Pharmacy technician
drugstore technicians are necessity to the smooth run of pharmacies, making certain patients get the most out of their medicines .
Working life
You ‘ll work under the supervision of a pharmacist. You ‘ll speak with patients, offering them advice on how to best manage their medicines .
Your typical day could involve giving medicines to patients, either on prescription drug or over the antagonistic and providing information on potential side-effects. You ’ ll work with patients to reach the best possible care for them, advising them on their health, how to take their medicines and their life style choice. This could be face-to-face or over the call.
Reading: Pharmacy technician
sometimes you ’ ll indigence to refer patients on to another healthcare professional such as a pharmacist, doctor, nurse or allied health master. You ’ ll besides be responsible for the issue of medicines at the drugstore by working in the dispensary .
You may supervise other drugstore staff, such as drugstore assistants .
Pay and benefits
If you ’ rhenium running in the NHS, newly qualified drugstore technicians will normally start at band 4 of the Agenda for Change ( AfC ) pay scale. You ’ ll besides have access to a generous pension scheme and health service discounts, american samoa well as at least 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays .
Terms and conditions can vary for pharmacy technicians outside of the NHS, including those working in community pharmacies, or for other employers that provide NHS services .
Where will I work?
- hospitals
- community pharmacies
- GP practices
- care homes
- patient’s homes
- prisons
- the armed forces
- pharmaceutical industry
Must-have skills
- good communication skills
- ability to work effectively with your colleagues, patients and the public
- be able to maintain confidentiality and privacy
- to be responsible, accurate and methodical, with good attention to detail
- an interest in helping people and improving people’s health
How to become a pharmacy technician
You ‘ll need to complete a biennial accredited pharmacy technician naturally involving a desegregate of virtual work have and study. You ’ ll normally be employed by a pharmacy as a pre-registration trainee drugstore technician and study for a level 3 apprenticeship .
You will need to complete a biennial coach program comprising hardheaded study experience and analyze .
You can then register with the General Pharmaceutical Council ( GPhC ) and practice as a qualify drugstore technician.
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Entry requirements
typically, you will need four GCSE or equilvalent at A * -C/9-4 including mathematics, english linguistic process, science and one other subject to undertake the level 3 Pharmacy Technician ( Integrated ) apprenticeship .
Training and development
You will be required to keep your skills and knowledge up to date with annual continuing professional development ( CPD ) and formal assessments with the General Pharmaceutical Council to make sure your skills are up to date .
Your employer may offer in-house education and there are besides regional and national courses and qualifications available .
Where your career can take you
- You could become a senior pharmacy technician, responsible for the work of other pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants.
- You may even decide to go into management and leadership roles.
- You could specialise, in areas such as mental health, oncology (cancer treatment) or paediatrics.
