Dispenser

**Job summary**:
To process all relevant prescriptions as authorised by GPs and prescribing nurses where appropriate in accordance with the principles of good practice.

NVQ2 in Dispensing Services or equivalent is essential.

**Job responsibilities**:

- 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 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.
- To promptly forward all invoices and dispensary related correspondence to the practice manager or dispensary manager according to practice policy.
- 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needs of the practice with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage through out of date stock.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.
- Any other delegated duties appropriate to the post.

To undertake any necessary work as may be required and appropriate to maintain a high standard and efficient dispensing service.

**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 persons in accordance with the practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data

**Health & safety**:
The post-holder will implement and lead on a full range of promotion and management their own and others’ health and safety and infection control as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policy, the practice Health & Safety Manual, and the practice Infection Control policy and published procedures. This will include (but will not be limited to):

- Using personal security systems within the workplace according to Practice guidelines
- Awareness of national standards of infection control and cleanliness and regulatory / contractual / professional requirements, and good practice guidelines
- Correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Use and monitoring of the correct use of Standard operating Procedures for cleaning and infection control
- Responsible for correct hand hygiene of self and others
- Ownership of infection control and clinically based patient care protocols, and implementation of those protocols within the team
- Active observation of current working practices across the team in relation to infection control, cleanliness and related activities, ensuring that procedures are followed and weaknesses / training needs are identified, escalating issues as appropriate
- Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks across clinical and patient process
- Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills, and initiate and manage the training of others across the full range of infection contro