Job responsibilities
MAIN PURPOSE
To dispense medications as directed by GPs and prescribing nurses, ensuring accuracy in labelling of drug name, strength, quantity and direction for use
To produce FP10 repeat medication prescriptions as directed by GPs and prescribing nurses.
To keep accurate patient records and be responsible for overseeing all administration within the dispensary
To adhere to the strictest confidentiality when handling medical records and other information pertaining to patients and staff
To produce, order and makeup dressings requests from District Nurses, residential and nursing homes.
To work in line with surgery SOPs.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Duties may vary under the direction of the Dispensary Manager depending on workload and staffing levels and may include the following:
- Ensuring that all dispensed medications are correct and include all relevant information for the patient; any uncertainty as to the item, dose or labelling to be checked with authorising GP or dispensing nurse
- Collecting prescription charges and ensuring all relevant paperwork, including the declaration on the reverse of the FP10, is signed by the patient
- Recording and banking all financial transactions within the dispensary
- Dispensing dosette boxes to patients
- Adhering to practice policies for controlled drugs, providing a second check on all medication as issued
- Maintaining stock levels within the dispensary and reordering when necessary
- Checking expiry dates on medications and ensuring proper storage conditions are observed
- Accepting deliveries of medication and forwarding invoices to the Dispensary Manager
- Maintaining up-to-date marketplace knowledge by checking prices with suppliers
- Endorsing all prescription forms as appropriate, collating and submitting forms to the PPA to process reimbursement along with any accompanying forms such as the FP34D
- Promptly notifying the authorising GP of returns or feedback from PPA should action need to be taken
- Effectively controlling stock levels, ensuring sufficient stock for all Practice needs while minimising wastage
- Creating a log-book for all refrigerated items and ensuring these are stored at their appropriate temperature
- Taking informed and appropriate action should any drug alert bulletins be received
- Ensuring thorough familiarity with the clinical computer system to ensure all relevant patient information is recorded and resolving any problems that arise
- Safely disposing of returned, incorrect or out-of-date medications
- Reordering stationery and other non-medical supplies when necessary
- Issuing repeat prescriptions to patients according to agreed time-scale and directions of authorising GP or dispensing nurse
- Aiding patients with the completion of exemption criteria on the reverse of the prescription form if necessary
- Advising patients about pre-payment of prescriptions, providing information regarding eligibility for exemption and how to apply for exemption certificates
- Ordering controlled drugs, appliances from designated companies, ordering dressings and appliances in line with the practice formulary for District Nurses, nursing homes and residential homes.
- Action tasks returned from GP's to include ringing patients or sending letters as needed
- Assisting with audits when necessary
- Communicating effectively using email, telephone, fax and face-to-face regarding all enquiries from patients, pharmacies, hospitals, hospices and suppliers.
- Liaising with members of clinical staff regarding the medication of individual patients
- Attending regular meetings with other members of the dispensing team in order for patient information to be exchanged
- Maintaining a clean and safe working environment
Maintain a safe working environment free from hazards, maintaining familiarity with COSHH regulations
Being pro-active in suggesting and developing new initiates to improve the dispensary
Prioritising tasks and working under own initiative
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Health and safety considerations must be adhered to as follows:
- Maintaining a thorough understanding of health and safety protocol for oneself and others
- Using security systems within the Practice as instructed
- Identifying potential risks within the Practice environment and undertaking to minimise such risks
- Maintaining up-to-date knowledge and training of health and safety guidelines
- Understanding and utilising appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining hygiene in work areas and keeping the premises free from hazards
- Immediate reporting of potential risks as identified
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
The post-holder will implement and lead on a full range of promotion and management their own and others health and safety and infection control as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policy, the practice Health & Safety Manual, and the practice Infection Control policy and published procedures.
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
- Effectively manage own time, workload and resources
Communication:
The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team
Contribution to the implementation of services:
- Apply practice policies, standards and guidance
- Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work
- Participate in audit where appropriate
