Job Description

Sheringham Medical Practice is looking to welcome into our busy practice a qualified dispenser, who will play a full and active role as part of the practice multi-disciplinary team. This position is advertised full time however we are very open to discussion around this. A degree of flexibility is expected to cover colleagues leave as and when required.

You will require the following skills and experience;

NVQ level 2 Dispensing services qualification - this is essential

At least one year of dispensary or pharmacy knowledge

Understanding and experience of working as a dispenser in a GP practice setting

Excellent clinical and medical knowledge relevant to the role

The commitment to continue to learn new clinical skills and develop your career

The confidence to work as part of a busy GP multi-disciplinary practice team and using your own initiative in decision making.

The ability to be adaptable and flexible in your approach.

Excellent patient facing interpersonal communication skills.

For more information, please see the job description and person specification attached

About Us

Our practice is located on the beautiful North Norfolk Coast in Sheringham. We are a successful practice with a list size of approximately 9,400. We have a friendly team of 3 GP Partners, 3 Salaried GPs, with a mixture of Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Practice Nurses, Health Care Assistants and a phlebotomist, 4 Dispensers and 20 Administration Assistants. We operate using SystmOne clinical software and we are a training practice.

Team working is key to a well-run dispensary. Our friendly dispensary team are committed to providing excellent patient services and they do this with a dedicated dispensary manager leading them. Working in General Practice is busy, but it is so rewarding, knowing that we are helping our patients during what can sometimes be difficult periods in their lives is very satisfying.

You will work within the practice team to provide an efficient service to our patients, doctors and nursing teams. The successful candidate will be required to assist with processing repeat prescriptions, dispensing medication, dealing with patient, chemist enquiries and supporting our busy in practice dispensary.

We welcome pre application visits by appointment and are happy to discuss any queries relating to the position. Please telephone 01263 820502 and ask to speak to Paula Fraser, Dispensary Manager, or Emma Clarke, Operational Manager.

A job description and person specification is included within this advert.

Pay is competitive, based on experience and includes automatic enrolment to the NHS pension.

Free parking

Please apply including details of your CV.

Job summary

To be responsible for the processing of prescriptions in accordance with practice policy and extant legislation. In addition, the post holder will be required to support the dispensary manager in ensuring a high-level of service is delivered at all times whilst supporting the multi-disciplinary team in line with the strategic objectives of the practice.

Job responsibilities

The full job description is attached for reference. The primary responsibilities are as follows:

To be responsible for checking all medicines dispensed, ensuring there are no discrepancies.

Dispensing medicines to the entitled population safely and accurately

Collecting prescription charges in accordance with dispensary protocol

Maintaining stock levels within the dispensary, liaising with the dispensary manager to facilitate reordering.

Receiving and storing supplies in accordance with current policy, ensuring the cold chain is maintained where applicable

Ensuring controlled drugs are dispensed in accordance with practice policy

Safe disposal of returned and/or out of date medicines

Ensuring all repeat prescriptions are processed within a 48 hour timeframe

Providing patients with advice regarding all prescription matters

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

Processing dossett boxes

Assisting the dispensary manager in the preparation of monthly returns

Maintaining a clean and safe working environment at all times

Maintain accurate records at all times, read coding entries appropriately

Be conversant with and adhere to all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS)governing safe dispensing

Provide holiday/sick leave cover for other dispensing staff

Person Specification

Essential Skills

Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
Strong IT skills
Competent in the use of Office and Outlook/Teams
SystmOne user skills
Ability to promote best practice regarding all pharmaceutical matters
Effective time management (planning and organising)
Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
Good interpersonal skills
Problem solving and analytical skills
Ability to follow policy and procedure

Desirable

Capable of managing payments (invoices, cash, etc)
Ability to effectively manage stock including ordering, rotation, disposal etc.

Essential Qualifications

Qualified to NVQ level 2 in Dispensing
GCSE (or equivalent) English & Maths at Grade 4 or above

Essential Experience

Experience of working in a dispensary/pharmacy
Experience working with the general public/patients

Desirable

Experience of working in primary care
Broad knowledge of general practice

Essential Personal Qualities

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.

Generic responsibilities

All staff at Sheringham Medical Practice have a duty to conform to the following:

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

A good attitude and positive action towards ED&I creates and environment where all individuals are able to achieve their full potential. Creating such an environment is important for three reasons: it improves operational effectiveness, it is morally the right thing to do, and it is required by law.

Patients and their families have the right to be treated fairly and be routinely involved in decisions about their treatment and care. They can expect to be treated with dignity and respect and will not be discriminated against on any grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Patients have a responsibility to treat other patients and our staff with dignity and respect.

Staff have the right to be treated fairly in recruitment and career progression. Staff can expect to work in an environment where diversity is valued and equality of opportunity is promoted. Staff will not be discriminated against on any grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Staff have a responsibility to ensure that you treat our patients and their colleagues with dignity and respect.

