As a Lead Dispenser you should provide leadership and direction to our Dispensary Team ensuring delivery of a safe, efficient, and patient-focused dispensing service. This will focus on the outward facing aspects of dispensing: patient relationships, staff management, quality, and safety. You will need to be forward thinking and able to lead change effectively and positively to provide a modern cost-effective dispensary to our patients.
Main duties of the job
* Manage the smooth running of the dispensary at all times.
* Provide leadership and support to the dispensary and wider team.
* Train dispensary staff, including the attendance on relevant recognised courses i.e. Buttercups NVQ and others, as appropriate. Monitor and facilitate compliance with mandatory training for dispensary staff. Undertake annual appraisals and regular staff reviews.
* Develop and implement a dispensary work plan that contributes to achievement of the practices overall strategic objectives.
* Promote equality and diversity in all aspects of the role and ensure that the rights and needs of patients, carers and colleagues are recognised.
* Stay up to date with best practice and develop proposals for ongoing development and improvement of the dispensary service.
* Work closely with Clinical Pharmacist/ICB to maintain safe prescribing.
* Involvement in and managing of projects, which are allocated to the Group to help nationally to reduce public health threats, e.g. related to Covid-19 and the seasonal flu.
* Record and report any untoward incidents, significant events, drug errors or any other issues of quality and risk immediately to the Practice Manager.
* Promote a safe and effective working environment; conforming to legislation, ensuring drugs are stored appropriately within temperature parameters and securely at all times.
About us
Our vision is to provide patient-centred, high-quality healthcare services that promote wellness, prevent and treat illness, and improve the overall health of our community in rural Mid-Norfolk.
We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment that fosters trust and partnership between our patients and other healthcare providers.
We are committed to continuous learning and development, using the latest technologies and evidence-based practices to deliver the most effective and efficient care possible.
Our aim is to empower patients to take an active role in their healthcare journey, providing them with the information and resources necessary to make informed decisions about their health.
Through collaboration with our patients, community partners, and healthcare professionals, we aspire to be a leader in innovative and compassionate healthcare delivery, setting a standard for excellence in patient care and community health.
Job responsibilities
Deliver a safe, efficient and patient-focused dispensing service with cost effective financial control. Effective stock management. Work effectively to ensure retention of dispensing patients. Design and implement processes to ensure maximum productivity and effective management within the dispensary. Work with the Practice Manager to create a modern Dispensary utilising new technology.
Implement a failsafe system for Personally Administered items (PA). To ensure the stock and claiming for PAs is robust therefore maximizing income.
Profitable generic drug research/buying and reporting to Practice Manager on a monthly basis. Liaise with drug company representatives and negotiate dispensing discounts.
Provide monthly KPIs.
Develop and implement robust policies and procedures to ensure errors are minimised and patient safety is maintained as a priority. Ensure Dispensary practices are safe, maintained and in line with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and current clinical guidelines.
Ensure SystmOne is fully utilised to support the smooth running of the dispensary.
Team Management
Oversee the induction and Buttercups training of new staff within the dispensary team. Promote teamwork and co-operation within the dispensary team and across the wider practice team.
Communication Skills
Ensure that a friendly, efficient, professional, and consistent service is always provided to patients. Establish effective communication methods to ensure those within the team and across the whole practice are kept informed of key issues relating to dispensary. Produce timely and effective communications for patients regarding dispensary services, including any changes to existing services. Develop effective working relationships within the practice including with the GPs, Integrated Nurse Team, Medicine management lead and other practice colleagues.
Work together with the PCN clinical pharmacists and other PCN dispensary leads as required.
Quality & Safety Element
Monitor performance across a range of indicators including dispensing timescales and take corrective action where required. Working closely with the Practice Manager, promptly resolve patient complaints and apply learning to improve future service delivery. Comply with all legislative and regulatory requirements. Action Drug alerts received (MHRA) in a timely manner. Ensure other safety alerts are appropriately cascaded and actions implemented in a timely manner.
Maintain knowledge of best practice and make appropriate recommendations for implementation.
Record and monitor learning events / significant events, ensuring that learning is cascaded and effectively embedded. Recognise and report safeguarding concerns using the established practice processes. Ensure all Health & Safety and Infection Control standards are met within the practice dispensary. Delivery of DSQS. Including annual dispensing audit and staff appraisals. Annual review of Dispensary SOP's. On a monthly basis ensure uncollected medication is dealt with in accordance with current policy.
Control drug audit monthly.
Data Security
To provide oversight and support for effective data control and information management in line with GDPR.
Health and Safety
Ensure the Practice policies are understood and observed and that procedures are followed. Ensure the appropriate use of equipment and facilities and ensure the environment is maintained in good order. Take the necessary precautions to safeguard the welfare and safety of oneself and others in accordance with the Health and Safety at work act.
General
Other duties/holiday cover that may be required appropriate to the level and nature of the post. Responsibility for the creation and updating of procedures notes for all tasks within the role. Proactively work to review process and implement improvements where possible. To be proficient at prioritising and organising workload. Contribute to own supervision, development, and appraisal systems in line with Practice requirements. To undertake any training as deemed as necessary to carry out the full requirements of the post.
The Partners of the Practice retain the right to amend the Job Description in consultation with the post holder and any agreed changes will be notified in writing within a month of any agreement.
To liaise with patients, the public and other professionals as necessary.
Person Specification
Experience
* Sound educational background with excellent literacy and numeracy skills
* Qualified to NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy/Dispensing Services or Equivalent
* 2-3 years experience of working in a dispensary
* Experience of managing a dispensary or pharmacy & associated staff
* Experience of designing and implementing policies and procedures
* Experience of identifying and implementing best practice
* Experience of resolving complaints
* Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
* Detailed knowledge of all aspects of day to day dispensary operations including stock management, ordering, customer services, health and safety and infection control, month end procedures etc.
* Problem solving and analytical skills
* Experience of using Word and Excel
* Excellent attention to detail
* Able to work on own initiative
* Good standard of verbal and written English
* Ability to solve problems in a logical way within the role remit
* Ability to react confidently to new situations, using own initiative and available resources to complete tasks effectively
* Experience working in general practice
* Experience in Data Security
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.
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