Dispenser in Cullompton

Do you want to feel part of the delivery of rural healthcare services across the Blackdown Hills? We have an opportunity in our dispensary to work across our dispensary teams in Hemyock, Churchinford and Dunkeswell. We are looking for a trained dispenser. Good customer service skills are essential; you need to care about the patients and service we provide to them, support the team around you to achieve their objectives, have a good attention to detail and take pride in the delivery of a friendly, safe and responsive dispensing service.

The hourly rate will be dependent on experience. As a member of the practice team, you have access to the NHS pension scheme for which the employer contributions are 23.7%, the Blue Light card, offering a wide range of exclusive discounts to public sector workers and the vivup Employee Assistance Programme. A full-time post would have 35 days holiday, including bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time employees).

Applications are via the NHS jobs website.

As a qualified dispenser you would be responsible for the processing of prescriptions in accordance with practice policy and extant legislation. In addition, the post holder will be required to support the dispensary manager in ensuring a high level of service is always delivered and will also be part of the multi-disciplinary team efforts to meet the objectives of the practice.

The key responsibilities of a dispenser are to:

• Understand and follow the standard operating procedures for dispensary processes which ensure working practices comply with the relevant elements of the Medicines Act and Misuse of Drugs Act in relation to receiving, storing, processing, transferring and disposing of stock, prescriptions, dispensed items and patient returns.
• Process prescription requests via email, phone, face-to-face and online.
• Answer incoming phone calls, transferring calls or dealing with the caller's request appropriately.
• Fulfil a prescription with reasonable promptness, limit owings and therefore return trips by the patients but also managing the overall stock levels within the dispensary, to minimise wastage and expenditure.
• Accurately dispense and check all prescription items for dispensing patients (in monitored dosage system where appropriate).
• Endorse prescriptions appropriately so the dispensing fees, reimbursement of drugs and other fees are claimed, reimbursed and renumerated correctly.
• Hand out dispensed medicines accurately and ensure patient knows how to order their prescription items the following month.
• Collect prescription charges accurately and ensure that the exemptions are signed for appropriately, processing payments accurately through the card machine and tills and follow cashing up and end of day financial processes.
• Correctly manage e-mails and tasks received and send appropriate e-mails and tasks.
• Support the completion of Dispensary Review of Use of Medicines (DRUMs), and the achievement of the Dispensary Services Quality Scheme (DSQS).
• Record near misses and significant events according to the practice process.
• Ensure the safe ordering, receipt and custody of NHS prescriptions, whether blank, printed or signed.
• Maintain a tidy, clean and safe working environment at all times.
• Attend team meetings.

In addition to this, dispensers when working at the branch surgeries are expected to be able to support the receptionist on duty and:

• Process personal, telephone and e-requests for appointments and either book an appropriate appointment or signpost patients to the correct service.
• Process initial registration requirements for patients new to the Practice or who are temporarily registering that includes the correct registration requirements for dispensing doctors.
• Understand the basics of providing access to medical records and process initial requests for online access.
• Input data into patients' healthcare records as necessary.
• At the end of each session ensure that the building is secure with all windows locked and to ensure that the security alarm is set.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Strong IT skills, competent in the use of Office and Outlook
• Clear, polite telephone manner
• Ability to promote best practice regarding all pharmaceutical matters
• Effective time management (planning and organising)
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal skills
• Problem solving and analytical skills
• Ability to follow policy and procedure
• Ability to effectively manage stock, including ordering, rotation, disposal etc.
• Ability to work accurately with a high level of attention to detail

Qualifications

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

Experience

• Experience of working in a dispensary (pharmacy or dispensing doctors)
• Experience of working with the general public or patients
• Broad knowledge of general practice
• Good clinical system IT knowledge of EMIS, SystmOne or Vision

Other Requirements

• Flexibility to work across the site teams
• Flexibility to work outside of core office hours if necessary
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Personal Qualities

• Motivated to deliver an efficient and safe dispensing service
• Believes excellent customer service skills are important for a business to thrive
• Understands the importance of managing costs and minimising waste to protect the delivery of the health service
• Appreciates the value of good teamwork
• Polite and confident
• Flexible and cooperative
• Forward thinker
• High levels of integrity and loyalty
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Ability to work under pressure

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.

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working, Annualised hours.