Safety, Health, Environment and Fire (SHEF)

This organisation is committed to supporting and promoting opportunities for staff to maintain their health, wellbeing, and safety.

The post holder is to manage and assess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff and patients and monitor work areas and practices to ensure they are safe and free from hazards and conform to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures, and guidelines.

All personnel have a duty to take reasonable care of health and safety at work for themselves, their team, and others and to cooperate with employers to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements.

All personnel are to comply with the:

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Environmental Protection Act 1990, Environment Act 1995, Fire Precautions (workplace) Regulations 1999 Coronavirus Act 2020 Other statutory legislation which may be brought to the post holder's attention.

Confidentiality

The organisation is committed to maintaining an outstanding confidential service. Patients entrust and permit us to collect and retain sensitive information relating to their health and other matters pertaining to their care. They do so in confidence and have a right to expect all staff will respect their privacy and maintain confidentiality.

It is essential that, if the legal requirements are to be met and the trust of our patients is to be retained, all staff must protect patient information and provide a confidential service.

Quality & Continuous Improvement (CI)

To preserve and improve the quality of this organisation's outputs, all personnel are required to think not only of what they do but how they achieve it. By continually re- examining our processes, we will be able to develop and improve the overall effectiveness of the way we work.

The responsibility for this rests with everyone working within the organisation to look for opportunities to improve quality and share good practice and to discuss, highlight and work with the team to create opportunities to improve patient care.

Sheringham Medical Practice continually strives to improve work processes which deliver healthcare with improved results across all areas of our service provision. We promote a culture of continuous improvement where everyone counts, and staff are permitted to make suggestions and contributions to improve our service delivery and enhance patient care.

Staff should interpret national strategies and policies into local implementation strategies that are aligned to the values and culture of general practice.

All staff are to contribute to investigations and root cause analyses whilst participating in serious incident investigations and multidisciplinary case reviews.

Induction training

At Sheringham Medical Practice you will be required to complete the induction programme and the practice management team will support you throughout the process.

Learning and development

The effective use of training and development is fundamental in ensuring that all staff are equipped with the appropriate skills, knowledge, attitude, and competences to perform their role. All staff will be required to partake in, and complete mandatory training as directed by the Practice Business Manager. It is an expectation for this post holder to assess their own learning needs and undertake learning as appropriate

The post holder will undertake mentorship for team members and disseminate learning and information gained to other team members to share good practice and inform others about current and future developments (e.g., courses and conferences).

The post holder will provide an educational role to patients, carers, families, and colleagues in an environment that facilitates learning.

Collaborative working

All staff are to recognise the significance of collaborative working and understand their own role and scope and identify how this may develop over time. Staff are to prioritise their own workload and ensure effective time-management strategies are embedded within the culture of the team.

Teamwork is essential in multidisciplinary environments and the post holder is to work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working and work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery.

Effective communication is essential and all staff must ensure they communicate in a manner which enables the sharing of information in an appropriate manner.

All staff should delegate clearly and appropriately, adopting the principles of safe practice and assessment of competence.

Plans and outcomes by which to measure success should be agreed.

Managing information

All staff should use technology and appropriate software as an aid to management in the planning, implementation and monitoring of care and presenting and communicating information.

Data should be reviewed and processed using accurate SNOMED/read codes to ensure easy and accurate information retrieval for monitoring and audit processes.

Service delivery

Staff will be given detailed information during the induction process regarding policy and procedure.

The post holder must adhere to the information contained within the organisations policies and regional directives, ensuring protocols are always adhered to.

Security

The security of the practice is the responsibility of all personnel. Staff must ensure they remain vigilant at all times and report any suspicious activity immediately to their line manager.

Under no circumstances are staff to share the codes for the door locks to anyone and are to ensure that restricted areas remain effectively secured. Likewise, password controls are to be maintained and are not to be shared.

Professional conduct

All staff are required to dress appropriately for their role.

Leave

All personnel are entitled to take leave.

Public holidays will be calculated on a pro-rated basis dependent on the number of hours worked.

Job Type: Full-time or job share for the right candidates

Pay: From 13.01 per hour

Expected hours: 37 hours per week

Benefits:

Company pension On-site parking
Application question(s):

A minimum of NVQ 2 dispensing qualification is essential. Are you able to meet this requirement?
Education:

GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Experience:

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

The role is varied and interesting; no two days are the same. You could be dispensing medication one day and engaging with our lovely patients the next, which makes for a very rewarding job.

Application deadline: 27/01/2026 - If you have applied for this position within the past 12 months, you do not need to submit another application.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From 13.01 per hour

Expected hours: 37 per week

Benefits:

On-site parking
Work Location: In person