Practice Dispenser

Job description

Job responsibilities

Reports to: Dispensary Manager.

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.

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

Provide quick, efficient and accurate dispensing of medication to the patients and to assist in ensuring effective financial control of the dispensary.

Process all relevant prescriptions as authorised by GPs and prescribing nurses in accordance with the principles of good practice.

Duties and responsibilities:

Issuing stock items and prepared prescriptions.

Dispensing acute, repeat and private prescriptions.

Preparing and checking blister packs.

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

Collecting all due prescription charges and ensure that the patient declaration on the reverse of the FP10 is duly filled in and signed by the patient.

Ensuring that all monies received or handled on behalf of the practice are appropriately stored and banked, and a record kept of all financial transactions.

Endorsing all prescription forms as appropriate, collate and forward the forms in a secure manner to the NHS Prescription Services for processing and reimbursement. The forms should be bundled in accordance with current PS guidelines and include any necessary accompanying paperwork such as the FP34D and invoices as required by the PS.

Maintaining full and accurate records of all dispensing transactions.

Operating 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needs of the practice, with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage through out of date stock.

Checking goods on receipt and returning incorrect orders to the wholesalers.

Ensuring that drugs are received and stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the accompanying instructions.

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

Ensuring that shelves and all work surfaces are regularly cleaned to maintain a high level of hygiene within the dispensary and that all dispensary equipment is kept clean and is in good working order.

Taking prompt action in response to any drug alert bulletins that may be received from time to time.

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

Maintaining full and accurate records of all dispensing transactions, incorporating the use of computers when available and appropriate.

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

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

Health & safety:

Ensuring statutory requirements are met including documentation, training and risk assessments.

Providing assistance with the management of the Practice Health and Safety commitments

Ensure full compliance of Health and Safety within the Dispensary and the Team.

Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines.

Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks

Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills

Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards

Reporting potential risks identified.

Understanding of COSHH

Equality and diversity:

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:

Acting in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation

Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues

Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.

Personal/Professional development:

The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment, such training to include:

Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development

Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work

Quality:

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice, and will:

Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk

Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision

Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance

Work effectively with individuals in other teams within the practice and also with other external agencies to meet patients needs

Effectively manage own time, workload and resources

Communication:

The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:

Communicate effectively with other team members

Communicate effectively with patients and carers

Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE grade A to C in English or Maths
• Min 3 GCSE passes grade A-C
• Qualified to NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent)

Desirable

• GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths
• Qualified to NVQ level 3 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent)

Experience

Essential

• Dispensing
• Dealing with the public/patients
• Cash handling
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent keyboard and computers skills, including Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense
• Ability to work without direct supervision and determine own workload priorities
• Ability to work as part of an integrated multi-skilled team
• Pleasant and articulate
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to work in a changing environment
• Ability to communicate with people at all levels
• Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense
• Ability to cover for colleagues holidays, study and sick leave
• Ability to work without direct supervision and determine own workload priorities

Desirable

• Experience of dispensing in general practice
• Knowledge of Systm1

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

Thirsk Doctors Surgery

Address

Thirsk Doctors Surgery

Chapel Street

Thirsk

North Yorkshire

YO7 1LG

Employer's website

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