About this role
Job summary
As a dispenser/dispensary assistant, you will be responsible for preparing and dispensing medicines with accuracy, efficiency, and care, ensuring full adherence to legal standards and maintaining patient confidentiality at all times.
You will also play a key role in supporting the Dispensary Supervisor/Manager by helping to uphold strong financial, operational, and legal governance within the dispensary.
Main duties of the job
As a dispenser/dispensary assistant, you will:
Support all aspects of the dispensing process, including preparing prescriptions, issuing stock items, managing repeat requests, and maintaining accurate electronic records.
Handle patient facing tasks, such as handing out prescriptions, collecting charges, checking exemption status, responding to queries (including Ask My GP), and liaising with clinicians when medication concerns arise.
Maintain effective stock control, including ordering, checking deliveries, rotating stock, removing out of date items, and ensuring medicines are stored safely, including refrigerated items and controlled drugs.
Prepare monthly prescription batches, including sorting, stamping, endorsing, and auditing uncollected items to ensure timely reimbursement.
Support dispensary governance, including completing audits, DSQS reviews, date checking, and ensuring compliance with SOPs, legislative updates, and MHRA recalls.
Ensure a safe and clean working environment, including regular cleaning of work areas, equipment checks, and safe handling and disposal of pharmaceutical waste and patient returned medicines.
Contribute to team operations, including covering colleagues during absence, actioning tasks and emails, attending team meetings, and staying professionally up to date.
About us
Suffolk Primary Care (SPC) is a forward-thinking partnership of GP surgeries across Suffolk. Our collaborative approach enables doctors and staff to share resources, ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality healthcare.
We are committed to equal employment opportunities and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.
Benefits of Working with SPC
NHS Pension Scheme:
Defined benefits scheme Life insurance Family benefits, including adult dependents & children's pensions Ill health benefits 23.7% employer contributionElectric Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme:
Low monthly payments, no deposit, no credit check Fully comprehensive insurance, servicing, tyres & breakdown cover Up to £2,000 annual SPC contribution (subject to conditions)Flexible Working Arrangements:
GP remote working options to accommodate personal commitments
Additional Benefits:
Eye care vouchers Health service discounts, including a complimentary Blue Light Card for new starters Minimum 33 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays) for full-time employees, with enhancements for long service Enhanced maternity & paternity terms High street discounts via our online portal Salary sacrifice schemes for technology, homewares (Currys, John Lewis, Decathlon), cycling, and gym membershipsAt SPC, we invest in our staffs professional growth and well-being, fostering a positive work environment that benefits both our team and the communities we serve.
Job description Job responsibilities Job Responsibilities
To actively contribute within the dispensing team in assisting in the preparation of all aspects of dispensing including stock control, ordering, re-stocking of the dispensary in line with the objectives of the dispensary work plan.
1. Issuing stock items and prepared prescriptions.
2. Handing out prescriptions, collection of prescription charges / checking patient exemption statements and prescription exemptions are completed correctly.
3. Processing and dispensing repeat prescription requests received in the surgery in line with Suffolk Primary Care policies.
4. Collecting private charges for private medications, vaccines and other medications.
5. Issuing and dispensing dosset boxes.
6. Sorting, stamping and endorsing prescriptions in preparation to send to PPD on monthly basis by the required date to ensure timely reimbursement.
7. Remove items from the collection drawers which have not been collected on a monthly basis and audit on clinical system.
8. Check stock against invoices for accurate delivery and claim for missing/damaged items on credit note.
9. Operation of efficient stock control appropriate to the needs of the dispensary with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage and ordering appropriate quantities of goods via the wholesalers preferred method.
10. Ensuring that drugs are received and stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the manufacturers instructions and any MHRA recalls are actioned.
11. Ensuring that refrigerated items are stored at the appropriate temperature and maintaining the temperature control record.
12. Cleaning work surfaces and shelving on a regular basis and ensuring that all dispensary equipment is kept clean and kept in good working order.
13. Date checking to be performed as per SOP.
14. Maintaining full and accurate records of all dispensing transactions including the electronic CD register.
15. Accepting orders for repeats and dealing with queries from patients and support staff.
16. Dealing with Ask My GP queries and action appropriately.
17. Ensure audits are completed timely and any DSQS patient reviews are performed.
18. Handling and safe destruction of patient returned medicines.
19. Stocking shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas using the rotation method.
20. Removing out of date stock from the shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas.
21. To action tasks, notifications and emails.
22. Using the computer to maintain accurate and up to date records and issue prescriptions.
23. Liaise with the GPs or in patient records if concerned about the appropriateness of medication requests.
24. Dealing with queries from patients regarding prescriptions.
25. To handle controlled drugs and maintain accurate register for legal and stock control purposes in line with current legislation and safe storage as required.
26. Assist in stock checks where required.
27. To provide cover for members of the team during absence.
28. To perform safe disposal of pharmaceutical waste ensuring compliance including controlled drugs where appropriate.
29. To attend and contribute to team meetings.
30. To act upon any new information relating to stock or procedures.
31. To keep professionally up to date with current dispensing Suffolk Primary Care.
32. To work with the Dispensary Supervisor/Manager and other members of the team to comply with Standard Operating Procedures following any legislative changes or other relevant procedures as notified.
This Job Description is neither exhaustive nor exclusive and will be reviewed periodically in conjunction with the post holder. The post holder is required to carry out any duties that may reasonably be requested by the Dispensary Manager or SPC.
Person Specification
Skills, Knowledge and Other Essential
Computer knowledge Time keeping Organisation Communication Team working Customer/patient communication Understanding of Dispenser roles High level of integrity and professionalism Calm under pressure Flexible and adaptable Patient-focused Eligible to work in the UK Willingness to participate in ongoing CPD Full UK Driving Licence
Desirable
Familiarity with SystmOne or similar GP clinical systems Accurate dispensing and record-keeping Excellent organisational skills Ability to work independently and as part of a team Strong communication and problem-solving skills Awareness of DSQS requirements and prescription reimbursement process Good knowledge of pharmacy law, NHS prescription handling, and Controlled Drugs Understanding of SOPs, MHRA alerts, and infection control Willingness to support and mentor junior staff or trainees Local knowledge or links to the community served
Experience Essential
Customer/patient facing role
Desirable
Experience working in a GP practice or NHS primary care setting
Qualifications Essential
Willing to work towards NVQ Level 2
Desirable
NVQ Level 3 or additional pharmacy/medicines training NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent recognised qualification)
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 Oakfield Surgery
Address Oakfield Surgery
Newmarket Hospital
Newmarket
Suffolk
CB8 7JG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://suffolkprimarycare.uk/oakfield-surgery/ (Opens in a new tab)