Dispensary Manager


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	from £33,500 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Hereford, HR2 0EU
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	5 Oct 2026
Closing date:	23 Oct 2026

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Summary

Key Responsibilities Take overall responsibility for the effective day-to-day running of the dispensaries across both sites Organise & oversee dispensary workflow to ensure prescriptions are processed safely, accurately & efficiently Ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained & resources allocated effectively according to workload & service requirements Monitor prescription workload & identify periods of increased demand, capacity issues & operational pressures Prioritise workload appropriately while maintaining patient safety & service standards Ensure clear systems are in place for receiving, processing, dispensing, checking, storing & issuing medicines Ensure prescription queries & outstanding items are followed up appropriately Oversee the management of repeat prescriptions & associated dispensary processes Ensure medicines awaiting collection are stored appropriately & patients are notified where applicable Ensure the dispensary environment is organised, secure, professional & suitable for the safe provision of dispensing services Provide operational support to the team during busy periods & lead by example Patient Safety & Dispensing Governance Promote a strong culture of patient safety throughout the dispensary Ensure dispensing processes are undertaken in accordance with current legislation, professional standards, relevant regulatory & governance requirements & practice policies & agreed procedures Maintain, review & implement dispensary Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Ensure controlled drugs are managed in accordance with current legislation, professional requirements & practice procedures Maintain appropriate systems for the safe ordering, receipt, storage, dispensing, recording & disposal of controlled drugs Ensure all dispensary staff understand, acknowledge & work within relevant SOPs Ensure appropriate systems are in place for reporting, investigating & learning from dispensing errors, incidents & near misses Escalate significant patient safety concerns to the appropriate clinician, Practice Manager or GP Partner Encourage an open & fair learning culture where staff feel able to report mistakes & concerns Undertake regular audits of dispensary processes & standards Staff Management & Leadership Provide effective day-to-day leadership & management of the dispensary team Promote a supportive, professional & accountable working culture Prepare & manage staff rotas to ensure appropriate dispensary cover Allocate duties fairly & appropriately according to competence, workload & service needs Monitor staff performance & address concerns promptly & constructively Undertake staff appraisals Support staff wellbeing while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries & service expectations regarding performance, conduct, professionalism & patient service Encourage effective teamwork, communication & mutual support Recognise good performance & encourage staff development Participate in recruitment, selection & induction of new staff where required Support effective workforce planning & identify future staffing or skill requirements Ensure staff remain familiar with current SOPs & changes to dispensary procedures Ensure staff only undertake duties for which they have received appropriated training & demonstrated competence Stock Management & Procurement Maintain effective systems for the procurement & management of medicines & dispensary stock Ensure appropriate stock levels are maintained while minimising unnecessary expenditure & wastage Review wholesaler prices, discounts & purchasing arrangements to support the financial sustainability of the dispensary Ensure stock received is checked & stored appropriately Maintain effective stock rotation procedures Monitor expiry dates & minimise losses through expired or obsolete stock Ensure fridge temperatures & other required monitoring records are maintained Manage stock shortages & supply problems & communicate appropriately with patients & clinicians Maintain appropriate procedures for medicines recalls & safety alerts Ensure unwanted, expired & returned medicines are handled & disposed of appropriately Financial & Business Management Support the financial performance & sustainability of the dispensary Monitor dispensing activity & relevant performance data Work with the Practice Manager & GP Partners to understand dispensary income & expenditure Identify opportunities to improve dispensary profitability without compromising patient safety or quality of care Review systems & processes that affect productivity & operational costs Support the development of business cases for new equipment, technology, staffing or service where appropriate Dispensing Patients & Regulatory Compliance Maintain an understanding of the regulations relating to dispensing patients within general practice Support the practice in maintaining accurate dispensing patient records Respond appropriately to patient queries regarding dispensing arrangements Support the Practice Manager in ensuring the dispensary operates within relevant NHS regulations & contractual requirements Keep up to date with changes to legislation, guidance & requirements affecting dispensing practices Prescription & Medicines Management Processes Oversee effective prescription processing within the dispensary Ensure prescription requests, dispensing & collection processes are managed safely Ensure dispensary staff work within their competence & do not provide clinical advice outside their scope of practice Liaise with GPs, pharmacists & other appropriate healthcare professionals regarding prescription or medicines queries Support safe systems for medicines following hospital discharge or other transitions of care where relevant to the dispensary's responsibilities Patient Service Promote a professional, respectful & patient-centred service Ensure patients are treated with dignity, confidentiality & courtesy Respond appropriately to patient concerns & complaints relating to the dispensary Recognise the needs of patients within a rural community, including potential difficulties accessing alternative pharmacy services Ensure confidentiality & information governance requirements are always maintained Quality Improvement & Service Development Regularly view dispensary processes to identify opportunities to improve safety, efficiency & patient experience Encourage staff to contribute ideas for service improvement Support the development of new dispensary services where appropriate Communication & Collaborative Working Maintain effective communication within the dispensary team Establish regular opportunities for staff to discuss workload, safety concerns & service improvements Liaise effectively with GPs, nurses, pharmacists, reception staff, admin teams & practice management Attend relevant practice meetings & provide dispensary updates where required Information Governance & Confidentiality Maintain patient confidentiality at all times Ensure dispensary staff comply with practice information governance & data protections requirements Ensure patient information is only accessed where required for legitimate professional purposes Maintain secure handling & storage of confidential information Ensure conversations involving confidential patient information are conducted appropriately Health, Safety & Security Promote a safe working environment for patients & staff Ensure medicines & dispensary areas are secure Report & respond appropriately to health & safety concerns Ensure relevant risk assessments are undertaken & reviewed Ensure staff understand emergency procedures relevant to the dispensary

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