Trainee Dispenser

There is the opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship in customer service as part of this role. Alternatively on the job training will be provided.

**Job Summary**:
To support provide accurate and efficient dispensing of medication ensuring high standards of customer service are maintained at all times and to assist in ensuring effective financial control of the dispensary.

**Responsibilities**:

- To ensure all work is in compliance with the dispensary Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) including:

- 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 work within your area of competence, seeking assistance from a qualified dispenser whenever appropriate/necessary.
- To greet patients at the dispensary window, answer queries and hand out medication and 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 demonstrate a positive attitude.
- To send medication via delivery bus when requested.
- To check deliveries against orders and invoices.
- File prescriptions appropriately when signed.
- 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needs of the Practice with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage through out of date stock.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.

**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 assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others’ health, safety and security as defined in the Practice Health & Safety Policy, to include:

- Using personal security systems within the workplace according to Practice guidelines
- Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks
- Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills
- Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards
- Reporting potential risks identified

**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 unde