Dispensary Assistant / Receptionist

The Methodist Church in Britain; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 15,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Nest pension with 5% employee and 3% 3

27 days annual leave + bank holidays

Job summary

Newcastle Pharmacy Services is seeking a part-time receptionist/dispensing assistant to support the outpatient service. The role combines front desk duties with dispensing support, handling calls, logging prescriptions, and assisting with stock checks.

You will interact with diverse patients, follow procedures, and contribute to daily operations under the Pharmacy Manager's direction. A proactive team player with good communication is encouraged.

Qualifications

• Good basic education, such as GCSEs or equivalent qualifications or experience.
• Experience in a customer or client focused environment is desirable.
• Familiarity with health and safety and hygiene in the workplace.

Responsibilities

• Carry out full reception duties at the pharmacy reception and answer calls.
• Enter outpatient prescriptions on the tracking system and assist dispensing staff.
• Provide clerical support, data collection and data input under the Pharmacy Manager's direction.
• Help with daily stock checks and process orders in line with procedures.
• Communicate with patients and staff in a busy environment and manage concerns calmly.

Skills

Health & safety knowledge

Communication skills

Message recording

Computer skills

Customer care

Telephone manner

Education

GCSEs or equivalent

NVQ Level 2 in pharmacy services

Tools

Prescription tracking system

Office telephone system

Job description

This post sits in Newcastle Pharmacy Services, the outpatient pharmacy run as a Trust subsidiary to dispense for the Trust's patients. The work combines pharmacy reception with dispensary support, including answering the telephone, logging outpatient prescriptions on the tracking system and taking part in daily stock checks. It is a 27-hour, Monday to Friday role with shifts between 08:30 and 18:00, based at Freeman with cover at both sites when needed. Previous applicants are asked not to apply.

What the job involves

• Carry out the full range of reception duties at the pharmacy reception
• Communicate with a diverse range of people who visit the pharmacy
• Deal daily with patients who may be upset or angry about waiting times
• Answer the dispensary telephone
• Enter outpatient prescriptions on the prescription tracking system
• Carry out the full range of dispensing assistant duties
• Provide support to dispensary staff as required
• Carry out clerical duties such as filing, archiving, data collection and data input under the Pharmacy Manager's direction
• Take part in daily stock checks
• Check off orders received into the dispensary in line with procedure
• Take part in pharmacy projects and help implement new policies and procedures

Qualifications

• Good basic education, such as GCSEs or equivalent qualifications or experience

Experience

• Experience of working in a customer or client focused environment

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of health and safety and hygiene in the workplace
• Good oral and written communication
• Ability to accurately record and relay messages to the right person in a busy environment
• Good computer skills
• Excellent customer care skills
• Excellent telephone manner

Nice to have

• GCSE or CSE in Maths and English
• NVQ Level 2 in pharmacy services and the approved underpinning knowledge
• Knowledge of drug names and terminology
• Knowledge of Standard Operating Procedures
• Pharmacy experience in a hospital or community setting
• Good listening skills
• Ability to work to a Standard Operating Procedure or protocol
• Ability to follow verbal instructions

What’s offered

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Nest pension with 5% employee and 3% employer contribution