Dispenser

Madeley Practice; Crewe; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Madeley Practice in Crewe is seeking a full-time Dispenser for a temporary maternity cover until January 2028, joining a friendly team serving around 9,000 patients. The role is 37.5 hours across five days, primarily at our Madeley site with a branch at Baldwins Gate, within a fast-paced dispensing environment.

The successful candidate will dispense, respond to patient queries, manage stock, and adhere to SOPs, while observing all legal and safety requirements in a busy GP practice.

Qualifications

• Experience in a GP practice is desirable.
• Experience with EMIS Web is desirable.
• Experience in a customer or patient-facing role.
• Good general education.
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills or equivalent.
• Strong communication and IT skills.
• Ability to manage time and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and dispense accurate prescriptions promptly.
• Respond to patient queries regarding prescriptions and medications.
• Manage stock effectively and keep dispensary safe.
• Follow dispensary procedures and safety policies.
• Process repeat and acute prescription requests.
• Record and handle private prescriptions and payments.

Skills

Communication skills

IT skills

Time management

Problem solving

Interpersonal skills

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills

Tools

EMIS Web

Barcode scanner

Job description

Job summary

We are looking to recruit a full-time Dispenser for a temporary maternity cover position until January 2028. You will join our friendly team serving around 9000 patients.

The hours will be full time across 5 days (37.5 hours).

We are an EMIS based dispensing practice with an emphasis on high quality patient centred care. Our main site is in Madeley (CW3 9NQ) with our branch site at Baldwins Gate (ST5 5DA). We are part of Newcastle South Primary Care Network.

We are looking for an enthuisiastic and motivated individual who shares our values and has the necessary skills to thrive in a busy dispensary.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will join the dispensing team to help deliver the following service:

• Process and dispense repeat and acute prescription requests
• Responding to patient queries in relation to prescriptions and medications
• Effective stock management
• Work in accordance with the dispensary standard operating procedures

Please see job description for further information

About us

We are a practice with 4 GP partners. We are also a training practice supporting GP Registrars and medical students.

The dispensary team comprises of 6 part-time dispensers working in a fast paced environment.

Job responsibilities

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE Dispenser

REPORTS TO Practice Manager

Job Summary

To prepare and dispense accurately, safely and promptly under the doctors overall supervision

To project a positive and friendly image to patients and other visitors and deal with queries in a professional, courteous and efficient manner

Duties and responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities to be undertaken may include any or all of the items in the following list. Duties may be varied from time to time under the direction of the Practice Manager, dependent on current and evolving practice workload and staffing levels:

To work within the practices guidelines, policies and standard operating procedures

To be aware of the health and safety of others in the working environment. To comply at all times with the practices health and safety policies and procedures/infection control procedures

Dispensary role

To prepare and dispense accurately, safely and promptly under the doctors overall supervision

To dispense medication, as required by the doctors in the practice and to arrange for their checking using the bar coder, or if unable to use the bar coder, by a second member of staff checking the drugs, ensuring that any drugs requested which are not on repeat prescription are not issued without the doctors consent

To second check other dispensers routine items which have not bar coded, noting that any unusual items or where unsure the doctors should be asked to check

To receive, record and dispense repeat medication requests and, where the medication review is overdue to bring to a doctors attention

To use judgement when issuing repeat prescriptions with regard to frequency of use, noting any under/overuse and highlighting any issues to the doctor and following the repeat prescription Standard Operating Procedure

To deal with queries using the patient task system

To ensure stock is not outdated before use

Not to dispense medicines to unauthorised persons, whoever they may be, without the doctors consent

To dispense and record private prescriptions, as authorised by the doctor, and their payments

To fully observe all legal requirements relevant to dispensing practice, including controlled drugs

End of month prescription submissions

Stock control

Ensure the dispensary is kept properly stocked and that drugs are ordered in via the wholesaler computerised link, as appropriate, to fill prescriptions

Checking goods in as and when they are delivered

To keep the emergency drug cupboard stocked up and order further supplies as necessary

Returning incorrect goods to the wholesaler promptly

Stocking shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas using rotation method

Storing controlled drugs as per practice policy

Removing out of date stock from the shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas

Disposal of returned unused medicines as per practice policy

Finance

To collect all due prescription charges/check patient exemption and ensure that the patient declaration on the reverse of the FP10 is duly filled in and signed by the patient, where required

To ensure that all monies received are entered in the till

To produce an end of day till receipt and store with daily takings in the safe

To give all monies to Finance Manager or Practice Manager/Assistant Practice Manager in her absence

To put float in till on a daily basis and ensure sufficient change

Housekeeping/maintenance

To maintain work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards

To ensure that all dispensary equipment is kept clean and report any faults to the Practice Manager

To check and maintain the refrigerator temperature log on a daily basis and immediately report any change outside recommended limits to the Practice Manager, Assistant Practice Manager or doctor

To ensure as far as reasonably possible, the safety and security of the dispensary and contents under the doctors supervision

To ensure the safety of all who enter the dispensary

Other

To report significant events

To take prompt action in response to any drug alerts

Person Specification

Experience (Desirable)

• Experience of working in a GP practice
• Experience of EMIS web
• Experience in a customer or patient-facing role

Qualifications (Essential)

• Good standard of general education
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills (or equivalent recognised dispenser qualification)

Skills (Essential)

• Excellent communication skills
• IT skills
• Time management and the ability to work to deadlines
• Problem solving skills
• Interpersonal skills

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.