Dispenser

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB DECRIPTION

POST: DISPENSER

RESPONSIBLE TO: PRACTICE MANAGER

ACCOUNTABLE TO: THE PARTNERS

This job description gives details of the role of the Dispenser together with the duties associated with the position. There will be other duties that will be added as the Practice and the jobholder develop.

Dispensers provide a point of contact for patients and as such are required to be courteous, sympathetic and professional in these dealings. The need to liaise effectively with other health professionals and colleagues is a major requirement of this post.

Job Summary

To process all relevant prescriptions as authorised by the GPs in accordance with the principles of good practice.

To provide quick, efficient and accurate dispensing of medication to the patients and to assist the Practice Manager in ensuring effective financial control within the dispensary.

Job Responsibilities

Dealing with patient queries face to face/over the telephone.

Dispensing acute prescriptions.

Receiving and dispensing repeat prescription requests received by telephone call, patient access or post and managed repeats.

Updating patients repeat screens on Doctors instructions.

Dispensing private prescriptions.

Checking colleagues dispensing.

Completing Medidose function in line with procedures weekly (this applies to specific trained staff only).

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.

Maintain full and accurate records of all dispensing transactions onto the computer system.

Sending and receiving messages from both Docman and EMIS task systems.

Collect all due prescription charges and ensure that patient declaration on the reverse of the FP10 is completed and signed by the patient, if applicable.

Collate all invoices and dispensary related correspondence to the Dispensary administrator or Practice Manager according to practice protocol.

To endorse all prescription forms, as appropriate.

Ensure that all monies received or handled on behalf of the practice are recorded and appropriately stored.

Ensure that drugs, including controlled drugs and refrigerated items are stored in an appropriate manner.

Collecting private charges for private medications, vaccines and holiday prophylactic medication.

Ensuring the Dispensary areas remain clean and tidy. Shelves and work surfaces are to be kept clean and to maintain a high level of hygiene within the dispensary. (Cleaning rota in place). Ensure all dispensary equipment is also clean and kept in good working order and report to Practice Manager any problems with equipment.

Ordering non-stock medication via the wholesalers computer link or website.

Checking goods as and when they are delivered.

Returning incorrect goods to the wholesalers.

Disposal of returned unused medicines.

Alert other team members to any issues of quality and risk.

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.

Communicate effectively with patients, carers and other team members.

Apply Practice policies, procedures and guidance.

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 the 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

Make effective use of training to update knowledge and skills

Use appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way which is free from hazards

reporting potential risks to the Practice Manager

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 recognises 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 that is welcoming to and of the individual and is non-judgemental 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 and / or professional development.

Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.

This Job Description is neither exhaustive nor exclusive and will be reviewed periodically in conjunction with the post holder. The post holder is required to carry out any duties that may reasonably be requested by the Partners or the Practice Manager.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• *NVQ level 2 or equivalent in dispensing
• *GCSEs grade C/4 or above in English and Maths, or equivalent
• *ICT GCSE grade C/4 or above, ECDL or equivalent experience

Personal Qualities

Essential

• *Enthusiastic and motivated
• *Good communication and interpersonal skills
• *Able to work on own initiative
• *Tact and diplomacy
• *Willingness to learn and develop

Experience

Essential

• *Demonstrated experience of dispensing medicines for patients.
• *Accurately calculating doses required for dispensing medicines
• *Good understanding of the need for confidentiality
• *Literate in IT and MS Office including Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams
• *Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English Language
• *Flexible with the ability to multi-task and prioritise
• *Good attention to detail and accuracy
• *Good organisational and time management skills

Desirable

• Previous NHS Experience

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

Ludham and Stalham Green Surgeries

Address

The Surgery, Staithe Road

Ludham

Great Yarmouth

NR29 5AB

Employer's website

https://www.ludhamsurgery.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)