About this role
Job summary
A Prescription Clerk is responsible for processing and managing prescription requests, ensuring accurate and timely handling of medication orders, and providing administrative support to healthcare professionals and patients. The role requires excellent attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to maintain confidentiality while working within NHS and practice guidelines.
Main duties of the job
To act as a focal point of communication between the Practice team, patients and local chemists, as well as other members of the primary health care team, to ensure patients medication/prescription requests are dealt with efficiently and effectively within the current practice protocols.
About us
A GP Practice provides primary healthcare services to patients within the local community. It is typically the first point of contact for medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of health conditions. The practice is staffed by a multidisciplinary team, including GPs, nurses, healthcare assistants, administrative staff, and prescription clerks, working together to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care. GP practices also provide preventive healthcare services, manage long-term conditions, issue prescriptions, and coordinate referrals to specialist services when required.
Job description Job responsibilities
This position is part time, covering 3 days per week.
Job responsibilities:
Greet patients and visitors to the practice in a professional and polite manner at all times;
Support and assist the Practice Team with any medication queries;
Communicate/liaise with hospital pharmacists, consultants, consultant secretaries, local pharmacies and residential homes in the area;
Communicate with District Nurses and appliance contractors when dealing with catheters, bags and other medical appliances, process new requests and associated documentation;
Work closely with other members of the Prescription Team including the Clinical Pharmacists and external supporting Pharmacy Technicians;
Ensure tasks are checked and completed in a timely manner;
Process scanned letters (within 3 working days of receipt), making the appropriate changes within patient records, ensuring the accuracy of letters/discharge summaries. Raise and investigate queries with clinicians and appropriate departments to validate amendments where necessary;
Add, amend and stop medications correctly, ensure the correct review dates are implemented and correct medication issues are added;
To generate repeat prescription requests on the surgery computer system via any of the incoming methods (physical, repeat request, online requests, letter, etc;)
To process requests for prescription items in accordance with the practice protocol for new items not already in the patients record;
Process repeat prescription requests in accordance with practice guidelines;
Understand and know how to process medications that require; shared care, medications that are double red or require prior approval;
Ensure applications for prescription charge exemptions are accurate and processed in a timely manner;
Keep up-to-date, understand and be aware of the following:- practice formulary, drug tariff, BNF, Pharmacy Law, ethics and current legislation;
Ensure correct protocols are followed regarding controlled drug requests;
Ensure electronic prescriptions are assigned to relevant clinicians at the agreed share out times;
Be aware of drug safety, recalls and advice as per MHRA, bringing any relevant changes to the attention of prescribers;
Taking a pro-active role in ensuring patients are aware if they are due a review of medication and informing clinicians to maintain patient safety;
To have a positive attitude and approach towards problem solving;
Maintain a logical approach in reducing medicine waste, recognising over ordering and query with the relevant person(s), organisation as necessary;
Liaise with Pharmacies on the supply of prescribed drugs, alert clinicians regarding supply issues, process requests for alternative medications and seek advice where necessary;
Appreciation of the nature of primary care prescribing;
Raise any significant events as a result of prescribing issues and inform the rest of the team;
Appreciation of the NHS agenda and government initiatives.
Other Tasks
Attend monthly PLT sessions - Mandatory
Attend Prescription Team Meetings as required
Attend training sessions as deemed necessary by the practice or for personal development
Any other tasks allocated by managers
Be available to cover annual/sick leave as required
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, the practice health & safety manual, and the practice infection control policy and published procedures. This will 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;
Actively reporting of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised;
Keeping own work areas and general/patient areas generally clean, assisting in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness consistent with the scope of the job holders role;
Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum annually);
Reporting potential risks identified;
Demonstrate due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
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 recognises the importance of peoples 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 that 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, with 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 undertaking similar 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;
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;
Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs;
Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.
Communication:
The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:
Communicate effectively with other team members;
Communicate effectively with patients and carers;
Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.
Contribution to the implementation of services:
The post-holder will:
Apply practice policies, standards and guidance;
Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work;
Participate in training where appropriate
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
GCSE Grade A to C in English and Maths Previous experience in Admin or clerical roles. Knowledge & Skills Understanding of repeat prescription processes and medication management. Excellent attention to detail and accuracy. Strong organisational and time management skills. Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities. Good verbal and written communication skills. Ability to handle sensitive information confidentially and in accordance with GDPR requirements. Good customer service skills and a professional, courteous manner. Personal Attributes Reliable, flexible, and dependable. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Positive and proactive approach to work. Commitment to providing high-quality patient care and service. Professional and respectful attitude towards patients, colleagues, and healthcare professionals.
Desirable
Desirable Criteria Qualifications & Experience NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Business Administration or equivalent qualification. Previous experience as a Prescription Clerk within a GP practice. Experience using EMIS Web, SystmOne, or other clinical systems. Knowledge & Skills Knowledge of NHS prescribing guidelines and procedures. Understanding of medical terminology. Awareness of medicines management and prescription workflows. Experience handling prescription queries and liaising with community pharmacies.
Experience Essential
Qualifications & Experience Good standard of general education, including GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths. Previous experience in an administrative or clerical role. Experience of working in a healthcare, GP practice, pharmacy, or NHS environment. Experience of using computerised patient record systems and Microsoft Office
Desirable
Previous experience as a Prescription Clerk within a GP practice. Experience using EMIS Web, SystmOne, or other clinical systems. Knowledge & Skills Knowledge of NHS prescribing guidelines and procedures. Understanding of medical terminology. Awareness of medicines management and prescription workflows. Experience handling prescription queries and liaising with community pharmacies.
Employer details Employer name St Luke’s Primary Care Centre
Address Timken Way South
Duston
Northampton
NN5 6FR
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.stlukesprimarycarecentre.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)