Sharnbrook Surgery
Pharmacy Dispenser

The closing date is 20 November 2026
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Job summary
We are looking for a Pharmacy Dispenser Join Our Caring Team

We are a welcoming, patient-focused GP surgery looking for a Dispenser to join our dedicated team on a 3month fixed term contract.

Our practice prides itself on delivering safe, efficient, and compassionate care to our community.

What Were Looking For

• NVQ Level 2/3 in Dispensing or equivalent experience
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities
• A caring, patient-first attitude
• Ability to work well under pressure in a busy environment

Main duties of the job
As a Dispenser, you will:

• Prepare and dispense medication in line with NHS and practice protocols
• Manage repeat prescriptions accurately and efficiently
• Provide friendly, professional advice to patients regarding their medication
• Maintain stock levels and ensure medicines are stored securely
• Work closely with GPs, nurses, and reception staff to support patient care

About us
Sharnbrook Surgery is more than just a place for healthcare; it is a welcoming hub where patients feel known, heard, and cared for. Our close-knit team of doctors, nurses, receptionists, and support staff work side-by-side, combining professional expertise with genuine compassion.

We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality, patient-centred care, while fostering a warm, supportive environment for our colleagues. Whether it is sharing a laugh in the staff room or collaborating on ways to improve services, we believe in looking after each other as much as we look after our patients.

If you join us, you will not just be part of a team; you will be part of a community.

Details
Date posted: 06 November 2026
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: £13.34 an hour
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 3 months
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: A5910-26-0006
Job locations: Templars Way, Sharnbrook, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK44 1PZ, United Kingdom

Job description
Job Summary:
The post-holder will project a positive and friendly image to dispensing patients and other visitors and deal with queries in a professional, courteous and efficient way.

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 and in line with the team agreed daily minimum objectives.
To provide reception cover to meet the needs of the service.

• Issuing stock items and prepared prescriptions
• Handing out prescriptions, collection of prescription charges / checking patient exemption statements and prescriptions are completed correctly
• Processing and dispensing repeat and acute prescription requests received in the surgery in line with practice policies
• Collecting private charges for private medications, vaccines and other medications and private non-NHS work
• Issuing and dispensing dossette boxes throughout the week.
• Sorting prescriptions in preparation to send to NHSBSA monthly by the required date to ensure timely reimbursement.
• Remove items from the collection of baskets which have not been collected on a two-month basis.
• Check invoices for PA and Treatment Room items and add to sheets ready to be transferred to Excel sheet for Practice manager
• 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
• Ensuring that drugs are received and stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the manufacturers instructions
• Ensuring that refrigerated items are stored at the appropriate temperature and maintaining the temperature control record on Team net. Record both fridge and Room temperature on Tean Net.
• Cleaning work surfaces and shelving on a regular basis and ensuring that all dispensary equipment is kept clean and kept in good working order.
• Maintaining full and accurate records of all dispensing transactions
• Accepting orders for repeats and dealing with queries from district nurses and support staff.
• Amend stock levels if found to be incorrect at the time of dispensing
• Checking goods in as and when they are delivered
• Returning incorrect goods to the wholesalers
• Stocking shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas using the rotation method.
• Removing out of date stock from the shelves, refrigerators and other storage areas.
• To action tasks, notifications and emails
• Using the computer to maintain accurate and up to date records
• Liaise with the GPs or in patient records if concerned about the appropriateness of medication requests.
• Dealing with queries from patients regarding prescriptions
• To handle controlled drugs and maintain accurate online register for legal and stock control purposes in line with current legislation and safe storage as required
• Assist in stock checks where required
• To provide cover for members of the team during absence
• To perform safe disposal of pharmaceutical waste ensuring compliance including controlled drugs where appropriate
• To act upon any new information relating to stock or procedures
• To keep professionally up to date with current dispensing practice
• To work with the Dispensing Partner, Practice Manager and other members of the team to update Standard Operating Procedures following any legislative changes or other relevant procedures.

This Job Description is neither exhaustive nor exclusive and will be reviewed periodically in conjunction with the post holder. The post holder is required to carry out any duties that may reasonably be requested by the Partners or the Practice Manager.

Confidentiality:
While 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 careers, Practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to 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 assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the Practice Health & Safety Policy, to include:

• Using personal security systems within the workplace according to Practice guidelines
• Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks
• Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills
• Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards
• Reporting potential risks identified

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 recognizes the importance of people's 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 of 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

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 team's 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 and carers
• Recognize people's 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
• Attend Team Meetings
• Participate in audit where appropriate

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential: NVQ Level 2 Dispensing
Experience
Essential: Experience of working within a busy dispensing service
Desirable: Experience of working within a GP Surgery Dispensing team

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: Sharnbrook Surgery
Address: Templars Way, Sharnbrook, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK44 1PZ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.sharnbrooksurgery.co.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Karen Tomlin / Andrea Holloway or Von Balodis
Email: sharnbrook.surgery1@nhs.net
Phone: 01234781392

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