Career Suggestion

Pharmacy assistant

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

Average salary (a year)

£24000.0 to £31000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

36.0 to 40.0

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

You can get into this job through:

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

College

You could do a college course in retail skills to help get a job as a trainee pharmacy assistant.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements for this route but it may help you to get in if you have:

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

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, with a high street pharmacy or in a hospital, such as:

  • Pharmacy Services Assistant Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Retail Service, Supply and Administration Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
  • Retailer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship

Foundation apprenticeship

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship

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

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
  • search for apprenticeships on NHS Jobs|https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate
  • find an apprenticeship|https://www.gov.uk/apply-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.

Direct Application

You can apply directly for pharmacy assistant roles

You might need:

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

More Information

Further Information

You can find out more about working as a pharmacy assistant from Health Careers .

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • 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
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day-to-day tasks

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

Working environment

You could work at a health centre, at a store or in an NHS or private hospital.

You may need to wear a uniform.

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 .

Related careers

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