Dispensary Counter Assistant

Posting date:	23 September 2025
Salary:	Not specified
Additional salary information:	Negotiable
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	13 October 2025
Location:	Halesworth, IP19 8SG
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	A1418-25-0006

Summary

Job Summary: The Dispensary Desk Assistant provides frontline support in the dispensary, ensuring patients and customers receive an efficient, friendly, and safe service. The role involves greeting patients, processing prescriptions, handling enquiries, managing payments, and supporting the dispensary team with administrative and organisational tasks. The post holder will act as the first point of contact at the dispensary desk, maintaining high standards of customer care while ensuring confidentiality and accuracy in all interactions. They will work closely with pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and other healthcare staff to support the smooth running of the dispensary, including assisting with stock control, record keeping, and the preparation of prescriptions. The role requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively under pressure in a busy healthcare environment. Job Responsibilities: To collect all due prescription charges and ensure that the patient declaration on the reverse of the FP10 is duly filled in and signed by the patient. To ensure shelves and all work surfaces are regularly cleaned to maintain a high level of hygiene within the Dispensary and that all Dispensary equipment is kept clean and kept in good working order. To ensure that refrigerated items are stored at the appropriate temperature and to maintain a temperature control record/logbook. To undertake any necessary work as may be required and appropriate to maintain a high standard and efficient dispensing service. Issue prescriptions daily to keeping on top for our 5 day collection Deal with patient queries in person. Be first point of contact to patients with queries Deal with patient notes issued by doctors/nurses or staff Maintain a clean and tidy working area 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 jobholder 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. Always get patients or their representatives to confirm their date of birth or address before giving out any medication Health & Safety: The jobholder 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 jobholder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include: Acting in a way that recognizes 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 jobholder 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 jobholder 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. Contribute as required to the Practices achievement of Quality and Outcomes Framework points. Communication: The jobholder 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 Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly. Keep the Dispensary Manager and/or the Practice informed of any relevant issues Attend the Quarterly Dispensary Meeting as well as quarterly Staff Meetings wherever possible Contribution to the Implementation of Services: The jobholder 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. Report any concerns over the probity of other team members to the relevant Manager or GP as appropriate.