Dispenser

Oakfield Surgery; Newmarket; On-site; CAD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare facility in Ontario, Canada, seeks a detail-oriented Dispenser to join their supportive team. This role involves ensuring the safe and efficient dispensing of medications while adhering to legal guidelines. Responsibilities include managing stock control, handling prescriptions, and maintaining accurate records. The successful candidate will have qualifications in Pharmacy Services and strong organizational skills. Benefits include life insurance and flexible working arrangements, enhancing the staff's work-life balance.

Benefits

Defined benefits scheme

Life insurance

Family benefits

Health service discounts

Minimum 33 days annual leave

Salary sacrifice schemes

Qualifications

• Experience working in a dispensary or pharmacy environment.
• Experience working in a GP practice or NHS primary care setting.
• Willingness to participate in ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safe, accurate dispensing of medications per legal requirements.
• Manage stock control to minimize waste and ensure continuity.
• Maintain cleanliness and functionality of the dispensary environment.

Skills

Accurate dispensing and record-keeping

Excellent organisational skills

Strong communication and problem-solving skills

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

NVQ Level 3 or additional pharmacy training

Tools

SystmOne or similar GP clinical systems

Job description

We are looking for a friendly, detail-focused Dispenser to join our supportive dispensary team. The role plays a vital part in ensuring patients receive their medicines safely, accurately and efficiently, while always maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality and care.

Working closely with the Dispensary Manager/Practice Operations Manager, you will help ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the dispensary, supporting strong legal compliance and sound financial control. This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who takes pride in teamwork, patient care and delivering an excellent service to the community.

Main duties of the job

Actively contribute to the dispensary team by supporting the safe, accurate and efficient dispensing of medications in line with Suffolk Primary Care policies and SOPs.

Responsibilities include issuing prescriptions and stock items, processing repeat prescriptions, dosset boxes, private and exempt charges, and responding to patient, GP and staff queries, including Ask My GP tasks. Maintain accurate records on clinical systems, including controlled drug registers, audits, DSQS reviews and prescription endorsement for monthly submission and reimbursement.

Ensure effective stock control by ordering, checking deliveries, managing invoices, rotating stock, date checking, removing expired or uncollected items, and minimising waste. Safely receive, store and monitor medicines, including refrigerated items, and act on MHRA recalls. Handle controlled drugs and pharmaceutical waste in compliance with legislation and safety requirements.

Maintain cleanliness and functionality of the dispensary environment and equipment. Support audits, stock checks, team cover, meetings and ongoing professional development. Liaise with GPs regarding medication concerns, act on notifications and procedural updates, and work collaboratively with the Dispensary Manager and team to ensure compliance with legislative and operational changes.

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

• Defined benefits scheme
• Life insurance
• Family benefits, including adult dependents & children's pensions
• Ill health benefits

Electric Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme:

• 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:

• 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
• Salary sacrifice schemes for technology, homewares (Currys, John Lewis, Decathlon), cycling, and gym memberships

At 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 responsibilities

Job Summary

• Themain purpose of the Dispenser is to ensure that the drugs and medicines areprepared efficiently, accurately and safely according to legal requirements,and respecting patient confidentiality at all times.

Toassist the Dispensary Manager in ensuring that effective financial and legalcontrol of the dispensary is maintained

Job Responsibilities

To actively contribute within the dispensing team inassisting in the preparation of all aspects of dispensing including stockcontrol, ordering, re-stocking of the dispensary in line with the objectives ofthe dispensary work plan.

• Issuingstock items and prepared prescriptions.
• Handingout prescriptions, collection of prescription charges / checking patientexemption statements and prescription exemptions are completed correctly.
• Processingand dispensing repeat prescription requests received in the surgery in linewith Suffolk Primary Care policies.
• Collectingprivate charges for private medications, vaccines and other medications.
• Sorting,stamping and endorsing prescriptions in preparation to send to PPD on monthlybasis by the required date to ensure timely reimbursement.
• Removeitems from the collection drawers which have not been collected on a monthlybasis and audit on clinical system.
• Checkstock against invoices for accurate delivery and claim for missing/damageditems on credit note.
• Operationof efficient stock control appropriate to the needs of the dispensary with theobjective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastageand ordering appropriate quantities of goods via the wholesalers preferredmethod.
• Ensuringthat drugs are received and stored in an appropriate manner in accordance withthe manufacturers instructions and any MHRA recalls are actioned.
• Ensuringthat refrigerated items are stored at the appropriate temperature andmaintaining the temperature control record.
• Cleaningwork surfaces and shelving on a regular basis and ensuring that all dispensaryequipment is kept clean and kept in good working order.
• Datechecking to be performed as per SOP.
• Maintainingfull and accurate records of all dispensing transactions including theelectronic CD register.
• Acceptingorders for repeats and dealing with queries from patients and support staff.
• Dealingwith Ask My GP queries and action appropriately.
• Ensureaudits are completed timely and any DSQS patient reviews are performed.
• Handlingand safe destruction of patient returned medicines.
• Stockingshelves, refrigerators and other storage areas using the rotation method.
• Removingout of date stock from the shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas.
• Toaction tasks, notifications and emails.
• Usingthe computer to maintain accurate and up to date records and issueprescriptions.
• Liaisewith the GPs or in patient records if concerned about the appropriateness ofmedication requests.
• Dealingwith queries from patients regarding prescriptions.
• Tohandle controlled drugs and maintain accurate register for legal and stockcontrol purposes in line with current legislation and safe storage as required.
• Assistin stock checks where required.
• Toprovide cover for members of the team during absence.
• Toperform safe disposal of pharmaceutical waste ensuring compliance includingcontrolled drugs where appropriate.
• Toattend and contribute to team meetings.
• Toact upon any new information relating to stock or procedures.
• Tokeep professionally up to date with current dispensing Suffolk PrimaryCare.
• Towork with the Dispensary Manager and other members of the team to comply withStandard Operating Procedures following any legislative changes or otherrelevant procedures as notified.

This Job Description is neither exhaustive nor exclusiveand will be reviewed periodically in conjunction with the post holder. The postholder is required to carry out any duties that may reasonably be requested bythe Dispensary Manager or SPC.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Qualifications:
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent recognised qualification)
• NVQ Level 3 or additional pharmacy/medicines training

Experience

• Experience:
• Experience working in a dispensary or pharmacy environment
• Experience working in a GP practice or NHS primary care setting

Skills, Knowledge and Other

• Skills & Abilities:
• Accurate dispensing and record-keeping
• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge:
• Good knowledge of pharmacy law, NHS prescription handling, and Controlled Drugs
• Understanding of SOPs, MHRA alerts, and infection control
• Personal Attributes:
• High level of integrity and professionalism
• Calm under pressure
• Flexible and adaptable
• Other Requirements:
• Eligible to work in the UK
• Willingness to participate in ongoing CPD
• Full UK Driving Licence
• Familiarity with SystmOne or similar GP clinical systems
• Awareness of DSQS requirements and prescription reimbursement process
• Willingness to support and mentor junior staff or trainees
• Local knowledge or links to the community served

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.