Job responsibilities
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 Dispensary Lead in ensuring effective financial control of the dispensary
Job Responsibilities:
Dispensing
Dispensing acute prescriptions
Not to dispense medicines to unauthorised persons, without the doctors consent
Dispensing repeat prescription requests
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
Updating patients repeat screens on Doctors instructions
Dispensing private prescriptions
Dispensing black listed prescriptions, pricing and recording them
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
Collecting private charges for black listed medications, vaccines and holiday prophylactic medication
Sorting, stamping and endorsing prescriptions
Completing backs of prescriptions
Generating prescriptions
Stock Control
Ordering appropriate quantities of goods via the wholesalers computer link
Checking goods as and when they are delivered and recording generic details
Returning incorrect 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needs of the practice with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage through out of date stock.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Removing out of date stock from the shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas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
- Opening premises and checking heating and ventilation
- Making drinks for the doctors and staff
- Ensure adequate supply of stationary for administration office
- Any other tasks allocated by managers
Dealing with problems & enquiries
Inputting information onto computer
To work flexibly within the team & to provide cover as necessary
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/Dispenser
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 PPD for processing and reimbursement. The forms should be bundled in accordance with current PPD guidelines and include any necessary accompanying paperwork such as the FP34D
To promptly forward all invoices and dispensary related correspondence to the Finance Manager.
To notify the Dispensary Team Leader of any FP10 returns/feedback from the PPA so that any appropriate remedial action may be taken.
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 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 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 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:
- Ensure interdepartmental co-operation and management to ensure smooth running of the practice
- 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.
Finance and Profitability
- To comply with practice standard operating procedures for cash handling and petty cash.
- To have a thorough knowledge of the practice charges for private work and prescriptions, provide patient with a receipt and recording charge in the patients records.
This job description is intended to provide an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities only. There may be other duties required of the post-holder commensurate with the position. This description will be open to regular review and may be amended to take into account development within the organisation. All members of staff should be prepared to take on additional duties or relinquish existing duties in order to maintain the efficient running of the organisation.
This job description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the post and is not exhaustive. It will be subject to regular review and amendment as necessary in consultation with the post holder.
