Pharmacy assistant

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• a trainee position
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could do a college course to get some of the skills you'll need as a pharmacy assistant.

You could do a Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Retail Skills.

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You could do a Pharmacy Services Assistant or Retailer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Work

You might be able to get a trainee pharmacy assistant job in a pharmacy.

You could work and do a part time qualification like the Level 2 Certificate in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Support Staff.

DirectApplication

You can apply directly for pharmacy assistant roles

You might need:

• experience of customer service
• good reading, number and IT skills
• GCSEs or equivalent

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• customer service skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to enjoy working with other people
• the ability to read English
• active listening skills
• a desire to help people
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• administration skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of English language
• maths knowledge
• the ability to sell products and services
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Pharmacy assistants serve customers and patients in chemists and hospital dispensaries.

As a pharmacy assistant you could:

• serve customers and give advice about non-prescription items
• label products, stock shelves and put orders together
• take calls from GP surgeries, nursing homes and clinics
• deliver medicines to wards
• enter medicine data on computer systems

Location : You could work at a health centre, at a store or in an NHS or private hospital.
Uniform : You may need to wear a uniform.

Salary:

Starter : £22,000
Experienced : £28,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 39 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

Career Path:

With experience and a recognised qualification , you could become a senior pharmacy assistant, supervisor or manager.

With further training, you could become a pharmacy technician .