Prescription Clerk - Castle Health Centre

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Prescription Clerk plays a key role in supporting Clinicians and Pharmacists with the receipt, processing, and preparation of repeat prescriptions for patients. You will work in close collaboration with clinical and administrative teams and local pharmacies to ensure efficient and accurate practice prescription services.

You will be the main point of contact for enquiries regarding prescriptions from patients, care homes and community pharmacies. As the main contact for these enquiries, a good telephone manner and excellent communication skills are essential.

The post entails problem-solving on a day-to-day basis around issues relating to your work. You will work closely with the wider practice teams especially Pharmacists and Pharmacy technicians, to achieve objectives and ensure that your prescription workload is managed in a timely manner.

Duties and Responsibilities

Act as the primary point of contact for all prescription-related enquiries from patients, care homes, and community pharmacies.

Ensure all queries are handled promptly and professionally, always maintaining a courteous and helpful telephone manner.

Liaise with Clinicians, Pharmacists, and administrative colleagues to resolve prescription issues in a timely and effective manner.

Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of prescription requests and communications.

Problem-solve day-to-day prescription issues, escalating more complex matters as appropriate.

Support the team in achieving prescription-related targets and ensuring a high standard of patient service.

Prioritise and manage workload efficiently, contributing to the smooth running of the prescription service.

Communication

Clear and Concise Verbal Communication, ability to explain prescription processes and respond to patient or pharmacy enquiries in a simple, understandable manner.

Attentively listen to patients, healthcare professionals, and pharmacies to fully understand their requests or concerns before responding.

Professional and courteous tone, maintain a polite and respectful manner in all interactions, whether over the phone, email, or face-to-face, to build trust and provide excellent service.

Write clear, accurate, and professional emails, letters, and records related to prescriptions and enquiries.

Show understanding and patience when dealing with patients who may have concerns or questions about their medication.

Communicate sensitive information carefully, ensuring patient confidentiality is always maintained.

Communicate effectively with clinicians, pharmacists, and administrative staff to ensure smooth prescription services and resolve any issues quickly.

Delivering a quality service

Delivering an efficient Prescription Service, ensure the timely processing of prescriptions while meeting service targets and minimizing errors. Accuracy and attention to detail are essential to maintain patient safety and high standards of care.

Compliance with Legal and Professional Standards, adhere to all legal and professional requirements. Ensure compliance with safe systems of work when re-authorizing repeat prescriptions.

Respond promptly and courteously to enquiries from patients, pharmacies, and other healthcare providers via telephone, email, letter, or face-to-face. Maintain accurate and clear records of all communications to ensure continuity and accountability duplication.

Provide efficient and reliable administrative support to the clinical team. This includes ensuring the smooth operation of prescription-related processes and contributing to the overall functioning of the practice.

The role requires effective communication, organisational, and IT skills, along with a thorough understanding of prescription procedures and patient confidentiality requirements.

Team Working

Collaborating closely with Clinicians, pharmacists, healthcare professionals and the admin team

Communicating clearly and respectfully with team members to maintain a smooth workflow and prevent errors.

Participating in team meetings and training sessions to stay updated on procedures, regulatory changes, and best practices.

Support lead Clinical Pharmacist with prescription-related process to ensure this is reliable, efficient, and safe.

Demonstrating flexibility and reliability to adapt to changing demands and workloads within the team.

Management of risk

Verify patient identity using multiple identifiers (e.g., name, date of birth), ensuring correct patient and prescription data entry.

Maintain accurate and secure records of prescriptions.

Ensure confidentiality of patient information.

Use incidents as learning opportunities to improve processes.

Follow strict protocols for controlled drug prescription issuing.

Managing Information

Maintain accurate records of prescriptions issued, including dates, medications, and dosage.

Update patient medication records in electronic health record (EHR) systems.

Manage data confidentiality, ensuring patient information is securely handled and compliant with privacy laws (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).

Coordinate with pharmacies for prescription fulfilment and manage communication related to any issues.

Learning and Development

Keep up with changes in prescription regulations and practice systems.

Keep up to date with practice policies, systems, and protocols.

Mandatory E-learning Modules

Equality and Diversity

Identify patterns of discrimination and take action to overcome this and promote diversity and equality of opportunity.

Enable others to promote equality and diversity in a non-discriminatory culture.

Support people who need assistance exercising their rights

Monitor and evaluate adherence to local chaperoning policies.

Act as a role model in the observance of equality and diversity good practice.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE in English and Maths or NVQ equivalent

Desirable

• Pharmacy Services or equivalent NVQ2 or higher qualification
• Administration or customer service qualification

Attitudes/Skills/Qualities

Essential

• Highly motivated
• Enthusiasm
• Team player
• Flexible approach to working hours.
• Conscientious
• Basic IT skills, including use of email
• Good written communication skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a clear and professional telephone manner
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Confidence in problem-solving and decision-making in a busy environment

Desirable

• Understanding of primary care
• Understanding of medication

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working directly with members of the public in a busy environment
• Experience of working as part of a team
• Experience of managing multiple requests via various means including telephone and email
• Experience of using an NHS clinical IT system

Desirable

• Experience of working with patients within in the NHS
• Working with medication

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

Intrahealth Ltd

Address

Castle Health Centre

York Place

Scarborough

North Yorkshire

YO11 2NP

Employer's website

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