Dispenser

**Job Title**

Dispenser

**Line Manager**

Site/Dispensary Manager

**Accountable to**

Lead Dispensing GP

**Hours per week**

37.5

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday

**Job Summary**

To be responsible for the processing of prescriptions in accordance with practice policy and extant legislation. In addition, the post-holder will be required to support the dispensary manager in ensuring a high-level of service is delivered at all times, whilst supporting the multi-disciplinary team in line with the strategic objectives of the practice

**Primary Responsibilities**

**Dispensing**
- Dispensing acute prescriptions
- 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
- Updating patients’ repeat screens on Doctors’ instructions
- Dispensing private prescriptions
- Checking colleagues’ dispensing
- Ensuring the Dispensary area remains clean and tidy
- Maintaining complete and accurate records for controlled drugs

**Prescriptions**
- Handing out prescriptions and collecting charges when appropriate
- Taking prescription repeats over the telephone and at the patients’ hatch
- Collecting private charges for ‘blacklisted’ medications, vaccines and holiday prophylactic medication
- Sorting, stamping, and endorsing prescriptions
- Completing backs of prescriptions
- Generating prescriptions

**Stock Control**
- Ordering appropriate quantities of goods via the wholesaler’s computer link
- Checking goods as and when they are delivered and recording generic details
- Returning incorrect goods to the wholesalers
- Stocking shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas using rotation method
- 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needs of the practice with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage through out-of-date stock.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.
- Removing ‘out of date’ stock from the shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas
- Disposal of returned unused medicines

**Secondary Responsibilities**

In addition to the primary responsibilities, the dispenser may be requested to:

- To answer telephone calls & passing on messages as appropriate
- Dealing with problems & enquiries
- Inputting information onto computer
- To work flexibly within the team & to provide cover as necessary
- 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/Dispenser
- 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 PPD for processing and reimbursement. The forms should be bundled in accordance with current PPD guidelines and include any necessary accompanying paperwork such as the FP34D
- To promptly forward all invoices and dispensary related correspondence to the Dispensary Manager according to practice policy.
- To notify the Dispensary Manager of any FP10 returns/feedback from the PPA so that any appropriate remedial action may be taken.
- 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.

**Meetings and Training**
- Attend monthly meetings which include mandatory training as required for the post.
- Attend any additional reception meetings
- Attend training courses the Practices may require to improve your knowledge for the position.

**Freedom to Act**
- To work alone and unsupervised in the reception area at certain times of the day. This will necessitate using initiative in the organisation and prioritisation of own workload.
- Deals with enquiries and advice for patients, working to practice policies and procedures. Guidance is available from the Practice Manager when required.
- Responsible for ensuring the building is secure at the end of the day and that closedown procedures are followed. To report security breaches at once to the relevant rescue services.

**Holiday and Sickness Relief**
- To provide cover for