Dispenser
We are a GP Practice in the town of Thrapston, Northamptonshire providing medication for the small rural villages within our vicinity. We care for approximately 7000 patients and the Dispensary serves almost a third of those patients. Within the Dispensary there are currently 3 members of the team and the Dispensary Manager, all with the Accuracy Checking course and would love to have an enthusiastic, friendly and caring person to join our team. We work closely with the Gp's and Practise Nurses in ensuring patients receive their medication in a swift and safe environment.
The individual we are looking for will be capable of working to high standards of accuracy and cleanliness, will be a good team player, and will be flexible and reliable. The successful candidate will be willing to work towards the Accuracy Checking Dispensing Assistant certificate (if does not already have the Accuracy Checking Course)
Reporting to our Dispensary Manager, you will be responsible for a range of duties, key elements of which are the safe and accurate dispensing and supply of medicines for collection, 72hr requests and monthly in-advance requests (including weekly medication trays for our blister pack patients), stock control and date checking, dealing with dispensary tasks, telephone queries and dispensary hatch requests. Attention to detail is important as well as computer literacy. We use the EMIS system for Dispensing currently. You will learn all these tasks in a supportive environment where teamwork is a key part of the success of the team.
Occasionally there will be overtime opportunities to help cover annual leave. Salary is negotiable on experience.
Benefits:
· Company pension
· Flexible schedule
· On-site parking
Schedule:
· Day shift (Between 8.30-18.30)
· Monday to Friday
· Overtime
Job Types: Full-time 37 ½ Hours week
Schedule:
· Day shift
Experience:
· Pharmacy/Surgery Dispensary: 1 year (preferred)
Duties and responsibilities:
The following are the core responsibilities of the Dispenser. There may be on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:
To be responsible for dispensing all medicines prescribed to the practice population, safely and accurately.
Collecting prescription charges in accordance with dispensary Sop
Maintaining stock levels within the dispensary, operating efficient stock control appropriate to the needs of the practice with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage due to out of date stock.
To ensure that drugs are received and stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the accompanying instructions.
To ensure that refrigerated items are stored at the appropriate temperature and to maintain a temperature control record.
Ensuring controlled drugs are dispensed with in accordance with dispensary SOP’s
Ensure the safe disposal of returned and / or out of date medicines
Providing patients with advice regarding all prescription matters
Process prescription requests via email, face-to-face and online
Processing Dossett boxes
To collect all due prescription charges and ensure that the patient declaration on the reverse of the FP10 is completed and signed by the patient or person collecting on behalf of the patient
To ensure that all monies received or handled on behalf of the practice are appropriately stored 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 PPA for processing and reimbursement. The forms should be bundled in accordance with current PPA guidelines and include any necessary accompanying paperwork such as the FP34D and invoices as required by the PPA.
To promptly forward all invoices and dispensary related correspondence to the practice manager or dispensary manager according to practice policy.
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 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.
Provide guidance for trainee dispensary staff
Confidentiality:
While 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 carer, 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:
Awareness of the practice guidelines for infection control and cleanliness ensuring that procedures are followed, escalating issues as appropriate
Correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), where required
Be responsible for correct hand hygiene
Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills
Using appropriate infection control procedures, ensuring work areas are tidy, clean, and free from hazards.
Actively identifying, reporting, of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised
Keeping own work areas and general / patient areas generally clean
Undertaking annual infection control training
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 people’s 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
Complete all mandatory training annually.
To complete Dispensing Checker course
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 team’s performance
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:
Communicate effectively with other team members
Communicate effectively with patients and carers
Recognise people’s 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 as directed by the Dispensary Manager
Primary Contact
Jo - Dispensary Manager