Dispenser/Administrator- Alston Medical Practice

Integrated Care System; Alston; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the UK is looking for a Dispenser/Administrator for their Alston Medical Practice. This role involves supporting a dynamic team, ensuring the accurate dispensing of medications, and providing administrative support. Applicants should have strong communication skills and the ability to maintain confidentiality. Full training will be given, and flexibility to cover colleague absences is essential. This position is part-time at 30 hours per week.

Qualifications

• Understanding of clinical protocols and terminology.
• Ability to carry out work accurately to specified deadlines.
• Previous experience in a similar role is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide general assistance to the Practice team.
• Dispense acute and repeat prescriptions in line with standard operating procedure.
• Ensure the dispensary area remains clean and tidy.

Skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Ability to prioritize & manage own workload

Friendly, helpful and can do approach

Excellent organizational skills

Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality

Education

GCSE grade A to C / 4-9 in English and Maths

Proof of Dispensary Qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word and Excel)

Job description

Dispenser/Administrator- Alston Medical Practice

We have an exciting opportunity for a Dispenser/Administrator to join our friendly and dynamic Dispensing Team.

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to work 30 hours per week, to support delivery of an excellent and expanding service to our patients.

The successful applicant must be flexible to cover annual leave and sickness.

For applicants without experience, full training will be provided, along with the opportunity to complete a recognised dispensing qualification.

CLOSING DATE - 13 AUGUST 2025

Main duties of the job

• Providegeneral assistance to the Practice team and project a positive and friendlyimage to patients and other visitors, either in person or via the telephone
• Receive,assist and direct patients in accessing the appropriate service or healthcareprofessional in a courteous, efficient and effective way
• Undertakea variety of administrative duties to assist in the smooth running of thePractice including the provision of clerical support to clinical staff andother members of the Practice team
• Facilitateeffective communication between patients, members the primary health care team,secondary care and other associated healthcare agencies
• To process all relevant prescriptions as authorised by GPsand prescribing nurses where appropriate in accordance with the principles ofgood practice

About us

All staff are expected to work to Cumbria Healths Values:

• Clinically Focussed: Everything every one of us does is for the patient
• Responsive: We listen and we respond quickly in a patient focussed way
• One Team: We work together to provide a high quality service which is organised and consistent, and in partnership with both the local Acute and Community Trusts
• High Standards: We provide skilled professionals working to the highest standards who are passionate about improving patient care
• Growth & Sustainability: With our strong roots we will continue to thrive and grow
• Communities: Connecting and engaging to meet local needs

Job responsibilities

This list of duties and responsibilities, which follows,represents the broad range of tasks which may be required to be undertakeneither routinely or periodically. Thislist is not exhaustive and the role may include additional duties which are notlisted here.

Dispensing

• Dispensingacute and repeat prescriptions in line with AMP standard operatingprocedure.
• Not todispense medicines to unauthorised persons, without the doctors consent
• Dispensingrepeat prescription requests received by telephone calls, by e-mail,by faxand those delivered to the surgery
• To ensurethat all medicines and appliances dispensed are checked against theprescription and whenever there is doubt about the appropriateness of the item, orabout the dose or labelling instructions to check with the authorising prescriberor duty doctor
• Updatingpatients repeat screens on Doctors instructions
• Dispensingprivate prescriptions
• Dispensingblack listed prescriptions, pricing and recording them
• Ensuringthe Dispensary area remains clean and tidy
• Maintainingcomplete and accurate records for controlled drugs
• Coveringcolleagues for sickness and holidays

Prescriptions

• Handingout prescriptions and collecting charges when receiving and processing.
• Receivingprescription repeats electronically or in person.
• Collectingprivate charges for private prescriptions, vaccines and holiday
• prophylacticmedication as necessary
• Sorting,stamping and endorsing prescriptions
• Completingbacks of prescriptions
• Generatingprescriptions

Stock Control

• Orderingappropriate quantities of goods via the telephone / wholesalerscomputer.
• Returninggoods to wholesalers.
• Stockingshelves, refrigerators and other storage areas using rotation method.
• Removingout of date stock from the shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas.
• Disposalof returned unused medicines.
• Ensuringthe storage area remains safe, clean and tidy at all times and that cleaningschedules are maintained.

Reception:

• Processingpersonal and telephone requests for appointments, visits and telephoneconsultations and ensuring callers are directed to the appropriate healthcareprofessional
• Enterrequests for home visits into the visit book, ensuring careful recording of allrelevant details and where necessary refer to Duty Doctor.
• Initiatingcontact with and responding to requests from patients, other team member andassociated healthcare agencies and providers ExplainPractice arrangements and formal requirements to new patients and thoserequiring temporary cover and ensure procedures are completed.
• ExplainPractice arrangements and formal requirements to new patients and thoserequiring temporary cover and ensure procedures are completed.
• Processingrequests for repeat prescriptions in accordance with Practice guidelines
• Ensuringprompt dispatch of pathology specimens and internal mail to the relevanthospital departments.

Administration:

• To have athorough knowledge of all Practice procedures.
• To workin accordance of written protocols.
• Processingand distributing incoming (and outgoing) mail
• Takingmessages and passing on information
• Providingpatient summary print outs in preparation for home visits
• Scanningand shredding.
• Filingand retrieving all necessary paperwork
• Advisepatients of relevant charges for private (non General Medical Services)services, accept payment and issue receipts for same.
• Providingclerical assistance to Practice Staff as required from time to time, includingword/data processing, filing, faxing, photocopying.
• Periodicallychecking the fax to ensure it is operational and has an adequate paper supplybefore leaving for the evening.
• Maintenanceof patients medical notes (Lloyd George records) sorting of filing in new medical records
• Ordering,re-ordering and monitoring of stationery and other supplies

Person Specification

Skills and Aptitudes

• Understanding of clinical protocols and Terminology
• Excellent oral and written communication Skills
• Excellent telephone manner
• Ability to prioritise & manage own workload
• Friendly, helpful and can do approach
• Ability to carry out work accurately to specified deadlines
• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to maintain a high level of confidentiality

Qualifications

• GCSE grade A to C / 4-9 in English and Maths
• Proof of Dispensary Qualification
• Buttercups Training

Knowledge

• Dispensing medicines within Primary Care setting
• Managing Stock Control and stock rotation
• Use of Microsoft Office (word and excel)
• Use of a GP clinical System
• Understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality
• Dispensing medicines within a pharmacy or GP setting
• Previous experience in a similar role.

Other requirements

• Will be required to cover holiday periods and sickness cover

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.