Pharmacy technician

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could do a Pharmacy Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

You can also train to be a pharmacy technician through an apprenticeship with the NHS or the armed forces.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

You can apply for a trainee pharmacy technician position and learn on the job.

Employers will often ask for 4 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English, maths and science, Level 2 Diploma in Applied Science, or equivalent qualifications.

You'll do on-the-job training over 2 years and work towards a Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• customer service skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• active listening skills
• maths knowledge
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• administration skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to read English
• knowledge of English language
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of medicine and dentistry
• a desire to help people
• the ability to work well with your hands
• concentration skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software

What you'll do:

Pharmacy technicians prepare and supply medicines for prescriptions, under the supervision of a pharmacist.

In this role you could:

• prepare prescription items
• make sure prescriptions are legal and accurate
• order new stock using computerised systems
• give advice to customers about medicines and refer complex queries to the pharmacist
• handle confidential information

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

Salary:

Starter : £25,000
Experienced : £35,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

Career Path:

With experience you could become a lead pharmacy technician or a department manager.

You could take on a specialist role like clinical technician, working with healthcare professionals and patients on wards. There may also be opportunities to move into areas like oncology, paediatrics or clinical trials.

Some pharmacy technicians go into research and development work, or move into pharmaceutical production, sales or marketing.

You could train to be a pharmacist .

Another option is to become a pharmacy assessor working with trainee pharmacy technicians.