The Blackdown Practice

Dispenser or Trainee Dispenser

The closing date is 12 October 2025

Job summary

Do you want to be part of the delivery of healthcare services across the Blackdown Hills? We have opportunities across our dispensary and reception teams in Hemyock, Churchinford and Dunkeswell.

We are looking for a trained or trainee dispenser.

Good customer service skills are essential, you need to care about the patients and service we provide to them, support the team to achieve their objectives, have a good attention to detail and take pride in the delivery of a friendly, safe and responsive dispensing service.

The initial hourly rate for trainee dispensers is £12.25 an hour. For a qualified dispenser, the hourly rate will be dependent on experience.

As a member of the team, you have access to the NHS pension scheme for which the employer contributions are 23.7%* and the Blue Light card, offering a wide range of exclusive discounts to public sector workers. A full-time post would have 35 days holiday, including bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time employees).

* This effectively increases a £12.25 hourly rate to £15.15 per hour overall.

Applications are by CV, please ensure your application considers the job description and person specification for the role you are applying for.

Main duties of the job

As a qualified dispenser you would be responsible for the processing of prescriptions in accordance with practice policy and extant legislation. A 12-18 month training programme is available for unqualified staff.

In addition, the post holder will be required to support the dispensary manager in ensuring a high-level of service is always delivered and will also be part of the multi-disciplinary team efforts to meet the objectives of the practice.

About us

The organisational purpose of the Blackdown Practice is to provide high quality clinical and dispensing services to the practice population.

We aim to deliver a service that staff would wish for a family member and that staff and patients would recommend to others.

We need to meet the regulatory requirements within budget and ensure that the practice remains robust financially so partners will invest, and the practice remains viable.

We want those working in the practice to enjoy their roles and maintain the correct balance of caring for patients, caring for each other and caring for themselves.

Details

Date posted

22 September 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

A3608-25-0001

Job locations

The Blackdown Practice

Station Road

Hemyock

Cullompton

Devon

EX15 3SF


The Blackdown Practice

Culme Way

Dunkeswell

Honiton

Devon

EX14 4JP


The Blackdown Practice

Fairfield Green

Churchinford

Taunton

Somerset

TA3 7RR


Job description

Job responsibilities

Over a period of 12-18 months an unqualified dispenser would receive training in order to become competent in the key responsibilities of a qualified dispenser. The key responsibilities of a qualified dispenser are to:

  • Understand and follow the standard operating procedures for dispensary processes which ensure working practices comply with the relevant elements of the Medicines Act and Misuse of Drugs Act in relation to receiving, storing, processing, transferring and disposing of stock, prescriptions, dispensed items and patient returns.
  • Process prescription requests via email, phone, face-to-face and online.
  • Answer incoming phone calls, transferring calls or dealing with the callers request appropriately.
  • Fulfil a prescription with reasonable promptness, limit owings and therefore return trips by the patients but also managing the overall stock levels within the dispensary, to minimise wastage and expenditure.
  • Accurately dispense and check all prescription items for dispensing patients (in monitored dosage system where appropriate).
  • Endorse prescriptions appropriately so the dispensing fees, reimbursement of drugs and other fees are claimed, reimbursed and renumerated correctly.
  • Hand out dispensed medicines accurately and ensure patient knows how to order their prescription items the following month.
  • Collect prescription charges accurately and ensure that the exemptions are signed for appropriately, processing payments accurately through the card machine and tills and follow cashing up and end of day financial processes.
  • Correctly manage e-mails and tasks received and send appropriate e-mails and tasks.
  • Support the completion of Dispensary Review of Use of Medicines (DRUMs), and the achievement of the Dispensary Services Quality Scheme (DSQS).
  • Record near misses and significant events according to the practice process.
  • Ensure the safe ordering receipt and custody of NHS prescriptions, whether blank, printed or signed.
  • Maintain a tidy, clean and safe working environment at all times.
  • Attend team meetings.

In addition to this, dispensers when working at the branch surgeries are expected to be able to support the receptionist on duty and:

  • Process personal, telephone and e-requests for appointments and either book an appropriate appointment or signpost patients to the correct service.
  • Process initial registration requirements for patients new to the Practice or who are temporarily registering that includes the correct registration requirements for dispensing doctors.
  • Understand the basics of providing access to medical records and process initial requests for on-line access.
  • Input data into patients healthcare records as necessary.
  • At the end of each session ensure that the building is secure with all windows locked and to ensure that the security alarm is set

Job description

Job responsibilities

Over a period of 12-18 months an unqualified dispenser would receive training in order to become competent in the key responsibilities of a qualified dispenser. The key responsibilities of a qualified dispenser are to:

  • Understand and follow the standard operating procedures for dispensary processes which ensure working practices comply with the relevant elements of the Medicines Act and Misuse of Drugs Act in relation to receiving, storing, processing, transferring and disposing of stock, prescriptions, dispensed items and patient returns.
  • Process prescription requests via email, phone, face-to-face and online.
  • Answer incoming phone calls, transferring calls or dealing with the callers request appropriately.
  • Fulfil a prescription with reasonable promptness, limit owings and therefore return trips by the patients but also managing the overall stock levels within the dispensary, to minimise wastage and expenditure.
  • Accurately dispense and check all prescription items for dispensing patients (in monitored dosage system where appropriate).
  • Endorse prescriptions appropriately so the dispensing fees, reimbursement of drugs and other fees are claimed, reimbursed and renumerated correctly.
  • Hand out dispensed medicines accurately and ensure patient knows how to order their prescription items the following month.
  • Collect prescription charges accurately and ensure that the exemptions are signed for appropriately, processing payments accurately through the card machine and tills and follow cashing up and end of day financial processes.
  • Correctly manage e-mails and tasks received and send appropriate e-mails and tasks.
  • Support the completion of Dispensary Review of Use of Medicines (DRUMs), and the achievement of the Dispensary Services Quality Scheme (DSQS).
  • Record near misses and significant events according to the practice process.
  • Ensure the safe ordering receipt and custody of NHS prescriptions, whether blank, printed or signed.
  • Maintain a tidy, clean and safe working environment at all times.
  • Attend team meetings.

