Dispensing Receptionist Role

NHS Jobs; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension

Generous annual leave

Ongoing training opportunities

Job summary

NHS Jobs is seeking a Dispensing Receptionist for Market Overton and Somerby Surgeries. You will deliver a professional, welcoming service, supporting both reception and dispensary teams and helping patients with enquiries and appointments.

The role combines reception and dispensing tasks in a rural GP practice; prior dispensing experience is preferred, with the potential for ongoing training and development within the NHS.

Qualifications

• GCSEs in English and maths at grade C/4 or above.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Experience in a customer-facing role.
• IT skills and experience with computer systems.
• Experience working in a GP dispensing practice or healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide friendly reception service and handle patient enquiries.
• Manage appointments and signpost as needed.
• Process prescription requests and assist dispensing team.
• Stock management and correct storage of medicines.
• Maintain compliance and perform administrative duties.

Skills

Customer facing

IT skills

Dispensing experience

Communication

Education

GCSE English & Maths (C/4)

Tools

SystmOne

Job description

We are looking for a Dispensing Receptionist to provide a professional, efficient, and welcoming service to our patients across Market Overton and Somerby Surgeries. The successful candidate will support both the reception and dispensary teams, handling patient enquiries, managing appointments, processing prescription requests, dispensing medications safely and accurately, and maintaining stock levels. Working closely with clinicians and colleagues, you will play an important role in ensuring patients receive a high-quality service while supporting the smooth day-to-day running of the practice.

We are ideally seeking a qualified Dispenser with previous dispensing experience, ideally within a GP Dispensing Practice.

Main duties of the job

This is a varied role combining dispensing and reception responsibilities within a busy rural GP Practice. You will be the first point of contact for patients, assisting with appointments and enquiries, while also supporting the dispensary with prescription processing, medication dispensing, stock management, and compliance activities. The role offers the opportunity to make a real difference to patient care as part of a friendly and supportive team.

About us

Market Overton and Somerby Surgeries are friendly, patient-focused rural dispensing practices serving our local communities in Rutland and Leicestershire. We are proud of our supportive team environment, where colleagues work collaboratively to deliver high-quality care and excellent patient experiences. We value teamwork, professionalism, and compassion, and strive to create a positive workplace where staff feel respected, supported, and encouraged to develop. If you are looking for a rewarding role within a welcoming and community-focused practice, we would love to hear from you. We offer NHS Pension membership, generous annual leave entitlement, ongoing training opportunities, and the chance to be part of a dedicated and experienced primary care team.

Job responsibilities

Reception

Ensure an effective and efficient reception service is provided to patients and any other visitors to the Practice.

Deal with all general enquiries, explain procedures and make new and follow-up appointments.

Using your own judgment and communication skills ensure that patients with no prior appointment but who need urgent consultation are seen in a logical and non-disruptive manner, signposting as appropriate.

Explain Practice arrangements and formal requirements to new patients and those seeking temporary cover and ensure procedures are completed.

Receive and make telephone calls as required. Divert calls and take messages, ensuring accuracy of detail and prompt appropriate delivery to intended recipient.

Advise patients of relevant charges for non-General Medical Services, accept payment and issue receipts for same.

Action e-consults and other online forms of communication received from patients daily

Assist with reviewing and processing information received via the Practice dashboard.

Hand out medication and collect prescription charges from patients, ensuring they are recorded.

Assist with checking prescriptions for signature/endorsements and sort for return to the Prescription Pricing Authority, as per standard operating procedure.

Dispensary:

Purchasing and Stock Control

Ordering stock from medication wholesalers.

Checking goods in from wholesaler deliveries and ensuring goods are stored appropriately.

Checking dispensary invoices against orders received, raise queries for any missing / damaged items.

Maintain adequate stocks at the surgeries, ensuring timely stock rotation.

Assist with 3 monthly expiry dates checks, removing out of date stock from shelves and refrigerators and flagging any drugs which are near their expiry date.

Checking and sending daily orders to each wholesaler, chasing up any medications on manufacture delay and returning incorrect goods to the wholesalers.

Annual stock takes in dispensaries.Assist with controlled drug checks.

To take prompt action in response to any drug alerts that may be received.

To ensure that fridge items are stored correctly, logging fridge temperatures daily.

Destruction of Drugs:

Recording and sorting returned medication from patients.

Dealing with uncollected medication.

Disposal of returned unused medications.

Dispensing:

Action repeat prescription requests and ensure that they are ready for collection by the patient within 4 working days.

Processing prescription repeats via the telephone or online. Liaise with pharmacist / clinician for any medication changes.

Dispensing repeat and acute prescriptions and ordering any medications needed.

Ensure controlled drugs are entered into the CD register, as appropriate.

Checking colleagues dispensing i.e. second signing.

Handing out medication and collecting prescription charges from patients, ensuring they are recorded.

Assist with checking prescriptions for signature/endorsements and sort for return to the Prescription Pricing Authority, as standard operating procedure.

DSQS and CQC compliance.

At all times working in accordance with defined Standard Operating Procedures.

Open up premises at the start of the day when first to arrive, de-activate alarm and make all necessary preparations to receive patients.

When last to leave at the end of the day, ensure that the building is totally secured, internal lights are off and the alarm activated.

Undertake any other additional duties appropriate to the post as requested by the Partners or the Practice Manager.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics (Grade C/4 or above)
• Good standard of general education

Experience

• Previous experience in a customer-facing role
• IT skills and experience using computer systems
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Experience working within a GP dispensing practice
• Experience of working in a healthcare setting
• Experience using clinical systems such as SystmOne

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.