Prescription Clerk/Dispenser

Primary Care Careers; West Stow; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Swan Surgery and Forest Surgery are seeking a dedicated Prescription Clerk/Dispenser to join our busy prescribing team on a permanent basis. We operate across two sites with a four-week rota, minimum 22.5 hours per week, and offer training and support to ensure safe, efficient prescription processing.

You will handle repeat requests, queries from patients and pharmacies, maintain records and stock, and follow procedures to protect patient confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Essential: good organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to manage busy workload.
• Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a friendly and professional approach to patients and colleagues.
• Flexible and reliable team player with a positive attitude and willingness to learn.
• Able to work accurately and follow procedures, recognising importance of patient safety and confidentiality.
• Commitment to providing excellent patient care and service.
• Confident using computer systems and undertaking administrative duties.
• Willing and able to work across Swan Surgery and Forest Surgery on a four-week rota.
• Previous experience in general practice and knowledge of SystmOne would be an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Managing repeat prescription requests and ensuring timely processing per policy.
• Receiving and responding to prescription requests and queries from patients, pharmacies, nursing homes and district nurses.
• Carrying out dispensing duties where trained, ensuring accuracy and proper recording in the dispensing system.
• Ordering and maintaining medication stock per formulary and stock procedures.
• Ensuring controlled drugs are managed in line with legal requirements and procedures.
• Maintaining accurate patient records, recording medication changes and recalls.
• Following up outstanding requests with patients and healthcare professionals.
• Providing a professional service to dispensary users and handling phone inquiries.
• Assisting with opening/closing procedures and maintaining a clean, secure area.
• Undertaking general administrative duties and supporting other practice areas as needed.

Job description

Job summary

Swan Surgery has an opportunity for a Prescription Clerk/Dispenser to join our busy prescribing team, at the heart of our patient care service. This role is offered on a full-time or part-time, permanent basis, with a minimum of 22.5 hours per week.

The successful candidate will work across both Swan Surgery and Forest Surgery on a four-week rota, supporting the delivery of a safe, efficient and effective prescription service to our patients.

The successful candidate will be expected to work accurately, follow practice policies and procedures, and maintain patient confidentiality at all times. Training and support will be provided where appropriate to the role.

Main duties of the job

• Managing repeat prescription requests, ensuring they are processed within the agreed timescales and in accordance with practice policies.
• Receiving and responding to prescription requests and queries from patients, pharmacies, nursing homes and district nurses.
• Carrying out dispensing duties, where appropriately trained, ensuring prescriptions are processed accurately and all relevant information is recorded within the dispensing system.
• Ordering and maintaining medication stock in line with the practice formulary and stock control procedures, including receiving deliveries, returning unwanted items and assisting with stock checks.
• Ensuring controlled drugs are ordered, received and dispensed in accordance with relevant legal requirements and practice procedures.
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date patient medical records, including recording medication changes, completing relevant reports and ensuring appropriate recalls are carried out.
• Following up outstanding prescription requests and queries with patients and healthcare professionals.
• Providing a professional and helpful service to patients attending the dispensary and responding to telephone enquiries in a timely manner.
• Supporting the opening and closing procedures of the dispensary, including recording fridge and room temperatures and ensuring the area is clean, tidy and secure.
• Undertaking general administrative duties and providing flexible support across other areas of the practice when required.

About us

Swan Surgery and Forest Surgery are committed to providing high-quality, patient-centred care to our local communities. Our teams work together to ensure patients receive a friendly, responsive and effective service, with a strong focus on patient safety and continuous improvement.

We recognise that our staff are at the heart of delivering excellent patient care and are committed to supporting their ongoing learning and development. We aim to provide a welcoming and supportive working environment where colleagues can develop their skills, share knowledge and contribute to the success of our practices.

Joining our team offers the opportunity to work alongside colleagues across two surgery sites, gain valuable experience and play an important role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our patients.

Closing date: 22 November 2026

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time

Reference number: 30123

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Desirable: Ideally hold an NVQ Level 2 Pharmacy qualification or have previous experience working as a prescription clerk.

Experience

• Essential: Have good organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage a busy workload.
• Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a friendly and professional approach to patients and colleagues.
• Be a flexible and reliable team player with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.
• Be able to work accurately and follow procedures, recognising the importance of patient safety and confidentiality.
• Demonstrate a commitment to providing excellent patient care and service.
• Be confident using computer systems and undertaking administrative duties.
• Be willing and able to work across both Swan Surgery and Forest Surgery on a four-week rota basis.
• Previous experience working in general practice and knowledge of SystmOne would be an advantage.

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.