Job Description

POSITION:

Dispenser HOURS: 24 hours per week PENSION SCHEME: NHS Occupational Pension Scheme (optional) REPORTS TO: Dispensary Manager/GP Partner MAIN PURPOSE To dispense medications as directed by GPs and prescribing nurses, ensuring accuracy in labelling of drug name, strength, quantity and direction for use To produce FP10 repeat medication prescriptions as directed by GPs and prescribing nurses. To keep accurate patient records and be responsible for overseeing all administration within the dispensary To adhere to the strictest confidentiality when handling medical records and other information pertaining to patients and staff To produce, order and makeup dressings requests from District Nurses, residential and nursing homes. To work in line with surgery SOPs. KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Duties may vary under the direction of the Dispensary Manager depending on workload and staffing levels and may include the following: Ensuring that all dispensed medications are correct and include all relevant information for the patient; any uncertainty as to the item, dose or labelling to be checked with authorising GP or dispensing nurse Collecting prescription charges and ensuring all relevant paperwork, including the declaration on the reverse of the FP10, is signed by the patient Recording and banking all financial transactions within the dispensary Dispensing dosette boxes to patients Adhering to practice policies for controlled drugs, providing a second check on all medication as issued Maintaining stock levels within the dispensary and reordering when necessary Checking expiry dates on medications and ensuring proper storage conditions are observed Accepting deliveries of medication and forwarding invoices to the Dispensary Manager Promptly notifying the authorising GP of returns or feedback from PPA should action need to be taken Effectively controlling stock levels, ensuring sufficient stock for all Practice needs while minimising wastage Ensuring thorough familiarity with the clinical computer system to ensure all relevant patient information is recorded and resolving any problems that arise Safely disposing of returned, incorrect or out-of-date medications Reordering stationery and other non-medical supplies when necessary Issuing repeat prescriptions to patients according to agreed time-scale and directions of authorising GP or dispensing nurse Aiding patients with the completion of exemption criteria on the reverse of the prescription form if necessary.



Advising patients about pre-payment of prescriptions, providing information regarding eligibility for exemption and how to apply for exemption certificates Process online/phone and paper prescription requests emptying the prescription box at reception on a regular basis Ordering controlled drugs and ensuring they are put in the basket for signing. Annotating scripts with CD to ensure when they have been signed the reception team register them in the log books in reception for pharmacies/patients to sign on receipt. Ordering appliances from designated companies, checking these are not duplicate orders and researching new items on the EMIS system, before requesting from appropriate GP. Ordering dressings and appliances in line with the surgery formulary for District nurses, nursing homes and residential home Collating the orders when they arrive and distributing them to the appropriate destination Ensuring shredding is cleared after each shift and placed in the correct shredding bins, making sure prescriptions which have patient information on but not required are voided correctly by either tearing in half or writing Action tasks returned from GPs, to include ringing patients to advise outcome of tasks or sending letters if required to advise patients to contact the surgery if unable to contact via the phone.



Assisting with audits when necessary Communicating effectively using email, telephone, fax and face-to-face regarding all enquiries from patients, pharmacies, hospitals, hospices and supplier Liaising with members of clinical staff regarding the medication of individual patients Attending regular meetings with other members of the dispensing team in order for patient information to be exchange Maintaining safe and hygienic work surfaces within the dispensing with regular cleaning and ensuring all equipment is in a good state of repair Maintain a safe working environment free from hazards, maintaining familiarity with COSHH regulations Being pro-active in suggesting and developing new initiates to improve the dispensary Prioritising tasks and working under own initiative 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 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