Pharmacy Technician/Dispenser

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Dispensary Technician/Dispenser to join our existing 2 Pharmacy Technicians and dispensary team at Framlingham Medical Practice.

Main duties of the job

This position is to ensure the provision of efficient and accurate dispensing of medication to the patients of Framlingham Medical Practice, to provide leadership to the dispensary team in the day to day running of dispensary and to assist in the effective financial control of the dispensary.

About us

Framlingham Medical Practice are a forward thinking GP Practice looking after 9,500 patients. Our clinical team consists of 4 GP Partners, a Salaried GP, Clinical Pharmacist, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, 2 Paramedics, an Advanced Paediatric Nurse Practitioner, 3 Nurses, 2 Health Care Support workers and a Phlebotomist.

We have a large purpose built air conditioned dispensary. Our dispensary team consists of 2 pharmacy technicians and 6 dispensers.

The practice is supported by a dedicated team of administrators and care navigators.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Overall responsibility for the operational day-to-day running of the Dispensary at both Framlingham and Earl Soham.

Co-management of the dispensary team

Support the Dispensing Quality and Medicines Management Pharmacy Technicians with their primary roles during absence

Ensure adequate staffing of the dispensaries and authorising dispenser annual leave

Work with the Clinical Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technicians to ensure all Dispensary and Medicines Management procedures and protocols are safe, effective and patient-centred

Maintain an adequate supply of drug stock and ensuring that drug supply issues are dealt with promptly so as to cause the least disruption to prescribing

Manage the procedures surrounding drug alerts and recalls, to ensure alerts are acted on promptly and communicated effectively

Provide support with drug switches and bulk drug changes, as agreed with the Clinical Pharmacist

Oversee submissions to NHS Business Services Authority Prescriptions services including: checking endorsements, preparing forms, prescription submissions, vaccine lists and management of prescriptions returns from the NHS Business Services Authority Prescription Services.

Ensure dispensary practice is up to date with monthly Drug Tariff changes and concessions.

Process all relevant prescriptions as authorised by GPs, independent prescribers and external prescribers, where appropriate, in accordance with the principles of good practice and following Practice Policies/Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Support the development of dispensary, providing reports, data and other information as required by the Partners and Senior Management Team.

Deliver a consistently high standard of professional customer service to all patients whether in person, via telephone and electronically.

Complete all tasks assigned with a high level of accuracy.

Work in accordance with strict guidelines for Information Governance and maintaining strict Patient Confidentiality at all times

Manage, supervise, co-ordinate and guide the Dispensing staff

Deal with any problems reported by other members of the Dispensing team.

Oversee the organisation of dispensary staff rotas and ensuring adequate staff cover at all times.

Plan, chair and minute Dispensing Team meetings.

Manage dispenser annual leave.

Assist with the maintenance of Dispensary Standard Operating Procedures and Policies.

Encourage and support personal development of members of the Dispensing team.

Maintain self and team professionalism and high level service standards at both sites.

Liaise with the Clinical Pharmacist and Practice Manager of any matters arising or problems / potential problems.

Carry out Dispensing team staff appraisals and prepare Personal Development Plans and training plans with guidance from the Clinical Pharmacist and Practice Manager.

Assist the Practice Manager with any dispensary disciplinary actions.

Prepare proposals for dispensary staff recruitment and assist with the recruitment process.

Be prepared to cover shifts at either site as required.

Staff Training:

Assist with the training of dispensers, including encouraging and organising attendance on relevant recognised courses.

Assist with induction training for any new Dispensing staff and on-going support in their development.

Ensure dispenser competencies for all new team members are completed and up kept for all dispenser staff.

Ensure that all team members are fully up to date with their mandatory administrative training via the online learning portal dispenser.

Provide guidance and support for more junior team members currently working on NVQ2 qualifications.

Ensure Practice Policies and Procedures are followed and adhered to.

Liaise with management team concerning staffing and organisation of Dispensing work.

Quality:

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice, and will:

Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk.

Keep a detailed log of dispensing errors and communicate all incidents to the Dispensary Quality Pharmacy Technician

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.

Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.

Purchasing and stock control:

Close liaison with the Dispensing Clinical Lead, Clinical Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technicians on stock control

Oversee stock checks and the processing of short dated stock

Communicate the details of short dated stock to prescribers to minimise waste

Monitor and maintain emergency drugs ensuring 6 monthly checks of expiry dates for emergency drugs in accordance WITH Practice Policy

Ad hoc daily ordering of stock

Weekly ordering of generic stock, bottles, labels, boxes , bags & prescriptions

Management of stock deliveries and payments in accordance with practice policies

Maintain adequate stocks at main and branch surgeries, ensuring timely stock rotation

Ensure prescription items are counted ready for end of month processing

Drug company representatives:

Ad hoc liaison with wholesale drug company representatives

Meet regularly with drug company representatives in order to ensure the best possible discount levels

Prescriptions, prescription moneys & security:

Responsible for security, including opening and closing of Dispensary and the secure storage of controlled drugs at each site including extra early and extra late opening.

Responsible for prescription payments from patients (including all Private prescription income) and storing securely.

Ensure that all prescriptions are correctly written up, signed by the prescriber and signed by the patient in line with Practice Policy.

Oversee daily cashing up prescription moneys, balancing and recording, then ensuring all money is stored securely in the safe

Destruction of drugs:

Responsible for overseeing the destruction of medication in line with Standard operating procedures:

Daily: dealing with returned medication from patients

Monthly: dealing with uncollected medication

Monthly: dealing with returned controlled drugs from patients for destruction

Six monthly: dealing with out of date controlled drugs with the appropriate officer from the ICB for destruction

Dispensing:

Management of repeat and acute prescriptions in accordance with Practice Policy

Overseeing/checking colleagues dispensing

Taking prescription repeats via email, over the counter or online

Generating monthly repeat prescriptions for the practice, liaising with the relevant partners over any necessary changes in medication

Collecting prescription charges from patients

Dispensing private patients prescriptions

Removing out of date repeats from patients computerised repeat prescription lists

Preparing compliance aids

ADMINISTRATION, IT & COMMUNICATIONS

Administration:

Ensure drug updates are actioned promptly and communicated to all team members

Ensure all comments and complaints are correctly handled in line with the Practice Policy

Keep the Dispensing Quality Pharmacy Technician, Clinical Pharmacist and Practice Manager informed of any possible formal complaints

Electronically record any Incidents or Accidents in accordance with Practice Policy

Information Technology:

Have full understanding of the clinical system (SystmOne)

Have a working knowledge of all dispensing software and hardware used at both sites.

Have a good working knowledge of MS Word and Excel

Ensure that all team members are regularly checking and taking appropriate action in response to all electronic communications issued (Tasks, Notifications and emails etc.).

Communication:

The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will:

Communicate effectively with other team members, patients and carers.

Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.

Dealing with patients, and contacts within the NHS and other practices, both in person and on the telephone.

Refer any urgent calls on to the appropriate clinical lead.

Consult with multi-disciplinary team members where necessary

Explain to patients in addition to appropriate labelling, how to take their drugs

Management of team holiday requests, arranging suitable cover and ensuring it is accurately recorded on electronic leave calendar.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Pharmacy Technician Qualification

Experience

Essential

Experience of working as a Pharmacy Technician in a pharmacy or dispensary

Desirable

Experience of working in primary care Experience of working in a GP practice

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