Job Description

We are looking to employ a qualified dispenser, working 22 hours per week. The successful candidate will need to be able to work to cover the core opening times of the department, which are Wednesday to Friday 08.30 - 18.00.

Title: Dispenser

Responsible to: Dispensary Manager

Accountable to: The Partners

Job Summary:

The post holder will project a positive and friendly image to dispensary patients and other visitors and deal with queries in a professional, courteous and efficient way.

The Dispenser is responsible for the professional, efficient and accurate dispensing of medication to patients, acting as the intermediary between doctor and patient with regards to prescriptions. The post holder will be the main contact for patients with medication queries, for both dispensing and non-dispensing patients. They will maintain the professional image of the Practice and be responsible for assisting the Dispensary Manager in ensuring effective financial control of the dispensary.

This role can be physically demanding due to it primarily being a standing role, but the variety offered by this post is also very rewarding and stimulating.

Key responsibilities

Role

Correctly issue all drugs and appliances, to the public or other departments of Attleborough
Surgeries, against a duly authorised prescription.

Receive, assist and direct patients via on-line forms, System One online access, in person and on the telephone, in a courteous, efficient and effective way. Action repeat prescription requests so that they are up to date as much as possible on a daily basis and ensure that all requests are completed within a 48 hour deadline. Be responsible for your dispensing role by only using your computer login and annotating your unique number on the prescription being dealt with and on the label that has been dispensed. Follow up any stock orders that haven't been fulfilled by the main wholesaler immediately and constantly review outstanding stock orders to ensure patients supply is not impeded. This may involve asking the Dispensary Manager. Query any medication request which is not on a repeat prescription with the patient's usual doctor and ensure these queries are actioned appropriately. This may include writing a record on the consultation, telephoning the patient, changing a medication review date or issuing the prescription as per the doctor's instructions. Be part of the rota that dispenses the delivery medication, monitored dosing systems and Care Home medication on a weekly basis ensuring that it is completed on time each week. Maintain accurate stock records using the System One computer system on an ongoing basis, amend stock balances and reorder levels in order to maintain a high level of service to the patients. Action on medication requests from outside sources e.g. Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. Ensure stocks of bottles, bags, prescriptions and all other items necessary for dispensing are adequate. Take advantage of training opportunities and attend departmental meetings. Promote the practice in a positive manner and contribute to achieving the practices aims and objectives. Ensure adequate staffing by covering for other staff whilst on holiday or sick leave. Ensure the confidentiality of patients is maintained at all times.

Accountability

In the first instance all matters should be addressed with the Dispensary Manager including administration and personnel matters. Any matters that are not satisfactorily resolved by the Dispensary Manager should be referred to the
Practice Manager.

Any clinical problems relating to the issue or dispensing of medication should be referred to a partner or doctor on duty.

Associated Tasks

Ensure patients are dealt with in a pleasant and courteous manner giving priority to patients at the dispensary hatch and acknowledging their presence at all times. Patient service is of vital importance to Attleborough Surgeries. Issues authorised by a doctor in the surgery are to be made up and given to the patient after consultations. Patient requests for repeat prescribing are to be taken by via on-line order, in writing and at the hatch. Prescriptions will be managed via Electronic Prescription Services (EPS) where a nominated chemist is available and all paper prescriptions will be sorted in to doctors for signing and, once signed, in to pharmacies for collection. Records of prescriptions sent to the chemists should be made and kept for reference. Medications for dispensing patients to be dispensed using SystmOne, ensuring that no medication is dispensed without being scanned for accuracy. For dispensed patients, ensure the back of the prescription is correctly and fully filled out by the patient, in particular, a tick as to why the patient is exempt and a signature in the box. If the patient is exempt, but no evidence is seen, the back of the prescription must be marked accordingly. Any payments taken are recorded and deposited in the cash register then passed to the practice
Finance Assistant on a daily basis.

All regulations, as outlined in the CD book, concerning the storage, issue and disposal of controlled drugs are to be understood and strictly adhered to. (Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and 1985 and revisions). The disposal of returned and out of date stock, other than controlled drugs, should comply with
Health and Safety Regulations.

