Senior Pharmacy Receptionist

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Senior Pharmacy Receptionist to play a pivotal role within our modern, fully automated dispensary and distribution service. Based at our busy Pharmacy Reception, you will be at the heart of patient interaction, providing a welcoming first point of contact while working collaboratively with colleagues across the wider healthcare team.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, brings a passion for innovation, and is dedicated to delivering an outstanding patient experience at every touchpoint.

Main duties of the job

• Maintain and oversee the delivery of an efficient, effective and courteous reception service for patients and hospital staff, in line with dispensary procedures, responding promptly to queries from both patients and colleagues.
• Contribute to the smooth management of workflow entering and leaving the dispensary, ensuring appropriate prioritisation and escalating issues to senior dispensary staff when required.
• Ensure the Prescription Tracking System (PTS) is accurately updated so that it reflects the real‑time workload within the dispensary.
• Train, support and supervise volunteers and trainees working at the dispensary reception

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities

• Act as one of the first points of contact for the dispensary service, maintaining a courteous and professional manner with patients and staff at all times.
• Receive prescriptions and other requests in line with agreed procedures, liaising with patients, carers and hospital staff to resolve queries, and escalating complex issues to senior dispensary staff.
• Check that prescriptions contain complete demographic details, allergy status and weight where required.
• Ensure patients claiming exemption from prescription charges complete the appropriate declaration, request proof of exemption, and issue unpaid forms when evidence is not provided.
• Support patients using the payment kiosk, assisting where possible and escalating more complex issues when needed.
• Use the pharmacy stock control system to check availability of less commonly prescribed outpatient medicines and advise patients if items need to be ordered.
• Signpost patients with FP10 prescriptions to community pharmacies when appropriate.
• Ensure prescriptions are promptly booked onto the Prescription Tracking System (PTS) and escalate delays to senior staff.
• Flag prescriptions approaching or exceeding their target completion time to the appropriate team members and assist with prioritisation.
• Communicate any delays in processing prescriptions to patients and ward staff.
• Provide induction for new volunteers working in Pharmacy.
• Deliver training on customer service and reception duties to other Pharmacy staff

Please refer to the attached JD.