Dispenser inSwaffham inSwaffham PUBLISHED FRI 27 SEP 2024

We are a very busy GP surgery based on the outskirts of the small town of Swaffham with a branch Surgery in the village of Necton.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Dispenser to work part time alongside our current experienced team to provide support to our GP's, healthcare team and patients.

The position is full time (37 hours per week). In addition the candidate should also be flexible and available to cover extra hours as required.

Hourly rate dependent on experience, other benefits include access to the NHS pension scheme.

This is a very busy and demanding role that includes a variety of dispensary duties and responsibilities within the GP practice. Good communication skills and teamwork are key.

The ideal candidate should be computer literate, have the ability to work under pressure, use initiative, an excellent telephone manner and a pleasant positive outlook.

Previous experience in a GP surgery is desirable but not mandatory.

The dispenser should be computer literate, although we will provide training to use our clinical system, and have achieved as minimum a standard equivalent to the Pharmacy Services / NVQ level 2 qualifications.

Our new dispenser should have experience of working in a GP dispensary, community or hospital pharmacy, to a level of 1,000 hours of work experience within the past five years and be competent in the area that they are working. It would be advantageous for experience of building doset boxes / blister packs, although not essential as training can be given.

You should be available for dispensary services at both premises.

About us

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties and responsibilities to be undertaken by the Dispenser may include any or all of the items in the following list. Duties may be varied from time to time under the direction of the Head of Department/Practice Manager, dependent on current and evolving Practice workload and staffing levels:

• Accurately dispense and check drugs being issued to patients in accordance with the Practice Dispensing Policy.
• Explain to the patient about drug dosage etc.
• Take prescription fees and ensure completion of exemption declarations by patients.
• Liaise with representatives from drug companies.
• Counting the prescriptions and preparing them for dispatch to the PPA for payment.
• Assisting the District Nurse / Practice Nurse and GPs with any queries.
• Dealing with telephone calls from patients who have queries regarding their medication.
• Order medications as required.
• To carry out duties competently and within the standards expected by the DSQS and Plowright Medical Centre.
• To work safely at all times in accordance with legislative requirements and Practice Policy & Procedures.
• To ensure items used in the Practice which are on the drug tariff, are scripted accurately.
• To ensure accurate coding records to enable the Practice to maintain its high quality service and Quality & Outcome Framework (QoF) status.
• To provide cover for Annual Leave and Sickness
• To be available for dispensary services at both premises.

GENERAL AND CLERICAL/ADMIN DUTIES

• Participate, as required, in the Practice audit programmes.
• Liaise with practice team and participate in team/staff meetings where requested.
• Participate in stock checking.
• To maintain a clean working environment, including shelves and working surfaces.
• Wear uniform provided and to be of smart appearance when dealing with the public.
• Maintaining a supply of bags and bottles etc.
• Monitor and record the temperature of the drug storage fridge daily.
• Clean and tidy the dispensary, cupboards and fridges
• Order drugs, appliances and dressings
• Check the delivery of drugs against orders, delivery notes and invoices

CONFIDENTIALITY AND RECORD KEEPING

• Observe a strict code of confidentiality at all times.
• Understand the responsibility of self and others in relation to the Freedom of information Act and GDPR Regulations.
• In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder will 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.
• To make accurate records in patients computerized records in relation to medication prescribed.
• Prescriptions for drugs will be issued via data entry onto the computer and printing of the prescriptions in accordance with the Practice Dispensing Policy.
• Ensure that an accurate record is kept of all drugs issued.
• Maintain an up to date Controlled Drugs Book, which will be available for inspection at any time.

COMMUNICATION

• Communicate effectively with other team members.
• Communicate effectively and sensitivity with patients and carers to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.
• Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.
• Provide support and supervision to assist others to develop knowledge, skills and abilities

QUALITY

The post holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice and will:

• Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk.
• Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision.
• Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance.
• Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs.
• Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.
• Ensure that policies, protocols, guidance, procedures and training offered are followed at all times.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The post holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment, and seek to continually improve their skills and knowledge. Such training will include:

• Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal/or professional development.
• Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.
• Complete all necessary mandatory training as necessary.
• To ensure that competencies are up to date

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

To comply with the following: -

• Employment Policy & Procedures
• The post holder will ensure that they read the Staff Handbook and related employment policies and procedures.
• Health, Safety and Fire Regulations
• The post holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health & Safety booklet to include:
• Using personal security systems within the workplace.
• Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks.
• Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills.
• Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards.
• Reporting potential risks identified.
• Report all accidents and incidents in line with Practice protocol.

Equality and diversity

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues to include:

• Acting in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation.
• Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues.
• Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.
• Any legislation that directly and indirectly relates to your employment.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

It is vital that the post-holder understands the practices safeguarding policies and has completed the appropriate training for their role and responsibilities. The post-holder should know how to recognise signs of abuse in children, young people and vulnerable adults, understand their responsibilities around information sharing and documentation of concerns and know how to report and escalate safeguarding concerns.

Contribution to the implementation of services

The post-holder will:

Apply practice policies, standards and guidance; Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work and seek to continually improve the overall effectiveness of duties undertaken.

The job description is intended to outline the main duties and responsibilities of the employee. This is not an exhaustive list of duties and the post holder may be required to undertake any other duties, as required, to meet the needs of the service. It is also likely that changes will be required from time to time and is not intended to be fixed for an indefinite period.