Job responsibilities
Job Summary:
To accurately and efficiently process all relevant prescriptions as authorised by GPs and prescribing nurses where appropriate in accordance with the principles of good practice
To assist the Dispensing Manager in ensuring effective financial control of the dispensary
Job Responsibilities:
Dispensing
Dispensing acute, repeat and private prescriptions, controlled drugs and special items
Not to dispense medicines to unauthorised persons, without the doctors consent
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 duty doctor
Checking colleagues dispensing
Ensuring the Dispensary area remains clean and tidy
Maintaining complete and accurate records for controlled drugs
Prescriptions
Handing out prescriptions and collecting charges when appropriate
Endorsing prescriptions when necessary
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/representative
Generating prescriptions
Stock Control
Ordering appropriate quantities of goods via the wholesalers computer link
Checking goods as and when they are delivered
Returning and claiming for incorrect/missing goods to the wholesalers
Stocking shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas using rotation method
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needs of the practice with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage through out of date stock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
Removing out of date stock from the shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas
Disposal of returned unused medicines
Other
To answer telephone calls & passing on messages as appropriate
Dealing with problems & enquiries
Inputting information onto computer
To work flexibly within the team & to provide cover across all sites as necessary
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 kept 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
To undertake any necessary work as may be required and appropriate to maintain a high standard and efficient dispensing service
To cover delivering prescriptions to our housebound patients when necessary
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 assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policy, to include:
- 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 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 up-to-date mandatory training
- 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