Dispenser

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job summary:

To dispense medication accurately and safely and support the smooth running of the Dispensary.

To provide general assistance to the practice team and project a positive and friendly image to patients and other visitors, either in person or via the telephone.

As required, to receive, assist and direct patients in accessing the appropriate service or healthcare professional in a courteous, efficient and effective way.

Job responsibilities:

• To ensure that all medications are dispensed accurately & safely.
• To ensure all drugs/medications are securely stored in a methodical order.
• To ensure that all legal requirements/protocols applicable to dispensing practice are correctly observed.
• To check dispensing carried out by colleagues where applicable.
• To ensure that the dispensary area is kept clean & tidy at all times.
• Order medication and maintain an adequate stock control, liaising with Dispensary Managers and practice GPs where applicable.
• To maintain controlled drugs cupboard and register, ensuring stock is not out of date.
• Check deliveries and store items as per protocols, refrigerate where applicable.
• Order Ostomy items via NWOS when applicable.
• To accurately dispense repeat & acute prescriptions following practice protocol and set out for verification and signature of doctor where applicable.
• Dispense MCAs as required e.g. Nomad trays.
• Give out dispensed items to patients, collecting monies/exemptions registering all on cash register.
• Give patients advice about their medication when required or requested to maintain good customer service & patient compliance.
• To ensure medication is not dispensed to unauthorised persons without the doctors consent.
• To dispense and record private prescriptions.
• To dispense and maintain home delivery service.
• Assist colleagues when dealing with difficult enquiries etc. when necessary.
• To generate and dispense repeat prescriptions for medications not pre-ordered at own discretion e.g. for medications which must be taken at specific times.
• Ensure continuous work flow throughout the dispensary by fulfilling prescriptions on a daily basis, including those with to-follow items and medications owed etc. within the 72 hour time limit.
• Endorse prescriptions when all the dispensing is complete when time permits.
• To include dispensary receptionist duties where applicable.

Other dispensary duties:

• Prepare computerised repeat prescriptions where required to be dispensed following practice protocol and set out for verification and signature of doctor, where applicable.
• Maintain the 28 day and the 72 hour repeat prescription system.
• Empty script boxes where required.

Maintain workflow tasks allocated to GPs.

• Not to dispense medicines/drugs to unauthorised persons, whoever they may be without the doctors consent.
• Maintain home delivery service.
• To aid in the counting and filing of endorsed prescriptions at the end of each day/week/month where applicable.

Undertake any other duties as agreed with the Partnership.

Check clinical system for Warfarin results and use clinical system to check hospital letters.

Assist in putting new stock away as required.

Other tasks

Ensure building security e.g. maintain thorough knowledge of doors/windows/alarm.

Any other tasks allocated by managers.

Confidentiality:

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with/ 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, the practice health & safety manual, and the practice infection control policy and published procedures. This will 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.

Actively reporting of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised.

Keeping own work areas and general / patient areas clean, assisting in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness consistent with the scope of the job holders role.

Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum annually).

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 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 recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:

Communicate effectively with other team members.

Communicate effectively with patients and carers.

Recognise peoples who need 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 audits where appropriate.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of working in a primary care, pharmacy or health care setting
• Practical experience of working with others and the general public
• Experience of using own initiative
• Good IT skills

Desirable

• Experience of EMIS Web clinical system
• Experience of Microsoft Office software

Knowledge/Skills and Attributes

Essential

• Excellent communication skills (Written and Oral)
• IT skills
• Time Management and the ability to work to deadlines
• Negotiation and conflict management
• Problem solving skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Planning and organising
• Performing under pressure
• Adaptability
• Team working
• Self motivated
• Flexibility
• Confidentiality

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths
• Qualified to NVQ level 2 Pharmacy Services or equivalent

Desirable

• NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills
• NVQ (or equivalent) in Customer Service

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

Holmes Chapel Health Centre

Address

London Road

Holmes Chapel

CW4 7BB

Employer's website

https://www.holmeschapelhealthcentre.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)