  • Dispensing and checking medication in line with legal and practice standards
  • Helping patients with prescription queries and collecting charges
  • Processing repeats and keeping accurate electronic records
  • Supporting stock control, ordering, and rotation
  • Maintaining a safe, tidy dispensary and following SOPs
  • Working closely with GPs, nurses, and reception teams

About us

Suffolk Primary Care (SPC) is a forward-thinking partnership of GP surgeries across Suffolk. Our collaborative approach enables doctors & staff to share resources, ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality healthcare. We are committed to equal employment opportunities and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.

Benefits of Working with SPC

NHS Pension Scheme:

  • Defined benefits scheme
  • Life insurance
  • Family benefits, including adult dependants & children's pensions
  • Ill health benefits
  • 23.7% employer contribution

Electric Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme:

  • Low monthly payments, no deposit, no credit check
  • Fully comprehensive insurance, servicing, tyres & breakdown cover
  • Up to £2,000 annual SPC contribution (subject to conditions)

Flexible Working Arrangements:

GP remote working options to accommodate personal commitments

Additional Benefits:

  • Eye care vouchers
  • Health service discounts, including a complimentary Blue Light card for new starters
  • Minimum 33 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays) for full-time employees, with enhancements for long service
  • Enhanced maternity & paternity terms
  • High street discounts via our online portal
  • Salary sacrifice schemes for technology, homewares (Currys, John Lewis, Decathlon), cycling, & gym memberships

At SPC, we invest in our staffs professional growth & well-being, fostering a positive work environment that benefits both our team and the communities we serve.

Details

Date posted

21 November 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£25,205 to £27,160 a year FTE

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

A0520-Deb211125

Job locations

20 Low Road

Debenham

Stowmarket

Suffolk

IP14 6QU


The Surgery

20 Charles Avenue

Grundisburgh

Woodbridge

Suffolk

IP13 6TH


Doctors Surgery

Chapel Road

Otley

Ipswich

IP6 9NT


Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities

Dispensing & Patient Services

Dispense and issue medications in accordance with legal requirements and SOPs.

Hand out prescriptions to patients, checking exemptions and collecting appropriate charges (NHS and private).

Provide dosette boxes and support patients with medication queries or concerns.

Liaise with GPs or review patient records where prescription appropriateness is in question.

Process repeat prescriptions in line with protocols.

Administrative Duties

Maintain accurate electronic records, including CD (Controlled Drugs) registers.

Sort, endorse, and submit prescriptions for reimbursement via NHS Prescription Services (NHSBSA).

Action prescription-related messages, tasks, and emails (e.g. AskmyGP or SystmOne notifications).

Support audits, including DSQS patient reviews and internal compliance checks.

Stock & Inventory Management

Order, receive, and check deliveries; process discrepancies and credit claims.

Rotate stock, remove expired medications, and ensure safe storage of drugs, including refrigerated items.

Carry out regular stock checks and maintain appropriate stock levels to avoid wastage.

Manage and safely dispose of pharmaceutical waste and returned medications, including controlled drugs.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

Ensure dispensing practices meet all legal and ethical standards.

Participate in the implementation and review of SOPs following legislative or procedural changes.

Action MHRA drug alerts and recalls appropriately.

Maintain cleanliness and safety of dispensary workspaces and equipment.

Team Support & Professional Development

Provide support and cover for team members during absences.

Attend and contribute to dispensary meetings.

Remain up to date with developments in dispensing practice, policies, and systems.

Assist in training or mentoring junior staff where appropriate.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities

Dispensing & Patient Services

Dispense and issue medications in accordance with legal requirements and SOPs.

Hand out prescriptions to patients, checking exemptions and collecting appropriate charges (NHS and private).

Provide dosette boxes and support patients with medication queries or concerns.

Liaise with GPs or review patient records where prescription appropriateness is in question.

Process repeat prescriptions in line with protocols.

Administrative Duties

Maintain accurate electronic records, including CD (Controlled Drugs) registers.

Sort, endorse, and submit prescriptions for reimbursement via NHS Prescription Services (NHSBSA).

Action prescription-related messages, tasks, and emails (e.g. AskmyGP or SystmOne notifications).

Support audits, including DSQS patient reviews and internal compliance checks.

Stock & Inventory Management

Order, receive, and check deliveries; process discrepancies and credit claims.

Rotate stock, remove expired medications, and ensure safe storage of drugs, including refrigerated items.

Carry out regular stock checks and maintain appropriate stock levels to avoid wastage.

Manage and safely dispose of pharmaceutical waste and returned medications, including controlled drugs.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

Ensure dispensing practices meet all legal and ethical standards.

Participate in the implementation and review of SOPs following legislative or procedural changes.

Action MHRA drug alerts and recalls appropriately.

Maintain cleanliness and safety of dispensary workspaces and equipment.

Team Support & Professional Development

Provide support and cover for team members during absences.

Attend and contribute to dispensary meetings.

Remain up to date with developments in dispensing practice, policies, and systems.

Assist in training or mentoring junior staff where appropriate.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience working in a dispensary or pharmacy environment

Desirable

  • Experience working in a GP practice or NHS primary care setting

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent recognised qualification)

Desirable

  • NVQ Level 3 or additional pharmacy/medicines training
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience working in a dispensary or pharmacy environment

Desirable

  • Experience working in a GP practice or NHS primary care setting

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent recognised qualification)

Desirable

  • NVQ Level 3 or additional pharmacy/medicines training

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

Debenham Group Practice

Address

20 Low Road

Debenham

Stowmarket

Suffolk

IP14 6QU


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Debenham Group Practice

Address

20 Low Road

Debenham

Stowmarket

Suffolk

IP14 6QU


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Dispensary Lead Pharmacy Technician

Michelle Reeves

michelle.reeves9@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

21 November 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£25,205 to £27,160 a year FTE

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

A0520-Deb211125

Job locations

20 Low Road

Debenham

Stowmarket

Suffolk

IP14 6QU


The Surgery

20 Charles Avenue

Grundisburgh

Woodbridge

Suffolk

IP13 6TH


Doctors Surgery

Chapel Road

Otley

Ipswich

IP6 9NT


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Debenham Group Practice's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)