Dispenser

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB TITLE: DISPENSER NVQ2

REPORTS TO: DISPENSARY MANAGER

HOURS: Part-time to full-time

Job summary: To process all relevant prescriptions as authorised by GPs and prescribing nurses where appropriate, in accordance with the principles of good practice.

Job responsibilities:

To ensure that all medicines and appliances dispensed are checked against the prescription and whenever there is doubt about the appropriateness of the item, or about the dose or labelling instructions to check with the authorising doctor or Pharmacist.

To collect all due prescription charges and ensure that the patient declaration on the reverse of the FP10 is duly filled in and signed by the patient.

To ensure that all monies received or handled on behalf of the practice are appropriately stored and banked, 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 NHS Prescription Services for processing and reimbursement. The forms should be bundled in accordance with current PS guidelines and include any necessary accompanying paperwork such as the FP34D and invoices as required by the PS.

To promptly forward all invoices and dispensary related correspondence to the practice manager or dispensary manager according to practice policy.

To notify the authorising doctor of any FP10 returns/feedback from the PS so that any appropriate remedial action may be taken.

To operate efficient stock control appropriate to the needs of the practice, with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage through out of date stock.

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

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 is in good working order.

To take prompt action in response to any drug alert bulletins that may be received from time to time.

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

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.

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 implement and lead on a full range of promotion and management of their own and others health and safety and infection control 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 (but will not be limited to):

Using personal security systems within the workplace according to Practice guidelines

Awareness of national standards of infection control and cleanliness and regulatory / contractual / professional requirements, and good practice guidelines

Correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Use and monitoring of the correct use of Standard Operating Procedures for cleaning and infection control

Responsible for correct hand hygiene of self and others

Ownership of infection control and clinically based patient care protocols, and implementation of those protocols within the team

Active observation of current working practices across the team in relation to infection control, cleanliness and related activities, ensuring that procedures are followed and weaknesses / training needs are identified, escalating issues as appropriate

Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks across clinical and patient process

Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills, and initiate and manage the training of others across the full range of infection control and patient processes

Monitoring practice facilities and equipment in relation to infection control, ensuring that provision of hand cleansing facilities, wipes etc are sufficient to ensure a good clinical working environment. Lack of facilities to be escalated as appropriate.

Safe management of sharps procedures, including training, use, storage and disposal

Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy, clean and sterile, and safe way, free from hazards. Initiation of remedial / corrective action where needed or escalation to responsible management

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

Keeping own work areas and general / patient areas generally clean, sterile, identifying issues and hazards / risks in relation to other work areas within the business, and assuming responsibility in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness across the business in consultation (where appropriate) with other sector managers

Undertaking periodic infection control training.

Routine management of own team / team areas, and maintenance of work space standards

Waste management ,including collection, handling, segregation, container management, storage and collection

Spillage control procedures, management and training

Decontamination control procedures, management and training, and equipment maintenance

Maintenance of sterile environments

Demonstrate due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

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 patients 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

Recognize 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

Special Requirements of the post:

Smart, tidy appearance. Uniform is provided

An ability to use judgement resourcefulness, common sense and tact to respond appropriately to the needs of the post

A flexible approach to the position in order to provide support for the other team members

Keyboard skills and PC and IT knowledge. Training will be given for the in house systems

Preferably some previous administrative experience

Ability to ask for help and use the knowledge of the Senior Team for support

To be logical, self motivated, resourceful and attentive to detail

Able to use own initiative

Circumstances:

Reliable

Able to be flexible if needed to work extra at other times

Contraindications:

Being a patient at the practice once employed

Working conditions:

Pleasant, airy and modern purpose built premises

Busy, friendly atmosphere

Supervision from senior team

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive and may be amended to meet the future needs of the practice

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent, including Maths and English (C or above)
• NVQ 2 Pharmacy Services or above

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Effective time management
• Ability to work on their own and as part of a team
• Clear and respectful telephone style
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

Desirable

• Strong IT skills
• Problem solving

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with the general public
• Experience of administrative duties
• Experience of working in a health care setting

Desirable

• Experience of working in General Practice

Physical Requirements

Essential

• Commit to a DBS Check
• UK Driving Licence

Attributes

Essential

• Ability to work flexibly to meet Practice demands
• Sensitive and shows empathy in difficult situations
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, patients, relatives, nurses, other staff and agencies
• Caring attitude to patients
• Must value and appreciate the worth of others
• A recognition of the importance of showing respect, dignity and compassion to patients and colleagues

Desirable

• Commitment to continuing education and professional development

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

Ixworth Surgery

Address

Thetford Road

Ixworth

Bury St Edmunds

IP31 2HD

Employer's website

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