Pharmacy Assistant

Harptree & Cameley Surgery; West Harptree; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in West Harptree is looking for a Pharmacy Assistant. The successful candidate will dispense medications, assist in maintaining stock levels, and support a multi-disciplinary team in delivering excellent patient service. Ideal candidates will hold an NVQ level 2 qualification or be willing to train. This is a full-time position with options for part-time work.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with the general public.
• Experience in a dispensary or pharmacy is desirable.
• Motivated and flexible team player.

Responsibilities

• Check all medicines dispensed for discrepancies.
• Dispense medicines safely and accurately.
• Collect prescription charges following protocol.
• Maintain stock levels within the dispensary.
• Process prescription requests effectively.

Skills

Attention to detail

Excellent communication

Customer service

Teamwork

Education

GCSE level or equivalent

Customer service qualification (NVQ)

Dispensing qualification (NVQ level 2)

Tools

SystmOne

Office and Outlook

Job description

Harptree and Cameley Surgeries have an opportunity for a Pharmacy Assistant to join our team, ideally on a full-time basis with the option of accommodating two part‑time roles. Ideally you will be qualified to NVQ level 2, alternatively there would be an opportunity to train for this qualification. You will be part of a team that prides itself on providing exemplary service to our patients and colleagues at all times.

About us

Harptree and Cameley Surgeries serve a population of approx. 6800 patients, with a team consisting of doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, a social prescriber/care co‑ordinator, pharmacist, pharmacy technician, dispensers, receptionists and administrators.

We pride ourselves on the service we deliver to our patients, this is supported by the excellent Friends and Family feedback that we receive each month. The dispensary team is led by our Lead Dispenser. Regular team meetings allow for the sharing of new ideas and development of new processes that will improve the patient journey throughout the Surgery.

Pharmacy Assistant

Job Description & Person Specification

To be responsible for the processing of prescriptions in accordance with practice policy and extant legislation. The role holder will be responsible for handing out medications, dealing with queries and handling payments as well as handling medication stock in accordance with practice policy and extant legislation. In addition, the post‑holder will be required to support the Lead Dispenser and wider team in ensuring a high‑level of service is delivered at all times, whilst supporting the multi‑disciplinary team in line with the strategic objectives of the practice.

Applicants should be friendly, compassionate and have excellent attention to detail skills as well as a highly professional customer service manner.

Primary responsibilities

• To be responsible for checking all medicines dispensed, ensuring there are no discrepancies
• Dispensing medicines to the entitled population safely and accurately
• Collecting prescription charges in accordance with dispensary protocol
• Maintaining stock levels within the dispensary, liaising with the dispensary manager to facilitate reordering
• Receiving and storing supplies in accordance with current policy, ensuring the cold chain is maintained where applicable
• Ensuring controlled drugs are dispensed in accordance with practice policy
• Safe disposal of returned and/or out of date medicines
• Ensuring all repeat prescriptions are processed within a timely manner and the surgery’s agreed time‑frame
• Providing patients with advice regarding all prescription matters
• Process prescription requests via email, phone, face‑to‑face and online
• Processing Dossett boxes
• Assisting the Lead Dispenser in the preparation of monthly returns
• Maintaining a clean and safe working environment at all times
• Maintaining accurate records at all times, read coding entries appropriately

Secondary responsibilities

• Partake in audit as directed by the audit lead
• Remain current with the latest guidance ensuring the dispensary conforms to NICE, CQC etc guidance

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent
• Competent in the use of Office and Outlook

Desirable

• Customer service qualification (NVQ) or equivalent
• Dispensing qualification (NVQ level 2)
• SystmOne user skills
• Experience of working in a dispensary/pharmacy

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with the general public
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Strong IT skills
• Clear, polite telephone manner
• Effective time management (planning & organising)
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure
• Polite and confident
• Flexible and cooperative
• Motivated
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
• High levels of integrity and loyalty
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Ability to work under pressure / in stressful situations
• Able to communicate effectively and understand the needs of the patient
• Effectively utilises resources
• Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort
• Competent in the use of Office and Outlook

Desirable

• Experience of working in a primary care environment
• Experience of working in a healthcare setting
• Experience of working in a dispensary/pharmacy

Personal qualities

Essential

• Polite and confident
• Flexible and cooperative
• Motivated
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
• High levels of integrity and loyalty
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Ability to work under pressure / in stressful situations
• Able to communicate effectively and understand the needs of the patient
• Effectively utilises resources
• Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort

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.

This document may be amended, following consultation with the postholder, to facilitate the development of the role, the practice and the individual. All personnel should be prepared to accept additional, or surrender existing, duties to enable the efficient running of the practice.