Dispenser

Job summary

To provide a safe, accurate and efficient dispensing service to patients whilst supporting the smooth running of the dispensary. The post holder will be expected to undertake further training and development with the aim of achieving accredited Checker status within an agreed timeframe.

Main duties of the job

• Dispensing and Patient Support
• Stock Control
• Quality and Safety
• Administration
• Team Working
• Development and Accuracy Checking Dispenser
• General Duties
• Confidentiality & Compliance

About us

Mereside Medical is a flourishing group of three East Cambridgeshire practices in Ely, Haddenham and Soham, together serving c.45,000 patients. As a group, weve grown rapidly and now employ more than 170 people across the three practices. We are people-centred in our approach to work and believe that every contact that a patient has with our staff is as valuable as the next in the patient journey. We believe in clinical excellence, and that general practice is the cornerstone of well-being in our community. We are innovative and forward-looking, and we embrace technology to enable more effective, efficient, and connected ways of working to deliver ever better outcomes for our patients.

Our goal is to deliver on the ambitions laid out in the NHS 10 year Health Plan for England in a way that is locally relevant, valued by patients, and satisfying for our staff. In addition to our core general practice work we run a large clinical research trials unit and we work closely with the ICB to develop innovative ways to improve local service provision. We are the lead practice for one of the two local PCNs and are represented in both.

We are proud to be the host organisation for the NIHR Greater Cambridge & Suffolk Commercial Research Delivery Centre (Primary Care), one of only 14 in England. This prestigious designation recognises our commitment to accelerating commercial clinical research delivery for health and economic benefit across our region.

Details

• Date posted: 28 August 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £26,455 a year FTE pro rata for part time
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
• Reference number: A3013-26-0032
• Job locations: Brewhouse Lane, Soham, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5JD, United Kingdom, Haddenham Surgery, The Green, Haddenham, ELY, Cambridgeshire, CB6 3TA, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Based: Mereside Medical Practices (Staploe Medical Centre and Haddenham Surgery)

Basis: Permanent, Full time or Part Time

Salary: £26,455 per annum FTE pro rata for part-time/ £13.75 per hr

Eligibility: You must be eligible to work in the UK

About Us

Mereside Medical is a flourishing group of three East Cambridgeshire practices in Ely, Haddenham and Soham, together serving c.45,000 patients. As a group, we've grown rapidly and now employ more than 170 people across the three practices. We are people-centred in our approach to work and believe that every contact that a patient has with our staff is as valuable as the next in the patient journey. We believe in clinical excellence, and that general practice is the cornerstone of well-being in our community. We are innovative and forward-looking, and we embrace technology to enable more effective, efficient, and connected ways of working to deliver ever better outcomes for our patients.

The Role

Your Responsibilities

Dispensing and Patient Support

• Process repeat prescriptions accurately and in a timely manner
• Prepare, dispense and check medication within practice procedures
• Assist patients with prescription collections and dispensing queries
• Ensure prescription charges are collected and exemption declarations are completed correctly
• Assist with monitored dosage systems and controlled drug prescriptions where required
• Action owing items, medication requests and prescription amendments promptly.
• Escalate any clinical or dispensing concerns appropriately.

Stock Control

• Receive, check and store medication deliveries appropriately
• Maintain accurate stock levels and minimise wastage from expired medication
• Carry out regular date checks and stock rotation
• Ensure refrigerated items are stored correctly, and temperature records are maintained
• Assist with the return and disposal of unwanted or expired medication

Quality and Safety

• Maintain high levels of dispensing accuracy and attention to detail.
• Report dispensing incidents, near misses and discrepancies in line with practice procedures.
• Participate in audits, DSQS requirements and quality improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to maintaining SOPs and ensuring dispensary procedures are followed consistently.
• Support the achievement of regulatory and contractual requirements.

Administration

• Record and store financial transactions securely
• Process dispensary paperwork and forward invoices/correspondence as required
• Use SystemOne and other practice systems to process prescriptions and manage dispensary tasks
• Support dispensary audits and DSQS requirements where appropriate

Team Working

• Work collaboratively across both dispensary sites to support a One Team approach.
• Provide cover during periods of annual leave, sickness or increased workload.
• Support and assist colleagues, sharing knowledge and best practice.
• Participate in team meetings and service improvement activities.

Development to Accuracy Checking Dispenser

The post holder will be expected to:

• Demonstrate consistently high levels of dispensing accuracy.
• Complete any required in-house competency assessments.
• Undertake additional training identified by the Practice.
• Work towards accredited Checking Technician/ACT equivalent status within an agreed development period.
• Develop the knowledge and skills required to undertake independent accuracy checking responsibilities following successful qualification.

General Duties

• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and organisation within the dispensary
• Support colleagues and provide cover during periods of sickness or annual leave
• Undertake mandatory training and keep knowledge up to date
• Carry out any other reasonable duties requested by the Dispensary Manager or Supervisor

Confidentiality & Compliance

• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times in line with GDPR and practice policies
• Follow all health & safety, infection control and dispensary procedures
• Work in accordance with practice policies, professional standards and current legislation
• Promote equality, diversity and respectful treatment of patients and colleagues

You should have or be:

• NVQ Level 2 Dispensing qualification (or equivalent).
• Previous experience working in a dispensary or pharmacy environment.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a busy environment.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.
• Willingness to work towards accredited Checker status.

It would be an advantage if you also:

• Previous experience within General Practice dispensing.
• NVQ Level 3 Dispensing qualification.
• ACT/Checker qualification or evidence of progression towards this.
• Experience using SystemOne.
• Experience participating in audits, DSQS or quality improvement activities.

This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of duties. The need for flexibility is required and the post holder is expected to carry out any other related duties that are within the employee's skills and abilities whenever reasonably instructed.

If you are interested in this role please send a CV and covering letter to: cpicb.mereside-recruitment@nhs.net. Previous applicants need not apply.

Closing date: 11 September 2026. Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy early. If you have not received a response within 2 weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful on this occasion.