Pontesbury & Worthen Medical Practice

Dispenser (Trainee)/ Dispensary Assistant

The closing date is 05 May 2026

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for a new role within an established dispensary team. The vacancy is open to an experienced dispenser qualified to NVQ level 2 Pharmacy Services or to a non experienced person who would be willing to study for the NVQ level 2 Pharmacy Services.

We are a five-doctor GP partnership, based in rural Shropshire, just south of Shrewsbury.

With a long mining history, Pontesbury is one of the largest villages in Shropshire and can boast a wide range of local services including independent local shops selling local produce.

Our branch site is situated just six miles away in Worthen, a small village approximately 13 miles west of Shrewsbury.

The successful candidate must be able to work well within a team, have strong customer service skills, excellent verbal communication skills

A can do positive attitude is a must.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job

Job Summary

  • To accurately and efficiently process all relevant prescriptions as authorised by GPs and prescribing nurses where appropriate in accordance with the principles of good practice under full supervision..
  • Job responsibilities include dispensing, managing prescriptions, dealing with prescription requests, dealing with patients in person and on the telephone, stock control, and other duties the practice deems necessary in running an effective dispensary.

About us

Our dual site dispensing practice with just over 10,300 patients has a positive, pleasant and friendly working atmosphere and the partners and staff strive to keep it so. The team work well together with the sole aim to provide high quality patient care to our population and we are at a point in our development where we require additional dispensary support to enable us to continue this service.

Details

Date posted

08 April 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

A4510-26-0004

Job locations

Hall Bank

Pontesbury

Shrewsbury

Shropshire

SY5 0RF


Job description

Job responsibilities

Job responsibilities

Job Responsibilities:

Dispensing- Working under supervision if not qualified to NVQ level 2 Pharmacy Services

Dispensing acute prescriptions

Not to dispense medicines to unauthorised persons, without the doctors consent

Dispensing repeat prescription requests received by medicines management, Patient Access and those delivered to the surgery

Updating patients repeat screens on Doctors instructions

Dispensing private prescriptions

Dispensing black listed prescriptions, pricing and recording them

Ensuring the Dispensary area remains clean and tidy

Maintaining complete and accurate records for controlled drugs

Prescriptions

Handing out prescriptions and collecting charges when appropriate

Taking prescription repeats

Collecting private charges for black listed medications, vaccines and holiday prophylactic medication

Sorting, stamping and endorsing prescriptions

Completing backs of prescriptions

Generating prescriptions

Dealing with patient medication requests and queries in person and over the Telephone

Stock Control

Ordering appropriate quantities of goods via the wholesalers computer link

Checking goods as and when they are delivered and recording generic details

Returning incorrect goods to the wholesalers

Stocking shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas using rotation method

To ensure that drugs are stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the accompanying instructions.

Removing out of date stock from the shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas

Disposal of returned unused medicines

Other

To answer telephone calls & passing on messages as appropriate

Dealing with problems & enquiries

Inputting information onto computer

To work flexibly within the team & to provide cover as necessary

To collect 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

To promptly forward all invoices and dispensary related correspondence to the Practice Manager to practice policy.

To ensure 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 kept in good working order.

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

To maintain 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.

When required to transport medication and supplies to our branch site

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 assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policy, to include:

The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policy, to include:

  • 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.

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

  • 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 agencies to meet patients needs
  • Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.

Communication:

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

  • Communicate effectively with other team members
  • Communicate effectively with patients and carers
  • Recognize peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.

Contribution to the Implementation of Services:

The post-holder will:

  • 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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job responsibilities

Job Responsibilities:

Dispensing- Working under supervision if not qualified to NVQ level 2 Pharmacy Services

Dispensing acute prescriptions

Not to dispense medicines to unauthorised persons, without the doctors consent

Dispensing repeat prescription requests received by medicines management, Patient Access and those delivered to the surgery

Updating patients repeat screens on Doctors instructions

Dispensing private prescriptions

Dispensing black listed prescriptions, pricing and recording them

Ensuring the Dispensary area remains clean and tidy

Maintaining complete and accurate records for controlled drugs

Prescriptions

Handing out prescriptions and collecting charges when appropriate

Taking prescription repeats

Collecting private charges for black listed medications, vaccines and holiday prophylactic medication

Sorting, stamping and endorsing prescriptions

Completing backs of prescriptions

Generating prescriptions

Dealing with patient medication requests and queries in person and over the Telephone

Stock Control

Ordering appropriate quantities of goods via the wholesalers computer link

Checking goods as and when they are delivered and recording generic details

Returning incorrect goods to the wholesalers

Stocking shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas using rotation method

To ensure that drugs are stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the accompanying instructions.

Removing out of date stock from the shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas

Disposal of returned unused medicines

Other

To answer telephone calls & passing on messages as appropriate

Dealing with problems & enquiries

Inputting information onto computer

To work flexibly within the team & to provide cover as necessary

To collect 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

To promptly forward all invoices and dispensary related correspondence to the Practice Manager to practice policy.

To ensure 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 kept in good working order.

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

To maintain 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.

When required to transport medication and supplies to our branch site

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 assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policy, to include:

The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policy, to include:

  • 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.

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

  • 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 agencies to meet patients needs
  • Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.

Communication:

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

  • Communicate effectively with other team members
  • Communicate effectively with patients and carers
  • Recognize peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.

Contribution to the Implementation of Services:

The post-holder will:

  • 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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths

Desirable

  • Level 2 S/NVQ Pharmacy Services / Qualification in Dispensing or be willing to study to achieve the award

Knowledge/ Skills and Attributes

Essential

  • Essential
  • Advanced numeracy skills
  • Excellent keyboard and computer skills
  • Excellent communication (oral and written) and inter personal skills
  • Good time management
  • Problem solving
  • Able to manage change
  • An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality
  • Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense
  • Able to work under pressure
  • Ability to self-motivate, organise and prioritise own workload
  • Able to work in a changing environment

Experience

Essential

  • Have good attention to detail
  • Experience of working in a customer service led role
  • Good IT Skills

Desirable

  • Experience of EMIS Web clinical system
  • Experience of Microsoft Office software
  • Experience of working in a Dispensing GP practice
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths

Desirable

  • Level 2 S/NVQ Pharmacy Services / Qualification in Dispensing or be willing to study to achieve the award

Knowledge/ Skills and Attributes

Essential

  • Essential
  • Advanced numeracy skills
  • Excellent keyboard and computer skills
  • Excellent communication (oral and written) and inter personal skills
  • Good time management
  • Problem solving
  • Able to manage change
  • An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality
  • Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense
  • Able to work under pressure
  • Ability to self-motivate, organise and prioritise own workload
  • Able to work in a changing environment

Experience

Essential

  • Have good attention to detail
  • Experience of working in a customer service led role
  • Good IT Skills

Desirable

  • Experience of EMIS Web clinical system
  • Experience of Microsoft Office software
  • Experience of working in a Dispensing GP practice

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

Pontesbury & Worthen Medical Practice

Address

Hall Bank

Pontesbury

Shrewsbury

Shropshire

SY5 0RF


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Pontesbury & Worthen Medical Practice

Address

Hall Bank

Pontesbury

Shrewsbury

Shropshire

SY5 0RF


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Dispensary Manager

Lisa Clarke

lisa.clarke14@nhs.net

01743790325

Details

Date posted

08 April 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

A4510-26-0004

Job locations

Hall Bank

Pontesbury

Shrewsbury

Shropshire

SY5 0RF


Privacy notice

Pontesbury & Worthen Medical Practice's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)