Dispenser @ Littlebury Medical Centre

Job summary

We are seeking a qualified GP Practice Dispenser to join our healthcare team. The successful candidate will be responsible for accurately dispensing medications, supporting patient care, and ensuring compliance with pharmacy regulations. This role offers an excellent opportunity for individuals with a Dispensing qualification who are committed to delivering high-quality healthcare services within a general practice setting.

Main duties of the job

• Dispense prescriptions accurately in accordance with GP instructions and pharmacy guidelines
• Assist with medication administration and provide advice to patients regarding their prescriptions
• Support patient care by answering queries related to medications and treatment plans
• Maintain precise records of dispensed medications and update patient files accordingly
• Ensure all medication stock is correctly stored, labelled, and organised
• Follow health and safety protocols to maintain a safe environment for staff and patients
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to optimise patient outcomes and medication management
• Adhere to legal and ethical standards governing pharmacy practice

About us

We are a highly regarded GP practice based in Holbeach with just under 10000 patients.

Our team consists of three GP partners, a salaried GP, ACPs, nurses, HCAs, a full dispensary team, Clinical Pharmacist and admin support.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Description - Dispenser

Role details

Job title: Dispenser Location: Littlebury Medical Centre Reports to: Senior Dispenser / Practice Manager Clinical accountability: Designated dispensing GP

Job purpose

To contribute to a safe, accurate and efficient dispensing service for the practices eligible dispensing patients. The postholder will prepare prescribed medicines, maintain stock and dispensing records, and provide a professional, approachable service to patients, working collaboratively with the dispensary, clinical and administrative teams. All duties must be undertaken within the postholders training, assessed competence and agreed supervision arrangements, in accordance with practice standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Dispensing and prescription processing

Receive and process acute and repeat prescription requests through approved practice systems, referring requests requiring clinical review or authorisation to the appropriate clinician.

Prepare, assemble and label medicines against authorised prescriptions, following SOPs and maintaining accuracy throughout the dispensing process.

Identify discrepancies, unclear instructions or other concerns and refer them to the designated GP or authorised clinician before supply.

Ensure medicines undergo the required checks before release. Undertake checking duties only where specifically trained, assessed as competent and authorised under practice procedures.

Maintain accurate patient and dispensing records, documenting relevant communications, actions and outstanding items.

Manage owing items and uncollected medicines in accordance with SOPs, ensuring appropriate follow-up.

Support controlled drug receipt, storage, records and stock checks only within authorised duties and supervision arrangements.

Do not prescribe, independently change medicines or doses, or undertake clinical decisions outside the role.

Patient service and communication

Provide a courteous, helpful and confidential service in person, by telephone and through approved practice communication systems.

Confirm patient identity and collection arrangements before handing out medicines, following practice procedures.

Respond to routine dispensing queries within competence, referring clinical questions, concerns about side effects and requests for treatment advice to an appropriate clinician.

Keep patients informed about prescription readiness, outstanding items and supply delays, using approved messaging processes and respecting confidentiality and communication preferences.

Escalate medicine shortages promptly to the dispensary lead and relevant clinician; do not agree clinical alternatives independently.

Recognise communication and accessibility needs and arrange appropriate support.

Handle concerns respectfully, referring complaints and urgent issues through the appropriate practice pathways.

Stock control and dispensary administration

Order medicines and consumables from approved suppliers within agreed authority, maintaining appropriate stock levels and minimising avoidable waste.

Check deliveries against orders and delivery documentation, promptly reporting discrepancies, damaged stock and missing items.

Store medicines securely and in accordance with manufacturer instructions and practice procedures; monitor and record storage temperatures and escalate excursions promptly.

Rotate stock, complete expiry-date checks and stock counts, and investigate discrepancies with the dispensary lead.

Support action on medicine recalls and safety alerts as directed, maintaining clear records.

Arrange authorised supplier returns and segregate expired, damaged or returned medicines for appropriate disposal under SOPs.

Collect and record prescription charges where applicable and follow procedures for exemption declarations and cash reconciliation.

Assist with prescription endorsement, monthly submission and reimbursement administration under the dispensary leads direction.

Check relevant delivery and invoice documentation and raise discrepancies for review.

Keep work areas, equipment and storage spaces clean, organised and secure.

Quality, safety and professional responsibilities

Follow current dispensary SOPs and practice policies, including confidentiality, information governance, safeguarding, infection prevention, health and safety, and equality and inclusion.

Report dispensing errors, near misses, incidents and hazards promptly through the practice reporting process and contribute to learning and improvement.

