Job responsibilities
To be responsible for the effective day to day running of the dispensary, providing a high quality service to patients and team
To ensure medication is dispensed safely and timely, adhering to all legal requirements and SOPs, providing expert training and guidance to patients and staff.
To ensure current pricing and purchasing arrangements maximise dispensary income. Oversee general dispensary related spend ensuring the dispensary is working within budgetary constraints to ensure continued profitability and ongoing viability of the service.
Work closely with the practice manager and GP partners.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Duties may vary under the direction of the Practice Partners depending on workload and staffing levels
Safe and accurate dispensing of medications and issuing of repeat prescriptions
Providing a quality and cost-effective dispensing service
Ensuring prescription till is reconciled with scripts and cash and ensuring float is maintained and all scripts are signed, etc.
Ensuring compliance with requirements of Dispensary Service Quality Scheme (DSQS) and completion and return of end of year report in order to receive payment
Relevant outcomes in Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) and Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Ensure prescriptions are collated, endorsed (where applicable) and submitted to Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA) each month along with associated analysis
Relevant service level agreements including monthly returns and claims
Ensure adequate cover in dispensary for holidays and sickness, drawing up staff rotas, take part in recruitment of dispensary staff
Approve staff holiday requests
Carry out return-to-work interviews and ensure correct documentation completed following unscheduled absences
Carry out appraisals and identify training needs based on competencies required for the DSQS
Arrange staff meetings or training
Carry out adhoc HR administration relating to the Dispensary Team with guidance from the Practice Manager
Ensure robust communication systems in place
Attend practice and partners meetings
Recruit, mentor and train new dispensary staff
Contribute to development of and ensure staff adhere to Practice policies and procedures
Identify and develop systems and SOPs to ensure dispensary areas work efficiently and ensure compliance
Ensure SOPs are in place and reviewed on at least an annual basis
Ensure team members complete significant event forms correctly
Responsible for dealing with first level of medicines-related complaints from patients
Ensure staff adhere to health and safety guidelines
Undertake and document health and safety risk management assessments
Responsible for maintaining efficient, cost effective stock control
Be responsible for ensuring audits are undertaken and completed, as necessary
Undertake yearly stock take, investigate and resolve any discrepancies and provide values to the Partners for end of year accounts
Provide quarterly summary of spend for dispensary to the Practice Partners
Overall management of the delivery service including promotion and IT ensuring the service remains competitive
Assisting the Clinical Pharmacist in making updates and changes to medications on discharge summaries for the Nursing and Care Home under the supervision of the GPs
Management of Care and Nursing home monthly prescriptions
Dispensary Duties
Undertake all dispensary duties as and when required
Collect and record prescription charges
Promote generic prescribing, dispensing and ordering of stock
Keep up-to-date with new drugs and changes in legislation, cascading information to colleagues
Ensure drugs alerts are dealt with promptly
Check and authorise supplier orders
Give advice and guidance to dispenser colleagues
Help maintain good relations with staff at Nursing and Residential Homes
Liaise with drugs reps and wholesale companies
General
Be prepared to cover roles where there are staff shortages especially at short notice
Observe health and safety guidelines at all times
Promote a professional approach at all times by choice of attire, attitude and example shown to patients and staff both in and out of the Practice
Any other reasonable duties that may be required from time-to-time
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Health and safety considerations must be adhered to as follows:
Maintaining a thorough understanding of health and safety protocol
Using security systems within the Practice as instructed
Identifying potential risks within the Practice environment
Maintaining up-to-date knowledge and training of health and safety guidelines
Understanding and utilising appropriate infection control procedures
Immediate reporting of potential risks as identified
CONFIDENTIALITY AND DIVERSITY
In the undertaking of the duties outlined above the post-holder may have access to sensitive information relating to patients and staff. This must be kept strictly confidential at all times.
Practice policies and procedures relating the protection of personal and sensitive data must be adhered to at all times and only divulged to authorised persons.
The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients in a manner that is consistent with Practice policies and legislation
The post-holder should behave in a manner which is welcoming, non-judgmental and respectful of the circumstances and rights all of all visitors to the Practice
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
An annual individual performance review, to include the contribution a record of own personal and professional development and discussing targets for the future
Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills to other members of staff when required
Attending any external training course thought appropriate to the role
MAINTAINING QUALITY
The post-holder will strive to:
- Effectively prioritise own time and workload
- Alert colleagues to issues of quality and risk
- Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions
- Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by making suggestions for areas of improvement
- Work constructively with individuals in other healthcare organisations to meet patients needs
- Communicate problems effectively with other team members and work together towards a solution
CONTRIBUTION TO THE PRACTICE
The post-holder will be expected to:
- Maintain and apply Practice policies and seek to uphold standards
- Discuss Practice policies with other members of the team and seek to implement new services and quality standards where appropriate
- Participate in audit when required
In addition, the post holder will carry out the following:
- Become familiar with and use any of the practice computer or other systems as required to fulfil the duties of the post.
- Accept and be bound by all policies, guidelines and protocols regarding the necessary running and administration of the Practice especially those concerned with patient confidentiality and welfare.
As a term of employment, any other duties as may be assigned that are deemed to be commensurate with the grade and expectations of the post.
All of the above activities are governed by operational policies, procedures and standards as well as legislation and professional standards and guidelines.
The duties in this job description are not exhaustive and will be reviewed periodically with the post holder, to ensure that they relate to the job as then being performed or to incorporate whatever changes are being proposed to meet both organisational requirements and the needs of the post holder. It is our aim to reach agreement on reasonable changes, but if agreement is not possible the Practice reserves the right to insist on changes to your job description after consultation with you.
