Dispenser

Job description

Job responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the Dispenser. There may be on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:

• To be responsible for dispensing all medicines prescribed to the practice population, safely and accurately.

• Collecting prescription charges in accordance with dispensary Sop

• Maintaining stock levels within the dispensary, operating efficient stock control appropriate to the needs of the practice with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage due to out of date stock.

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

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

• Ensuring controlled drugs are dispensed with in accordance with dispensary SOPs

• Ensure the safe disposal of returned and / or out of date medicines

• Providing patients with advice regarding all prescription matters

• Process prescription requests via email, face-to-face and online

• Processing Dossett boxes

• To collect all due prescription charges and ensure that the patient declaration on the reverse of the FP10 is completed and signed by the patient or person collecting on behalf of the patient

• To ensure that all monies received or handled on behalf of the practice are appropriately stored and a record kept of all financial transactions.

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

• To promptly forward all invoices and dispensary related correspondence to the practice manager or dispensary manager according 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 take prompt action in response to any drug alert bulletins that may be received from time to time

• 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.

• Provide guidance for trainee dispensary staff

Confidentiality:

• While 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 carer, 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:

• Awareness of the practice guidelines for infection control and cleanliness ensuring that procedures are followed, escalating issues as appropriate

• Correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), where required

• Be responsible for correct hand hygiene

• Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills

• Using appropriate infection control procedures, ensuring work areas are tidy, clean, and free from hazards.

• Actively identifying, reporting, of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised

• Keeping own work areas and general / patient areas generally clean

• Undertaking annual infection control training

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

• Complete all mandatory training annually.

• To complete Dispensing Checker course

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

• 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

• Recognise 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 as directed by the Dispensary Manager

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified Dispenser (NVQ Level 2)
• GCSE (or equivalent) English & Maths at Grade C or above
• Experience of working in a dispensary / pharmacy
• Experience working with the public/patients
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Strong IT skills
• Clear, polite telephone manner
• Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
• Ability to promote best practice regarding all pharmaceutical matters
• Effective time management (Planning & Organising)
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal skills
• Problem solving & analytical skills
• Ability to follow policy and procedure

Desirable

• Experience of working in primary care
• Broad knowledge of General Practice
• EMIS / Proscript / Dispensing Software
• Capable of managing payments (cash / card payments etc)
• Ability to effectively manage stock, including ordering, rotation, disposal etc.

Other requirements

Essential

• Flexibility to work outside of core office hours
• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Polite and confident
• Flexible and cooperative
• Motivated
• 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

Nene Valley Surgery

Address

Green Lane

Thrapston

Kettering

Northants

NN14 4QL

Employer's website

http://www.nenevalleysurgery.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)