• Job Description

  Req#: A5149-25-0000?language=en&page=1133&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  We are looking for a dependable and flexible Dispenser to join our friendly dispensary team at Castlehead Medical Centre. This is a holiday cover role, offering an average of 12 annualised hours per week (FTE 0.32). Please note that working hours will vary from week to week, depending on staff annual leave, and may increase during periods of high cover demand. Over the course of the year, hours will balance to the contracted average.

  This role supports the safe, accurate, and timely dispensing of medication to our patients, alongside stock control, prescription processing, and supporting dispensary operations in accordance with NHS and practice standards. Further Training could be provided to the right candidate.

  Main duties of the job

  The main duties include accurately dispensing medications, processing prescriptions, managing stock and inventory, handling patient queries, and supporting the day-to-day operations of the dispensary in line with practice policies and procedures.

  About us

  Located in the stunning Lake District town of Keswick, Castlehead Medical Centre is a friendly, forward-thinking GP practice with a strong community ethos and a strong focus on patient-centred care.

  Were a close-knit team of 31, including GPs, practice nurses, healthcare assistants, pharmacists, admin, and support staff. Our team dynamic is one of our greatest strengths - we're supportive, approachable, and genuinely enjoy working together. Whether its sharing knowledge, celebrating wins, or helping each other through busy days, there's a real sense of camaraderie here.

  We pride ourselves on maintaining a positive and professional atmosphere. Our work ethic is built around collaboration, respect, and continuous improvement. We are committed to high standards of care, and equally committed to looking after each other as colleagues.

  Castlehead is a modern, well-equipped practice, and we embrace innovation where it enhances patient care and staff wellbeing. We are a training practice and value learning and development at every level, offering great opportunities for growth and support.

  If you're looking for a rewarding role in a beautiful part of the country and a team that values what you bring, Castlehead Medical Centre might be just the place for you.

  Details

  Date posted

  09 April 2025

  Pay scheme

  Other

  Salary

  £12.21 an hour

  Contract

  Bank

  Working pattern

  Annualised hours

  Reference number

  A5149-25-0000

  Job locations

  Ambleside Road

  Keswick

  Cumbria

  CA12 4DB

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  To process all relevant prescriptions as authorised by GPs where appropriate in accordance with the principles of good practice.

  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.

  Assist in the preparation and dispensing of prescriptions medicines/appliances in an accurate and timely manner

  Assist with stock control, ordering and re-stocking of the dispensary

  Job responsibilities -

  Sorting prescriptions

  Ordering and maintaining stock

  DSQS responsible for completing own training in a timely manner and in accordance with the DSQS requirements. Assist the dispensary manager in all other administration for the completion of the annual DSQS declaration to ensure full financial achievement.

  Significant event reporting using TeamNet and SIRMS as appropriate.

  Finance, Purchasing of stock and stock control

  Daily ordering of stock

  Ensuring goods are correctly delivered

  Check dispensary invoices against delivery notes

  Maintain adequate stocks and ensure shelf stock is rotated in date order

  Check out of date stock monthly, record, claim and destroy as per SOP

  Ensure safe management of controlled drugs according to the practice SOP, CQC regulations and current law.

  Receive payment for private work and inform finance department

  Receiving, processing and ordering stock in accordance with Practice Policies and SOPs

  Keeping the dispensary shelves and workstations clean and tidy, and contributing to stock checks and housekeeping.

  Prescriptions and prescription monies

  Daily: check prescriptions for signature/endorsements

  Weekly: submit all unsigned prescriptions

  Daily: cash up and balance prescription monies and any other payments taken

  Destruction of drugs

  Daily- returned medication from patients

  Monthly- check on any uncollected medication

  Quarterly- prepare returned drugs from patients for destruction

  Six monthly- conduct out of date controlled drugs destruction with the appropriate officer from the CCG

  Dispensing

  Oversee/check colleagues dispensing

  Dispensing acute prescriptions

  Dispensing drugs in accordance with Practice Policy and SOPs

  Dispensing drugs to a high level of accuracy

  Processing repeat prescriptions

  Collect prescription charges from patients

  Prepare patient pill packs

  Check for out of date repeats on patients prescription list and alert GP to review/remove

  Accept prescription requests from Hospitals, chemists, any other allied professions for and on behalf of patients

  Ensure workflow management of medication requests are completed and appropriate action is taken.

