Medicine Counter Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB TITLE: Medicines Counter Assistant

REPORTS TO: Dispensary Manager

HOURS: 26 hours per week

Job Summary:

The post-holder will present a positive and friendly image to dispensary and pharmacy patients, as well as other visitors, handling queries in a professional, courteous, and efficient manner. They will assist with the sale of prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and appliances, as well as support stock control, ordering, and restocking in the dispensary. Additionally, when needed, the post-holder will help deliver medications to housebound patients in the community.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Issuing stock items and prepared prescriptions
• Collection of prescription charges/checking patient exemption statements
• Cash handling
• Operation of efficient stock control appropriate to the needs of the dispensary with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage
• Ensuring that drugs are received and stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the manufacturers instructions
• Ensuring that refrigerated items are stored at the appropriate temperature and maintaining the temperature control record/logbook
• Cleaning work surfaces and shelving on a regular basis and ensuring that all dispensary equipment is kept clean and kept in good working order.
• Maintaining full and accurate records of all dispensing transactions.
• Undertaking other reasonable duties within the framework of the post as directed by the Dispensary Manager.
• Delivery of medication, as relief driver, if required.

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, to 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
• 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 be expected to participate in any training programme deemed necessary for the post, as requested by the Dispensary Manager or Surgery Management Team.
• Participation in an annual appraisal, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development
• Ixworth Dispensary/Pharmacy has an automated Robotic Pharmacy system.
• The Dispensary/Pharmacy has a computerised patient information system.

Appropriate training will be given to work with the above.

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
• Participate in team meetings as required
• 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 as per
• Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work

Special Requirements of the post:

• Smart, tidy appearance. Uniform is provided
• An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict 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
• 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

Terms of service:

• Salary dependant on experience
• Salary paid monthly directly into your bank account
• Annual leave 5 weeks pro rata per year plus Bank Holidays

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

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with the general public
• Experience of administrative duties

Desirable

• Experience of working in a health care setting
• Experience of working in General Practice

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 skills

Qualifications

Essential

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

Desirable

• Medicines Counter Assistant qualification

Personal 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
• Progressive, forward-thinking attitude

Desirable

• Commitment to continuing education and professional development

Physical Requirements

Essential

• Commit to a DBS Check
• UK Driving Licence

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)