Dispensary Assistant

Ensure all patients are treated with dignity and respect, ensuring appropriate telephone and face-to-face manner is used with patients and callers thus promoting a pleasant and positive image of the Practice. Respond to all queries and requests for assistance from patients and other visitors to the surgery, whether face-to-face, by telephone or upon request from the GP Partners, Head Dispenser/Dispensary Manager or Practice Manager. 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. 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.

To issue invoices to patients for private services and drugs and record in receipt books. 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 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.

Place daily orders for medication with wholesalers and suppliers, maintaining all associated paperwork. To promptly forward all supplier invoices and dispensary related correspondence to the Head Dispenser/Dispensary Manager or Practice Manager. To notify the authorising doctor of any FP10 returns/feedback from the PPA so that any appropriate remedial action may be taken. 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needs of the Practice with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage through out-of-date stock.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. 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. To work unsupervised and on own initiative, carrying out tasks such as repeat dispensing, stock/date checking. Complete other tasks relating to QOF, the DSQS and other enhanced services or schemes that the Practice is committed to, including audits.

To cover all dispensing duties as required or delegated to you by the GP Partners, Head Dispenser/Dispensary Manager or Practice Manager. Attend meetings and training events as required. To set the building alarm and lock up at the end of each evening shift. Quality Standards: The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the Practice, and will: Hold minimum NVQ2 or equivalent in dispensing Have a full understanding and update awareness of medicine ethics and ways of working Have a full understanding and adherence to SOPs Have a proven history of high standards in accuracy Be aware of and meet the requirements of the GMS Contract, QOF related tasks and the DSQS enhanced service 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 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 pers