Dispensary Assistant

**Harptree Surgery**

**Job summary**

Harptree and Cameley Surgeries have an opportunity for a qualified Dispensary Assistant to join our team, on a part-time or permanent basis. You will be part of a team that prides itself on providing exemplary service to our patients and colleagues at all times.

Applicants should be friendly, compassionate and have excellent attention to detail as well as a highly professional customer service manner.

**Main duties of the job**

To be responsible for the processing of prescriptions in accordance with practice policy and extant legislation. The role holder will be responsible for handing out medications, dealing with queries and handling payments as well as handling medication stock in accordance with practice policy and extant legislation. In addition, the post-holder will be required to support the Lead Dispenser and wider team 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

**About us**

Harptree and Cameley Surgeries serve a population of 6800 patients, with a team consisting of receptionists, doctors, healthcare assistants, nurses, a care co-ordinator, pharmacist, administrators, and dispensers.

We pride ourselves on the service we delivery to patients and receive excellent Friends and Family Feedback each month. The dispensary team is led by our Lead Dispenser, and regular team meetings allow for the sharing of new ideas and development of new processes that will improve the patient journey through the Surgery.

Our recent addition to the Surgery of a Garden Room as a staff room at Harptree Surgery has given a well-deserved relaxation space to our staff. It provides a complete ‘get away’ for lunch and break-times.

**Job description**

**Job 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 on factors such as workload and staffing levels:

- To be responsible for checking all medicines dispensed, ensuring there are no discrepancies
- Dispensing medicines to the entitled population safely and accurately
- Collecting prescription charges in accordance with dispensary protocol
- Maintaining stock levels within the dispensary, liaising with the dispensary manager to facilitate reordering
- Receiving and storing supplies in accordance with current policy, ensuring the cold chain is maintained where applicable
- Ensuring controlled drugs are dispensed with in accordance with practice policy
- Safe disposal of returned and / or out of date medicines
- Ensuring all repeat prescriptions are processed within a timely manner and the surgerys agreed timeframe
- Providing patients with advice regarding all prescription matters
- Processing Dossett boxes
- Assisting the Lead Dispenser in the preparation of monthly returns
- Maintaining a clean and safe working environment at all times
- Maintaining accurate records at all times, read coding entries appropriately

**Person Specification**

**Qualifications**

**Essential**
- Dispensing qualification (NVQ level 2)
- Educated to GCSE level or equivalent
- Experience of working with the general public
- Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
- Strong IT skills
- Clear, polite telephone manner
- Effective time management (planning & organising)
- Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
- Good interpersonal skills
- Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure
- Polite and confident
- Flexible and cooperative
- Motivated
- Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
- High levels of integrity and loyalty
- Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
- Ability to work under pressure / in stressful situations
- Able to communicate effectively and understand the needs of the patient
- Effectively utilises resources
- Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort

**Desirable**
- Customer service qualification (NVQ) or equivalent
- Dispensing qualification (NVQ level 2)
- Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
- SystmOne user skills
- Experience of working in a dispensary/pharmacy

**Disclosure and Barring Service Check**

**Certificate of Sponsorship