Participate in relevant audits, stock reconciliation, quality monitoring and inspection preparation as requested.

Complete induction, mandatory training and role-specific development; maintain evidence of training and competence.

Attend relevant team meetings and communicate effectively with GPs, dispensary colleagues, reception staff, suppliers and other healthcare professionals.

Support colleagues and provide agreed cover within the roles competence and supervision boundaries.

Undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role, following discussion and any necessary training.

Person specification

Essential

Relevant Level dispensing qualification, such as NVQ or equivalent, for a qualified appointment. If appointed as a trainee, willingness to undertake an agreed qualification and work under appropriate supervision until competence is confirmed.

Good literacy, numeracy and computer skills, with the ability to maintain accurate records.

Excellent attention to detail and a methodical approach to work.

Clear, professional communication and a patient-focused approach.

Ability to follow written procedures, recognise limitations and seek support promptly.

Ability to organise workload, manage competing priorities and work effectively as part of a team.

Understanding of confidentiality and the importance of safe medicines handling.

Commitment to learning, reliability and maintaining professional standards.

Desirable

Experience in a GP dispensary, community pharmacy or other relevant healthcare setting.

Experience using a GP clinical system and dispensing or stock-ordering software.

Knowledge of prescription administration, stock control and reimbursement processes.

Experience of patient enquiries, cash handling, audit or quality improvement.

Review and acknowledgement

This job description outlines the main responsibilities and is not exhaustive. It will be reviewed with the postholder as service needs develop. Any changes will remain appropriate to the role and the postholders training and competence.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant Level 2 dispensing or pharmacy services qualification, or an equivalent qualification appropriate to the duties.
• Literacy and numeracy sufficient to interpret written instructions, maintain accurate records and undertake routine calculations.
• Willingness to complete induction, mandatory training and continuing development.
• Experience of dispensing in a GP practice or pharmacy setting.
• Experience of following standard operating procedures and maintaining accurate dispensing records.
• Experience of dealing courteously with patients or customers.
• Understands the importance of accurate dispensing, patient identification and working within agreed checking arrangements.
• Recognises limits of competence and promptly refers prescription queries, discrepancies and clinical questions to the appropriate colleague.
• Willing to report errors, near misses and concerns openly and follow agreed escalation procedures.
• Consistent attention to detail when selecting items, preparing labels and recording information.
• Able to prioritise competing tasks, manage interruptions and maintain accuracy during busy periods.
• Follows procedures consistently and keeps the work area organised.
• Clear, respectful and professional communication in person and by telephone.
• Able to explain collection arrangements and administrative processes in plain language, without giving advice beyond competence.
• Responds sensitively to enquiries, concerns and delays, seeking support when needed.
• Protects patient privacy and maintains confidentiality.
• Confident using computer systems and entering information accurately.
• Maintains clear records and follows information-security procedures.
• Willing to learn the practices clinical and dispensing systems.
• Works cooperatively with dispensary colleagues and the wider practice team.
• Reliable, accountable and receptive to feedback.
• Communicates outstanding work and concerns clearly at handover.
• Treats patients and colleagues with dignity and respect.
• Able to fulfil the agreed hours and duties of the post, with reasonable adjustments where required.
• Willing to support agreed cover arrangements and adapt to changes in practice procedures.

Desirable

• Experience in a dispensing GP practice.
• Experience of repeat prescription workflows, medicines ordering, stock rotation and expiry-date monitoring.
• Awareness of controlled-drug procedures, cold-chain requirements and dispensary audit processes.
• Experience of contributing to improvements in dispensing safety.
• Experience of stock reconciliation, identifying discrepancies and reducing avoidable waste.
• Experience of prescription-ready notifications and handling enquiries about medicines availability.
• Awareness of accessible communication approaches.
• Experience of SystmOne and relevant dispensing software.
• Experience of electronic ordering, stock-control systems or approved patient-messaging tools.
• Experience of supporting new colleagues or contributing to team learning.
• Flexibility to provide additional cover by agreement.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of dispensing in a GP practice or pharmacy setting.
• Experience of following standard operating procedures and maintaining accurate dispensing records.
• Experience of dealing courteously with patients or customers. Experience in a dispensing GP practice.
• Experience of repeat prescription workflows, medicines ordering, stock rotation and expiry-date monitoring.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Littlebury Medical Centre

Address

Littlebury Medical Centre

Fishpond Lane

Holbeach

Spalding

Lincolnshire

PE12 7DE

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.littleburymedicalcentre.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)