Job summary Stowhealth is an established GP Practice in Stowmarket, Suffolk. We pride ourselves on offering an excellent, efficient and friendly service to all patients. We currently have a vacancy for a part time dispenser, approximately 21.5 hours per week. The working pattern is Monday 1pm to 5.30pm Tuesday 1pm to 6.30pm Wednesday 8am to 1.30pm Friday 12.30pm to 6.30pm As a dispenser you will be responsible for the safe and efficient delivery of pharmaceutical services within our dispensary. You will play a key role in ensuring patients receive the correct medication, guidance and support. Main duties of the job The main purpose of the Dispenser is to ensure that drugs and medicines are prepared efficiently, accurately and safely according to legal requirements, and respecting patient confidentiality at all times. The Dispenser would also assist the Dispensary manager in ensuring that effective financial and legal control of the dispensary is maintained. About us Stowhealth is an inclusive, friendly, flexible, forward thinking, multi-disciplinary Primary care team, based in Stowmarket, Suffolk. We currently care for over 23,000 patients. We have a reputation for aware winning innovation and novel working practices, developed to fit around our individual clinicians. We are part of the Stowmarket locality of East Suffolk PCN. We use the AskmyGP online consultation service allowing us to manage our own workload, with control over face to face appointment lengths and timings. Our team of doctors, advanced nurse practitioners, practice nurses and physician associates deal with daily clinical enquiries. Our skilled care navigators, receptionists and admin staff deal with non-clinical issues on our behalf. Date posted 18 March 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £23,953 to £25,420 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number A5854-25-0005 Job locations Violet Hill House Violet Hill Road Stowmarket Suffolk IP14 1NL Job description Job responsibilities To actively contribute within the dispensing team in assisting in the preparation of all aspects of dispensing including stock control, ordering, re-stocking of the dispensary in line with the objectives of the dispensary work plan. 1. Issuing stock items and prepared prescriptions. 2. Handing out prescriptions, collection of prescription charges, checking patient exemption statements and prescription exemptions are completed correctly. 3. Processing and dispensing repeat prescription requests received in the surgery in line with Stowhealth policies. 4. Collecting private charges for 'private' medications, vaccines and other medications. 5. Issuing and dispensing dosette boxes. 6. Sorting, stamping and endorsing prescriptions in preparation to send to PPD on a monthly basis by the required date to ensure timely reimbursement. 7. Remove items from the collection drawers which have not been collected on a monthly basis and audit on clinical systems. 8. Check stock against invoices for accurate delivery and claim for missing/damaged items on credit note. 9. Operation of efficient stock control appropriate to the needs of the dispensary with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage and ordering appropriate quantities of goods via the wholesalers preferred method. 10. Ensuring that drugs are received and stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the manufacturers instructions and any MHRA recalls are actioned. 11. Ensuring that refrigerated items are stored at the appropriate temperature and maintaining the temperature control record. 12. Cleaning work surfaces and shelving on a regular basis and ensuring that all dispensary equipment is kept clean and kept in good working order. 13. Date checking to be performed as per Standard Operating procedure. 14. Maintaining full and accurate records of all dispensing transactions including the electronic Controlled Drug register. 15. Accepting orders for repeats and dealing with queries from patients and support staff. 16. Dealing with AskmyGP queries and action appropriately. 17. Ensure audits are completed timely and any DSQS patient reviews are performed. 18. Handling and safe destruction of patient returned medicines. 19. Stocking shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas using the rotation method. 20. Removing 'out of date' stock from the shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas. 21. To action tasks, notifications and emails. 22. Using the computer to maintain accurate and up to date records and issue prescriptions. 23. Liaise with the GP's or in patient records if concerned about the appropriateness of medication requests. 24. Dealing with queries from patients regarding prescriptions. 25. To handle controlled drugs and maintain accurate register for legal and stock control purposes in line with current legislation and safe storage as required. 26. Assist in stock checks where required. 27. To provide cover for members of the team during absence. 28. To perform safe disposal of pharmaceutical waste ensuring compliance including controlled drugs where appropriate. 29. To attend and contribute to team meetings. 30. To act upon any new information relating to stock or procedures. 31. To keep professionally up to date with current dispensing rules. 32. To work with the Dispensary manager and other members of the team to comply with Standard Operating Procedures following any legislative changes or other relevant procedures as notified. Job description Job responsibilities To actively contribute within the dispensing team in assisting in the preparation of all aspects of dispensing including stock control, ordering, re-stocking of the dispensary in line with the objectives of the dispensary work plan. 1. Issuing stock items and prepared prescriptions. 2. Handing out prescriptions, collection of prescription charges, checking patient exemption statements and prescription exemptions are completed correctly. 3. Processing and dispensing repeat prescription requests received in the surgery in line with Stowhealth policies. 4. Collecting private charges for 'private' medications, vaccines and other medications. 5. Issuing and dispensing dosette boxes. 6. Sorting, stamping and endorsing prescriptions in preparation to send to PPD on a monthly basis by the required date to ensure timely reimbursement. 7. Remove items from the collection drawers which have not been collected on a monthly basis and audit on clinical systems. 8. Check stock against invoices for accurate delivery and claim for missing/damaged items on credit note. 9. Operation of efficient stock control appropriate to the needs of the dispensary with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage and ordering appropriate quantities of goods via the wholesalers preferred method. 10. Ensuring that drugs are received and stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the manufacturers instructions and any MHRA recalls are actioned. 11. Ensuring that refrigerated items are stored at the appropriate temperature and maintaining the temperature control record. 12. Cleaning work surfaces and shelving on a regular basis and ensuring that all dispensary equipment is kept clean and kept in good working order. 13. Date checking to be performed as per Standard Operating procedure. 14. Maintaining full and accurate records of all dispensing transactions including the electronic Controlled Drug register. 15. Accepting orders for repeats and dealing with queries from patients and support staff. 16. Dealing with AskmyGP queries and action appropriately. 17. Ensure audits are completed timely and any DSQS patient reviews are performed. 18. Handling and safe destruction of patient returned medicines. 19. Stocking shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas using the rotation method. 20. Removing 'out of date' stock from the shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas. 21. To action tasks, notifications and emails. 22. Using the computer to maintain accurate and up to date records and issue prescriptions. 23. Liaise with the GP's or in patient records if concerned about the appropriateness of medication requests. 24. Dealing with queries from patients regarding prescriptions. 25. To handle controlled drugs and maintain accurate register for legal and stock control purposes in line with current legislation and safe storage as required. 26. Assist in stock checks where required. 27. To provide cover for members of the team during absence. 28. To perform safe disposal of pharmaceutical waste ensuring compliance including controlled drugs where appropriate. 29. To attend and contribute to team meetings. 30. To act upon any new information relating to stock or procedures. 31. To keep professionally up to date with current dispensing rules. 32. To work with the Dispensary manager and other members of the team to comply with Standard Operating Procedures following any legislative changes or other relevant procedures as notified. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Although ideally we would be looking for a trained dispenser, we would consider someone new to the role who would be willing to undertake the necessary training and support. Desirable Level 2 or Level 3 dispenser Person Specification Qualifications Essential Although ideally we would be looking for a trained dispenser, we would consider someone new to the role who would be willing to undertake the necessary training and support. Desirable Level 2 or Level 3 dispenser 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. Employer details Employer name Stowhealth Address Violet Hill House Violet Hill Road Stowmarket Suffolk IP14 1NL Employer's website https://www.stowhealth.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)