Endorsements on all dispensed items should be checked for accuracy in accordance with the Drug
Tariff. Prescriptions should then be passed promptly to the Dispensary Manager at the end of each week and month end for collation and submission to the PPD.

Ensure sufficient stock is maintained and that items are stored at the correct temperature. The dispensary fridge temperature (current, lower and upper ranges) must be recorded every working day. Order and check all incoming stock as it arrives, updating the EMIS system for changes in price and pack size, ensuring all delivery notes/invoices are signed and any discrepancies are annotated, returned and dealt with by the supplier for credit. All invoices/delivery notes to be left in the invoices tray for processing and paying. NWOS/Dressings orders to be processed as per the NWOS protocol. Ensure all returns are correctly recorded. Prepare weekly prescriptions and/or Venalinks for collection or for deliveries, maintaining a log of these. Carry out DRUM's (Dispensers Review of Use of Medicines). Working to ensure the Practice achieves the Dispensing Services Quality Scheme requirements by participating in the work and meeting the standards set for this scheme. Methotrexate Injections to be recorded when ordered and collected, ensuring the prescriptions are generated for each one. Ensure prescriptions and dispensed medicines are collected. Remove uncollected items and amend patients records accordingly. Follow procedures as set out in Standard Operating Procedures and Dispensing Handbook. Accept responsibilities for other tasks for example Doctors Bags. Log in to the Practice Intranet on a daily basis to keep up to date with the latest practice and dispensing news and for reference to information.

Responsibilities

Ensure you work in a safe manner as to not endanger yourself, your colleagues or patients. Ensure you work in a methodical and accurate way to minimise potential mistakes in the dispensary. Any mistakes or errors must be reported to the Dispensary Manager using the appropriate form. Respect the privacy and dignity of patients, particularly when dealing with patients at the dispensary hatch. Work and communicate effectively as a team to meet the patients' needs.

Equality and diversity

The post-holder must co-operate with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment. Co-workers, patients and visitors must be treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc. Understand basic legal and communication issues regarding safeguarding children.

Health and safety/risk management

The post-holder must comply at all times with the practice's Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures and reporting incidents using the organisations Incident
Reporting System.

The post-holder will comply with the Data Protection Act (1984) and the Access to Health Records Act
(1990).

Respect for patient confidentiality

The post holder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role. The post holder will comply with all General Data Protection Regulations.

Job description agreement

This job description is intended to provide an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities only. There may be other duties required of the post-holder commensurate with the position. This description will be open to regular review and may be amended to take into account development within the practice. All members of staff should be prepared to take on additional duties or relinquish existing duties in order to maintain the efficient running of the practice.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Desirable

Dispensing Qualifications

Good standard of general education 5 GCSE's or NVQ L2 equiv.
Commitment to Continued Personal Dev.

Experience

Working with medicines/prescription within Primary Care setting

Working with medicines within a pharmacy or GP setting
Managing Stock Control and stock rotation

Use of Microsoft Office (word and excel) Use of a GP clinical System
Use of SystmOne

Experience dealing with the public/patients

Professional

Polite

Knowledge of confidentiality and ability to adhere to confidentiality protocols

Knowledge/Skill Sets

Customers service skills

Advanced Numeracy Skills
Excellent keyboard and computer skills

Excellent communication skills
Ability to deal with money accurately

Understanding of clinical protocols and terminology Concise and articulate

Other Qualities/Aptitudes

Understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality

Ability to use common sense, own judgement and resources available

Problem solving skills
Good communication skills

Professional Work within own knowledge, know of competencies and work within them
Approachable

Friendly & Pleasant
Efficient

Able to prioritise

Smart and professional Flexibility Ability to work as part of a team Ability to work under pressure or to deadlines
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 12.70 per hour

Benefits:

Company pension Cycle to work scheme On-site parking
Schedule:

Day shift
Education:

GCSE or equivalent (required)
Experience:

Dispensary: 1 year (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 18/08/2025
Expected start date: 01/09/2025