  Ensure fridge temperatures are recorded daily.

  Promote of online services to increase number of patients ordering medication online.

  Ensuring that prescriptions are correctly issued, signed by the doctor and signed by the patient, in line with Practice Policy and SOPs

  Ensuring that Drug Tariff knowledge is up-to-date by reading monthly amendments

  Communication-

  Handling telephone and general enquiries, referring urgent calls to appropriate lead

  Liaising with muti-disciplinary team members where necessary

  Dealing with all patient communication in a professional and polite manner

  Attending Dispensary Team meetings and training afternoons

  Communicate effectively with other team members

  Communicate effectively with patients and carers

  Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly

  Administration-

  Being responsible for security, including the opening and closing of dispensary and secure storage of items such as money received and prescriptions

  Recording and reporting any Incident/Accidents/Near Misses in accordance with Practice Policies (ensuring that all drug related incidents are recorded in the dispensary/drug incident reporting book)

  Contribution to the Implementation of Services-

  The post-holder will-

  Be responsible for preparing and updating standard operating procedures with the Dispensary Manager

  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

  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)

  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

  Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum twice annually)

  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

  Maintenance of sterile environments

  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

  Ensuring that all training is completed for DSQS and CQC

  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.

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  To process all relevant prescriptions as authorised by GPs where appropriate in accordance with the principles of good practice.

  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.

  Assist in the preparation and dispensing of prescriptions medicines/appliances in an accurate and timely manner

  Assist with stock control, ordering and re-stocking of the dispensary

  Job responsibilities -

  Sorting prescriptions

  Ordering and maintaining stock

  DSQS responsible for completing own training in a timely manner and in accordance with the DSQS requirements. Assist the dispensary manager in all other administration for the completion of the annual DSQS declaration to ensure full financial achievement.

  Significant event reporting using TeamNet and SIRMS as appropriate.

  Finance, Purchasing of stock and stock control

  Daily ordering of stock

  Ensuring goods are correctly delivered

  Check dispensary invoices against delivery notes

  Maintain adequate stocks and ensure shelf stock is rotated in date order

  Check out of date stock monthly, record, claim and destroy as per SOP

  Ensure safe management of controlled drugs according to the practice SOP, CQC regulations and current law.

  Receive payment for private work and inform finance department

  Receiving, processing and ordering stock in accordance with Practice Policies and SOPs

  Keeping the dispensary shelves and workstations clean and tidy, and contributing to stock checks and housekeeping.

  Prescriptions and prescription monies

  Daily: check prescriptions for signature/endorsements

  Weekly: submit all unsigned prescriptions

  Daily: cash up and balance prescription monies and any other payments taken

  Destruction of drugs

  Daily- returned medication from patients

  Monthly- check on any uncollected medication

  Quarterly- prepare returned drugs from patients for destruction

  Six monthly- conduct out of date controlled drugs destruction with the appropriate officer from the CCG

  Dispensing

  Oversee/check colleagues dispensing

  Dispensing acute prescriptions

  Dispensing drugs in accordance with Practice Policy and SOPs

  Dispensing drugs to a high level of accuracy

  Processing repeat prescriptions

  Collect prescription charges from patients

  Prepare patient pill packs

  Check for out of date repeats on patients prescription list and alert GP to review/remove

  Accept prescription requests from Hospitals, chemists, any other allied professions for and on behalf of patients

  Ensure workflow management of medication requests are completed and appropriate action is taken.

  Ensure fridge temperatures are recorded daily.

  Promote of online services to increase number of patients ordering medication online.

