Dispenser

• Be responsible for checking all medicines dispensed to promote safe dispensing processes
• Support with national prescribing policies and guidance within GP practices and care homes. This will be achieved through undertaking clinical audits (e.g., use of antibiotics), supporting quality improvement measures
• Collect prescription charges in accordance with dispensary protocol
• Ensure controlled drugs are maintained in accordance with practice policy
• Ensure the safe disposal of returned and/or out of date medicine and working with the multi-disciplinary team to ensure efficient medicines optimisation, including implementing efficient ordering and return processes, and reducing wastage
• Receive and store supplies in accordance with current policy, ensuring the cold chain is maintained
• Ensure all repeat prescriptions are processed within the allotted timeframe
• Provide support on the legal, safe and secure handling of medicines
• Process prescription requests via all means of communications
• Provide patients with advice regarding all prescription matters
• Process multi-compartment compliance aids (Dosette box)
• Assist the Dispensary Lead in the preparation of monthly returns
• Always maintain accurate records, including appropriate coding entries
• Support initiatives for antimicrobial stewardship to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing
• Assist in the delivery of medicines optimisation and management incentive schemes and patient safety audits
• Be aware of duties and responsibilities regarding current legislation and adhere to practice policies and procedures on Safeguarding Adults and Safeguarding Children
• Be an integral part of the general practice team
• Demonstrate initiative and be creative in finding solutions to problems
• Support in the management of patient complaints when requested to do so and participate in the identification of any necessary learning brought about through incidents and near-miss events
• Be aware of guidance to ensure that the dispensary conforms to regulatory guidance
• Undertake stock-takes in accordance with guidance
• Undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes
• Contribute to and embrace the spectrum of clinical governance
• Attend a formal appraisal with their manager at least every 12 months. Once a performance/training objective has been set, progress will be reviewed on a regular basis so that new objectives can be agreed
• Contribute to public health campaigns (e.g., flu clinics)
• Maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area at all times
• Support any new joining and trainee dispensing staff
• Participate in formal training events promoting best practice in area of expertise
• Contribute to the delivery of local policy, procedures and protocols for the organisation to improve identification, assessment, ongoing support for patients and their family carers
• There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks, this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels

Essential

• Experience of working in a dispensary
• Experience of working with the general public and patients
• Ability to communicate information effectively with people at all
• levels by telephone, email and face to face
• Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and
• work well under pressure
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes
• Understanding of safeguarding adults and children
• Effective time management (planning and organising)
• Ability to follow legal, ethical and professional policies/ procedures and codes of conduct
• Ability to use own initiative, discretion, and sensitivity
• Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity
• Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal skills
• Good organisational skills
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Knowledge of and ability to work to key policies and procedures
• Clear, polite telephone manner

Desirable

• Experience of working in a primary care setting
• Good clinical system IT knowledge
• Problem solving and analytical skills
• Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure
• Knowledge of Systmone and other IT systems including the ability
• to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports
• Effectively utilise resources
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required

Essential

• Qualified Dispenser (NVQ Level 2)
• GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths at Grade C (4) or above