About this role
Job summary
Are you organised, approachable and committed to providing a safe and helpful service to patients?
Old School Surgery is looking for a reliable and conscientious GP Practice Dispenser/Dispensary Assistant to join our established team.
This is an important and varied role at the heart of our village practice. You will help ensure that our dispensing patients receive their medication safely, accurately and on time, while providing a friendly and professional service.
You will work closely with our GPs, nurses, dispensary colleagues and wider practice team. The position would suit someone who has excellent attention to detail, communicates confidently and takes pride in delivering high-quality patient care.
Previous experience in a general practice dispensary would be an advantage, but it is not essential. We would also welcome applications from candidates with relevant dispensing, pharmacy, healthcare or customer-service experience who can demonstrate the accuracy, reliability and willingness to learn required for the role.
Main duties of the job
As a member of the dispensary team, you will:
Accurately prepare, label and dispense medication in line with prescriptions, practice procedures and professional requirements. Check dispensed medicines against prescriptions and refer any concerns to a GP or authorised clinician. Process repeat prescriptions promptly and within required timescales. Provide a courteous, helpful service, responding to patient queries within the boundaries of the role. Liaise effectively with patients, clinicians and practice colleagues. Maintain accurate dispensing records in patient records. Order medication and supplies through approved wholesaler systems; receive and check deliveries, record details and arrange returns of incorrect or unsuitable goods. Rotate stock, monitor expiry dates and ensure medicines are stored safely. Maintain the cold chain for refrigerated medicines and complete monitoring records. Collect prescription charges and ensure patient declarations are completed correctly. Support the safe management, documentation and reconciliation of controlled drugs as required. Keep the dispensary clean, tidy, organised and safe. Work collaboratively with dispensary colleagues, GPs, nurses, the Practice Manager and wider practice team. Attend induction, training and continuing development activities. Provide reasonable reception cover when required. Undertake other appropriate duties as requested by the Partners or Practice Manager.
About us
The Old School Surgery is a friendly village general practice operating from a characterful converted Victorian school building in Chartham.
We are proud of our welcoming, patient-focused atmosphere and the close working relationships across our clinical, dispensary and administrative teams. Our dispensary plays an essential part in supporting patients who rely on the practice for the safe and timely supply of their medication.
The successful candidate will join an established dispensary team and work alongside colleagues from across the practice.
We offer:
A welcoming and supportive practice team. A varied role with regular patient contact. The opportunity to develop knowledge and experience within general practice. NHS Pension Scheme membership, if applicable. 5.6 Weeks Annual leave entitlement. Relevant training or qualification support, if required Ample free on-site parking.
Job description Job responsibilities
As a member of the dispensary team, you will:
Prepare, label and dispense medication accurately in accordance with prescriptions, practice procedures and relevant professional requirements. Check dispensed medicines carefully against prescriptions and refer any uncertainty to the appropriate GP or authorised clinician. Process repeat prescription requests and help ensure prescriptions and medication are prepared within the required timescales. Provide a calm, courteous and helpful service to patients, responding appropriately to medication and prescription queries within the boundaries of the role. Act as an effective link between patients, clinicians and other members of the practice team. Maintain complete and accurate dispensing records within the patient record. Order medication and other dispensary supplies through the appropriate wholesaler systems. Receive and check deliveries, record the required information and arrange the return of incorrect or unsuitable goods. Rotate stock, monitor expiry dates and ensure medicines are stored safely and correctly. Maintain the cold chain for refrigerated medicines and complete the required monitoring records. Collect prescription charges and ensure that the relevant patient declarations are completed correctly. Support the safe management and required documentation of controlled drugs, including assisting with reconciliation where requested. Help maintain a clean, tidy, organised and safe dispensary environment. Work collaboratively with the dispensary team, GPs, nurses, Practice Manager and other colleagues. Participate in relevant induction, training and continuing development. Provide reasonable support to the reception team when required. Undertake other appropriate duties requested by the Partners or Practice Manager.
Person Specification
Skills and Personal Qualities Essential
A consistently high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Good written and verbal communication skills. A friendly, calm and professional manner. The ability to maintain confidentiality. The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team. Good organisational and time-management skills. The ability to follow detailed procedures and raise concerns appropriately. Reliability, flexibility and a willingness to support colleagues. Basic computer literacy and the ability to learn new systems.
Experience Desirable
Previous experience in a general practice dispensary. Previous dispensing or community pharmacy experience. Experience of working in a healthcare or patient-facing environment. Experience of using a clinical or dispensing computer system.
Additional Information Essential
The successful candidate will be expected to comply with all practice policies and procedures, including those relating to confidentiality, information governance, infection prevention and control, health and safety, safeguarding and medicines management. Appointment will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks appropriate to the role. To apply, please submit an application through NHS Jobs/a CV and covering letter explaining how your experience and skills meet the requirements of the position.
Qualifications Desirable
A recognised dispensing or pharmacy-services qualification, such as an NVQ Level 2 or equivalent. Relevant training or experience in medicines handling. Applicants who do not have previous general practice dispensing experience may still be considered where they can demonstrate suitable transferable skills and the ability to undertake the required training.
Employer details Employer name Old School Surgery
Address Bolts Hill
Chartham
Canterbury
Kent
CT4 7JX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.oldschoolsurgerykent.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)