In addition to this, dispensers when working at the branch surgeries are expected to be able to support the receptionist on duty and:

  • Process personal, telephone and e-requests for appointments and either book an appropriate appointment or signpost patients to the correct service.
  • Process initial registration requirements for patients new to the Practice or who are temporarily registering that includes the correct registration requirements for dispensing doctors.
  • Understand the basics of providing access to medical records and process initial requests for on-line access.
  • Input data into patients healthcare records as necessary.
  • At the end of each session ensure that the building is secure with all windows locked and to ensure that the security alarm is set

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
  • Strong IT skills, competent in the use of Office and Outlook
  • Clear, polite telephone manner
  • Ability to promote best practice regarding all pharmaceutical matters
  • Effective time management (planning and organising)
  • Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Problem solving and analytical skills
  • Ability to follow policy and procedure
  • Ability to effectively manage stock, including ordering, rotation, disposal etc.
  • Ability to work accurately with a high level of attention to detail

Qualifications

Essential

  • Qualified dispenser
  • Qualified Dispenser (NVQ level 2 or equivalent)
  • GSCE (or equivalent) English and Math at Grade C (4) or above
  • Trainee dispenser
  • Prepared to train to be a qualified dispenser (NVQ level 2 or equivalent)
  • GSCE (or equivalent) English and Math at Grade C (4) or above

Experience

Essential

  • Qualified Dispenser
  • Experience of working in a dispensary (pharmacy or dispensing doctors)
  • Experience of working with the general public or patients
  • Trainee Dispenser
  • Experience of working with the general public or patients

Desirable

  • Broad knowledge of general practice
  • Good clinical system IT knowledge of EMIS, SystmOne or Vision

Other Requirements

Essential

  • Flexibility to work across the site teams
  • Flexibility to work outside of core office hours if necessary
  • Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
  • Evidence of continuing professional development

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Motivated to deliver and efficient and safe dispensing service
  • Believes excellent customer service skills are important for a business to thrive
  • Understands the importance of managing costs and minimising waste to protect the delivery of the health service
  • Appreciates the value of good teamwork
  • Polite and confident
  • Flexible and cooperative
  • Forward thinker
  • High levels of integrity and loyalty
  • Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
  • Ability to work under pressure
Person Specification

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
  • Strong IT skills, competent in the use of Office and Outlook
  • Clear, polite telephone manner
  • Ability to promote best practice regarding all pharmaceutical matters
  • Effective time management (planning and organising)
  • Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Problem solving and analytical skills
  • Ability to follow policy and procedure
  • Ability to effectively manage stock, including ordering, rotation, disposal etc.
  • Ability to work accurately with a high level of attention to detail

Qualifications

Essential

  • Qualified dispenser
  • Qualified Dispenser (NVQ level 2 or equivalent)
  • GSCE (or equivalent) English and Math at Grade C (4) or above
  • Trainee dispenser
  • Prepared to train to be a qualified dispenser (NVQ level 2 or equivalent)
  • GSCE (or equivalent) English and Math at Grade C (4) or above

Experience

Essential

  • Qualified Dispenser
  • Experience of working in a dispensary (pharmacy or dispensing doctors)
  • Experience of working with the general public or patients
  • Trainee Dispenser
  • Experience of working with the general public or patients

Desirable

  • Broad knowledge of general practice
  • Good clinical system IT knowledge of EMIS, SystmOne or Vision

Other Requirements

Essential

  • Flexibility to work across the site teams
  • Flexibility to work outside of core office hours if necessary
  • Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
  • Evidence of continuing professional development

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Motivated to deliver and efficient and safe dispensing service
  • Believes excellent customer service skills are important for a business to thrive
  • Understands the importance of managing costs and minimising waste to protect the delivery of the health service
  • Appreciates the value of good teamwork
  • Polite and confident
  • Flexible and cooperative
  • Forward thinker
  • High levels of integrity and loyalty
  • Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
  • Ability to work under pressure

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

The Blackdown Practice

Address

The Blackdown Practice

Station Road

Hemyock

Cullompton

Devon

EX15 3SF


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

The Blackdown Practice

Address

The Blackdown Practice

Station Road

Hemyock

Cullompton

Devon

EX15 3SF


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Practice Manager

Karen Button

d-icb.blackdownmanager@nhs.net

01823680206

Details

Date posted

22 September 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

A3608-25-0001

Job locations

The Blackdown Practice

Station Road

Hemyock

Cullompton

Devon

EX15 3SF


The Blackdown Practice

Culme Way

Dunkeswell

Honiton

Devon

EX14 4JP


The Blackdown Practice

Fairfield Green

Churchinford

Taunton

Somerset

TA3 7RR


Supporting documents

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