Dispenser/Trainee Dispenser in Okehampton

3 days per week: 8:30am - 6:00pm (days to be confirmed)

Salary: £12.53 to £13.47 per hour, depending on qualification(s) held

We are looking for a Dispenser to join our small dispensing team at Hatherleigh Medical Centre. We will welcome candidates looking for a Trainee Dispenser position; please indicate this on your application. Interviews are to be held week commencing 13th April 2026.

Main duties of the job

In this busy and varied role you will be involved in the preparation of prescriptions that have been authorised by GPs and prescribing nurses. You will be checking stock as it arrives, in accordance with all protocols and systems, to ensure that we have an accurate record of stock at all times. You will also be involved in keeping records and administration systems to make sure that all records are accurate and up to date.

About us

We are a thriving and innovative Medical Group bringing together Holsworthy and Hatherleigh Medical Centres. We see patients at both sites and have a team that includes GPs, Paramedics, Nurse Practitioners, Practice Nurses, Healthcare Assistants and Phlebotomists, as well as our practice management and administrative support. In addition, we also have access to a wide variety of additional roles and expertise through Coast and Country Primary Care Network, our local PCN. With such a comprehensive range of roles within our team we are able to offer timely and innovative support to our patients across our practices. Work life balance is important to us and we are ideally placed on the North Devon/North Cornwall border for many outdoor activities including surfing or sea pool swimming at Bude, hiking on Dartmoor or the South West coastal path.

Our benefits include:

• Access to the NHS Pension Scheme
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, pro-rata, increasing with service
• Company sick pay from 6 months

Job responsibilities

Dispensing:

• Take orders for and dispense acute and repeat prescriptions in accordance with the current dispensary policy.
• Give patients their acute and repeat medications and collect prescription charges when appropriate and check patient exemption statements.
• Ensure on collection of their medication, the patient completes the reverse of the prescription correctly. Record and collect the prescription money when required.
• Book appointments where necessary.
• Resolve any patients queries regarding drugs, prescriptions or dispensing service.
• Deal with queries from district nurses and support staff.

Stock Management:

• Maintain appropriate stocking levels as pre-set on the clinical system.
• Ensure all new stock is checked thoroughly and in accordance with the invoices produced following dispensary protocols.
• Ensure that drugs are received and stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.
• Chase and rectify any anomalies in stock orders from deliveries.
• Maintain the correct stock rotation as advised in the dispensary SOPs.
• Maintain the Controlled Drug Register and stock levels in accordance with regulations.

Dispensing Administration:

• Prepare and advise the Finance Manager of all VAT implications.
• Assist in the preparation and submission of dispensing projects e.g. The Dispensing Services Quality Scheme, Drug and Formulary Audits, Dispensing Protocols.
• Report any near misses and significant events through the correct process.
• Use the computer to keep records up to date.
• Maintain full and accurate records of all dispensing transactions.
• Check with GPs or in patient records if concerned about the appropriateness of requests for medication.
• Make cash register checks to ensure an accurate record and balance are achieved.
• Ensure the dispensary maintains adequate supplies of the required stationery.
• Maintain administrative patient information accurately (address details, telephone numbers) and update as required to reflect accurately every patient's details and to ensure confidentiality.

The Dispensary & Surgery Team:

• Undertake training, updating and development and maintain an awareness of pharmaceutical issues.
• Advise other surgery staff on matters relating to the dispensary.
• Clean work surfaces and shelving on a regular basis and ensure that all dispensary equipment is kept clean and in good working order.
• Ensure the surgery premises, staff and visitors are always protected by identifying to the appropriate team members or management any areas of concern.
• Ensure all security aspects are considered for the dispensary and stocked drugs.

Key Results/Outcomes:

• Assist the Operations Manager in ensuring effective financial control of the dispensary.
• Ensure patients are greeted and dealt with in a polite and friendly manner to ensure that they receive the best possible experience in the circumstances.
• Always maintain patient confidentiality ensuring that all relevant legislation, policy and guidance is followed.

Line Management Responsibilities:

None

Person Specification

Experience:

• Working in a Dispensary
• Working in a team as a team member
• Speaking directly with customers or patients in person
• Speaking directly with customers or patients on the telephone
• Experience of dealing directly with distressed or unhappy customers or patients.
• Working in a pressurised environment with differing or conflicting priorities
• Working in a role involving administration that includes computerised records
• Working to policies, guidelines and operating procedures
• Stock Control, including working with controlled drugs
• Working in primary care of a GP practice
• Using a clinical system e.g. SystmOne

Qualifications:

• GCSE A-C English and Maths or equivalent
• NVQ2 Dispensing qualification or equivalent

Knowledge and Skills:

• Good IT skills including word, excel and email
• Understanding of confidentiality and legal requirements
• Organised
• Attention to Detail
• Understanding of medicine safety
• Drug and Drug tariff knowledge

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.