  Ensuring that prescriptions are correctly issued, signed by the doctor and signed by the patient, in line with Practice Policy and SOPs

  Ensuring that Drug Tariff knowledge is up-to-date by reading monthly amendments

  Communication-

  Handling telephone and general enquiries, referring urgent calls to appropriate lead

  Liaising with muti-disciplinary team members where necessary

  Dealing with all patient communication in a professional and polite manner

  Attending Dispensary Team meetings and training afternoons

  Communicate effectively with other team members

  Communicate effectively with patients and carers

  Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly

  Administration-

  Being responsible for security, including the opening and closing of dispensary and secure storage of items such as money received and prescriptions

  Recording and reporting any Incident/Accidents/Near Misses in accordance with Practice Policies (ensuring that all drug related incidents are recorded in the dispensary/drug incident reporting book)

  Contribution to the Implementation of Services-

  The post-holder will-

  Be responsible for preparing and updating standard operating procedures with the Dispensary Manager

  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

  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)

  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

  Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum twice annually)

  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

  Maintenance of sterile environments

  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

  Ensuring that all training is completed for DSQS and CQC

  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.

  Person Specification

  Skills and Abilities

  Essential

  • - High level of accuracy and attention to detail
  • - Good organisational and time management skills
  • - Able to communicate clearly with patients and colleagues
  • - Ability to follow SOPs and policies

  Desirable

  • - Competence in using EMIS or other GP systems
  • - Ability to train or supervise junior staff
  • - Knowledge of Drug Tariff

  Personal Attributes

  Essential

  • - Friendly and approachable
  • - Reliable and punctual
  • - Willingness to learn and undertake training
  • - Professional manner and appearance

  Desirable

  • - Team player who contributes to a positive working environment

  Experience

  Essential

  • Experience working in a healthcare or customer service environment
  • Handling of confidential information

  Desirable

  • Previous experience working in a GP practice dispensary or pharmacy
  • Familiarity with repeat prescription processes
  • Experience with controlled drugs and stock management

  Knowledge

  Essential

  • - Awareness of confidentiality and data protection in healthcare
  • - Basic knowledge of health & safety in the workplace

  Desirable

  • - Understanding of DSQS (Dispensing Services Quality Scheme)
  • - Infection control procedures

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths (Grade C or above)

  Desirable

  • NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or Dispensary Assistant qualification
  • DSQS-related training

  Personal Attributes

  Essential

  • - Friendly and approachable
  • - Reliable and punctual
  • - Willingness to learn and undertake training
  • - Professional manner and appearance

  Desirable

  • - Team player who contributes to a positive working environment

  Person Specification

  Skills and Abilities

  Essential

  • - High level of accuracy and attention to detail
  • - Good organisational and time management skills
  • - Able to communicate clearly with patients and colleagues
  • - Ability to follow SOPs and policies

  Desirable

  • - Competence in using EMIS or other GP systems
  • - Ability to train or supervise junior staff
  • - Knowledge of Drug Tariff

  Personal Attributes

  Essential

  • - Friendly and approachable
  • - Reliable and punctual
  • - Willingness to learn and undertake training
  • - Professional manner and appearance

  Desirable

  • - Team player who contributes to a positive working environment

  Experience

  Essential

  • Experience working in a healthcare or customer service environment
  • Handling of confidential information

  Desirable

  • Previous experience working in a GP practice dispensary or pharmacy
  • Familiarity with repeat prescription processes
  • Experience with controlled drugs and stock management

  Knowledge

  Essential

  • - Awareness of confidentiality and data protection in healthcare
  • - Basic knowledge of health & safety in the workplace

  Desirable

  • - Understanding of DSQS (Dispensing Services Quality Scheme)
  • - Infection control procedures

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths (Grade C or above)

  Desirable

  • NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or Dispensary Assistant qualification
  • DSQS-related training

  Personal Attributes

  Essential

  • - Friendly and approachable
  • - Reliable and punctual
  • - Willingness to learn and undertake training
  • - Professional manner and appearance

  Desirable

  • - Team player who contributes to a positive working 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

  Castlehead Medical Centre

  Address

  Ambleside Road

  Keswick

  Cumbria

  CA12 4DB

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.castlehead.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Castlehead Medical Centre

  Address

  Ambleside Road

  Keswick

  Cumbria

  CA12 4DB

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.castlehead.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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