Practice Dispenser

Job summaryAn opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated dispenser to join our teamWe are a small, friendly and caring practice offering a full range of services to our patients and our dispensers are an integral part of our team and have a crucial role in supporting patient careMain duties of the jobOur dispensers play an important role in delivering a safe, efficient, and high-quality dispensing service to our patients. Working in accordance with specific practice guidelines, regulatory requirements and protocols, you will be responsible for the accurate preparation and dispensing of prescriptions to our patients and deal with patients dispensing queries. You will also provide support to the clinical team regarding medications and contribute to the smooth day-to-day running of the dispensary by supporting stock management, including ordering, monitoring, and replenishing medicines and supplies.About usWe are a semi-rural Dispensing GP Practice who has been providing General Medical Services since the late 1960's to residents within the town of Cheadle, Stoke on Trent and its surrounding areas. The building is single storey and we are fortunate to have a large car park.Our patient list size currently stands at just under 4,900.Our team consists of 2 GP Partners, Salaried GPs, and practice nurses. They are supported by an experienced and dedicated team of managerial, administration, reception and dispensary staff. We are further supported by our PCN Staff which includes care co-ordinators, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, social prescribers, mental health practitioners and health and wellbeing coachesWe are a high achiever of QOF and endeavour to deliver high quality of care to all our patients within a safe environment acknowledging the need to retain dignity, respect and confidentiality at all times.We are also a GP Training Practice working in collaboration with Keele Medical School and have Registrars and Medical Students on placement with us throughout the year.DetailsDate posted27 August 2026Pay schemeOtherSalary Depending on experience ContractPermanentWorking pattern Full-time, Part-time, Job share Reference numberA1576-26-0002Job locationsAllen StreetCheadleStoke on TrentST10 1HJUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesThe following are the core responsibilities of the Dispenser. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:Provide a point of contact for patients with enquiries relating to medications and ensure that follow-up action is taken if necessaryProcess patient requests for authorised repeat medication via email, phone, face-to-face and online, to ensure items are ready for collection in line with the practice protocolRequest authorisation for any acute medications or new medications on behalf of patientEnsure that all medicines and appliances are prepared, checked against the prescription and dispensed accurately, safely and promptly working to an agreed protocol and to all applicable legal requirements, to our dispensing patientsTo collect and record prescription charges (NHS and private as necessary) and ensure that the patient declaration on the reverse of the FP10 is duly filled in and signed by the patient and make the appropriate checks for any exempt NHS prescriptionsEndorse prescription forms as appropriate for PPA processing and reimbursementEnsure controlled drugs are dispensed and accurately recorded in accordance with legislation, maintaining the controlled drug registerLiaise with the Lead Dispenser to operate efficient stock control appropriate to the needs of the practice with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastageReceive and store supplies as appropriate, ensuring that drugs are stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the accompanying instructions and ensuring that shelves and all work surfaces are regularly cleaned to maintain a high level of hygiene within the dispensaryTo ensure that the cold chain is maintained where applicable and refrigerated items are stored at the appropriate temperature and maintain temperature control record, taking appropriate actions if temperatures are out of rangeEnsuring safe disposal of returned and/or out of date medicinesReporting any out-of-date controlled drugs so that an expert witness can be arranged for destructionAccurately process Dossett boxes for appropriate patientsAssist the Lead Dispenser in the preparation of monthly returnsParticipate in Dispensing Services Quality Scheme (DSQS) work, including auditsAlways maintain accurate records, including appropriate coding entriesCommunicate effectively with other team members, patients and carers and recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordinglyTo work flexibly within the team and to provide cover as necessaryTake responsibility for own professional development, learning and performance and demonstrate skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar workParticipation in an annual individual performance review and appraisal within the practiceAttend training and events organised by the practice or other agencies, where appropriate, and ensure all mandatory training is completedComply with all statutory and regulatory obligations and relevant practice policies/guidelines, including information governance and confidentialityMaintain quality within the practice and alert other team members to issues of quality and riskTo follow and update practice policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)To attend and contribute to practice and clinical meetingsContribute to evaluation/audit within the practice to ensure we maintain a high standard of patient careOther duties as reasonably required Job description Job responsibilitiesThe following are the core responsibilities of the Dispenser. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:Provide a point of contact for patients with enquiries relating to medications and ensure that follow-up action is taken if necessaryProcess patient requests for authorised repeat medication via email, phone, face-to-face and online, to ensure items are ready for collection in line with the practice protocolRequest authorisation for any acute medications or new medications on behalf of patientEnsure that all medicines and appliances are prepared, checked against the prescription and dispensed accurately, safely and promptly working to an agreed protocol and to all applicable legal requirements, to our dispensing patientsTo collect and record prescription charges (NHS and private as necessary) and ensure that the patient declaration on the reverse of the FP10 is duly filled in and signed by the patient and make the appropriate checks for any exempt NHS prescriptionsEndorse prescription forms as appropriate for PPA processing and reimbursementEnsure controlled drugs are dispensed and accurately recorded in accordance with legislation, maintaining the controlled drug registerLiaise with the Lead Dispenser to operate efficient stock control appropriate to the needs of the practice with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastageReceive and store supplies as appropriate, ensuring that drugs are stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the accompanying instructions and ensuring that shelves and all work surfaces are regularly cleaned to maintain a high level of hygiene within the dispensaryTo ensure that the cold chain is maintained where applicable and refrigerated items are stored at the appropriate temperature and maintain temperature control record, taking appropriate actions if temperatures are out of rangeEnsuring safe disposal of returned and/or out of date medicinesReporting any out-of-date controlled drugs so that an expert witness can be arranged for destructionAccurately process Dossett boxes for appropriate patientsAssist the Lead Dispenser in the preparation of monthly returnsParticipate in Dispensing Services Quality Scheme (DSQS) work, including auditsAlways maintain accurate records, including appropriate coding entriesCommunicate effectively with other team members, patients and carers and recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordinglyTo work flexibly within the team and to provide cover as necessaryTake responsibility for own professional development, learning and performance and demonstrate skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar workParticipation in an annual individual performance review and appraisal within the practiceAttend training and events organised by the practice or other agencies, where appropriate, and ensure all mandatory training is completedComply with all statutory and regulatory obligations and relevant practice policies/guidelines, including information governance and confidentialityMaintain quality within the practice and alert other team members to issues of quality and riskTo follow and update practice policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)To attend and contribute to practice and clinical meetingsContribute to evaluation/audit within the practice to ensure we maintain a high standard of patient careOther duties as reasonably requiredPerson Specification Qualifications EssentialQualified Dispenser (NVQ Level 2)GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths at Grade C (4) or above Experience EssentialExperience of working in a dispensaryExperience working with the general public/patientsDesirableExperience of working in primary careBroad knowledge of general practice Person Specification Qualifications EssentialQualified Dispenser (NVQ Level 2)GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths at Grade C (4) or above Experience EssentialExperience of working in a dispensaryExperience working with the general public/patientsDesirableExperience of working in primary careBroad knowledge of general practiceDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.Employer detailsEmployer nameAllen Street ClinicAddressAllen StreetCheadleStoke on TrentST10 1HJUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameAllen Street ClinicAddressAllen StreetCheadleStoke on TrentST10 1HJUnited KingdomEmployer's website