Dispensing Receptionist

NHS; Sheerness; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider on the Isle of Sheppey is seeking a Dispensing Receptionist to support their dedicated team. This dual role combines reception duties, handling patient queries, and assisting with medication dispensing. The ideal candidate should have excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and previous experience in a customer-facing role, preferably within healthcare. Commitment to patient care and teamwork is essential in this dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in customer-facing roles.
• Handling of confidential information is essential.
• Previous experience in a GP Surgery, Pharmacy, or healthcare reception is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Greeting patients and providing a welcoming service.
• Managing appointments and patient queries.
• Assisting with dispensing tasks under supervision.

Skills

Excellent communication

Strong organizational skills

Problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Education

Good general education (GCSEs or equivalent in English and Maths)

NVQ Level 2 / 3 in Dispensing

Tools

NHS clinical systems (e.g. EMIS, Docman)

Job description

We are an 11,000 patient Practice on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent and are looking for a Dispensing Receptionist to join our hard-working dedicated team. Our team prides itself on being approachable, efficient and supportive to both patients and colleagues. This is a dual role combining reception duties with dispensing support, ensuring smooth patient journeys from arrival to collection of medication or prescriptions.

You must have an excellent attendance record, be a good timekeeper, able to work under pressure and enjoy working as part of a team. The successful candidate will be flexible, motivated, reliable, conscientious and committed to making a valuable contribution to the team

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

• Greeting patients and providing a welcoming front-of-house service
• Managing appointments, phone calls, and patient queries
• Processing prescriptions and assisting with dispensing under supervision
• Maintaining accurate records and patient confidentiality
• Supporting the clinical team with administrative task
• Ensuring stock is managed and shelves are well-presented

About You

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Friendly, professional, and patient-focused
• Highly organised with attention to detail
• Comfortable working in a busy environment
• A strong communicator with good IT skills
• Previous experience in healthcare, pharmacy, or reception is desirable (training provided if needed)

About us

We have one main site in Sheerness, with two other branch sites at Eastchurch & Leysdown.

The successful candidate will be based at the branch sites.

Job responsibilities

Reception Duties

• Greet patients and visitors in a courteous and professional manner
• Manage patient appointments, telephone calls, and general enquiries
• Register new patients and update patient records accurately
• Handle repeat prescription requests and liaise with clinicians as required
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to GDPR/NHS data protection standards

Dispensing Duties

• Assist with the preparation and dispensing of medication under supervision
• Process repeat prescriptions and ensure accuracy in dispensing
• Maintain stock control, including ordering and safe storage of medicines
• Ensure compliance with NHS dispensing regulations and practice protocols
• Provide advice to patients on the safe collection of medication (within competence and training)

Administrative Duties

• Support clinicians and practice staff with administrative tasks
• Record and file information accurately in clinical systems
• Contribute to the smooth running of the surgery by assisting colleagues when required
• Participate in audits, training, and quality improvement initiatives

• Confidentiality: In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data

The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment, such training to include: Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work

Experience

• Experience of working in a customer-facing role
• Experience of handling confidential information
• Previous experience in a GP Surgery, Pharmacy, or healthcare reception
• Experience of using NHS clinical systems (e.g. EMIS, Docman)

Personal Attributes

• Friendly, approachable, and patient-focused
• Reliable, punctual, and professional
• Commitment to patient care
• Commitment to continuous professional development
• Ability to adapt to change in a healthcare environment

Qualifications

• Good general education (GCSEs or equivalent in English and Maths)
• NVQ Level 2 / 3 in Dispensing

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands
• Ability to work flexibly across reception and dispensary
• Problem-solving skills and initiative

Knowledge

• Understanding of patient confidentiality and GDPR
• Awareness of NHS policies and procedures relating to dispensing and reception
• knowledge of medical terminology

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.