A day in the life of a Trainee Dispenser at Victory Internet Pharmacy

I am Rand Rashid, a Trainee Dispenser at VIP pharmacy and 3rd year pharmacy student at the University of Portsmouth.

I joined VIP pharmacy in July 2020. I am part of an experienced dispensing team who make nomad trays for patients. In addition to this I also answer phones, pick medications for dispensers, follow up on patient queries from emails and VIP website and App, order patient medications and audit-trail its receipt from the surgeries – effectively ensure that all requests are followed through until we receive the prescription. My role at VIP is wide and varied which includes many tasks to help me understand not only the dispensing process but also purchasing and stock control. Working at VIP has given me a broader understanding of a pharmacy and the different roles within it.

As a trainee dispenser, I work under the supervision of my pharmacist / or an ACT (Accuracy Checking Technician). If I am dispensing a nomad tray then I would start with the prescription and medicine being checked by a pharmacist or ACT before I start making the tray. We follow a strict routine and protocol ensuring patient safety at every stage of this process until the tray is ready for its final check by the pharmacist or ACT before it bagged for delivery.

I am so glad that we are part of the NHS system, and as a team we are always keen to provide the best healthcare.

As a 3rd year pharmacy student this is invaluable experience which is helping me in my studies and will propel me to become a good pharmacist.