Job responsibilities
Post Title: Dispenser
Responsible To: Office Manager
Responsible For: Dispensing and associated duties
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- To provide high quality dispensing services.
- To dispense medication to patients as directed by the GPs, including making up preparations as necessary to the required strength and volume.
- To ensure that orders for stock are placed with the appropriate supplier as and when necessary, and to input incoming stock into the computerised dispensing system, including the accurate recording of type, quantity, strength, batch number and expiry date etc as required. Also, to ensure that stock is stored tidily, in the correct conditions and rotated according to good practice.
- To maintain accurate records of dispensing activity, both manual and computerised.
- To process requests for repeat prescriptions, ensuring that the prescription/medication is available for collection within 3 working days of the request (and sooner if required). Also, to issue repeat prescriptions/medications to patients as and when required.
- To collect prescription charges as appropriate and maintain accurate records of monies received etc.
- To assist patients in resolving queries in connection with their medication and obtaining advice from GPs as necessary and appropriate.
- To participate in delivering dispensed medication to patients in outlying areas, as and when required.
- To work safely at all times, reporting any actual or potential hazards to the Dispensary Supervisor without delay.
- Any other duties within the general scope of the post and appropriate to the grading as may be required from time to time. Major changes in duties will be discussed with the post holder before implementation.
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, the practice health & safety manual, and the practice infection control policy and published procedures. This will 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
- Actively reporting of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised
- Keeping own work areas and general / patient areas generally clean, assisting in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness consistent with the scope of the job holders role
- Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum annually)
- 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
- 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 patient 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
- 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 where appropriate
Jobdesc/Dispenser/Oct 20