Job summary Dispensing Assistant 1 position, full time 37.5 hours per week Job share / part time considered We are seeking a highly motivated Dispensing Assistant with excellent interpersonal skills to join our dispensing team in our friendly, busy GP practice in the village of Ampleforth. The successful candidate will have the skills to use their own judgement and flexibility to work in a time pressured environment, whilst being able to dispense medication accurately. An NVQ 2 in Dispensing or equivalent pharmacy qualification is desirable, however training can be provided. Please note non - qualified staff must obtain the qualification within one year, via online training (provided by the surgery). The post is full time, working 37.5 hours per week, over 5 weekdays, Monday to Friday. Please note the rota will include an 8.30am start and an evening finish, 6.00pm. Flexibility to work additional hours is essential to help cover staff holidays & sickness. The position is permanent, after successful completion of a 6-month trial period and is eligible for the NHS Pension scheme. Salary is negotiable depending on experience and qualifications. Starting hourly rate £11.85, (unqualified, will rise in April). CV must detail employment history, work experience and education and qualifications. We welcome informal visits and should you wish to do so please contact Sue Gill on 01439 788215 Closing date for applications: Sunday 16th March Interview date: To be confirmed Main duties of the job The post-holder will project a positive and friendly image to dispensary patients and other visitors and deal with queries in a professional, courteous and efficient way. The post holder will either be training towards or hold a NVQ level 2 Dispensing Assistant or equivalent. Assist in the preparation, dispensing of prescriptions and assist with stock control, ordering and re-stocking of the dispensary. Your main base will be at our Ampleforth Surgery. Holiday & sickness cover also required. About us About us We are a small close-knit dispensing practice with two surgeries in the rural villages of Ampleforth and Hovingham. Our mission is to deliver the best healthcare to our patients. We use a multidisciplinary approach bringing together GPs, Nurses, Health Care Assistants, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Mental Health Nurses and our non-clinical team to deliver an efficient and effective service with best outcomes for patients. We serve over 4,000 patients across a large rural area and are members of North Riding Primary Care Network of four GP practices. We offer a minimum of 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per year and automatic enrollment into the generous NHS pension scheme. All our team are enthusiastic, friendly and we want to make a real difference to our patients come and be a part of the team Date posted 24 February 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary Depending on experience Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Job share Reference number A0197-25-0000 Job locations Back Lane Ampleforth York YO62 4EF Job description Job responsibilities Duties and responsibilities Issuing stock items and preparing prescriptions, in a timely manner Ensure workload is processed promptly to avoid unmanageable levels of work building up Collection of prescription charges/checking patient exemption statements Cash handling occasionally 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 Ensuring that drugs are received and stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the manufacturers instructions and drug classification Ensuring that refrigerated items are stored at the appropriate temperature and maintaining the temperature control record/logbook Cleaning work surfaces and shelving on a regular basis and ensuring that that all dispensary equipment is kept clean and kept in good working order Taking prescription orders in person, telephone and via electronic sources Liaising with hospital and other healthcare providers as necessary Maintaining full and accurate records of all dispensing transactions Undertaking other reasonable duties within the framework of the post as directed by the supervising dispenser. Administration To have a thorough knowledge of all Practice procedures relating to dispensing duties. To work in accordance of written protocols photocopy as requested email documents as requested Patient Facing Duties Speaking to patients and consulting with members of Practice team Handing completed repeat prescriptions to patients using the appropriate checks Answering patient questions and queries in a friendly and professional manner Have working knowledge of telephone system, handling patient telephone requests & any other enquiries Confidentiality In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, Practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the Practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the Practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the Practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data Health & Safety The post-holder will implement and lead on a full range of promotion and management their own and others health and safety and infection control as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policy, the practice Health & Safety manual, and the practice Infection Control policy and published procedures. This will include (but will not be limited to): Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines Awareness of national standards of infection control and cleanliness and regulatory / contractual / professional requirements, and good practice guidelines Correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Completing statutory practice training relating to health and safety and following practice policies Use and monitoring of the correct use of standard operating procedures for cleaning and infection control Responsible for correct hand hygiene of self and others Ownership of infection control and clinically based patient care protocols, and implementation of those protocols within the team Active observation of current working practices across the team in relation to infection control, cleanliness and related activities, ensuring that procedures are followed and weaknesses / training needs are identified, escalating issues as appropriate Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks across clinical and patient process Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills, and initiate and manage the training of others across the full range of infection control and patient processes Monitoring practice facilities and equipment in relation to infection control, ensuring that provision of hand cleansing facilities, wipes etc are sufficient to ensure a good clinical working environment. Lack of facilities to be escalated as appropriate. Safe management of sharps procedures including training, use, storage and disposal Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy, clean and sterile, and safe way, free from hazards. Initiation of remedial / corrective action where needed or escalation to responsible management Actively identifying, reporting, and correction of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised Keeping own work areas and general / patient areas generally clean, sterile, identifying issues and hazards / risks in relation to other work areas within the business, and assuming responsibility in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness across the business in consultation (where appropriate) with other sector managers Routine management of own team / team areas, and maintenance of work space standards Waste management including collection, handling, segregation, container management, storage and collection Spillage control procedures, management and training Decontamination control procedures, management and training, and equipment maintenance Equality and diversity: The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include: Acting in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights. Personal/Professional development: The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment, such training to include: Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work Participate in evening education meetings & external training when necessary Work towards & complete formal dispensing qualification if post holder does not hold NVQ level 2 Dispensing Assistant Quality: The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice, and will: Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs Effectively manage own time, workload and resources Communication: The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to: Communicate effectively with other team members Communicate effectively with patients, carers and other healthcare professionals Recognize peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly Contribution to the Implementation of Services: The post-holder will: Apply practice policies, standards and guidance Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work Participate in audit where appropriate Job description Job responsibilities Duties and responsibilities Issuing stock items and preparing prescriptions, in a timely manner Ensure workload is processed promptly to avoid unmanageable levels of work building up Collection of prescription charges/checking patient exemption statements Cash handling occasionally 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 Ensuring that drugs are received and stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the manufacturers instructions and drug classification Ensuring that refrigerated items are stored at the appropriate temperature and maintaining the temperature control record/logbook Cleaning work surfaces and shelving on a regular basis and ensuring that that all dispensary equipment is kept clean and kept in good working order Taking prescription orders in person, telephone and via electronic sources Liaising with hospital and other healthcare providers as necessary Maintaining full and accurate records of all dispensing transactions Undertaking other reasonable duties within the framework of the post as directed by the supervising dispenser. Administration To have a thorough knowledge of all Practice procedures relating to dispensing duties. To work in accordance of written protocols photocopy as requested email documents as requested Patient Facing Duties Speaking to patients and consulting with members of Practice team Handing completed repeat prescriptions to patients using the appropriate checks Answering patient questions and queries in a friendly and professional manner Have working knowledge of telephone system, handling patient telephone requests & any other enquiries Confidentiality In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, Practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the Practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the Practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the Practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data Health & Safety The post-holder will implement and lead on a full range of promotion and management their own and others health and safety and infection control as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policy, the practice Health & Safety manual, and the practice Infection Control policy and published procedures. This will include (but will not be limited to): Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines Awareness of national standards of infection control and cleanliness and regulatory / contractual / professional requirements, and good practice guidelines Correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Completing statutory practice training relating to health and safety and following practice policies Use and monitoring of the correct use of standard operating procedures for cleaning and infection control Responsible for correct hand hygiene of self and others Ownership of infection control and clinically based patient care protocols, and implementation of those protocols within the team Active observation of current working practices across the team in relation to infection control, cleanliness and related activities, ensuring that procedures are followed and weaknesses / training needs are identified, escalating issues as appropriate Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks across clinical and patient process Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills, and initiate and manage the training of others across the full range of infection control and patient processes Monitoring practice facilities and equipment in relation to infection control, ensuring that provision of hand cleansing facilities, wipes etc are sufficient to ensure a good clinical working environment. Lack of facilities to be escalated as appropriate. Safe management of sharps procedures including training, use, storage and disposal Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy, clean and sterile, and safe way, free from hazards. Initiation of remedial / corrective action where needed or escalation to responsible management Actively identifying, reporting, and correction of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised Keeping own work areas and general / patient areas generally clean, sterile, identifying issues and hazards / risks in relation to other work areas within the business, and assuming responsibility in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness across the business in consultation (where appropriate) with other sector managers Routine management of own team / team areas, and maintenance of work space standards Waste management including collection, handling, segregation, container management, storage and collection Spillage control procedures, management and training Decontamination control procedures, management and training, and equipment maintenance Equality and diversity: The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include: Acting in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights. Personal/Professional development: The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment, such training to include: Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work Participate in evening education meetings & external training when necessary Work towards & complete formal dispensing qualification if post holder does not hold NVQ level 2 Dispensing Assistant Quality: The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice, and will: Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs Effectively manage own time, workload and resources Communication: The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to: Communicate effectively with other team members Communicate effectively with patients, carers and other healthcare professionals Recognize peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly Contribution to the Implementation of Services: The post-holder will: Apply practice policies, standards and guidance Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work Participate in audit where appropriate Person Specification Experience Essential Experience of stock ordering, stock levels, usage tracking. Experience of web based ordering Experience of dealing with the public/ patients both face to face & telephone contact Desirable Experience of working in a post requiring similar skills Experience of Systm One clinical system within a GP Practice Qualifications Essential GCSE level C or above in English & Maths or equivalent Willingness to learn and demonstrable commitment to professional development Desirable NVQ level 2 Dispensing Assistant Recognised pharmacy assistant qualification Personal Attributes & Qualities Essential An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense Ability to work without direct supervision and determine own workload priorities & can make things happen Ability to work as part of an integrated multi-skilled team with a pleasant manner Able to work under pressure and to work in a changing environment Able to work to deadlines Flexibility of working hours/ able to work at the desired times including an evening until 6pm Car driver/clean licence Desirable Empathy for the healthcare/public service environment Person Specification Experience Essential Experience of stock ordering, stock levels, usage tracking. Experience of web based ordering Experience of dealing with the public/ patients both face to face & telephone contact Desirable Experience of working in a post requiring similar skills Experience of Systm One clinical system within a GP Practice Qualifications Essential GCSE level C or above in English & Maths or equivalent Willingness to learn and demonstrable commitment to professional development Desirable NVQ level 2 Dispensing Assistant Recognised pharmacy assistant qualification Personal Attributes & Qualities Essential An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense Ability to work without direct supervision and determine own workload priorities & can make things happen Ability to work as part of an integrated multi-skilled team with a pleasant manner Able to work under pressure and to work in a changing environment Able to work to deadlines Flexibility of working hours/ able to work at the desired times including an evening until 6pm Car driver/clean licence Desirable Empathy for the healthcare/public service environment 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 Ampleforth & Hovingham Surgeries Address Back Lane Ampleforth York YO62 4EF Employer's website https://www.ampleforthandhovinghamsurgeries.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)